Böcker utgivna av Asian Development Bank

This report reviews the evidence to establish which sources of sea-level rise projections are credible for the Pacific islands region. It examines the strengths, weaknesses, and uncertainties associated with various sources of information on sea-level rise in the Pacific. It aims to provide advisory standards for the planning, testing, and design of Asian Development Bank projects in the area.

Cities in Asia and the Pacific are increasingly at risk of heat waves, which are expected to be more severe and persistent due to global warming. The urban poor are especially vulnerable to heat stress and associated health and productivity impacts as they often work outdoors and tend to live in overcrowded housing without adequate ventilation or cooling. This publication examines opportunities for countries to pursue pro-poor urban resilience initiatives to reduce the impacts of heat stress. It emphasizes the need for policies and investments to be based on long-term planning and actions at all scales: individual and household, neighborhood, and city.

This publication updates the 2015 carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) road map for the People's Republic of China (PRC) developed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in consultation with the government of the PRC and other stakeholders. Reflecting changes in CCUS and low-carbon development targets in the PRC since 2015, it highlights the role of CCUS in decarbonizing hydrogen production from fossil fuels; CCUS-readiness of the cement and iron and steel industries; recommendations on CCUS deployment under the 14th Five-Year Plan; and implications for CCUS of the PRC's ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Small island developing states in the Pacific are urgently seeking to address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and energy access by generating more renewable energy and reducing their reliance on imported fossil fuels. This publication highlights lessons from 26 case studies in the Cook Islands and Tonga. It provides recommendations on how to improve the implementation of battery energy storage and renewable energy-based hybrid electricity systems. It focuses on the technical aspects of robust systems, procurement and contract management, and decision-making processes.

This publication explores how multilateral development banks (MDBs) can help improve infrastructure resilience in light of increasing climate and disaster risks. It highlights opportunities in three areas: (i) risk-informed planning; (ii) financing assistance that enables improvements in infrastructure resilience before, during, and after a disaster; and (iii) knowledge building through regional and global networks. Examples from around the world showcase some of the successes that have been achieved so far. The publication draws on a literature review, insights from stakeholders in developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank, and input from specialists in eight MDBs.

The Pacific region is expected to grow by 4.7% in 2022 and 5.4% in 2023 as most economies emerge from the worst of the pandemic-induced downturn. This issue of the Pacific Economic Monitor focuses on building and financing resilience to climate change and disasters. It also explores the impacts on the region of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, such as higher commodity prices.

Gender inequalities and limited access to resources constrain women's ability to withstand and recover from financial shocks and economic distress arising from natural hazards. Recognizing the importance of financial inclusion in addressing the issue, this publication explores good practices in the use of financial instruments to enhance women's disaster resilience. This includes the identification of appropriate distribution channels to reach low-income women. The publication provides recommendations for policy makers and regulators, development partners, and financial service providers on facilitating the development, design, and promotion of financial products and services that will enhance women's resilience to disasters.

This publication provides an overview of institutional investors' interest in green bonds issued in the Philippines, along with an assessment of the perspectives of local arrangers and underwriters on their clients' interest in green bond issuances. It presents the results of a survey to help identify drivers, impediments, and development priorities for the Philippines' sustainable finance market. The findings and insights presented in this publication are intended to inform how the Asian Development Bank and other partners could further support the market's development.

This report provides a snapshot view of road safety conditions in 11 Central Asia Regional Economic cooperation (CAREC) member countries. It shows the status of key road safety issues in each country, progress toward national policies, and the actions taken toward achieving the objectives of the CAREC Road Safety Action Plan. The information in this report will help development partners identify priorities, resources, and possible actions to help CAREC member countries improve road safety and reduce the financial and human cost of road traffic accidents.

Technology-based startup enterprises are an increasingly important part of the business landscape in Asia and the Pacific. By applying innovative technologies to create new products and services, they can make a significant contribution to economic development while generating social and environmental benefits. However, to survive and then thrive, tech startups require an enabling ecosystem that includes supportive government policy, adequate access to capital, skilled personnel, and quality digital infrastructure. This report examines Viet Nam's innovative enterprises in two sectors: agriculture and health. It identifies challenges in their quest to scale up and offers practical recommendations to overcome these challenges and create an enabling ecosystem in which startups can grow.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) has been recognized as a suitable option to help address urban development issues in India. In the context of metro rail systems, TOD has much potential to promote inclusive and sustainable urban mobility. It can also enhance the livability and resilience of cities through better integration of land use policies and the development of the transport network. TOD presents an opportunity to utilize land value capture mechanisms to augment cities' finances. This study seeks to understand key achievements and challenges of TOD implementation in selected major cities in India. It also explores why synchronized interaction between TOD measures and land use regulations is essential to maximize the socioeconomic benefits of metro rail investments.

This publication presents new case studies of recent Asian Development Bank projects in Bangladesh, the Cook Islands, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, and the People's Republic of China. The case studies highlight innovative interventions and effective approaches used to reduce poverty while ensuring equality and inclusion, caring for the environment, securing food for all, and sustaining prosperity through access to finance. The publication builds on the first volume of poverty reduction case studies published in 2019.

This publication features a broad suite of statistical indicators characterizing the supply-and-use interactions of economic sectors within and across 25 economies of Asia and the Pacific. The indicators include sector- and economy-specific multipliers and linkages, trade orientation and openness, participation in global value chains, patterns of product specialization, and domestic agglomeration, among many others. Supplementing these analyses are special chapters on the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the contribution of the digital economy, and the significance of activities related to real estate. All analyses and indicators draw on the Multiregional Input-Output database maintained by the Asian Development Bank.

Asia and the Pacific is the most disaster-prone region in the world and water is the primary medium through which the impacts of climate change are felt. Resilient water management is central to achieving climate adaptation, managing and better preparing for natural and public health threats, and addressing water scarcity issues. This guidance note provides specific actions and tools for scaling up and mainstreaming water resilience in the region through operations of the Asian Development Bank. The guidance note is based on six pillars: (i) demand for resilient water investments; (ii) a community approach; (iii) strengthened staff capacity; (iv) knowledge, innovation, and partnerships; (v) finance for water resilience; and (vi) digitalization.

This publication examines progress on the four main components of fiscal decentralization in Nepal since the country's shift to a federal structure of governance in 2015. It covers the constitutional and legislative framework, implementation, reform efforts, and recommendations in (i) public expenditure assignment and budgeting, (ii) revenue mobilization, (iii) intergovernmental fiscal transfers, and (iv) subnational borrowing. The report also provides an overview of the institutional arrangements in Nepal for achieving the objectives of fiscal federalism, highlights reforms still needed, and draws lessons for a robust fiscal decentralization framework. It could also be useful to policymakers and stakeholders contemplating a similar state transition in other countries.

Coastal municipalities across the Asia and Pacific region are looking for solutions to worsening salinity levels in their water sources due to overextraction of groundwater and rising sea levels. The transition from groundwater to surface water or conjunctive use can be costly and technically complex. But it is possible, as proven by the Khulna Water Supply Project, cofinanced by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The coastal city of Khulna in Southwest Bangladesh developed a new surface water source and avoided the recurring high costs of desalination treatment technology. The project financed an entirely new system-from intake to tap-for 65% of the city's population. The transformative changes from the project were possible with the newly established Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, only the third of its kind in the country.

The Pacific is expected to recover with moderate growth of 1.4% in 2021 and 3.8% in 2022, with tourism and widespread vaccination playing key roles.This issue of the Pacific Economic Monitor provides insights on experiences and lessons of Pacific island countries in striking a delicate balance between health and economic concerns. It also outlines ADB's new development strategy to help the region address the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).