2021 in Review: Climate action kicks into gear across Asia and the Pacific

As the world gets hotter, projections show Asia and the Pacific will face greater heat extremes, more erratic rainfall, rising sea levels and increasing extreme weather. The impacts threaten lives and livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable. 

Seeing the impacts and recognizing the risks of inaction, countries in the region have been taking progressive steps to cut emissions. Many – especially Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States – are expressing their net-zero ambitions.

UNDP's Climate Promise is supporting 27 countries in the region, accounting for 11.39% of global emissions, to raise their sights even further.

The needle is moving and in 2021, updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) showed increased mitigation and adaptation ambition, and increased engagement on issues of gender, youth, and the private sector. 

Click on the photos to read some of the highlights.