ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
ORGANIZATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
ADB supports projects in developing member countries that create economic and development impact, delivered through both public and private sector operations, advisory services, and knowledge support.
In the Spotlight
ADB and Partners Open Alotau Wharf
ADB and the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea today commissioned the Alotau Wharf as part of the cofinanced Building Resilience to Climate Change in Papua New Guinea project, which has upgraded Alotau Wharf to improve safety and make it less vulnerable to climate change.
Q&A: Narrowing the flood and earthquake risk protection gap in Central Asia
ADB Principal Finance Specialist for Disaster Insurance Thomas Kessler explains how countries in Central Asia can work together to close the risk protection gap.
ADB’s Private Sector Operations Boost Support for Climate Action, Food Security
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) private sector operations in 2022 saw project commitments reach $1.1 billion with the percentage of projects receiving climate finance double the level of 2021, according to ADB’s Private Sector Operations in 2022 – Report on Development Effectiveness.
Private Sector Operations in 2022: Report on Development Effectiveness
The Private Sector Operations—Report on Development Effectiveness series reviews the development effectiveness of operations carried out by the Asian Development Bank Private Sector Operations Department.
Asia and the Pacific is the Frontline in the Battle Against Climate Change
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Asia and the Pacific is currently responsible for over 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
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Global energy-related CO2 emissions are predicted to grow as demand for coal, oil, and gas rebounds. More than 80% of the projected growth in coal demand will be from Asia.
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The region is also facing the destructive effects of climate change, from extreme weather conditions and prolonged drought...
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...to severe urban flooding.
From 1991 to 2020, disasters in Asia and the Pacific, including from climate change impacts, affected 5.6 billion people and incurred physical losses of over $1.5 trillion. -
Over 60% of Asia and the Pacific's population work in sectors most at-risk from climate change impacts.
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64 million Asians will be pushed into poverty for every 10% rise in food prices due to climate change.
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Climate-related risks will increase as global mean temperature rises. Limiting climate change requires limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
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The battle against climate change will be won or lost in Asia and the Pacific.
Key Figures in the Fight against Climate Change
1.5° Celsius
Paris Agreement Goal Is to Limit Global Warming to Well Below 2°C, Pursuing Efforts to Below 1.5°C,
Compared to Pre-Industrial Levels
55% of the World
Committed to Meet
Paris Agreement Target
$100 billion / year
Commitment by Developed Countries
for Climate Finance by 2020
$140-300 billion / year
Global Estimates for Adaptation
Financing by 2030
75% of ADB Operations
Supporting Climate Action
by 2030
Net 0
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions
by 2050
ADB is Asia and the Pacific's Climate Bank
We work with governments and civil society to mobilize financing and implement cutting-edge knowledge.
ADB is the FIRST Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) to:
- Set clear climate investment targets for 2030: ADB first committed in 2015 to increase its climate investments up to $6 billion annually by 2020—a target it met in 2019.
- Implement a long-term climate change operational framework
- Establish a climate risk screening and management framework for its operations
- Disclose project-level data for all its climate projects
- Be accredited by the Green Climate Fund
New Ideas, New Resources
ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa on:
ADB's climate finance ambition
"The climate crisis is worsening daily, prompting many to call for increased climate finance. We are taking action to meet this call by elevating our ambition to $100 billion in cumulative climate finance from our own resources by 2030."
Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) partnership
"ADB is joining the Governments of Indonesia and the Philippines to formally launch a partnership to pilot ETM in Southeast Asia. Once it is scaled up, ETM has the potential to be the largest carbon reduction model in the world."
ASEAN Green Recovery Platform support
"The platform brings together partners to invest alongside ADB’s own financing. With pledges of $665 million from the UK government, the Green Climate Fund, the European Union, and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, the Green Recovery Platform will de-risk investments and catalyze $7 billion in public and private capital for green infrastructure projects."
ADB Ventures climate technology funds
"ADB Ventures is promoting investment in innovative, venture-stage solutions, unlocking our region’s enormous potential to scale technology for climate impact."
ADB is Bringing New Ideas and Significant Solutions
- We invest in building resilient and empowered communities, cleaner technology, and smart infrastructure.
- We enable access to new and innovative cofinancing opportunities with public and private partners and mobilize concessional financing from global funds, including through carbon markets.
- We are strengthening the capacities of our developing member countries to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and address climate change by establishing platforms such as NDC Advance and the Article 6 Support Facility.
- We are expanding partnerships by promoting dialogue and collaboration among diverse partners and stakeholders.
ADB Projects with Climate Financing, 2022
In 2022, ADB committed $7,110 million in climate finance. Of this total, $4,279 million (60.2%) is expected to contribute to climate change mitigation and $2,831 million (39.8%) to climate change adaptation, which is the highest adaptation finance committed since reporting began in 2011. ADB provided $6,723 million from its own resources and mobilized $387 million from external resources.
Strategy 2030 and Climate Change
ADB's Strategy 2030 sets seven operational priorities (OP), each having its own operational plan. The operational plans contribute to ADB’s vision to achieve prosperity, inclusion, resilience, and sustainability, and are closely aligned with Strategy 2030 principles and approaches.
OP 3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
Thirteen of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals are relevant to or will be impacted by actions on climate change, climate and disaster resilience, and the environment.
Strategic Operational Priorities
- Mitigation of climate change increased
- Climate and disaster resilience built
- Environmental sustainability enhanced
OP Results Delivered in 2021 Source: 2021 Development Effectiveness Review
3.1: Total annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction (tCO2e/year)
17.807 Million
100+% Achievement Rate
3.2: People with strengthened climate and disaster resilience (number)
763,000
100% Achievement Rate
3.3: People benefiting from strengthened environmental sustainability (number)
3.597 Million
100+% Achievement Rate
3.1: Total annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction (tCO2e/year)
19.325 Million
100+% Achievement Rate
3.1.1: Additional climate finance mobilized ($)
1.526 Billion
3.1.2: People with increased capacity in implementing mitigation and low-carbon development actions (number)
1,300
3.1.3: Low-carbon infrastructure assets established or improved (number)
100
3.1.4: Installed renewable energy capacity (megawatts)
5,000
3.1.5: Low-carbon solutions promoted and implemented (number)
13
3.2: People with strengthened climate and disaster resilience (number)
561,000
100+% Achievement Rate
3.2.1: Area with reduced flood-risk (hectares)
244,000
3.2.2: Gender-inclusive climate and disaster resilience capacity development initiatives implemented (number)
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3.2.3: Financial preparedness instruments provided (number)
1
3.2.4: National and subnational disaster risk reduction and/or managment plans supported in implementation (number)
11
3.2.5: New and existing infrastructure assets made climate and disaster resillient (number)
86
3.3: People benefiting from strengthened environmental sustainability (number)
3.127 Million
88% Achievement Rate
3.3.1: Pollution control-enhancing infrastructure assets established or improved (number)
16
3.3.2: Solutions to enhance pollution control and resource efficiency implemented (number)
9
3.3.3: Terrestrial, coastal, and marine areas conserved, restored, and/or enhanced (hecates)
54,000
3.3.4: Solutions to conserve, restore, andor enhance terrestrial, coastal, and marine areas implemented (number)
8
3.3.5: Sustainable water-food-energy security nexus solutions implemented (number)
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3.1: Total annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction (tCO2e/year)
12.8 Million
3.2: People with strengthened climate and disaster resilience (number)
3.2 million
3.3: People benefiting from strengthened environmental sustainability (number)
5.1 Million
Success Stories
Cleaner Urban Transport for Clearer Skies
In the People’s Republic of China, cities are using innovative financing to modernize their public transport systems, clean the air, and decongest roads.
INPUT:
$100 million loan approved on 15 January 2013
OUTCOME:
- Over 156 million vehicle-km of service per annum provided in 2013–2015
- Greenhouse gas emission savings of 488,250 tons per annum achieved in 2013–2015
Harvesting the Results of a Reliable Power Supply in Madhya Pradesh
In central India, ADB and the government partnered to bring an innovative solution to the long-standing problem of an unreliable power supply.
INPUT:
$45 million loan approved on 4 April 2007
OUTCOME:
- Reduced average distribution losses from 38% in 2008 to 22% in 2015
- 24-hour power supply for urban areas and 10-hour power supply for rural areas provided
- Customer complaints halved
Improving Lives and Saving Forests
In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a community is creating new products without damaging the environment, empowering women in the process.
INPUT:
- $15.0 million loan approved on 11 November 2002
- Additional $5.0 million loan approved on 26 September 2011
- $3.8 million grant from Agence Française de Développement
OUTCOME:
- 20% estimated income increase in 50 villages from 2012 levels by 2015
- 13,853 hectares reforested
Policies and Initiatives
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Energy Policy
ADB has approved a new energy policy to support universal access to reliable and affordable energy services, while promoting the low-carbon transition in Asia and the Pacific.
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Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM)
A market-based, equitable, and scalable way of accelerating the retirement of coal-fired power plants, while also jumpstarting the growth of renewable energy capacity.
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Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies
ADB recognizes that investments in ocean health and blue economies are critical to strengthen resilience, improve food security, protect cultural heritage, and catalyze economic transformation in Asia and the Pacific.
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ADB Ventures Climate Technology Funds
ADB Ventures was launched in 2020 and since financed over 30 early-stage companies offering bold technology solutions that generate climate mitigation and adaptation impact. ADB will soon launch a new climate technology debt fund targeting market-rate returns to impact investors.
Key ADB Resources on Climate Change
Climate Change and Climate Finance: Current Experience and Future Directions
Analyzing the role companies can play in tackling climate change, this book shows how they can set up effective environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and draft resilient strategies for sustainable activities and investment.
Incorporating Climate Resilience in Urban Planning and Policy Making: Focus on Armenia, Georgia, and Uzbekistan
Providing high-level climate risk assessments for cities in Armenia, Georgia, and Uzbekistan, this report is designed to mainstream mitigation and adaptation into urban planning to help ensure climate resilient growth.
Renewable Energy Manufacturing: Opportunities for Southeast Asia
This report explains how Southeast Asia can become a leader in renewable energy manufacturing and the benefits this will bring by boosting jobs, improving energy security, and helping the region meet its climate targets.
Climate Finance Landscape of Asia and the Pacific
This report assesses climate finance in Asia and the Pacific and analyzes how it can be harnessed by developing member countries to expand climate action and spur low-carbon, resilient growth.
Climate Risk Country Profiles
Published jointly by ADB and the World Bank Group, this series aims to provide development practitioners with easy-to-use technical resources to facilitate upstream country diagnostics, policy dialogue, and strategic planning.
The reports outline rapid onset and long-term changes in key climate parameters, as well as the impact of these changes on communities, livelihoods, and economies—many of which are already underway.
Perspectives on Climate Change and Clean Energy
Asian Development Blog | 19 Sep 2023Four Ways to Use Public Financial Management to Address Climate Change
Asian Development Blog | 14 Sep 2023When Governments Talk Climate, Investors Listen: Policies Can Drive Green Investments
Asian Development Blog | 08 Sep 2023More Crops Per Drop: 4 Ways Armenia Can Conserve Water Resources Amid a Changing Climate
Asian Development Blog | 08 Sep 2023More Crops Per Drop: Four Ways Armenia Can Conserve Water Resources Amid a Changing Climate
Experts
Noelle O'Brien
Chief of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Thematic Group concurrently Director
Connect with Us
News and Multimedia
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| News Releases, News from Country Offices
$303 Million ADB Loan to Boost Flood Resilience in Philippines’ River Basins
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| News Releases, News from Country Offices
ADB Launches Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in Altai City, Mongolia
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| News from Country Offices
ADB, Fourth Partner Energy to Build Solar Power Plant in India, Supplying Commercial and Industrial Sector
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| News Releases, News Release
Renewable Energy Manufacturing in Southeast Asia Can Generate $90 Billion to $100 Billion in Sustainable Revenue by 2030
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| News Releases, News from Country Offices
ADB Approves $85 Million Loan for Horticulture Development in Indonesia
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| News Releases, News from Country Offices
ADB, Vanuatu Initiate Groundbreaking to Deliver Renewable Energy to Espiritu Santo
