The region has regressed on sustainable consumption and production and urgently needs to reverse material consumption and footprint trends to meet the goal. The current unsustainable patterns have contributed to massive increases in greenhouse gas emissions and, in turn, has put the region into a climate emergency.
Rising greenhouse gas emissions are also increasing air pollutants and therefore have a direct adverse impact on human health. 97 of the world’s top 100 most air polluted cities in 2018 are from the Asia-Pacific region. Climate change can also worsen inequality as the poor are likely to be the most adversely affected. Tackling the unsustainability of current consumption and production patterns (Sustainable Development Goal 12) is a fundamental requirement for addressing environmental degradation and tackling the runway climate change.
Find out more on the Asia Pacific SDG Gateway.
