Climate Change and Green Asia

Emerging economies of Asia have an essential role to play in promoting global moves toward sustainable development. Both global society and local stakeholders increasingly expect Asian economies to behave in an environmentally responsible way. Governments of the region have set voluntary targets and made policy commitments to improve their carbon efficiency, but their economic activities are often circumscribed by developmental preferences, equity concerns, and a desire to sharpen their industrial competitiveness. The effects of current initiatives often face technological and financial barriers, some of which are very specific to developing Asia, and lack of international cooperation. This study will examine how the emerging economies of Asia can practice low-carbon development and identify policies to strengthen green growth practices in developing Asia.

An Asian strategy for low-carbon green growth that maximizes environmental, economic, and social benefits, without hampering competitiveness, will require a comprehensive approach. Actions cannot be limited to environmental policy, but must encompass public policy, finance, industry, trade, and science and technology. The findings from this study will be of direct relevance to Asia's policymaking and investment communities and will make an important contribution to regional cooperation toward low-carbon green growth.

This is a joint study by ADBI and ADB done in close cooperation with national think tanks.

Objectives

• Examine the challenges to reducing greenhouse gas emissions without adversely affecting economic growth
• Assess the scope and merits of current pledges, programs, strategies and institutions, and make recommendations on a new growth paradigm
• Develop an effective policy framework based on equity, market orientation, and regional cooperation to speed up the transition toward a low-carbon green Asia
• Enhance collaboration with regional think tanks, national authorities, businesses, and international organizations, so green growth can be approached from an Asia-Pacific perspective
• Disseminate the results of the study internationally

Themes

• Development trajectories, emission profiles, and policy actions of emerging economies
• Individual and social lifestyle changes to address climate change
• Eco-technology innovations for a resource-efficient green Asia
• Finance for low-carbon green growth, including mobilization of private capital
• Regional cooperation to manage the transition to green Asia

Outputs

• A book on Climate Change and Green Asia
• Working papers covering technology, finance and regional cooperation
• Policy briefs