Given the enhanced understanding of the climate crisis, there is growing momentum to declare and legislate net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) targets by 2050 and increase the ambition of the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) through 2030. Currently, 97 countries (representing 79.3 percent of global GHG emissions) have set a net-zero target. Importantly, developing countries such as Indonesia and Viet Nam have also formulated forward-looking net-zero plans and targets. However, the implementation of those plans and targets is lagging behind of achieving the Paris Agreement 1.5°C target. To some extent, this reflects the challenges in transitioning onto net-zero pathways. Net-zero transitions entail dramatic changes to both energy and socioeconomic systems. Especially for developing countries, adopting these changes requires that governments and other socioeconomic institutions can harness the energies of different agencies and stakeholder groups. This, in turn, will hinge on effective climate governance and strong institutional arrangements. In short, there is an urgent need for work on how governance affects net-zero transitions in developing countries.

Objective

• To deepen the understanding of the importance of climate governance and institutional structures for net-zero transitions;
• To share and solicit input on building blocks of climate governance that needed for a net zero transition in developing countries;
• To learn challenges, barriers and needs for governing climate actions to transitioning onto net-zero pathway in Asia.