Bringing sustainability into consumption and production patterns

Abstract

As laid out in chapters I and III, the climate emergency calls for countries in the region to significantly adjust their current production and consumption patterns and introduce policies that can facilitate the transition towards a low-carbon economy. This would involve adjustments in the behaviour of all stakeholders – Governments, businesses and consumers – supported by an enabling policy environment provided by the Government. One way to embark on this transition is to move to clean energy given that energy sector is one of the major contributors to GHG emissions and climate change. In estimating the investment requirements to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the 2019 Survey showed that the size and composition of energy sector investments must change dramatically. An average annual investment of $434 billion would be needed through 2030 to achieve clean energy and climateresilient infrastructure in Asia-Pacific developing countries.1 For power generation, countries would have to scale up investments in renewables, such as solar, wind and hydro, while phasing out fossil fuels (figure IV.1). Energy efficiency investments in buildings, industry and transport should also increase.