Why Should People’s Republic of China Unlock Services?
It is up to policy makers to unlock the enormous potential of services in the People’s Republic of China.
Why Don’t We Act on the Facts of Climate Change?
Immediate action is needed on climate change and we must overcome skepticism.
Menstrual Hygiene Management: A Taboo That Must Be Broken!
Unforgettable—that’s how I would describe the moment I raised the issue of menstrual hygiene management with project teams and government officials in Southeast Asia. Shocked and stunned—they looked down at their shoes closely inspecting remnants of their breakfast from earlier in the day.
Walking the Walk on a Green Future
The scale of urbanization in Asia over the past few decades has been truly astonishing and there is no sign of it stopping. In the next 20 years, another 1.1 billion people in the region will call cities their home.
Managing Floods in a Changing Climate for a Green Future
Climate change, population growth, and urbanization are bringing some of the greatest challenges of our time. Just a few days ago we experienced one of the most powerful storms in history, Super Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines, killing thousands.
Population Dynamics, Health and Social Protection – Opportunities for Sustainable Development
The world population clock is ticking. According to the Population Reference Bureau’s “2013 World Population Data Sheet”, on average, 271 people are born worldwide every minute and 106 people die. On 31 October 2011 the world welcomed its 7 billionth citizen and by 2050 it is estimated the number will have grown to 9.6 billion.
New Health Hope for India's Urban Poor
The continued urban boom across Asia and the Pacific offers a host of exciting new opportunities for the region but it also presents huge challenges― not least in the critical field of health.
‘Double Dividends’ from Better Urban Management in the Pacific
A new report by Asian Development Bank (ADB), Moving from Risk to Resilience: Sustainable Urban Development in the Pacific, argues that efforts to improve urban management in the Pacific can improve both the quality of life in the region’s cities and towns and, at the same time, build greater resilience to natural hazards and climate change-induced events.
No Impact Week ― The Carbon ‘Cleanse’ Challenge
Starting 22 February, Asian Development Bank (ADB) is holding its second No Impact Week challenge for individuals to cut their carbon footprint, following the success of the pilot event in January 2013.
Green Cities: Changing the Culture of Waste
Asia’s drive to urbanize is taking an increasing toll on the environment with growing mountains of solid waste as city dwellers consume and discard resources at an ever increasing rate. If “green” cities are to be the answer to these environmental stresses then they will need to develop much more effective programs to reduce, reuse, recycle and recover waste.