Asia and Pacific

Island communities in the Maldives are facing increasing water shortages because of climate change. But with the help of UNDP, there are reasons for hope.

Posted on July 8, 2021

This year's Asia-Pacific Climate Week takes place from 6 to 9 July 2021, and is hosted by the Government of Japan. It will include virtual thematic sessions that take the pulse of climate action in the region, explore climate challenges and opportunities, and showcase ambitious solutions.

Posted on June 18, 2021

The Asia Pacific Regional Dialogue: Turning Climate Promise into Inclusive Action, takes place from 23 - 25 March 2021. It aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, good practices and lessons learnt on how to integrate inclusivity and gender equality into climate policy and implementation, in the context of the new normal.

Posted on March 3, 2021

Posted on February 18, 2021

In this report, the Republic of Vanuatu presents its enhanced NDCs for the period 2020-2030 and calls on all Parties to increase their ambitions in line with the best available and most recent science and obligations under the Agreement.

Posted on January 13, 2021

This analysis of circular economy opportunities for Vanuatu seeks to help reduce the waste flow of imported materials, while also examining how to improve the resource efficiency of all material use, including domestically-sourced materials.

Posted on January 13, 2021

Since May 2019, UNDP, with the collaboration of the Viet Nam Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), has introduced the Climate Business Index – a national disclosure and assessment system for the enterprise community in Vietnam. Because in climate change, we not only see challenges, we also see opportunities.

Posted on December 30, 2020

Activities focus on greening Viet Nam’s agricultural production chains for dragon fruits and oranges/grapefruits. The activities contribute to the World Bank’s Deep Dive on agricultural production.

Posted on December 29, 2020

The Climate Business Index (CBI) is an innovative joint initiative of Viet Nam Ministry of Planning and Investment and UNDP Viet Nam, to support the NDCs.The Climate Business Index provides a platform for companies to benchmark, log their contribution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change impacts by bridging the gap between the government’s NDC stock-take process and the corporate sustainability reporting programme for businesses. Launched in June 2020, the CBI has played…

Posted on December 29, 2020

This report estimates the private sector investment potential for delivering NDC sectoral targets for the agriculture sector in the Philippines through assessments of the sectoral mitigation targets, the enabling environment, current market and the Philippines’ investment potential.

Posted on December 18, 2020

The Climate Business Index, which is a joint initiative by UNDP and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) encouraging companies to take climate actions, has recently co-organized the regional webinar on ”Building Low-Carbon, Climate Resilient Future through Green Bonds” under its climate finance training with Asian Development Bank and Climate Bonds Initiative.

Posted on December 16, 2020

The costs of climate change loom large for Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation. Rising to the challenge, the government is forging new and innovative financing instruments, including issuing the world’s first Green Sukuk.

Posted on November 12, 2020

Due to COVID-19, the export of dragon fruits this year has faced many difficulties, and consumption has decreased significantly. Many members of dragon fruit cooperatives face the danger of having to close down, forcing the reduction of labor. Thousands of poor farmers have had to abandon their planting area or no longer continue to invest in caring for the dragon fruits from the first and second quarters. It has made the lives of the poor farmers who are currently working in these cooperatives…

Posted on November 4, 2020

Vanuatu launches solar mini-grid in two communities.

Posted on October 1, 2020

Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution considering the ciruclar mitigation potential of Lao PDR.

Posted on October 1, 2020

On the remote island of Malekula, a new solar micro-grid is changing the lives of over 2,800 people -- boosting local development while contributing to Vanuatu’s sector-specific target of transitioning to close to 100 percent renewable energy in the electricity sector by 2030.

Posted on September 25, 2020

The Integrated MRV tool is a first of its kind initiative which enables tracking, reporting and verification of GHG emissions; impacts of mitigation (including NDC) actions; impacts of adaptation actions; climate finance flows and SDG impacts.

Posted on August 26, 2020

The objective of the Philippines’ intended NDC is to achieve climate change mitigation as a function of adaptation. As a country highly vulnerable to climate and disaster risks, mitigation measures will be pursued in line with sustainable development and a low-emission development that promotes inclusive growth.

Posted on August 19, 2020

The objective of Indonesia’s NDC is to outline the country’s transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient future. Indonesia envisions achieving archipelagic climate resilience as a result of comprehensive adaptation and mitigation programmes and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Posted on August 19, 2020

The objective of Lao PDR’s NDC is to maximise the ambition of its mitigation contribution while taking into account the need for economic development, and capacity building to mitigate and adapt to changing climatic conditions.

Posted on August 19, 2020

Vanuatu’s conditional NDC aims to approach 100% renewable energy in the electricity sub-sector contingent upon appropriate financial and technical support made available from international climate financing mechanisms.

Posted on August 19, 2020

The official launch of the Climate Business Index (CBI) will take place 26 June 2020.

Posted on June 25, 2020

The MoCC worked in partnership with Power-Blox AG (an award-winning Swiss company providing automated and decentralized electricity solutions) and successfully completed the first phase of a feasibility study and pilot project for powering Lelepa Island in Shefa province through swarm technology. Based on this successful first phase and testing of the Solar Flex-Grid technology, a scale-up is currently in progress to electrify all the households on Lelepa Island including providing for income…

Posted on April 23, 2020

This technical brief aims to inform policy makers in the review and update of Viet Nam's NDC on how gender-sensitive climate policies can foster miitigation strategies in the energy sector.

Posted on January 28, 2020

This technical brief was designed to inform policy makers in the review and update of Viet Nam's NDC on how gender-sensitive climate policies can foster adaptation.

Posted on January 27, 2020

The objective of Bhutan’s first NDC is to remain carbon neutral whereby the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) will not exceed carbon sequestration by forests. It will also aim to maintain minimum 60% of forest cover.

Posted on December 10, 2019

The off-grid island of Lelepa in the Republic of Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific Ocean, has just started trialing a modular energy solution called ‘Power Blox’. Power cubes with a modular design and grid-connectivity, much like blocks of Lego, allow for expansion and growth of the grid over time and at the pace needed by the rural community, while delivering all the other benefits that come with renewable energy, largely through improving livelihoods without damaging the environment.

Posted on December 3, 2019

A climate-friendly technology supplied by Power-Blox AG, an award-winning Swiss company is providing automated and decentralised electricity solutions to communities in Lelepa Island in Vanuatu.

Posted on November 18, 2019

Here in Vietnam, we know that the country will not be able to leap to the next stage of economic development without investment capital and innovation from the private sector. The agricultural sector plays a key role in the Vietnamese economy. In 2018, it accounted for 14.47 per cent of the GDP, and its export turnover reached a new record of more than $40 billion.

Posted on September 20, 2019

Some of the most climate vulnerable countries in Asia-Pacific are on course to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet targets set out in the Paris Agreement, but the region needs rapid investment in clean renewable energy as a way to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Posted on September 16, 2019

The INDC Project provided focused technical assistance, facilitated multi-stakeholder engagement and aligned with the Indonesia LECB Project that focused on developing NAMAs to implement the NDC.

Posted on July 31, 2019

The INDC Project was implemented in close coordination with the Bhutan’s LECB project, to provide technical support and bring various stakeholders together to address the country’s NDC needs and to support climate action.

Posted on July 31, 2019

Viet Nam’s strong political commitment and ensuing policy action had set the stage for widespread climate change action; LECB project support sought to help realize benefits from these policy efforts.

Posted on July 31, 2019

The LECB project strove to support and progress Thailand’s initiatives on climate mitigation.

Posted on July 31, 2019

Philippines policy initiatives and endeavours for climate action were supported through the Low Emission Capacity Building (LECB) project’s activities.

Posted on July 30, 2019

The LECB project activities focused on building on the Malaysia’s existing initiatives for climate action and supporting its efforts to transition to a low emission development pathway.

Posted on July 30, 2019

The government sought to integrate green economy principles into development planning processes and climate mitigation policies. In this sense, the LECB project activities supported Indonesia in its efforts to accelerate the achievement of its climate mitigation commitments and adoption of the green economy approach.

Posted on July 30, 2019

The Low Emission Capacity Building (LECB) project supported China in its efforts to develop a low carbon product ecosystem and to demonstrate application of related certification across seven categories of products, through activities in the pilot low carbon regions of Chongqing City and Guangdong province.

Posted on July 30, 2019

Bhutan sought to extend and elaborate its options and processes to address and promote low emission development effectively, through assessments, sectoral policies, and strategy documents in the areas of transport, human settlements, solid waste management, and industries.

Posted on July 30, 2019

The government of Vanuatu, in close collaboration with the INDC Project, facilitated Vanuatu’s national capacities to prepare and communicate its INDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and implement it.

Posted on July 30, 2019

To support Solomon Islands' ambition, the INDC Project provided technical support, facilitated multi-stakeholder engagement, and strengthened capacities for NDC implementation.

Posted on July 30, 2019

To underscore its commitment to climate action, Samoa set forth in its NDC an ambitious target of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. The INDC Project was implemented to provide technical and capacity building support.

Posted on July 30, 2019

The regional climate week and NDC Dialogue for Asia Pacific will be hosted in Bangkok from September 2-6, 2019.

Posted on July 24, 2019

The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), today launched a new project to support Thailand in making progress on its commitments under the Paris Agreement, the so-called Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs.

Posted on June 29, 2019

he Ministry of Climate Change and Natural Disaster (MCCND) has launched Vanuatu’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Implementation Roadmap and Vanuatu’s Integrated, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) Tool.

Posted on April 16, 2019

This blog explores the importance of integrated data tracking for meeting climate targets, providing the country example of Vanuatu.

Posted on April 9, 2019

The integrated MRV tool is a first of its kind initiative which enables tracking, reporting and verification of (1) GHG emissions (2) impact of mitigation (including NDC) actions (3) climate finance flows and (4) SDG impacts (Based on the UNDP Climate Action Impact Tool-CAIT).

Posted on April 2, 2019

This NDC Implementation Roadmap aims at providing a pathway for the implementation of specific climate change mitigation actions in Vanuatu which can assist in achieving the target defined in Vanuatu’s NDC

Posted on March 5, 2019

Vanuatu’s ambitious goal to become climate neutral; taking social impact into account

Posted on October 18, 2018

Infographic report illustrating Indonesia's journey of issuing the world's very first sovereign green sukuk (Islamic Bond) of $1.25 billion.

Posted on October 16, 2018

Climate Change is the defining challenge of our time. The current and projected impacts of climate change are already changing the lives of entire populations and threatening to reverse human…

Posted on October 8, 2018

Technical Dialogue to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in Asia and the Arab States.

Posted on September 4, 2018

A global gathering of governments, non-state actors and development partners rallies countries to reflect on low-carbon development trajectories for future generations.

Posted on July 10, 2018

The Government of Lao PDR and UNDP are working together to find solutions for provision of electricity to off-grid communities.

Posted on July 3, 2018

Technical Advisor Alexandra Soezer writes about her understanding of transformational development in the context of a rural electrification initiative in Lao PDR.

Posted on May 31, 2018

In the beginning of May, we joined the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines' Institute of Renewable Energy Promotion on a field mission to Khammouane province. The goal of the trip was to assess the possibilities for providing electric power to a few rural communities.

Posted on May 18, 2018

The Pacific is home to small island countries that are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and an increase in natural disasters.

Posted on April 18, 2018

The 3rd Pacific Regional Dialogue on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and consultations on the Regional Pacific NDC Hub provided an opportunity for Pacific Island countries to share experiences and needs on the implementation of their NDCs.

Posted on March 7, 2018

The 3rd Pacific Regional NDC Dialogue and consultations on the Regional Pacific NDC Hub provided an opportunity for Pacific Island countries to share experiences and needs on the implementation of their NDCs.

Posted on March 7, 2018

Posted on December 15, 2017

Circular economy strategies aim to promote the transformation of countries towards resource efficient societies. This requires a behavioral change of policy makers, large corporations and the civil society, each of us.

Posted on September 21, 2017

Lao PDR developed a vision of a circular future which combines economic development with safeguarding the country’s unique nature and culture. This requires a systems approach which looks beyond isolated challenges or attempts to optimise individual installations.

Posted on September 11, 2017

For the last three years, UNDP – in coordination with the UNFCCC Secretariat and partners – has been regularly convening countries to advance progress for the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Over 150 countries have benefitted from three global workshops and 14 regional dialogues since 2014. In the lead-up to the Paris negotiations, these dialogues and workshops contributed to countries successfully submitting their climate plans, or intended Nationally Determined Contributions (iNDCs), which…

Posted on August 28, 2017

This joint UNDP and Asia Development Bank (ADB) report ‘Initial Assessment of Sri Lanka’s Power Sector – Electricity Generation through 100 % Renewable Energy’ includes a step-wise approach for the assessment of the 100% renewable electricity generation target, the composition of renewable energy generation and the costs associated with the target.

Posted on August 15, 2017

This joint UNDP and Asia Development Bank (ADB) report ‘Initial Assessment of Sri Lanka’s Power Sector – Electricity Generation through 100 % Renewable Energy’ includes a step-wise approach for the assessment of the 100% renewable electricity generation target, the composition of renewable energy generation and the costs associated with the target.

Posted on August 12, 2017

The National Environment Commission (NEC) and UNDP hosted a series of one-day “write shops” in May. Key stakeholders were invited to provide final technical comments on a suite of climate strategies that will now be signed off by senior Ministry officials. Stakeholders included government officials from planning, transport, industry and environment, as well as private sector representatives.

Posted on July 11, 2017

Addressing climate change by improving resource efficiency is an imperative. Emissions embodied in international trade represent over 30 per cent of the greenhouse gas footprint of countries. Yet, in practice, they are often separate objectives. Consequently, approaches under the Paris Agreement to shift our world economy to a 2⁰C, or even 1.5⁰C pathway, risk overlooking the major mitigation potential of reducing our resource and waste footprint.

Posted on May 29, 2017

The government of Vanuatu kicked-off new project activities to advance the implementation of its national climate plan or NDC,which aims at transitioning to close to 100% renewable energy in the electricity sector by 2030.

Posted on May 26, 2017

The government of Lao PDR has initiated first steps to implement a Rural Electrification NAMA which proposes to construct a small grid-connected hydroplant in one of Laos' largest conservation areas. The project, which builds on achievements from Laos’ INDC and NAMA design supported by UNDP, will further enhance access to energy and contribute to poverty alleviation by improving energy-dependent income generation opportunities.

Posted on May 26, 2017

This report, which was compiled by Ambition to Action, is the prologue to a series of update reports on NDC-related topics. The reports will be published twice a year, before international climate change meetings, to present analysis, opinion, and discussion pieces. Drawing on the Ambition to Action (A2A) project and input from a wide range of experts and practitioners, including UNDP, the reports aim to be a platform for learning, sharing insights, and discussing topics relevant to technical…

Posted on May 8, 2017

The new data portal allows comparison across sectors under different scenarios: historical; the Paris Agreement’s emission reduction pledges; the CAT’s “current policy projection” scenario, “best-practice” examples, and the presently available 2°C pathways.

Posted on April 7, 2017

A group of governments, international organizations and non-state actors joined forces through a new global partnership last year to catalyze the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and related climate commitments (NDCs) at the country level. The NDC Partnership, which is currently co-chaired by Germany and Morocco, will help countries with the challenging task of transitioning to a green economy pathway that is closely aligned with their respective development priorities.

Posted on April 3, 2017

Following successful regional dialogues for Latin America and the Caribbean (in Costa Rica), Africa (in Tunisia), and the Pacific Islands (in Fiji) since the Paris Agreement, UNDP and partners held a Regional Dialogue on (Intended) Nationally Determined Contributions for Eurasia in Istanbul, Turkey. The dialogue convened over 100 participants representing various government ministries from the Eurasia region, as well as international organizations and other stakeholder groups involved in NDC…

Posted on February 23, 2017

During 2015-2016, UNDP and Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Technology (MOIT) worked with four Vietnamese steel factories on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to build a business case for energy efficiency. The pilot measures, which were carried out last year, resulted in an emission reduction of around 15% or 34,000 tons of CO2eq/yr over those in 2015.

Posted on January 2, 2017

DEC 2016 | Regional Dialogue on INDCs for the Pacific Islands: Nadi, Fiji

Posted on January 1, 2017

SEP 2015 | Regional INDC Training Workshop for the Pacific Islands in Samoa

Posted on January 1, 2017

This research project assesses possibilities for enhancing the role of SD-benefits in the context of activities supported by future market mechanisms under the UNFCCC.

Posted on January 1, 2017

Numerous resources are available to assist developing countries that are putting in place a national greenhouse (gas) inventory system. This document, which accompanies GHG Inventory Information Brief on this topic, contains a range of items – from international data sets and models, to templates and terms of references.

Posted on January 1, 2017

A national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory is a cornerstone of a country’s reporting obligations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Posted on January 1, 2017

This Regional Dialogue on (I)NDCs, held in Nadi, Fiji, was organised by UNDP, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and the UNDP/UNEP Global Support Programme (GSP) for National Communications and Biennial Update Reports. The dialogue was part of the series of joint UNDP/UNFCCC regional dialogues funded by a number of donors and was hosted by the Government of Fiji. It brought together government representatives from the Pacific region, developed country representatives, and international…

Posted on December 6, 2016

In 2013, UNDP, the UNFCCC Secretariat and the UNEP DTU Partnership joined forces to produce a comprehensive Guide on formulating effective NAMAs.  

Posted on November 15, 2016

The report also provides an overview of progress to date on the integration of women’s empowerment and gender equality into national climate policy and action—particularly as countries begin implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Posted on November 14, 2016

This report has been designed for policymakers to offer guidance on how to promote gender equality across all levels of policy and programming in climate change, and to provide the necessary tools to do so.

Posted on November 14, 2016

It is clear that climate change is affecting everyone, everywhere, but not equally. Just as the risks and impacts of climate change induced hazards vary between countries, so do the capacities of countries to address them.

Posted on November 4, 2016

The report looks at the breadth and depth of UNDP’s work on climate change, including mitigation, adaptation and forestry, over the last two decades.

Posted on November 2, 2016

Building on its previous country support in the run up to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, UNDP conducted a survey to assess capacity development support needs among developing countries as they prepare for implementation of the Paris Agreement and, in particular, their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The survey addressed countries’ progress on NDC implementation planning, as well as capacity development or technical assistance needs related to NDC implementation.

Posted on May 18, 2016

Rising heat in the workplace implies severe effects for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and emerging economies with high concentrations of outdoor labour and industrial and service sector workers operating in ineffectively climate controlled conditions.

Posted on May 4, 2016

The NAMA focuses on the introduction and adoption of electric buses instead of conventionally fueled buses in the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Galle Road in the Colombo Metropolitan Area (CMA).

Posted on March 30, 2016

Access to modern energy services is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Even though more than 70% of households have access to electricity, approximately 30% of the population remain dependent on fossil fuels for energy sources.

Posted on November 18, 2015

This Training Workshop on Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), held in Apia, Samoa, was organised by UNDP in collaboration with the UNFCCC Secretariat and the Government of Australia. The workshop was part of the joint UNDP-UNFCCC INDC Regional Dialogues funded by a number of donors and was hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP) at their headquarters in Apia. The workshop brought together representatives of Pacific Island countries.

Posted on September 28, 2015

As with many Pacific Islands, Vanuatu faces a number of fuel challenges, the main one being that it continues to depend on imported fossil fuels. The constraints of the geography, with its population distributed over 65 islands and spread over more than 12,000 km2, makes this an expensive and laborious option. Diesel oil accounts for the largest share of fuel imports (63.3 per cent), with a volume of 33 million litres during 2012. Over 80 per cent of all electricity generated is from diesel…

Posted on September 15, 2015

As with many Pacific Islands, Vanuatu faces a number of fuel challenges, the main one being its high dependency on imported fossil fuels. The constraints of the geography, with its population distributed over 65 islands and spread over more than 12,000 km2, makes this an expensive and laborious option.

Posted on September 11, 2015

In the second edition of the Global Good Practice Analysis (GPA2.0) a new selection of cases was examined by a consortium led by New Climate Institute and including the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Libélula.

Posted on September 2, 2015

This report responds to country requests for urgent guidance on the preparation of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), a core component of the Paris climate change conference (COP21).  

Posted on August 19, 2015

The main objective of the NAMA report is to further develop the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system in Jakarta in order to reduce traffic congestion, increase energy efficiency in transport, improve urban air quality, and reduce GHG emissions from urban transport. The NAMA includes three main components, notably the procurement of gas-fueled buses for the Transjakarta busway, construction of bus lanes, bus stops, and gas refueling stations.

Posted on August 1, 2015

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’s Republic of China and the Low Emission Capacity Building (LECB) programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted a workshop on ‘Engaging the Private Sector to Contribute to Climate Change Mitigation’ for the Asian. The workshop gathered government representatives of eleven LECB partner countries as well as private sector representatives, technical experts, and agencies supporting greenhouse gas mitigation…

Posted on May 19, 2015

In 2012, Bhutan launched its Carbon Neutral Strategy (CNS) as a follow-up to the carbon neutral commitments pledged by the government during the Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 2009.

Posted on March 5, 2015

Regional workshop on Private Sector Engagement for Asia in Beijing, China.

Posted on March 3, 2015

The second Asia-Pacific & Eastern Europe Regional Technical Dialogue on Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) brought together country representatives from the region, as well as developed-country representatives, multilateral and bilateral agencies, regional organizations, and other experts.

Posted on February 24, 2015

To date, a number of global studies have looked at barriers that typically hinder transitions to low-carbon economies. While these have focused on technological and financial barriers, most developing countries also face significant political and institutional challenges to the introduction of low-carbon alternatives into their national development planning.

Posted on January 1, 2015

A Regional Technical Dialogue on INDCs for Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe in Bangkok, Thailan.

Posted on December 3, 2014

The Global Good Practice Analysis is a joint initiative by the International Partnership on Mitigation and MRV (now Partnership on Transparency) and the UNDP Low Emission Capacity Building Programme.

Posted on May 8, 2014

Having completed the I&FF assessment, enhanced Bangladesh capacity to discuss the costs of climate change in the international climate change negotiations.

Posted on September 20, 2011