Greening Asia's Economic Development

Asia is facing serious environmental challenges including urban air pollution and the effects of global climate change. As a major source of greenhouse gases, what happens in Asia will play a crucial role in determining the extent to which the world warms over coming decades. This paper reviews key environmental challenges faced by the region and the growing opportunities for a transition to a cleaner economy powered by zero-emission energy sources. Economic mechanisms - including emissions pricing, reverse auctions, and renewable portfolio standards with green certificate schemes - have the potential to underpin a much greener development model for the Asian Century.

Automated summary

Asia is facing serious environmental challenges such as urban air pollution and the impacts of global climate change. However, there are growing opportunities for a transition to a cleaner economy powered by zero-emission energy sources. Economic mechanisms like emissions pricing and renewable portfolio standards have the potential to support a greener development model for the Asian Century.