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 Commits Record Climate Finance of Almost $10 Billion in 2023
ADB committed a record amount of climate finance in 2023 to help its developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of a warming planet.
-
Climate Change Action Plan, 2023–2030
This Climate Change Action Plan operationalizes ADB's commitment and ambition to support the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future in line with the Paris Agreement.
-
IF-CAP: Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific
As Asia and the Pacific’s climate bank, ADB is taking a leading role in developing more innovative climate financing solutions to help the region combat climate change.
-
$303 Million ADB Loan to Boost Flood Resilience in Philippines’ River Basins
ADB has approved a $303 million loan to reduce flood and climate risks and protect people and livelihoods in three major river basins in the Philippines, one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and disasters caused by natural hazards.
Asia and the Pacific is the Frontline in the Battle Against Climate Change
-
Asia and the Pacific is currently responsible for over 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
-
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.
-
The region is also facing the destructive effects of climate change, from extreme weather conditions and prolonged drought...
-
...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.
-
64 million Asians will be pushed into poverty for every 10% rise in food prices due to climate change.
-
Climate-related risks will increase as global mean temperature rises. Limiting climate change requires limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
-
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)
-
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)
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
Fiscal Risks of Climate Change: Sources and Practical Solutions
As climate change poses a growing fiscal risk to Asia and the Pacific, policymakers need to better analyze the challenges, devise practical solutions, and attract private funding to strengthen climate-resilient fiscal management.
Measuring the Economic Impacts of a Wind Power Project in Viet Nam
This brief demonstrates the importance of measuring the benefits of Viet Nam’s 144-megawatt Lotus Wind Power Project and defining its economic and social impacts as the country ramps up its renewable energy generation.
Addressing Plastic Pollution for Climate Benefits: Opportunities in the Global Plastics Treaty for Asia and the Pacific
Highlighting how plastic impacts climate change, this brief considers the anticipated Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) and shows how ADB can help Asia and the Pacific implement circular economy solutions to help meet low-carbon goals.
Innovation in Focus: Climate Resilience – Water Financing Partnership Facility (Pakistan)
This publication explains why climate change is a growing risk for Pakistan’s agriculture and shows how high-level remote sensing and mathematical programming can provide near real-time data to improve irrigation systems and bolster water security.
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
Article | 31 Jan 2024Five Things to Know About ADB’s Climate Change Action Plan
Asian Development Blog | 30 Jan 2024To Reach Net Zero, Trade Must Be a Climate Solution For Asia and the Pacific
Asian Development Blog | 26 Jan 2024After COP28: Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems
Asian Development Blog | 23 Jan 2024Three Actions Governments Can Take to Help Pay for Climate Adaptation
Experts
News and Multimedia
-
| News Releases, News Release
ADB Commits Record Climate Finance of Almost $10 Billion in 2023
-
| News Releases, News from Country Offices
ADB, ACEN Sign Php5.5 Billion Sustainability-Linked Loan to Support Solar Energy Generation in the Philippines
-
| News Releases, News from Country Offices
ADB Supports Lao PDR to Address Climate Risks, Improve Livelihoods
-
| News Releases, News Release
ADB Announces Start of Climate Action Catalyst Fund
-
| News Releases, News from Country Offices
ADB Strengthens Flood Management in Indonesia with $250 Million Loan
-
| News Releases, News from Country Offices
ADB, Energy Absolute Sign 3.9 Billion Thai Baht Deal for E-Bus Purchase, Enhancing Sustainable Transport in Thailand
Video | 03 Jan 2024Private Sector Investment in Affordable Green Housing for Decarbonization and Climate Resilience
Video | 05 Dec 2023Resilience Rising: Battling Nature's Fury in the People’s Republic of China
Photo Essay | 04 Dec 2023How Children in Tajikistan See Climate Change
Video | 03 Dec 2023Urgent Action Needed to Address Climate Risks in the Hindu Kush Himalayas