The biggest infrastructure project of the 21st century promises economic prosperity, but only if host nations ensure that development does not destroy the natural environment or uproot communities. What can be done?
Developers of two proposed hydropower projects in Laos are pressing ahead with plans to build the mega-dams on the Mekong River, despite a recent order by the government to halt new dam investments following a deadly breach in July that killed 35 people and displaced thousands.
Michael Boyland and Heidi Tuhkanen –
Those in power must give stronger voices to marginalised communities and protection to natural flood defences, say experts from the Stockholm Environment Institute.
Jason Von Meding
and Giuseppe Forino, Tien Le Thuy Du –
The tragedy in Laos has trained the spotlight on the unceasing development taking place along the banks of the Mekong River and the real winners and losers of Southeast Asia's plans.
Sri Wening Handayani –
Cash transfer programs, efficient government expenditure and capacity building are ways in which communities across Asia can receive adequate social protection and meet their basic needs.
Climate finance has been central to the discussion about galvanising developing nations to take action on climate change. But are they ready to receive climate finance, asks ADB's Takako Morita.
Conditions are ripe for the Greater Mekong Subregion to embrace sustainable agriculture and become a source of environmentally friendly produce. ADB's Pavit Ramachandran discusses the barriers to this goal and how to overcome them.
A combination of growing energy demand, strong wind and solar resources, and political support for development has made investing in renewable energy an attractive prospect in the region. Aaron Daniels explains how companies can ensure their projects are bankable.
With the tagline "Taking the Pulse of the Planet", State of the World's Birds is a major global assessment that uses bird species to measure the health of our ecosystems ...
