Promoting Climate-Resilient Development

An ADB Water and Sanitation project in Cambodia.

ADB ensures that its development objectives can be achieved over a wide range of potential climatic conditions. It promotes adaptation activities that work to eliminate poverty and build a climate-resilient Asia-Pacific. Solutions include investing in water supply, sanitation, irrigation, flood control, transport and energy infrastructure that build resilience to current and future climate variability. Investment in sectors such as health and education will also improve countries’ capacity to adapt. By assisting vulnerable communities and economic sectors in coping with climate variability and extremes, ADB is strengthening their resilience to the long-term and uncertain impacts of climate change.

Driving adaptation actions

ADB’s climate change adaptation programs are country-driven, integrating adaptation and disaster risk reduction into national development plans and ADB country partnership strategies. These programs help vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture, energy, transport, and health, to climate proof their projects.

Building capacity

ADB is building the capacity of its DMCs to integrate climate change adaptation into development planning and management through education and training, access to knowledge and tools and by piloting innovative approaches and activities.

Featured Projects
Kulna Water Supply Bangladesh Approved in 2011, the $75 million project will develop a sustainable water supply system in Khulna city, which relies entirely on groundwater. It will introduce surface water as the main water source for sustainable water resource management in Khulna city. The project adopts a climate-proof design, adapting to an expected increase in the salinity of the river water as a result of sea level rise. The intake facilities will be located upriver to avoid salinity, and an impounding reservoir will be built to store fresh water so that water quality will be ensured even with the expected increase of salinity in the river water.
Transport Sector Development Project Solomon Islands Approved in 2010, this project will rehabilitate and maintain land, sea, and air transport infrastructure prioritized in the National Transport Plan(NTP). Necessary adaptation measures will be identified in the detailed design stage of the rehabilitation, upgrading and reconstruction activities selected for implementation of the project.
Water Resources Management Sector Development Program Cambodia The program is expected to enhance water and food security through (i) improved management of water resources, enhanced livelihoods and ecosystem services, reduced incidence of floods and droughts, greater resilience to climate change; and (ii) improved productivity of irrigated agricultural production and cost savings arising from increased system efficiency.
Sustainable Rural Infrastructure Development Project in Northern Mountain Provinces Viet Nam ADB is working with the United Nations Development Programme to climate proof components of a $138 million rural infrastructure project in central Viet Nam, given the increased intensity and frequency of climatic hazards anticipated to result from climate change.
Support for the National Action Plan on Climate Change India ADB is providing technical assistance to support the National Water Mission of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change for an in-depth assessment of the main areas of adaptation to climate change in three pilot sub-basins currently having serious issues of water sustainability, which may have significant implications to their resilience to climate change. Under the technical assistance, broad strategies have been developed for water resources related to climate change adaptation and the establishment of integrated water resources management. For each of the three sub-basins, location-specific strategic frameworks have been developed to address present issues and projected requirements for adaptation that can be gradually scaled up to other sub-basins.

More Projects
Strengthening Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation Sri Lanka Responding to a request from the Government of Sri Lanka, ADB initiated a technical assistance (TA) project titled "Strengthening Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation" in 2009. Working with and through the Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, the project aimed to increase Sri Lanka’s resilience to climate change impacts, while pursuing sustainable economic development and natural environment conservation. The TA was also expected to stimulate improved effectiveness and better organization of stakeholders to address climate change adaptation in Sri Lanka. The underlying objectives of the TA were to move focus of the discussion concerning climate change in Sri Lanka toward adaptation, and assist in positioning Sri Lanka to mobilize significant investments in support of climate change adaptation.
Strengthening Capacity for Managing Climate Change and the Environment Nepal The expected impact of this project is strengthened country capacity for environment and climate change management. The expected outcome is an improved, sustainable institutional framework for managing climate change and the environment agreed upon by the Government. This will be done through establishing a new organizational framework, creating a sustainable funding mechanism for the organizational framework, and heightening awareness among key stakeholders.
Regional Partnerships for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Preparedness Regional The study helps Pacific countries to mitigate financial risks from the effects of natural disasters, including those exacerbated by climate change by improving the geophysical information system that provides information to decision-makers on hazard exposure and risk minimization. Specifically, the study supports the development of up to eight national databases, and a consolidated regional database, that include risk, hazard, and vulnerability data critical to the future development of a Pacific regional catastrophe insurance scheme and vital to inform government regarding adaptation to natural catastrophes.
A Regional Review of the Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia Regional The objectives of the study are: to contribute to regional debate on the economic costs and benefits of unilateral and regional actions on climate mitigation and adaptation; raise awareness about the urgency of the grave challenges and impacts of climate change in the region; and build consensus to address climate change among the governments, business sectors, and civil society.
Strengthening the Resilience of the Water Sector in Khulna to Climate Change Bangladesh The study, which commenced in 2008, aims to strengthen resilience of the water sector in Khulna to climate change by developing a list of adaptation options, both structural and not. This is in preparation for two planned investment projects—the City Region Development Project and the Khulna Water Supply Project—as well as for other Government projects and policy actions. These adaptation options would help ADB's planned projects in the water sector in Khulna to be climate proof.
Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management Multicountry Partnership Framework Support Project Regional The Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management Project represents a collaborative partnership between Central Asian countries and the international donor community to combat land degradation and improve rural livelihoods in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The project's goal is to restore, maintain, and enhance land productivity in Central Asia. It is expected that this initiative will lead to improved economic and social wellbeing for populations dependent on these resources, while preserving the ecological functions of the land.
Capacity Building for Land Degradation Management China, Republic of ADB, with support from the GEF, has actively contributed to the development and implementation of the PRC–GEF Partnership on Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems. Since 2004, the project has facilitated cooperation between national and international organizations to introduce and support integrated ecosystem management approaches to combat land degradation, reduce poverty, and restore dryland ecosystems in the six provinces/autonomous regions in western PRC. The project supports a long-term approach to address land degradation and associated global environmental concerns, such as loss of biodiversity, desertification, and climate adaptation.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Sustainable Coastal Protection India ADB is helping the Government of India to design an investment project for the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa, which will focus on significant changes in philosophy and approach to coastal protection and management. It will increase climate resilience of coastal territories through the implementation of economically viable protection works, using environmentally and socially appropriate solutions.
Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific Regional The study, which commenced in April 2009, will prepare a project that will enhance the sustainability of Pacific coastal and marine systems through strengthening management of coastal and marine resources in coral triangle countries at the local and national levels to prevent environmental degradation and prepare for the challenges posed by climate change impacts.
Managing Water in Asia's River Basins: Charting Progress and Facilitating Investment Regional To address both water scarcity and declining water quality, the Project, which commenced in 2008, improves climate resilience of river basins by strengthening the capacity of river basin organizations in developing road maps for long-term integrated water resource management investment programs, assessing integrated water resource management progress across the region in terms of lessons learned and requirements for further investments; and improving performance of RBOs through capacity development programs.
Infrastructure Development Project - Aviatiu Port Cook Islands A study was launched in 2007 to examine potential to promote environmentally sound development of infrastructure for power, water supply, sanitation, solid waste, and transport in support of the Government's pro-poor objectives. A plan for strengthening the infrastructure governance framework countrywide and capacity development of Cook Islands' implementing agencies was prepared as well as a detailed project proposal for priority funding by development partners and the Government. The study uses a risk-based approach to incorporate climate proofing in project design. It recommends cost-effective interventions and consulting stakeholders extensively throughout project design and development.
Integrated Citarum Water Resources Management Indonesia The Program, launched in 2008, reduces poverty and improves health and living standards in the Citarum River basin through the sustainable management of water resources. Specifically, the Program is supporting institutions involved in integrated water resources management (IWRM) to build capacity, develop policy, and plan for IWRM;  plan, develop, operate, and maintain water resource infrastructure; establish and protect water rights; provide environmental protection and environmental enhancement through a combination of structural and other measures; construct and improve structural and other measures for flood and drought disaster management; empower communities to participate in water planning and management; collect and manage data for water resources management; and improve program management.
Addressing Climate Change in the Asia and Pacific Region Regional The following three studies were launched in 2008 as part of an overall investigation of the impacts of climate change on key drivers of development – food, fuel and people: Improving Energy Security and Reducing Carbon Intensity in Asia and the Pacific Building Climate Resilience in the Agriculture Sector of Asia and the Pacific Climate Change and Migration in Asia and the Pacific (Executive Summary).
Climate Impact and Adaptation Sectoral Strategy for Rural Infrastructure Lao PDR The study assesses the impacts and risks associated with climate change-induced flooding on priority rural infrastructure and agricultural outputs in Southern Laos through the development of an impact and adaptation risk-based approach designed to support priority rural infrastructure and agricultural outputs in Southern Laos.
Enabling ADB's Climate Change Interventions Regional The Program will help countries in the sub-regions develop low-carbon economies while sustaining growth, and will assist DMCs to become more efficient in energy use, promote the use of renewable energy to replace carbon-based fuels, accelerate development of low-carbon technologies, change behavior of business and consumers, and preserve carbon sinks. It will also help the countries develop appropriate policy and institutional responses to climate change that simultaneously address development goals.
Climate Risk Management Assessment for Agriculture Thailand and Viet Nam A key component of ADB's 12th Agricultural and Natural Resources Research at International Agricultural Research Centers is entitled "Vulnerability to Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies and Layers of Resilience." ADB has committed to support ICRISAT and the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, and its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. Participating countries are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, PRC, and Sri Lanka.
Glacial Melt and Downstream Impacts on Indus-Dependent Water Resources and Energy Pakistan / Afghanistan / India The development and introduction of climate adaptive measures will help reduce some of the potentially adverse climate impacts on environmental degradation, and build a level of climate resilience in target watersheds to address extreme events, climate variability and disaster scenarios. The Project is expected to provide adequate risk management and adaptation requirements supporting the water and hydro-energy sectors in the Indus river basin (Pakistan and Central and East Afghanistan, North India).
Strengthening Climate Change Resilience in the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Sector Development Program Philippines The Program is expected to increase the resilience of upland communities and fragile mountain ecosystems and river basins amid localized climate impacts; and reduce overall vulnerability of the Northern Luzon and Mindanao watershed-dependent loan areas by institutionalizing adaptive social, economic, technological, physical and political measures.
Protecting Island Biodiversity & Traditional Culture in Pacific Island Communities Through Community-based Climate Risk Assessment and Management Cook Islands This ADB project will incorporate community-based impact and adaptation strategies within four vulnerable communities on Aitutaki and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. The project will develop replicable community-based adaptation risk management tools to minimize risks on critical infrastructure and service sectors, and help climate-proof vulnerable community investments. Community and NGO participatory projects are among the more successful climate adaptation capacity-building efforts. They involve identifying specific "downscaled" climate impacts and associated sector or ecosystem risks, help reduce vulnerability to localized impacts, and increase adaptive resilience in vulnerable populations.
Climate Impacts and Responses: A Multimedia Campaign Regional The study is helping to raise the profile of successful results of ADB’s Climate Change Program to large target audiences across Asia and the Pacific, enabling ADB to replicate and scale-up solutions to climate change challenges. The study will build capacity of an influential network of national level broadcast journalists, well positioned to promote proactive responses to climate threats. Public audiences will be more informed about climate change risks and activities launched by ADB through the radio and television pieces broadcast via the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), and by DMC journalists.
Palau Climate Change Action Plan (part of R-CDTA for $4.5M: Strengthening the Capacity of PDMCs to Respond to Climate Change – A Cluster Approach) Palau To support ADB's broader climate adaptation efforts across the Pacific Region, and as part of Palau`s Country Partnership Strategy, ADB is collaborating with the Government of Palau to develop a cluster of activities to implement the Government's Climate Change Action Plan. This will improve Palau’s overall sustainability and climate resilience in: the marine environment; water supply & sanitation; tourism; and agriculture. This study will mainstream climate risk management and adaptation policies and measures to support sustainable water resources, eco-friendly tourism investment, and facilitate sustainable subsistence agricultural production.
Community-Based Vulnerability Assessment, Risk Mapping & Adaptation Planning Nepal This study will complement other climate change initiatives, in particular the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) project. The impact of the study will be to strengthen the capacity of Nepal to manage its environment and climate change through an improved, sustainable, institutional framework. Specifically, the study will develop local models through in-country assessments of downscaled national climate change projections and modeling programs for Nepal's three climate zones.