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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Asia.

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’ abilities t

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.

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.

Unless developing Asia decarbonizes its development, global warming is unlikely to stay below the internationally agreed limit of 2°C above preindustrial levels. Integrated assessment modeling offers insights into how a low carbon transition can be achieved.