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Implications of the energy transition on sustainable critical minerals development : aligning extractive industries with the sustainable development goals
No full textTransitioning towards a clean energy future is a mainstay of the global efforts to achieve the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. The energy transition implies a shift from a fuel-intensive system to a material-intensive energy system, and will create significant demand for critical raw materials (CRMs), including critical minerals, because the technologies underpinning low-carbon energy systems, such as wind, solar PV and batteries, are more minerals-intensive than fossil fuel-based technologies.
This report examines the implications of the energy transition on SDGs for countries that currently or could potentially extract and export critical minerals. After the Introduction, Chapter 2 presents the potential implications of the energy transition on critical mineral development. Replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources by extension increases dependence on mineral resources. As the transition towards a clean energy future deepens, a fundamental change in the demand for extractive products, away from fossil fuel and towards mineral resources, will take place. Chapter 3 discusses the opportunities and challenges that the sustainable development of CRMs will face during the energy transition. Chapter 4 examines the energy transition and critical mineral development in Asia-Pacific countries. Chapter 5 summarizes CRM development in selected Asia-Pacific countries, followed by a summary of the global best practice that can contribute to achieving sustainable CRM development. The remaining gaps that need to be filled for the purpose of promoting sustainable critical mineral development are summarized in Chapter 7, which also lays the foundation for policy recommendations in chapter 8.</p
SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
No full textSustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 is critical in this Decade of Action to bolster the other 16 SDGs and accelerate implementation. Yet, progress on several targets of Goal 17 has been slow in the Asia-Pacific region. While countries are struggling to recover from COVID-19 and job disruptions, the rising costs of living due to high inflation and abrupt food and energy price shocks have exacerbated development challenges and further hampered progress toward Goal 17.Mobilisation of necessary financial resources remains a key challenge for accelerating the SDGs in developing countries. Government budgets remain stunted due to slow economic growth and continued large fiscal spending for socio-economic recovery efforts following the pandemic. Debt is dangerously high in many developing countries, putting some at a high risk of debt distress. Although official development assistance (ODA) has increased amid the pandemic, it is far from meeting commitments and insufficient to address the many competing priorities that developing countries, especially least developed countries (LDCs), face. Trade, a key engine of growth, is stalling, impacted by pandemic-related border closures and restrictions imposed in the wake of the geopolitical tensions. Developing countries, particularly LDCs, can least reap trade benefits due to limited resources and expertise to engage with bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade partners. Although capacity development and multistakeholder partnerships are critical to attaining the SDGs, progress has been subdued. There is an urgent need to pool multiple actors with relevant resources, capacity and expertise to create the synergies and levers required to deliver system transformations.Accelerating the implementation of Goal 17 requires expanding the fiscal space and improving the mobilisation of public resources. There is an urgent need to address immediate debt vulnerabilities and restore long-term debt sustainability with extended support from the international community. Developing countries need to scale up sustainable finance through the uptake of innovative and targeted approaches, especially incentivising the private sector to align and increase their investment in the SDGs. Additionally, benefits in international trade for developing countries need strengthening. This can be done through the adoption and acceleration of customs and trade digitalisation and regional cooperation and integration to streamline trade procedures and reduce trade barriers and costs. Further, development partners can provide capacity development and technical assistance to developing countries and strengthen partnerships among the governments and other stakeholders to mobilise resources more effectively, efficiently, and at a greater scale.</p
Asia-Pacific trade and investment trends brief 2022/2023 : Armenia
No full textThis brief covers recent trends and developments in trade and investment. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2022/2023
Rethinking applications of digital technology and data for addressing climate change impact
Get PDFThe Asia-Pacific region is rapidly becoming a centre of innovation in digital technology. Countries such as China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have made substantial investments in developing their digital technology infrastructure in recent years. The investments have positioned these nations at the forefront of fields such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, robotics and the Internet of Things.
At the same time, climate change in the Asia-Pacific region has become an issue of increasing urgency. The region’s communities have been severely affected by rising sea levels, and increase in the frequency of natural disasters and extreme weather events. This working paper explores the role digital technology can play in combating climate change. Based on a literature review and an analysis of open-access data, this working paper discusses recent trends in the digital economy and the implications of digital adoption for climate change.
The working paper aims to: (1) analyse successful policies and practices of utilizing digital technology applications and big data to address climate change challenges; (2) forecast how the evolving digital economy could affect climate change targets based on three foresight scenarios – positive, negative and neutral; and (3) provide policy recommendations based on findings.
In the working paper, a collection of good practices in the Asia-Pacific region is described. They include digital technologies for monitoring climate change via remote sensing, near-real time visualization using geographic information systems, and real-time early warning platforms, as well as good practices on the use of digital technologies for smart cities, efficient electronic generation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – all of which contribute to climate mitigation and adaption and sustainable development.
In addition, the working paper investigates the impact of digital technology on energy sustainability and resource efficiency, and its role in climate mitigation and adaptation via cost-effective solutions and enhanced decision-making across many fields. Using statistical analysis, the effects of digital technology on the climate are estimated quantitatively based on three scenarios – positive, negative and neutral. Although evidence shows that digital technology could increase energy consumption, contribute to electronic waste and have the potential to spread disinformation, estimations using open-access data reveal that transformed digital technologies could have a net positive effect on climate change by increasing the efficiency of power generation. This demonstrates that good practices of digital transformation could easily offset their negative effects.
Key policy recommendations on enabling innovation, the sharing of best practices, the strengthening of collaboration mechanisms, the promotion of collaboration between the business and research sectors, and addressing data privacy and cybersecurity concerns have been made to promote the positive role of digital technology in responding to climate change. We believe that by adopting these policy recommendations, digital technology can contribute to combating climate change, promoting sustainable development and economic growth, and expanding regional cooperation.</p
Trends in social development : the future of work in Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFThe year 2023 marks the midpoint of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and their respective targets. It is also a time when countries in the Asia-Pacific region are being transformed by climate change, rapid digitalization and demographic shifts, in particular the ageing of the population. While these megatrends cannot be controlled entirely, they can be addressed through consistent, forward-looking policies that create more inclusive,equitable and just societies
In the preparation of the present document, strategic foresight was employed to gauge the impact that megatrends are likely to have on the workforce in Asia and the Pacific, both now and in the future. The workforce drives the region’s economic growth, which in turn will determine whether the region achieves the Sustainable Development Goals and their respective targets and maintains its course towards inclusive and sustainable development. The present document also contains recommendations on creating a future workforce that is healthy, productive and resilient, so that no one is left behind.</p
Asia-Pacific trade and investment trends brief 2022/2023 : Fiji
No full textThis brief covers recent trends and developments in trade and investment. It has been produced as an accompaniment to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends 2022/2023
Regional Organizations Cooperation Mechanism for Trade Facilitation (ROC-TF) Newsletter. Issue XVIII, February 2023
No full textIN FOCUS: The 10th Asia-Pacific Trade
Facilitation Forum was organized by
ADB, ESCAP and the Singapore
Ministry of Trade and Industry in
cooperation with UNCTAD, WCO and
many other organizations during 29
August – 01 September 2022. The
forum on “Next Generation Trade
Facilitation for Sustainable
Development” was attended by over
250 participants from over 30
countries. The 6th ROC-TF meeting
was held on the side and agreed to
collaborate on climate-smart trade
facilitation in 2023.PROJECT/ACTIVITY : Updates 2 Analysis 13 Resources and Publications 15 Upcoming Events 21 News and commentary 2
Advancing gender equality in Asia and the Pacific in the context of climate change
No full textGender inequality, coupled with current climate and environment crises, is one of the greatest sustainable development challenges of our time. While the effects of climate change threaten everybody, the most affected are women and children, particularly older women, girls, persons with disabilities, ethnic and gender minorities and those living in rural areas. These people are disproportionally impacted in terms of access to food and nutrition security, clean water and health. This policy paper employs an intersectional approach to understand the risks and challenges that climate change poses for women and other marginalized groups in Asia and the Pacific, which stands as the most disaster-prone region in the world. In doing so the paper, raises awareness of the benefits, advantages and need for gender-responsive climate action and strives to inspire greater climate ambition in Asia and the Pacific. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for a "whole-of-government" approach to mainstreaming gender in climate policies and strategies in the region, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future where no one is left behind.</p
Social protection and climate change in Asia and the Pacific
No full textSocial protection plays an important role in supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, particularly in the Asia Pacific region where many remain without adequate coverage. Sustainably expanding social protection is essential, with a focus on vulnerable groups, including informal workers, migrants, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities. To be effective, social protection systems must be rights-based, comprehensive, provide adequate benefits and uphold principles like universality and solidarity. Benefits will also have to take into account the heightened risks from climate change. Governments should explore synergies with disaster risk finance and Paris aligned investments like green bonds and climate funds. Climate-sensitive design, fiscal repurposing, and inclusion in national climate strategies are vital steps in crafting comprehensive, equitable social protection systems that address climate vulnerabilities and promote sustainable development. Gender-specific challenges must also be addressed to ensure effective climate adaptation and mitigation.</p
The changing landscape of regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific
No full textThis publication is based on a selected number of speeches delivered and opinion pieces written by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia, starting with her appointment to her
current post on 1 November 2018 until 31 May 2023.
The publication is divided into three parts. Part one is focused on the regional perspectives, specifically highlighting subregional dimensions and countries in special situations. Part two presents key priorities for implementing the 2030 Agenda. In part three, the importance of mainstreaming actions for accelerating development with a focus on finance, digitalization and evidence-based policymaking is underscored. Finally, in the way forward, an attempt is made to
deliberate on the opportunities to harness regional ooperation for sustainable development.</p