Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management

ADB is prioritizing climate and disaster resilience, alongside low-carbon development, in response to the growing threats facing Asia and the Pacific.

  • Photo: Asian Development Bank
     

    Disasters triggered by natural hazards and escalating climate change impacts seriously threaten economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific.

  • Photo: Asian Development Bank
     

    With Asia and the Pacific responsible for more than half of all global carbon emissions, transitioning to clean energy is key to tackling climate change.

  • Photo: Asian Development Bank
     

    To combat climate change effectively, limited public sector funds must be deployed to leverage significant amounts of private capital.

  • Disaster risk index, 2022

    8 out of 15 nations most affected by extreme weather are in Asia and the Pacific.

  • ADB climate financing, 2022

    ADB is prioritizing climate and disaster resilience and low-carbon development in response to the growing threats facing Asia and the Pacific.

  • ADB climate finance by region, 2022

    ADB is elevating its ambition to $100 billion in cumulative climate financing from its own resources to its developing member countries in 2019-2030.

 

ADB has placed combating climate change and its consequences at the top of its development agenda. The bank is therefore scaling up support to address climate change, disaster risks, and environmental degradation, elevating its ambition to provide $100 billion in cumulative climate financing from its own resources to its developing member countries for the period 2019-2030.

The bank supports policies, practices, and technology that lower greenhouse gas emissions and is mainstreaming a comprehensive approach to climate and disaster resilience. The bank’s work also focuses on promoting environmental sustainability and highlighting the link between water, food, and energy.

ADB is promoting climate and disaster resilience in the region by investing in water supply, sanitation, irrigation, flood control, transport and energy infrastructure. Investment in climate and disaster resilience can contribute to sustained economic growth, poverty reduction, and enhanced natural resources management.

ADB is also engaged across Asia and the Pacific in supporting sustainable forest management and conservation efforts, as well as agricultural land use improvements, to promote carbon conservation.


 

Our Impact

Results delivered in 2022 from ADB projects.

29.6 million tCO2e/year

Total annual GHG reduction

*tCO2e = tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent

270,000

People with strengthened
climate and disaster resilience

13,000 hectares

Area with reduced flood risk

Your Questions Answered

  • ADB is committed to ensuring 75% of its operations support climate action by 2030, how’s that going?

    Based on ADB’s 2021 Development Effectiveness Review, the portion of ADB operations supporting climate change mitigation and/or adaptation stood at 56% in 2019-2021. Latest projections from its work program and budget show ADB will have around 65% of its operations supporting climate action by 2023.

  • With most economies in Asia still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, how can the green transition be rapidly mainstreamed?

    ADB recognizes the support countries will require to help plan their transition, including identifying key investments and mobilizing financing. This includes support for institutional development and policy reforms to assist countries in making positive climate choices that will also facilitate climate investment.

  • Does ADB support sustainable forest management and conservation as part of its commitment to climate action?

    ADB’s focus on forest management and conservation is increasing, recognizing that nature-based solutions can help reduce the impact of climate-related disasters and contribute to building resilience through rehabilitating and expanding natural ecosystems.