As the impacts of climate change intensify globally, the Asia Pacific region sits at a pivotal point; among the most exposed, yet uniquely positioned to lead the world’s climate response.

Home to 4.3 billion people across 58 nations, with a projected 60 per cent share of global GDP by 2045, Asia Pacific is a powerhouse of global growth. Its economic strength is matched by bold innovation – from pioneering energy systems to resilient urban design – and a united commitment across governments, industries and communities to act decisively and collaboratively.

Since being appointed as our firm’s Asia Pacific region Managing Director, I’ve had countless conversations with clients and partners across the region that reinforce this perspective. I believe there are three powerful levers that hold the potential to drive systemic change across the region, at the scale and pace needed to lead the global climate change response.

1. Embrace circularity as a core principle

Circular thinking is reshaping how infrastructure is planned, delivered and maintained. We’re already helping clients to reduce waste, extend the life of their assets and embed circular economy principles into their projects or operations. The goal is to preserve ageing infrastructure, reuse materials where possible and avoid unnecessary extraction of raw resources. 

For instance, in Thailand, the circular economy is integral to the national growth strategy. We collaborated with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to explore its application in food and agriculture, electrical and electronic equipment and construction. Our report offers policy and non-policy recommendations and highlights high-impact opportunities based on data and stakeholder insights.  

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Circular economy opportunities for sustainable growth in Thailand
Asian woman nurturing fresh lettuce salad on farm in greenhouse

Adaptive reuse is also becoming more common, with greater emphasis on retaining existing structures and rethinking how materials are used. By designing for modularity, disassembly and reuse, buildings and infrastructure can evolve over time.

A standout example is Sydney’s Quay Quarter Tower, where our client prioritised reusing the original structure and reducing embodied carbon. Our design retained 65 per cent of the original floorplates and structure, and 98 per cent of the structural walls and core – saving around 12,000 tonnes of embodied carbon.

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Quay Quarter Tower
Quay Quarter Tower is a sustainble skyscraper with retrofit design which saves embodied carbon. Read about Arup's sustainable building design, facade design and smart building technology strategy.
A view of Quay Quarter Tower above the clouds

This is just one of many examples across Asia Pacific that demonstrate how industry is committed to taking new approaches to lead the climate response.

2. Invest in infrastructure innovation and nature 

To pave the way for sustainable and resilient cities, we need to focus on integrating innovation into infrastructure design. Using advanced technologies like IoT, AI and data analytics through digital tools and platforms, we can improve the design process, use of materials and resources and reduce operational emissions. This creates more efficient, sustainable cities that enhance functionality and resilience. Smart systems absorb shocks, recover swiftly and keep communities safe, improving flood protection, using materials that recover faster from extreme conditions and strengthening structures to withstand future stresses.

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MBIP Public Transport Facility Action Plan
A bus with people on it.

In Iskandar Puteri, a key area within the Johor-Singapore Strategic Economic Zone, we created a sustainable and inclusive transport action plan by integrating big data analytics with local insights. By focusing on urban layout, transport networks and population movement data, we analysed mobility patterns and prioritised a list of over 50 actionable projects aimed at enhancing sustainability, resilience and inclusivity.

Nature-based solutions are another essential part of the response. From coastal buffers and green corridors to adaptive pathways, these solutions harness the power of natural processes to address environmental challenges.

Qianwan in Shenzhen, Mainland China, demonstrates how nature-based solutions can be adopted in urban spaces, creating sustainable and resilient living environments. Through sustainable design, digital innovation and ecological restoration it fosters meaningful connections between people and nature.

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Qianwan Park
Explore Arup's nature-based solutions, carbon-negative design, and innovative sustainability for Qianwan Park in the Greater Bay Area. A model for future waterfront development.
Qianwan Park rendering

3. Build workforces with skills for the future

To lead the climate response and achieve our climate goals, we will need to build a future-ready, mobile, and agile workforce capable of supporting emerging green industries – from renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure to climate-smart urban development. It’s a challenge we need to solve collectively but also an opportunity that could add $47 trillion to the region’s economies by 2070 and create 180 million jobs by 2050.

Eighty per cent of the skills needed for the low-emissions transition already exist in today’s workforce. Unlocking their potential will require targeted investment in upskilling, cross-border talent mobility, and inclusive training pathways.

We are using our strengths to help our clients unlock this future. For example, in Southern Auckland, a regional area in New Zealand, we created the country’s first economic masterplan – a vision for sustainability and prosperity, combining our expertise in urban planning and investor advisory. We assessed the skills in the region to uncover how these could translate into a masterplan for future industries in the region, including circular economy, health and construction.

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Southern Auckland Economic Masterplan
We are helping Southern Auckland explore a new economic and urban future by creating an economic masterplan for this emerging part of the city – the first of its kind in New Zealand.
Grassy hills in southern Auckland

Deep local knowledge and expertise must be paired with global insights to accelerate innovation and scale solutions. Our global team helps us share insights with our clients. By using a broad range of strategic and critical tools, and creative techniques, we engage diverse stakeholders in meaningful, structured conversations and research about the future.

A once-in-a-generation opportunity

The Asia Pacific region stands at a critical crossroads to respond to the escalating impacts of climate change and shape the global strategies that will define our collective future.

The imperative is clear: with lack of decisive leadership from some other markets, Asia Pacific has the scale and dynamism to set the pace for the world’s climate response. The economic opportunities are vast; harnessing them can supercharge regional growth, create millions of green jobs and establish new benchmarks for sustainable development. A bold approach to climate leadership will secure long-term resilience for our economies and communities.

This is more than a responsibility – it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Inspired by this potential, our firm is collaborating with partners, clients, and communities to share expertise and drive large-scale change. Together, we can make Asia Pacific the global leader in climate action, guided by courage, creativity and a shared commitment to resilience and sustainability.