Beyond GDP: Accounting for the Environment

ADB-NEWS RELEASE

Bangkok, Thailand (7 October 2013)  – Statisticians, economists, ecologists and policy makers across Asia will meet in Bangkok from the 8th to 10th of October to define ways of calculating the value of natural resources that could reshape the way country success is measured.

Lao PDR signs first CEP Letter of Agreement

Lao PDR’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MONRE) hosted a ceremony today to celebrate the recent signing of a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with ADB for the Core Environment Program.

The Economic Growth in Southeast Asia: Integration, Sustainability, and Capacity Development

ADB SPEECH-28 June 2013

Speech by ADB Vice-President Stephen P. Groff on 28 June 2013 at the Economic Growth in Southeast Asia: Integration, Sustainability, and Capacity Development, co-hosted by WWF USA and George Washington School of International Affairs in the United States

Monitoring change in GMS biodiversity landscapes

On 21 June, National Coordinators from the ADB-funded Biodiversity Conservation Corridors (BCC) Project met with EOC staff to discuss a monitoring framework for measuring the outcomes and impacts of biodiversity corridor investments in the GMS.

Championing green change – an evening with the private sector

Private sector delegates at this week’s GMS Green Growth Public-Private Dialogue in Bangkok attended a dinner event on Tuesday 18 June to learn about the GMS Core Environment Program and to discuss collaborative opportunities.

Reducing emissions from Viet Nam’s freight sector

Pilot projects to help small-medium trucking companies in Viet Nam ‘green’ their operations were discussed at a workshop in Ha Noi on Thursday 17 May.  The proposed projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased freight efficiency and reduced diesel use.  A revolving fund mechanism is planned, which would provide freight companies with the financial means to upgrade their fleets with cleaner technologies. Improved driver training and logistics management projects were also discussed.

Nordic Development Fund approves $5.3 million for the Core Environment Program

On 3 May, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) signed a co-financing agreement with ADB committing $5.3 million to climate change activities under the GMS Core Environment Program.