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 …
This paper deals with the diverse landscape of demographic and labour market trends in the region, and puts them in context with emerging trends and developments – repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition toward a green economy, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the impact of and responses to climate …
This paper finds the green trade pattern of Asian economies is increasing in terms of its export share within the region and in global trade. However, the green imports share showed faster growth than the exports share. In addition, the pattern of green trade differs depending on green industry definitions, …
The oil and gas (O&G;) sector in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is likely to find fundraising trickier, particularly to support fresh capacity, according to this new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). O&G; company financing is subject to the practices of their financiers, underwriters and …
Much of what is currently known about the adverse effects of ambient air pollution comes from studies conducted in high-income regions, especially North America and Europe, with relatively low air pollution levels. More recently, studies of long-term ambient air pollution exposure and its effect on morbidity and mortality in low- …
Poor diets and malnutrition in all its forms are among the greatest global social challenges of our time. The Nutrition Year of Action spotlighted the urgent need for more action whilst ensuring that all stakeholders are held accountable for their commitments. The 2022 Global Nutrition Report provides an analysis of …
More than any other region, children in the East Asia and Pacific region are having to survive multiple, often overlapping climate and environmental hazards and shocks, according to this latest UNICEF regional report ‘Over the Tipping Point’. The report highlights the urgent need to invest in climate-smart social services and …
This publication presents a comprehensive overview of the potential impact of climate change on Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) member countries. It assesses and recommends how CAREC member countries can collaborate to address climate change issues through regional cooperation. The report's overarching conclusion is that CAREC has a unique …
This regional synthesis report aims to guide policy-makers through providing operational policy recommendations on how to ensure education is protected in Asia and the Pacific in the face of climate change and displacement from a human rights-based approach. The report is one of the four being developed and will contribute …
Asia and the Pacific remains a dynamic region despite the somber backdrop of what looks to be shaping up as a challenging year for the world economy. Global growth is poised to decelerate as rising interest rates and Russia’s war in Ukraine weigh on activity. Inflation remains stubbornly high, and …
Impacts of air pollution on public health have been a matter of increasing research interest, however, gender-specific risk factors and outcomes remain comparatively under studied. Women suffer from inequalities in almost every facet of society and sector, and ESCAP undertook a study project to specifically look at the challenges ambient …
This report explores what a global transition to net zero could mean for Asia and the Pacific under a range of climate policy scenarios and provides recommendations. Developing Asia faces a climate policy crossroads. The region is highly vulnerable to climate change, even as it is an increasing contributor to …
It is universally recognized that air pollution is a pressing environmental challenge that has increased considerably in recent years, leading to a rise in premature deaths, threatening livelihoods, and the sustainable development of the region. In particular, many cities in Asia and the Pacific where air pollution is a major …
The 2022 Climate Risk Insurance Annual Report highlights key insights and achievements from WFP-supported Climate Risk Insurance (CRI) programmes. It provides deep dives into WFP-supported CRI programmes in each country, as well as stories from the field, interviews with partners, and insights into how WFP promotes gender equality and women’s …
This policy brief has been prepared as an input into the G20 Energy Transition Working Group’s deliberations on the role of transnational power system connectivity in the energy transition, and how to best support the development of existing or new connectivity efforts. It details the Road Map’s vision, guiding principles, …
This report aims to provide an overview of the information related to the plastics value chain in the ASEAN region. It focuses on the availability of local and national data used for material flow analyses (MFAs) – instead of actual data content – as this information aims to be a …
This paper emphasizes the unique and crucial contribution that Asia can make to climate action and calls for businesses across the region to be at the forefront of this important drive. While there are significant economic opportunities to be realized, corporate ambitions and commitments are meaningful only if combined with …
There are many indicators of energy security. Few measure what really matters—an affordable and reliable energy supply—and the trade-offs between the affordability and reliability. Reliability is physical, affordability is economic. The latest Russian invasion of Ukraine highlights some of the problems with energy security, from long-term contracts being broken to …
This book presents 10 efficient, cost-effective and custom-made solutions that have been tested in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and are suitable for up-scaling and out-scaling to other regions. Each solution can contribute to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and thus help ensure a better …
Rapid population growth, industrialization, and urbanization combined with delayed enactment of environmental policies have led to serious air quality problems across Asia. In particular, the increase in fossil fuel consumption, as well as industrial production, vehicle use, and fertiliser application has driven an increase in air pollutant emissions over recent …
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Institute of Energy Economic, Japan (IEEJ) have developed and published long-term decarbonisation pathways for Southeast Asia and Indonesia. This paper provides a comparison of modelling approaches, quantitative drivers, and results from the IEA and IEEJ pathways, highlighting areas of agreement, as well as …
