Climate change poses major challenges to environmental stability, economic growth and human development in the East Asia and Pacific region. The region includes 13 of the 30 countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and without concerted action, the region could see an additional 7.5 million people fall into poverty due to climate impacts by 2030. 

East Asia and Pacific is also critical to global efforts to combat climate change. The region accounts for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and 60 percent of the world’s coal consumption. The good news is that the region is also uniquely placed to act. All countries in the region have made pledges as part of the Paris Agreement, and many of the largest economies in the region have recently made ambitious commitments to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. 

The World Bank has been a longstanding partner for the region on climate change - researching, producing knowledge, collecting data, providing finance, and helping lay the groundwork for significant actions that reduce GHG emissions, improve climate resilience, and prepare for - and respond to - natural disasters.