Climate change, coming soon to a court near you: National climate change legal frameworks in Asia and the Pacific

This report forms part of a series of reports on climate law and policy for judges in Asia and the Pacific which seeks to (i) share environmental and climate jurisprudence from Asia and the Pacific, contributing to global knowledge on regional climate law and litigation; (ii) provide a comprehensive benchbook and tool kit for judges, especially those from Asia and the Pacific, to facilitate decision-making in this ever-evolving field of law; (iii) capture the results of ADB’s judicial capacity development work—the legacy of ADB’s work to date; and finally, (iv) acknowledge the prodigious work done by the judiciaries of Asia and the Pacific—ADB applauds their dedication and progress.

This report (Report Three) focuses on national climate change legal and policy frameworks in 32 countries in Asia and the Pacific. It belongs to a series of reports on climate law and policy for judges in Asia and the Pacific. Due to the judges’ growing concern about climate change and the fact that more people are suing over it, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) prepared these papers to provide more resources about climate change law.

The report makes available to judges in Asia and the Pacific exhaustive information about various national climate change legal and policy frameworks in the region, thereby boosting accessibility. Legal and policy frameworks must also facilitate access to climate finance and other resources from international donors. Each country covered by this report has a national designated authority with the Green Climate Fund. Clear information about national legal and policy frameworks makes it easier for donors to assess sectoral responsibilities and national reporting standards. These factors are vital for the provision of green finance and other resources.