WBCSD Asia Pacific

Home to half the world’s people, GDP, and greenhouse gas emissions, the diverse Asia Pacific region is also home to a vibrant business community. Many global companies rely on goods produced in this region.

Ensuring economic growth while preserving the environment and supporting local communities is of particular importance because the region is home to the 5th and 7th largest rainforests in the world. The region stands to lose more than 60% of its GDP, or US$19.5 trillion, due to biodiversity and nature loss.

In addition, many countries of the region have an agriculture-based economy, with low-lying lands, dense population, and fragile ecosystems, making them vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In this diverse region, it is essential that people are put at the center of the climate action agenda to ensure an equitable and inclusive net-zero transition.

This year, the Asia-Pacific region's GDP is expected to grow by 3.1% and it has a fast-growing middle-class population, which is set to reach 3.5 billion by 2030.

The region is a key player in global commodities production and trade with world-leading positions in coffee, palm oil, and rice. Given the interdependent relationship between nature and economy, companies, government and other stakeholders must establish collective action to drive innovations, scale and adopt solutions that are nature positive and contribute to net zero. Companies should also ensure that they have robust just transition strategies.

The purpose of the Asia Pacific office is to work closely with WBCSD Members in helping businesses understand opportunities and drive action towards a net zero, nature positive and more equitable future. Together, we tackle the pressing, interconnected challenges our region faces.

With the Singapore office, WBCSD is in a strategic position to understand regional and national  nuances in terms of business priorities and practices, political and regulatory landscape, and cultural perspectives. We serve these members by creating the building blocks of change which:

• Provide a community for ambitious companies in APAC to exchange on practice
• Raise the visibility of systems change and business action in the region
• Support greater presence of Asian business perspectives in global standard setting and policy dialogue