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South-East Asia’s food production costs could go up by 80% in sustainability drive, says Study
SINGAPORE, June 26 (The Straits Times/ANN):While reducing carbon emissions will help manage the extreme weather conditions that have led to food price spikes in South-East Asia, this transition to a lower carbon future could come with its own costs, one think-tank said.
Global forecasting firm Oxford Economics estimated that the costs of producing food could go up by as much as 80 per cent in countries such as Indonesia by 2050, as governments implement measures aimed at achieving net zero.This is if regional authorities do not also introduce initiatives to mitigate the impact to the food supply chain, said Oxford Economics Asian macro consulting head Tom Rogers, during a webinar on Thursday (June 23).
The webinar, hosted by Oxford Economics, discussed findings from a study into the impact of climate change on food prices.The study, commissioned by industry body Food Industry Asia and conducted by Oxford Economics, found that heatwaves in Thailand in December 2014 and in Vietnam in February 2019 contributed to food prices going up by about 6 per cent during those months.
“Those types of extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and they will become more frequent in the years to come,” said Rogers, who is based in Singapore.
Such extreme weather will be less frequent should the region meet the International Energy Agency’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by the middle of the century, he added.However, governments should protect consumers from the added costs of moving towards sustainable methods.Oxford Economics suggests that the authorities provide support to farmers adopting technologies that improve resilience to extreme weather as well as encourage the uptake of farm insurance, which would allow farmers to restart production more quickly after events such as floods or heatwaves.
The think-tank recommends that they support farmers in adopting measures such as solar panels and the conversion of food waste to energy, which would make them less reliant on electricity from the grid.Protecting consumers from absorbing the costs associated with the move towards greater sustainability is especially important for poorer households, which spend a greater proportion of their income on food.
“We think there is a lot that governments can do about it, we think there are plenty of policy options,” he said.
“There is a need to start the discussion on how best to go about both mitigating short-term impacts of food price volatility and also tackling that cost of transition.”
Rogers noted the study was published in February, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which impacted energy and food prices across the world.On Thursday, it was reported that Singapore’s core inflation hit 3.6 per cent in May on the back of rising food prices – the highest core inflation rate the Republic has faced since December 2008, when it hit 4.2 per cent.Noting some countries have begun using more coal for energy generation to avoid being dependent on Russian gas, the economist said it remains to be seen whether the conflict will ultimately speed up or slow down the transition to net zero.
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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