Clean Energy

Climate Change

Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane and nitrous oxide occur naturally and enable the Earth’s atmosphere to act like a greenhouse–retaining part of the solar heat and maintaining habitable temperatures on the planet's surface.

However, in the last two centuries, it has been noted that human activities, like burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, agricultural practices and manufacturing, have increased the production of these greenhouse gases.

Increased concentration of these gases in the atmosphere causes an enhanced greenhouse effect, resulting in higher global average temperatures, impacts of which could include changes in precipitation patterns, increased frequency and intensity of storm surges and hurricanes, changes in vegetation, and a rise in sea level.

Developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change given their high dependence on natural resources and their limited capacity–human, financial and institutional–to adapt to extreme events.

Learn more about:

• Climate Change and its Impacts
• Implications for ADB Operations
• Core Messages
• ADB Activities and Climate Change

Read the Climate Change brochure.