Sustainability

ASPI works with policymakers, scientists, economists, business leaders, and experts from other fields to assess the challenges associated with securing food, water, and energy for Asia’s burgeoning population, in a way that conserves environmental resources for the future. This multidisciplinary approach considers the needs of diverse stakeholder groups and recognizes the tradeoffs that must be made to overcome sustainability problems.

Featured Initiatives

Toward a Northeast Asia Carbon Market

ASPI initiative to create a roadmap for linking the carbon markets in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Reports

report

Carbon Market Cooperation in Northeast Asia: Assessing Challenges and Overcoming Barriers

ASPI report on carbon market cooperation and linkage in Northeast Asia.

report

Northeast Asia Carbon Markets and Trade Connections

ASPI report outlining ways to foster regional trade and carbon market cooperation between China, Japan, and South Korea.

report

Business Sector Action to Drive Carbon Market Cooperation in Northeast Asia

ASPI report on how major companies operating in Northeast Asia can drive carbon market cooperation and capitalize on its opportunities.

report

Northeast Asia and the Next Generation of Carbon Market Cooperation

ASPI report on carbon market developments in China, Japan, and Korea and how linkages can be facilitated between these markets to pursue ambitious climate change policies.

report

Roadmap to a Northeast Asian Carbon Market

This ASPI report by Jackson Ewing outlines potential for climate change cooperation between China, Japan, and South Korea through market mechanisms.

report

Delivering Environmentally Sustainable Economic Growth: The Case of China

This report considers the policy shift that the Chinese government has called for to address the environmental impacts of economic growth, and assesses the challenges ahead.

report

Never an Empty Bowl: Sustaining Food Security in Asia

Asia Society and the International Rice Research Institute jointly developed a plan of action to address food insecurity and poverty in Asia, based on input from policy and scientific authorities.

report

/ Center on U.S.-China Relations

A Roadmap for U.S.-China Collaboration on Carbon Capture and Sequestration

The report describes a model for a U.S.-China partnership that would advance research, development, and deployment of commercial-scale CCS while strengthening bilateral relations.

report

Asia's Next Challenge: Securing the Region's Water Future

An Asia Society leadership group’s report recommends a ten-point policy agenda for preventing a water crisis in Asia, which could have a profound impact on security throughout the region.

Commentary

article

Capitalizing on Climate Unity

President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris agreement dealt the accord a major blow but it also unleashed a resolve globally and within the U.S.
article

SDG 13 Will Be Relevant in the Climate Fight Only if it Mobilizes Finance

An article from the book "Towards Sustainable Development: Lessons from MDGs & Pathway for SDGs."
China’s Emissions Trading System in Context

Jackson Ewing explains China's nascent emissions scheme in the Harvard report "Market Mechanisms and the Paris Agreement."
China’s ETS at Home and Abroad

ASPI's Jackson Ewing describes China's emissions trading scheme (ETS) which is being launched in late 2017.
The Asian Carbon Century

Jackson Ewing shines a light on the climate leaders of the Asia Pacific.
Michael Bloomberg: Americans 'Are Here To Fight Climate Change'

The former New York mayor discusses how corporations and municipalities will adhere to the Paris Agreement despite President Trump's withdrawal.
How Trump’s Paris Decision Marginalizes Washington — Not America

The president's withdrawal from a groundbreaking international climate change accord has galvanized action by subnational groups and corporations.
interview

After Trump’s Paris Decision, Macron, Merkel and Xi the New Hope

Kevin Rudd discusses the future of global climate leadership on CNN in the aftermath of the United States' decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement.
U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Agreement a ‘Disaster’

Kevin Rudd discusses the impact of Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement with BBC World.
U.S.-China Climate Relations: Beyond Trump

U.S.-China climate cooperation was short-lived, but Jackson Ewing argues that the fight against climate change will continue despite Donald Trump.
China Can Take Reins of Clean Energy Boom Should U.S. Falter

If the U.S. recedes from the energy sources of tomorrow in favor of those of the past, China and other countries will reap the benefits.
Kevin Rudd on Scaling Up Global Water and Sanitation Work

Kevin Rudd delivers the keynote address at World Bank Water Week 2017 in Washington.
Singapore's Groundbreaking Carbon Pricing Scheme

Jackson Ewing states that the city-state's decision to tax greenhouse gases could serve as a template for the rest of Asia — and beyond.