CHAMP Country Case Studies: Asia & the Pacific

Climate impacts in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are now outpacing global trends across multiple measures. Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, while sea-level rise on the Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts exceeds global rates. The destructive power of typhoons and cyclones is also set to double, and flood losses are likely to increase substantially. 

These intensifying climate hazards carry severe economic consequences for the region. Climate change could reduce regional GDP by 17% by 2070 under high-end emissions scenarios, according to ADB projections, with climate damages already consuming significant portions of GDP in the region’s most vulnerable economies. 

Yet the investment gap to address these challenges remains vast. Meeting climate mitigation and adaptation needs in emerging and developing Asia requires at least $1.1 trillion annually, while actual investment falls short by approximately $800 billion. As APAC nations navigate both immediate physical risks and complex economic transitions, the convergence of inadequate climate finance and accelerating impacts threatens to fundamentally reshape the region’s development trajectory. 

Meeting this challenge will require early and coordinated adaptation investments from both public and private sources, as well as market reforms that can enhance the region’s capacity to respond and build resilience.