SOAS Centre for Sustainable Finance Co-publishes New Book on “Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific: Fiscal Policy Solutions” with Asian Development Bank and ADB Institute

Book co-edited by Professor Ulrich Volz brings together leading experts on fiscal resilience amid rising climate vulnerability, the integration of climate priorities into public budgeting and procurement, the use of fiscal instruments to reduce emissions, and the expanding role of climate finance in Asia and the Pacific.

The SOAS Centre for Sustainable Finance published a new book on Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific: Fiscal Policy Solutions together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the ADB Institute. The book originated from a joint research conference organised in Tokyo in August 2026 by the ADB, the ADB Institute, and the SOAS Centre for Sustainable Finance.

The book was launched at a special event on the sidelines of the Asian Economic Development Conference 2026 which took place on 13-14 June 2026 at the campus of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong, China. At the event, Professor Ulrich Volz, one of the book’s co-editors, highlighted the importance of the topic and presented an overview of the volume. This was followed by a panel discussion including chapter authors and other experts.

Asia and the Pacific stands at the forefront of the global climate challenge, facing intensifying risks alongside persistent development needs and fiscal constraints. This volume frames climate change not only as an environmental issue but as a fundamentally fiscal one, with implications for public revenues, expenditures, debt sustainability, and long-term growth. Drawing on evidence from across the region, it underscores the urgency of aligning fiscal frameworks with climate vulnerabilities to strengthen resilience, manage risks, and support sustainable development pathways.

The book is structured around four interrelated themes that examine the intersection of fiscal policy and climate outcomes. It explores fiscal resilience amid rising climate vulnerability, the integration of climate priorities into public budgeting and procurement, the use of fiscal instruments to reduce emissions, and the expanding role of climate finance. Through a combination of country case studies and regional empirical analysis, the chapters offer practical insights into policy tools such as environmental taxes, emissions trading systems, climate budget tagging, and innovative financing approaches, providing a comprehensive guide for policymakers.

The book is dedicated to the memory of the late Shamshad Akhtar, a former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and twice finance minister of Pakistan, and member of the Advisory Council of the SOAS Centre for Sustainable Finance. Dr Akhtar delivered a passionate keynote address at the conference on which this book is based, in which she emphasized the urgent need to address the debt and climate crises facing numerous developing Asian economies to enable them to pursue sustainable development. She also contributed a chapter to this volume.

Header image credit: Javier Miranda via Unsplash.