Many solutions and high diversity are showing that change is possible
In carrying out research for the Green Technology Books, we observe a large diversity and magnitude of innovative solutions of all kinds. This fast-growing body of technologies and solutions is encouraging for our ability to meet some of the very serious challenges in relation to climate change. This innovation comes from public, private and civil society sectors alike, and is a testimony to the ingenuity found all over the planet. When these solutions are adapted to the local situation which is often required for them to function best, even more diversity is created, thus paving the way for successful implementation of new solutions.
Asia’s strong position in innovation is making technologies more available and affordable worldwide
Asia has become a global powerhouse for inventing new and better ways to produce clean energy. Countries like China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore are high on the WIPO Global Innovation Index, constantly coming up with smarter technologies for energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines and advanced batteries. Their sustained investment in research and development, coupled with robust industrial capabilities, positions them as essential engines for scalable clean energy solutions worldwide, making this a win for the entire planet. With the development of more efficient and affordable clean energy solutions, it helps bring down costs for everyone, making it easier and cheaper for countries around the world to switch from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable power.
Efficient and affordable energy storage is key to unlocking Asia’s renewable energy future
As renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more prevalent, efficient storage technologies are becoming crucial for managing supply intermittency, especially in the Asia-Pacific region which is particularly prone to extreme weather and unreliable grids. The significant reduction in costs of lithium-ion batteries, along with advancements in energy density, lifespan and efficiency, has made energy storage more accessible to both households and businesses. Additionally, emerging technologies like pumped hydro storage, and gravity-based systems are expanding storage options, especially in remote and mountainous parts of Asia. These innovations are not only improving energy security but also enabling greater integration of renewable energy into the grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting climate adaptation by ensuring reliable power during heatwaves, floods or erratic monsoons.
Targeted and locally adapted solutions are needed to bridge the energy and digital divide
While urban households in advanced Asia-Pacific economies like Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore are rapidly embracing smart home automation and energy-efficient technologies, less-developed parts of the region continue to face significant barriers. In wealthier cities, growing electricity demand, supportive government policies and high consumer awareness are fueling the adoption of smart home automation, IoT-enabled devices and energy-efficient appliances that enhance comfort, cut costs and reduce environmental impact. However, in lower-income and rural areas across countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia, the high upfront costs of these technologies and limited infrastructure are slowing progress. This growing digital and energy divide highlights the need for targeted investment, inclusive policies, localized solutions and access to knowledge to ensure the benefits of smart technologies and energy innovation are accessible to all.
Innovative energy technologies boost Asia’s climate resilience and food security
Renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies strengthen energy systems by integrating various renewable sources, boosting grid resilience and offering flexibility to manage extreme weather events. For instance, smart grids facilitate the integration of decentralized renewable energy, managing variable outputs and coordinating with other resources, which is vital for improving grid stability and contributing to climate change adaptation. Investing in renewable energy also stimulates local economies and creates jobs, enhancing community resilience to climate disruptions. Further, agrivoltaics optimize land use, enabling simultaneous energy production and crop cultivation, which is essential in areas where agricultural land is under pressure from climate impacts and urbanization. Similarly, aquavoltaics, which integrates solar PV with water bodies, provides off-grid fishing and aquaculture communities with affordable decentralized energy. In land-constrained regions of Asia, like China, India, Taiwan Province of China and Viet Nam, these innovations are enabling sustainable growth, reducing emissions and enhancing climate resilience.
Decentralized renewable energy enhances flexibility, resilience and diversity of energy access
Decentralized renewable energy infrastructures can play a crucial role in addressing the energy access challenges faced by rural and remote communities. In the Asia-Pacific region, with more than a billion people still lacking reliable electricity, off-grid renewable solutions, such as solar home systems, wind home systems, micro-hydropower, alongside mini-grids and microgrids, are providing affordable, scalable and sustainable alternatives to traditional grid-based power. These systems also enhance energy flexibility, enabling communities to manage energy demand more effectively and ensuring continuous access despite extreme weather events or grid failures. These innovations also contribute to reducing the environmental and health impacts associated with traditional energy sources.
Energy efficiency through advanced integrated system management
Technologies such as smart meters and automation are commonly used in both energy and water systems to improve efficiency. However, true energy savings come not just from the presence of these technologies, but from how well they are coordinated and optimized across systems. This system-level approach goes beyond the use of individual energy-efficient appliances and maximizes efficiency, which is especially important in large energy-intensive service sectors such as hotels and shopping malls, as highlighted in this publication. Heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems, lighting, and appliance loads are all now being monitored and controlled through centralized building energy management systems (BEMS). These systems allow for real-time optimization, adjusting operations based on occupancy and usage patterns. Similarly, efficient water management, using low-flow fixtures, gray water recycling and smart metering, reduces the energy needed for water pumping and heating. Without integrated management, the full potential of even the most advanced technologies remains untapped.
Sustainable, energy-efficient and climate-smart farming solutions to meet growing food demand
As Asia’s population continues to grow, meeting future food demand with consideration for climate change and the environment will require adopting green and sustainable solutions rather than relying on traditional, energy-intensive practices. While past innovations boosted agricultural productivity, they also contributed to soil degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions through heavy use of irrigation, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In the Asian context, these challenges are amplified by the region’s vulnerability to climate change, water scarcity and rapidly changing consumer needs. But a new green revolution is underway, driven by emerging technologies that enhance the sustainability of agricultural practices. These include electric farm machinery, solar-powered irrigation systems, energy-efficient livestock and greenhouse ventilation and bio-based farm inputs. In addition, precision agriculture tools – like drones for crop monitoring and spraying, satellite-based data analytics and AI-driven farm management systems – are enabling farmers to apply water, fertilizer and pesticides more accurately, reducing waste and environmental impact. The post-harvest stage is also seeing innovation through solar-powered cold storage, electric transport and advanced refrigeration using low-climate-impact refrigerants. By embracing these innovations, Asia can sustainably increase food production, reduce environmental impact and build climate resilience for the future.
Transforming public transport is fundamental to ensuring sustainable, inclusive and low-carbon urban mobility
Asia’s rapidly growing urban populations are placing immense pressure on public transport systems, leading to congestion, air pollution and social inequality in mobility access. To meet rising demand while reducing emissions, Asian cities must prioritize the transformation of public transport into a clean, efficient and affordable service. This includes investing in electric buses and rail systems, improving first- and last-mile connectivity, integrating digital ticketing and real-time data systems and ensuring accessibility for all segments of society. While cities like Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo and increasingly those in China and India have made significant strides, the pace and scale of transformation vary widely across the region, and both small and large or less wealthy cities still face implementation challenges. Strong policy frameworks, cross-sector collaboration and sustained public investment are crucial to making public transport the backbone of sustainable urban mobility across the region.
Scaling up clean energy investments is a critical priority for Southeast Asia’s low-carbon future
Southeast Asia remains one of the world’s fastest-growing regions in terms of energy demand, yet it continues to rely heavily on imported fossil fuels. While progress has been made in electricity access and clean energy technology development, domestic deployment still lags behind due to limited financing and investment. To align with global climate targets and reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, the region must accelerate its transition. This includes increasing annual clean energy investment fivefold by 2035 to around USD190 billion and advancing grid modernization, energy storage and renewable deployment
Accelerating clean technology adoption in underserved regions requires bold and inclusive financing approaches
As evidenced throughout the chapters, innovative financing approaches like pay-as-you-go (PAYGO), energy-as-a-service and leasing models are making clean energy technologies more accessible to low-income communities in semi-urban and rural areas across Asia. These models lower upfront costs and financial risk, allowing households and small businesses to adopt solar home systems, efficient appliances and even microgrids. In countries such as India, Bangladesh and Indonesia, PAYGO models have helped scale solar access by enabling users to pay in small, manageable installments. Additionally, flexible financing options for farmers, such as cooperatives or leasing of solar-powered irrigation and energy-efficient equipment, are supporting the adoption of sustainable technologies without heavy capital investment. These solutions are proving vital for improving energy equity and fostering inclusive green energy transitions across the region.
Energy efficiency and demand-side management are critical to addressing growing energy consumption
As energy demand surges across the Asia-Pacific region, energy efficiency and demand-side management play a vital role in mitigating the region’s growing consumption. While high-income countries are making significant strides in developing and patenting low-carbon technologies, many countries in the region still lack the necessary funding and infrastructure to adopt these solutions effectively. Renewable energy investments are essential, but they alone cannot keep pace with the rapid energy demand growth. The continued reliance on fossil fuels, combined with national subsidies and a rising energy appetite, highlights the urgent need for policies and technologies that prioritize energy efficiency, reduce consumption and foster innovation in appliance usage. Focusing solely on supply-side solutions without addressing efficiency could lead to further challenges, such as ensuring the availability of sustainable raw materials and exacerbating social inequalities through resource-driven conflicts.
Fostering behavioral change is essential for the adoption of clean technologies
Behavioral change and targeted training are crucial for the successful adoption of energy-efficient and clean technologies across Asia. Despite the availability of improved solutions, many rural households continue to rely on traditional energy sources, such as wood and charcoal for cooking, due to affordability, accessibility and lack of awareness about health and environmental consequences. This dependence has a severe impact on vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, who suffer the most from indoor air pollution from cooking, contributing to Asia’s alarmingly high rates of respiratory illness and premature deaths. Governments can play a key role in providing access to improved technologies such as improved cookstoves, running awareness campaigns and subsidizing clean energy alternatives. Beyond cooking, similar behavioral shifts are needed in sectors like lighting, cooling and transportation, where people often use outdated or inefficient technologies because they are cheaper upfront or simply familiar. Addressing this requires not only better access to efficient technologies but also widespread education on their long-term economic and health benefits, incentives for upgrading equipment and government-led standards to phase out the most polluting products.