The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in Asia 2024 report warns that the region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, driving more extreme weather and posing serious threats to lives, ecosystems, and economies. In 2024, Asia experienced its warmest or second warmest year on …
The Asian Co-benefits Partnership (ACP) was created to support the mainstreaming of co-benefits into projects and policies in Asia and the Pacific in 2010. The increase in the number of policies featuring co-benefits in Asia and the Pacific suggests the ACP has had some success achieving this objective. Recent changes …
This report explains why strengthening the governance around public investment management is central to cutting inefficiencies and unblocking the climate finance needed to narrow Asia and the Pacific’s gaping infrastructure gap. Outlining how adaptation and mitigation should be woven into more inclusive investment planning, the report explains why private investment …
Since February 2022, geopolitical events have made clear Europe’s need to diversify its energy sources and avoid excessive dependence on fossil fuel imports. The drop in Russian natural gas flows to Europe in 2022 marked the single largest supply shock in the history of global gas markets. It caused a …
Analyzing how intensifying climate change threatens to increase poverty and hunger in Asia and the Pacific, this report highlights the need for transformative solutions that advance climate action, increase resilience, and protect hard-fought development gains. The report underscores the need for an integrated and more regional approach, outlines key enablers …
The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024 is one of the annual flagship publications of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It provides an overview of SDG Progress in the region which serves as a foundation for many other activities conducted …
In a first-of-its-kind analysis of wild species trade in Central Asia, this report sets out to establish a baseline assessment of the levels and dynamics of both legal and illegal wild species trade in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, paving the way for future studies to delve deeper into the …
Recognizing the invaluable role of forests in the fight against climate change, countries and the international community have established a framework known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable forest management, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+). This …
The “Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Accelerating Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia” initiative was funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction over the period 2019 - 2023. The project supported building the foundations for greater …
The transition to a sustainable future in the Asia-Pacific region has global economic significance. Despite driving global growth in recent years, the region's heavy coal reliance led to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting climate mitigation and adaptation needs in emerging and developing Asia requires investment of at least $1.1 trillion …
A compendium of field stories showcasing experiences from Asian and African countries, including India was launched. The compendium will help in capacity building and scaling up the best practices in the adoption of millets across the world. It also signifies the successful realization of the Mapping and Exchange of the …
Rapid and unpredictable digital technology innovation is reshaping economic, social, and cultural systems. Information and communications technology (ICT) disparities lead to imbalanced development, widening short-term digital divides. Within this framework, policy development fosters inclusion, ensures access, raises awareness, enhances skills, and promotes sustainability in emerging technologies. Despite notable technological strides …
Highlighting how plastic impacts climate change, this brief considers the anticipated Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) and shows how ADB can help Asia and the Pacific implement circular economy solutions to help meet low-carbon goals. Outlining how continuing business-as-usual could see plastics contribute up to 19% of global greenhouse gas targets …
The Asia-Pacific Population and Development Report 2023 was prepared in conjunction with the Seventh Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC). It brings together the latest evidence on the priority actions of the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development (APMD), with a particular focus on SDG indicators. It …
Asia and the Pacific witnessed US$ 302 billion worth of Greenfield projects announced in the January to September 2023 period, a staggering 35 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2022, when US$ 224 billion had been recorded. 2023 appears to be on track to match – and …
Given the commitment of G7 and G20 countries to the gradual elimination of fossil fuel subsidies and their advocacy for other nations to follow suit, this study examines the effects of such subsidies on firms’ GHG emissions. Utilizing a dataset comprising 3,359 firms across seven countries in developing Asia, namely, …
Transport is essential for global economic and social development, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. However, its rapid expansion in the region has posed challenges, due to continued urbanization and motorization which increase negative externalities such as congestion, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and road accidents. In response to transport challenges and …
Setting up a fund for loss and damage is one of the achievements of COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. However, ambiguity remains regarding its functions and set-up. This briefing paper emphasizes the importance of understanding the gendered dimensions of both economic and non-economic losses and damages in …
The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report (APTIR) is a biennial publication prepared by the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to provide insights into the impact of recent emerging developments in trade and foreign direct investment on countries’ …
The urban heat island (UHI) effect, especially when considered together with climate change, represents a serious and growing threat to the competitiveness, livability, and inclusiveness of East Asia’s cities. However, because it is a local effect, the leaders of these cities can significantly mitigate its impact on local temperatures while …
Disability-inclusive business opens a new horizon to accelerate the effective implementation of disability-inclusive development. Disability-inclusive development ensures the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all their diversity and the promotion and practice of mainstreaming their rights into all areas of development. Business has a pivotal role to play in …
