Regional environmental groups and activists urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today to find a common approach to solving climate change.

ASEAN countries must work together "to save the 600 million people from the catastrophic impact of climate change in the region," said Zelda Soriano, political adviser of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, at a forum for diplomats, government officials and civil society representatives at the Department of Foreign Affairs Office in Metro Manila's Pasay City.

The next round of negotiations on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a proposed binding treaty on lowering carbon emissions, will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from August 30 to September 5. Activists argue that since individual ASEAN members are not considered big stakeholders, the regional bloc has to come up with a unified stand to be able to have a voice in the UN negotiations.

“Floods, drought and other climate extremes are becoming more frequent, intense and devastating in Southeast Asia due to global warming,” Soriano said. “The UN convention is still the best and perhaps the only multilateral negotiations space to agree on a global deal necessary to address climate change."

The Kyoto Protocol, which commits developed countries to lower their carbon emissions, is expected to expire in December.

Orly Mercado, secretary-general of Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration, agreed that ASEAN needs to show solidarity.

"Climate change is not about politics, or territorial conflict but a matter involving the lives of 600 million people," he said.

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