Accelerating Value Chain Decarbonization for Corporate Growth Perspectives from Asia 2025

Percentage of world’s CO2 emissions in 2023 0–10% 10–20% 20%+North America Europe Middle East AfricaEurasia Asia-Pacific South America16% 16% 3%11% 4% 5%51%6%The global transition to a clean economy will be critically dependent on Asia’s success. The region powered over half1 of global GDP (gross domestic product) growth in 2024; this figure is projected to reach 60%2 in 2025 due to Asia’s booming green industries. In particular, China and the countries of South-East Asia are the world’s most important manufacturing hubs, and many of the products manufactured in these countries, such as photovoltaics, electric vehicles and batteries, support the green transition across different regions. These countries generate close to 40%3 of global manufacturing value added and more than one-third of global trade in intermediate goods. Consequently, this role also leads the region to contribute over half of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions,4 making Asia even more integral to the success of a resilient and green global economy.5The state of corporate climate action in Asia: when decarbonization meets growth1 Asia unifies decarbonization with growth, turning climate action into competitive advantage. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for a significant share of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions FIGURE 1 Source: World Economic Forum. (2023). Accelerating Asia’s Advantage: A Guide to Corporate Climate Action. Accelerating Value Chain Decarbonization for Corporate Growth: Perspectives from Asia 5