Symposium on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies in the Asia-Pacific Region

The urgency of transitioning toward a sustainable Pacific region has been underscored by recent crises, particularly extreme events and the exacerbation of regional inequalities. The Asia-Pacific region is facing some of the most severe impacts of climate change, from rising sea levels threatening island nations to extreme weather events disrupting economies and livelihoods. Fiji and other Pacific nations are on the frontlines, experiencing coastal erosion, coral bleaching, and intensified cyclones—yet they also hold valuable traditional knowledge and emerging innovations in climate resilience. Meanwhile, rapid urbanisation and industrial growth in larger Asia-Pacific economies contribute significantly to global emissions, underscoring the urgent need for mitigation strategies.

This symposium addresses the critical gaps seen between scientific research, policy implementation, and community-based action. While climate commitments exist, many nations struggle with financing, technology transfer, and equitable adaptation planning. The Symposium will unite researchers, policymakers, business leaders, and Indigenous communities to foster collaboration, share scalable solutions, and strengthen regional climate strategies. By prioritising both cutting-edge science and local wisdom, the event aims to accelerate actionable pathways for reducing emissions and enhancing adaptive capacity. Given the interconnected nature of climate risks in the Asia-Pacific, collective action is not just beneficial—it is essential for safeguarding vulnerable populations and ecosystems. This gathering will serve as a catalyst for transformative change, ensuring the region remains at the forefront of global climate leadership.

The event bridges the gap between theory and practice, by fostering interdisciplinary dialogues on how climate change in the region may be tackled, especially the mitigation and adaptation measures needed to enable the region to evolve to become a more resilient and equitable region.

The Symposium aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia by exploring innovative approaches, methods, best practices, and policy frameworks that facilitate transformation in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation. By bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and educators, the event offers a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and actionable strategies to support current and future efforts to address the many challenges climate change poses to the Asia-Pacific region.

The Symposium aims to:

• a) Share cutting-edge research by presenting the latest scientific findings on climate risks and solutions.
• b) Strengthen policy frameworks by promoting actionable strategies for governments and non-governmental organisations.
• c) Promote regional collaboration by facilitating partnerships between government agencies, academia, NGOs, and the private sector.
• d) Highlight indigenous and local knowledge by  showcasing how traditional practices may be integrated with modern climate adaptation.
• e) Foster innovation and technology by demonstrating scalable solutions for mitigation and adaptation

The event will also highlight the role of digital tools and experiential learning in climate change education, and will facilitate partnerships between academia, industry, and government to align their operations with with sustainability goals.

Papers may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

i.    Climate-resilient infrastructure: designing cities and coastal defenses to withstand extreme weather.
ii.    Renewable energy transition: scaling up solar, wind, and ocean energy in the Asia-Pacific.
iii.    Nature-Based Solutions: restoring mangroves, coral reefs, and forests for carbon sequestration and disaster risk reduction.
iv.    Climate finance and investment: mobilising funds for adaptation projects in vulnerable communities.
v.    Disaster preparedness and early warning systems: improving response mechanisms for cyclones, floods, and droughts.
vi.    Sustainable agriculture and food security; adapting farming practices to changing climates.
vii.    Ocean and coastal management: protecting marine ecosystems while supporting blue economies.
viii.    Climate justice and equity: ensuring marginalised communities are included in decision-making.
ix.    Circular economy and waste reduction: minimising emissions through sustainable consumption.
x.     Youth and community-led climate action: empowering the next generation of climate leaders.
xi.    Climate change education and communication: fostering awareness on climate change.
xii.    Health and Climate Change: Strengthening Public Health Resilience in a Warming World

These themes encourage interdisciplinary discussions on reshaping economic systems for climate resilience, equity, and environmental stewardship. Additional themes are also  welcome, please consult the organisers to discuss your specific inputs. By addressing a wide range of themes, the Symposium aims to contribute to a more sustainable and just economic future, fostering actionable insights for policymakers, businesses, and civil society. 

Delegates come from a cross-sectoral range of areas. These are:

• Ministers, advisors, and officials from Asia-Pacific nations responsible for implementing climate action plans, carbon reduction policies, and disaster resilience frameworks. Their participation ensures alignment between research and policy.
• Indigenous and community Leaders representing Pacific Island and coastal communities who hold traditional ecological knowledge on sustainable resource management, disaster preparedness, and ecosystem conservation. Their insights bridge local wisdom with global strategies.
• Climate scientists and researchers working in climatology, oceanography, and sustainable development who can present data-driven solutions, risk assessments, and emerging technologies for mitigation and adaptation.
• Renewable energy, green tech Innovators, entrepreneurs and engineers specialising in solar, wind, hydro, and ocean energy systems tailored for island and coastal regions. Their innovations can accelerate the transition from fossil fuels.
• International development and finance experts from organisations such a the Asian Development Bank (ADB), UNFCCC, and Green Climate Fund, who can guide funding mechanisms, grants, and investment strategies for climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Youth climate activists and  NGO representatives driving grassroots movements, education campaigns, and community-based adaptation projects. Their energy and on-the-ground experience ensure intergenerational equity in climate planning.

By bringing together this diverse group, the Symposium can foster collaborative, actionable, and inclusive strategies for climate resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Symposium is organised and hosted by the University of Fiji, in partnership with the Research and Transfer Centre Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), the International Climate Change Information and Research Programme (ICCIRP) and the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP).

As an output of the event, the book “Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies in the Asia-Pacific Region”  will be published by Springer Nature, as part of the "Climate Change Management Series". This is, with over 50 books to date, the world’s leading peer-reviewed book series on matters related to climate change: https://link.springer.com/series/8740. It follows on the success of previous publications such as: 

Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific Region (2015)

Climate Change Adaptation in Pacific Countries (2017)

Managing Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific Region (2020)

Over 3.500 scientists and former doctoral students have published their work in the series. The peer-reviewed nature of the series means that publications produced as part of it have been officially accepted for promotion and tenure purposes over the years, and as validated outputs as part of PhD Programmes.

Deadline for chapters: 15 September 2026. Chapter submission is not mandatory, only suggested.

• Abstract Submission: 30 May 2026
• Registration Deadline: 15 June 2026
• Full Paper Submission: 15 September 2026

To offset some of the costs of the organisation of the event and the book production costs, a registration fee of € 275 (plus taxes) will be charged to delegates (€ 100, plus taxes, for students). The fee includes the coffee breaks and lunches on the two days, and a PDF of the book to those who contributed to it. Information on how to register will be sent to the delegates whose contributions have been accepted.

An abstract should be 200-300 words long, describe the rationale and aims of the paper and some of its results, and be consistent with the conference theme. General descriptions of broad contexts should be avoided. Abstracts should be written in the third person, not in the first or second person (e.g., I, me, or my paper). Authors whose abstracts have been accepted will receive further details about how to submit their full papers and additional information. 

Please use the following form to submit your abstract:https://forms.office.com/e/Xg2Cgg4vU7
The deadline for submitting abstracts is 30 March 2026. Full papers for the book are due by 15 September 2026. The details will be discussed with the selected authors.

For registration, please fill in the following form:https://forms.office.com/e/r1WzEceTmg
The deadline for registrations is 30 April 2026

• Prof. Walter Leal, HAW Hamburg, Germany
• Prof. Abhijit Gogoi,The University of Fiji

• Dr. Ricardo Corpuz, The University of Fiji
• Sharon Biribo, The University of Fiji
• Priyatma Singh, The University of Fiji
• Prof. Johannes M. Luetz, Alphacrucis University College, Graduate Research School, Brisbane, Australia  
• Dr. Marina Kovaleva, HAW Hamburg
• Dr. Franziska Wolf, HAW Hamburg

Dr. Laís Trevisan, HAW Hamburg    

If you have any questions, or need further details, please contact the organising committee at: FTZ-NK-Events (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de