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

High-level Policy Commission on Getting Asia to Net Zero

A high-level and independent commission of Asian leaders to help urgently accelerate the regional transition to net zero emissions.
Net-Zero GHG Emissions in Korea

Korea’s next generation leaders in climate and energy policy learn from EU and US experts to inform Korea’s Net-Zero policies, plans and strategies.
Rebuilding U.S.-China Climate Cooperation

Seeks to establish a blueprint for post-2020 climate cooperation between the U.S. and China.
Building the Chinese Carbon Market and Its Regional Connections

Works to enhance the regional and global fight against climate change through carbon market maturation and cooperation in Asia.
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

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Climate Diplomacy under a New U.S. Administration

The United States is the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter. For that reason, the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November will have an undeniable impact on the future of the global climate change regime.

Belt and Road Initiative Martix Data Visualization

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Navigating the Belt and Road Initiative

Recommendations to ensure beneficial and sustainable BRI outcomes.

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

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

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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.

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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.

The Network of Smart City, Beijing Central Business District.

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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.

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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.

Pollution over Shanghai. (Shreyans Bhansali/Flickr)

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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.

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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.

Commentary

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Developing Effective Benchmark-Based Allocation for Industrial Sectors: The Case of the Korean ETS

This paper studies the most recent phase of the Korean Emissions Trading System and demonstrates how BM-based allocation was successfully implemented within some of the country’s largest and most carbon leakage-exposed industrial sectors.
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Catalyzing India’s Climate Ambition

ASPI Senior Fellow Patrick Suckling sets out how the wider international community should sensitively, constructively, and intelligently work with India to catalyze greater climate ambition in the lead-up to COP26 and beyond.
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China’s National ETS Needs High-Level Political Support to Succeed

Kevin Rudd and Alistair Ritchie write that support would drive the cross-ministry coordination needed to ensure the emissions trading system helps China achieve its climate goals.
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China's Vital Emissions Trading Scheme

Kevin Rudd and Alistair Ritchie write that China's ETS is set to become the world's single most important climate mitigation policy.
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ASPI Notes for the Biden Administration

Creative and practical ideas for how the United States might re-engage in the Asia Pacific in the critical first six months of the new administration.
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Nature and Nurture: How the Biden Administration Can Advance Ties With India

Anubhav Gupta provides a blueprint for how the incoming U.S. administration can bolster U.S.-India ties.
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Powering COVID-19 Recovery in Asia and the Pacific

Woochong Um writes that COVID-19 presents an opportunity for a green, sustainable, and resilient recovery.
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COVID-19 Has Exposed Need for a Better Way in Pacific Aid

Dr. Hilda Heine and Thom Woodroofe on the fundamental cleavages in the delivery of aid to the Pacific Islands.
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How China, Japan, and South Korea Can Make Their Carbon Neutral Goals A Reality

Alistair Ritchie and Jackson Ewing write that China, Japan and South Korea can be leaders in the fight against climate change if they ensure policies align with their ambitious goals.
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What Climate Wars? The Coalition's Ship is Changing Tack

Patrick Suckling writes that while it is clear the U.S. is back on climate, that does not mean it will rage against Australia.
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A Pacific Vision to Fight Climate Change

Gerald Zackios writes on the impact of COVID-19 on the Pacific Islands, and how the region can fight climate change post-COVID.
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Prospects for International Carbon Market

Alistair Ritchie delivered a presentation for the 11th International Greenhouse Gas Conference on Prospects for Carbon Markets in 2030.
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China’s Thirst For Coal is Economically Shortsighted and Environmentally Reckless

Kevin Rudd writes on why China’s decisions on coal will determine the future of our climate crisis.