EU climate cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region

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The Asia-Pacific region is demographically, economically and politically diverse. It includes the two most populous countries on Earth and three of the world’s largest economies (China, Japan, India), but also Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and some of the world’s least developed economies.

In several countries across the Asia-Pacific region, economic development has driven significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the region accounts for approximately half of global emissions, with China alone counting for almost a third. At the same time, the region is also home to many countries vulnerable to climate change impacts. For these reasons, engagement and cooperation with the Asia-Pacific is key to reach the Paris Agreement objectives and stay on track with an emission reduction pathway keeps global warming below 1.5C degrees. 

The EU keeps a constant dialogue with Asian countries, under strategic or trade agreements and High-Level Dialogues (HLDs) on climate-related issues. The European Commission holds HLDs with China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India to  encourage the rapid implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Other climate diplomacy engagement in the region includes efforts to

• deepen cooperation with  climate ambitious partners (e.g. EU-Japan Green Alliance, EU-Republic of Korea Green Partnership)
• promote the  energy transition away from coal and other fossil fuels (e.g. Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) with Vietnam and Indonesia)
• foster Emission Trading System (ETS) cooperation schemes (most advanced with China, Republic of Korea and New Zealand),
• support and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable countries (e.g. Green-Blue Alliance for the Pacific)