Asian cities are significant contributors to climate change. Cities in the region are also hubs of economic activity, centers of financial capital and talent, and incubators of innovation and progress.

Yet existing urban development pathways could lock cities into unsustainable growth and consumption models, worsening the effects of climate change and leading to the destruction of natural carbon sinks and important climate adaptation systems. Asian cities are therefore faced with critical developmental choices.

Asian cities have the resources, capacity, and ability to address climate change and drive decarbonization on a significant scale. There is a significant opportunity to increase resource efficiency and transform Asian urban growth models to make them more circular, regenerative, and inclusive.

The report offers frameworks, recommendations, and case studies to illustrate how cities could leverage their unique strengths and evolve their development models to concurrently pursue climate resilience, poverty reduction, and biodiversity protection goals. In addition, it reviews progress made by major Asian cities in mitigating and adapting to climate change, and best practices to manage opportunities and risks from the climate transition.