Climate Change

ADB's Past Activities on Climate Change

ADB has for a number of years been active in promoting clean energy initiatives to minimize adverse local and regional impacts of climate change. Within the context of the UNFCCC, ADB has assisted its DMCs to build capacity to prepare for the opportunities offered by the Kyoto Protocol, and in developing pre-feasibility studies for CDM and GHG abatement projects.

Inventory of GHG Levels

Under its Asia Least-cost Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategy (ALGAS) program, ADB took the lead in developing the first set of national level GHG inventories and in identifying mitigation projects for 11 countries (Bangladesh, People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam).

Capacity Building in DMCs

ADB's efforts have contributed significantly to developing capacity among selected DMCs to integrate climate change issues in their development process. Subsequent to the Kyoto Protocol, at the request of several DMCs, ADB undertook a capacity building program for Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and the Clean Development Mechanism in 15 DMCs, targeting the relevant government departments and organizations in each country. This also enabled more meaningful participation by these countries in the international negotiations.

Parallel Resources and Partnerships

In 2001, ADB brought together several trust fund initiatives provided by the governments of Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands to launch its Renewable Energy, Energy efficiency and Climate Change program. These initiatives are an integral pat of ADB's energy 2000, ADB's energy policy, which recommends the reorientation of the energy sector to address regional and global environmental impacts.

Clean Development Mechanism Facility

The Clean Development Mechanism Facility at ADB was established in August 2003 to provide technical support to DMCs in accessing additional financial resources for CDM-eligible projects. During its 3-year implementation, the CDM Facility assisted DMCs in sourcing funds for emissions reductions and processing the CDM requirements for identified projects.