This new ADB report focuses on exposure and vulnerability of the energy sector to climate change. It identifies adaptation options available to each source of energy generation as well as for the distribution and end use of electrical energy.

This new report provides a comprehensive overview of renewable energy market, industry and policy developments worldwide. At least 118 countries, more than half of which are developing countries had renewable energy targets in place by early 2012, up from 109 as of early 2010.

This report describes the 2012 taxes and incentives provided by 23 countries around the world to promote renewable energy from wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. These policies also support other areas such as increased energy efficiency, smart-grid management, biofuels, carbon capture systems and storage technologies.

Current UN projections indicate that world population could increase by 2.25 billion people from today’s levels, reaching 9.15 billion by 2050. At the global level, agricultural production and consumption in 2050 are projected to be 60 percent higher than in 2005/07.

The debate on the costs and benefits of governments’ support to biofuels development has gained considerable momentum, especially in light of fiscal austerity measures and the “food versus fuel” debate associated with the impacts of biofuels expansion on agricultural markets.