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Decarbonisation through the deployment of low-carbon technologies has become a central component in climate mitigation strategy. The production of these technologies, however, requires many more minerals compared to their conventional counterparts. Moreover, the technologies needed to recycle them at the end of their product lifetime are not yet fully developed. These potentially intensify various environmental and social pressures on the Earth that has already been overstretched for half a century in meeting the world's consumption demand. Managing resource extraction through sustainable and ethical mining and accelerating technological innovations for recycling are important, but alternative pathways aimed at bringing down consumption levels, possibly through a transformation in the economic system, are likely to be necessary to restore a balance with nature and avert climate and ecological crises.

This report provides a big-picture perspective of the most pressing challenges for Turkey to overcome in achieving a low-carbon 2050 vision. We summarize key issues regarding the viability of high-carbon and non-emitting controversial infrastructures; we explore socio-technical solutions based on low-carbon technologies; we evaluate the freshwater, land-use, biodiversity and air quality dynamics in which electricity generation has a significant footprint; and we analyse the social dynamics of business-as usual and alternative energy outlooks towards a 2050 vision. The section continues with lessons learnt from European Union (EU) countries and globally for staying within the planetary boundaries mandated by the Paris Agreement.

The electrification of mobility is now in fashion and some European countries have announced a ban on internal combustion engines in the future. From the perspective of production to energy consumption, electric vehicles are not necessarily zero-emission vehicles when electricity is supplied from fossil resources. In addition, the spread of electric supply stations is indispensable to the introduction of electric vehicles. However, the rapid expansion of infrastructure such as supply stations is difficult. On the other hand, vehicles with improved fuel efficiency like hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars have appeared and those cars are also effective for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Conventional infrastructure is available for these vehicles, and GHG emissions reduction can be expected by promoting the use of biofuels produced from domestic resources in the East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. In order to introduce electrified vehicles, it is realistic to proceed step-by-step depending on the characteristics of vehicles and the development of infrastructure. However, it is not always clear whether the current electrified vehicle introduction plan is effective in reducing the environmental load. In this study, we set up multiple scenarios in consideration of the introduction of policies of electrified vehicles in each country, and calculated by simulation the energy consumption, global warming gas emissions, and biofuel demand in each case. Based on the results, the best way to introduce electrified vehicles to reduce GHG emissions was clarified. We also held policy dialogues with government policymakers and industry representatives to exchange opinions on the research results. With these opinions in mind, we made recommendations on future environmental measures and biofuel policies in the transport sector. Regarding next-generation bioethanol produced from non-conventional resources, we have identified the challenges for commercial-scale supply.

The Philippines and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development, demonstrating their willingness to explore joint development as a pathway to collaboration, notwithstanding their territorial disputes. Recent commentaries on joint development are mostly framed on legal challenges, South China Sea (SCS) rows, geopolitics, and state-centric security issues. However, there have been no extensive discussions on the potential contributions from non-state stakeholders that can make joint development agreements environmentally sound, sustainable, and less political. These stakeholders are the oil companies, fishermen and coastal communities. In this regard, this NTS Insight explores potential roles of these stakeholders in promoting joint initiatives to share and develop resources in the SCS. It argues that the engagement and participation of non-state stakeholders in resource sharing and joint management must be pursued to address key non-traditional security challenges in the SCS. It also examines mechanisms to integrate marine environmental protection and sustainable fishing management into joint development agreements.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been issuing its Sustainability Report since 2007. The Sustainability Report allows stakeholders to assess ADB's operational and organizational sustainability performance, providing them with a single point of reference to understand ADB's commitment to sustainable development. For 2018, this biennial Sustainability Report highlights the integration of sustainability into ADB's operations and organizational activities during 2016–2017. A separate detailed Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Content Index sets out ADB's management approaches to material topics and responses to general and specific disclosures in the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards. The Sustainability Report and detailed GRI Content Index are prepared in accordance with the core option of the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards and are available online at www.adb.org/documents/asian-development-bank-sustainability-report-2018.

Since 2006, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been providing technical assistance through the GMS Core Environment Program (CEP) to help mainstream the use of SEAs in the GMS countries, including for power development planning. This publication outlines the key characteristics of SEA, discusses global trends in energy technologies and markets, and looks at how Viet Nam, with support from the CEP, has integrated SEAs into its power development planning process. It also identifies priority steps for further mainstreaming SEAs in power sector planning in the GMS countries.

This publication presents the integration of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the revised Power Development Plan VII of Viet Nam. It demonstrates how incorporating an SEA into the planning process will produce plans that are based on a more thorough understanding of their implications for the economy, society, and environment of the country. Viet Nam's revised Power Development Plan VII is a model of good practice in integrating an SEA in the preparation of a strategic plan for the power sector of other countries, particularly in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

This study analyses essential elements to increase the effectiveness of emissions control regulations for coal-fired power plants in developing countries in ASEAN. In the power sector, air pollution concerns can become a barrier for developing necessary power stations. As such, the appropriate implementation of air polution control regulations is crucial for the sustainable development of the economy, and hence the study will highlight it.

Water and energy are both valuable resources and indispensable for human society and economic development. By nature, water and energy are interlinked. Water plays a critical role in the generation of electricity for cooling of thermal power plants and in hydropower, as well as in the production of fossil fuels such as coal; energy is required to treat, distribute, and for wastewater treatment. Choices made in either of the sectors may have unintended and often negative implications on the other sector. This report analyzes the trade-off between the two sectors in the context of the People's Republic of China and proposes recommendations to ensure that the choices made are sustainable in the long run.

The Philippines currently has a low level of per capita greenhouse gas emissions. However, emission levels are growing at an increasing rate, with 4% annual growth between 2006 and 2012. The country's energy system is becoming more carbon intensive to satisfy escalating energy demand caused by strong economic growth. This study assesses how the Philippines can take a low-carbon pathway by drawing on detailed modeling of the power, residential, and transport sectors. It identifies low-carbon development options that can be deployed at approximately zero net cost to reduce energy sector greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2050. With energy use levels still low, the country has an opportunity to follow a low-carbon development trajectory—if action is taken soon.

Viet Nam has had rapid economic growth in recent years, but this growth has been energy dependent, even as the energy system has become more carbon intensive. This study uses a bottom-up model to evaluate 63 measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from household electricity, industry, power generation, and transport. It finds potential for emissions reduction by 53% in 2050, and that much of this reduction can occur at low or negative financial costs. Moreover, these measures are found to ultimately lead to faster and more inclusive economy-wide growth. Policy measures are identified to help realize the modeled potential.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia region has been experiencing a rapid growth in urbanisation in the last few years which is likely to continue for some time. In particular, the increase in urbanisation has been remarkable, among others, in China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Such growth has seen overall energy demand rise, driven by the increase in energy for the power sector and the transport sector (Kutani, 2013). The total primary energy demand in the ASEAN region is projected to increase by 80 percent by 2040 (IEA, 2015). Energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) has been given top priority in the Energy White Paper (2014) of Brunei Darussalam, and this has further been stressed no less by the decree of the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam at the United Nations 2014 Climate Summit held in New York. In his speech, he stated that the country is targeting to reduce total primary energy consumption by 63 percent from its 2009 baseline. One path towards energy sustainability is a low-carbon path to energy security. The introduction of low-carbon or energy technologies in the town planning of Brunei to boost energy efficiency and reduce fossil energy use is vital to manage rapidly growing energy consumption levels in urban areas to achieve a more secure and sustainable energy future for the country. The concept here is called the eco town.

What is the likely scenario when demand for global housing increases amid rising global temperatures? How do we create sustainable habitats to survive in an increasingly warming planet?

Asia is at a crossroads. As the world's most populous region, with a rising share of global greenhouse gas emissions, and as the region most vulnerable to climate risks, this book recognizes low-carbon green growth is imperative for developing Asia. It reviews low-carbon policy initiatives taken by Asian countries at the national, sectoral, and local levels, while assessing the achievements, identifying the gaps, and examining new opportunities. The volume notes that actions taken by several Asian countries so far have been impressive and replicable and the region's commitment to low-carbon green growth represents a move away from the old economic thinking of "grow first and clean later." However, emerging Asia's carbon emissions remain high and failure to act swiftly could increase mitigation costs by two to five times and lock in a high-carbon footprint for decades to come. Regional cooperation is needed to develop and disseminate cost-effective cleaner technologies, develop green industries, and create jobs. A decision to act together on ten key common issues would quickly make Asia the world's most important test-bed and a role model for the rest of the world in low carbon-green growth. Such actions can also support the proactive participation of Asian countries in global negotiations on climate change.

Asia is at a crossroads. As the world's most populous region, with a rising share of global greenhouse gas emissions, and as the region most vulnerable to climate risks, this book recognizes low-carbon green growth is imperative for developing Asia. It reviews low-carbon policy initiatives taken by Asian countries at the national, sectoral, and local levels, while assessing the achievements, identifying the gaps, and examining new opportunities. The volume notes that actions taken by several Asian countries so far have been impressive and replicable and the region's commitment to low-carbon green growth represents a move away from the old economic thinking of "grow first and clean later." However, emerging Asia's carbon emissions remain high and failure to act swiftly could increase mitigation costs by two to five times and lock in a high-carbon footprint for decades to come. Regional cooperation is needed to develop and disseminate cost-effective cleaner technologies, develop green industries, and create jobs. A decision to act together on ten key common issues would quickly make Asia the world's most important test-bed and a role model for the rest of the world in low carbon-green growth. Such actions can also support the proactive participation of Asian countries in global negotiations on climate change.