In a region home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and most climate-vulnerable communities, these governments are navigating the complex balance between economic development, social needs, and climate action. That message rang clear at the Under2 Coalition’s first Asia regional meeting, held during the Climate Group Asia Action Summit in Singapore.
Bringing together climate experts, advocates, and subnational leaders from across the region, the meeting focused on shared challenges, local solutions, and a collaborative path toward net-zero emissions.
The meeting opened with a strong call to action from Governor Tae-heum Kim of Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, who also is the Asia-Pacific co-chair of the Under2 Coalition. He emphasised that climate action is not a choice but a vital necessity for everyone in the region.
With targets of 90% renewable energy by 2035 and 100% by 2045, Chungcheongnam-do’s climate ambitions are a compelling example of subnational leadership. Home to South Korea’s largest cluster of coal-fired power plants, the province is taking incredibly bold steps to transform its economy and accelerate a broader a clean energy shift across Asia.
A consistent theme throughout the discussions was the vital role subnational governments play in translating national and global climate targets into on-the-ground action and impact.
As countries update their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP30 in Belém, speakers urged stronger alignment between national and subnational strategies – and greater visibility of Asia’s subnational leadership on the global stage. Proposals included platforms to showcase regional innovation and the introduction of Regionally Determined Contributions (RDCs) to formally embed local ambition into the international climate framework. With their proximity to both climate impacts and opportunities for innovation, states, regions, and provinces are extremely well positioned to drive systemic transformation.
Securing climate finance remains a major challenge for subnational governments, with many struggling to access the funding needed to deliver on their climate goals. Regulatory barriers and insufficient capacity to develop bankable project pipelines often stand in the way of securing investment.
To help tackle these obstacles, the meeting highlighted practical solutions including expanding the use of green bonds and carbon markets, leveraging blended finance to de-risk investments, bundling smaller projects into larger portfolios, and strengthening local fiscal capacity and planning.
The Government of Quebec shared its successful experience with a cap-and-trade carbon market, which has raised over US$ 10 billion since 2013 — all reinvested in mitigation and adaptation. The programme was presented as a replicable model for other regions seeking to mobilise climate finance.
The meeting also spotlighted emerging cross-sector innovations, including the Subnational Methane Action Coalition, launched by Climate Group, compromising 22 member governments, representing more than 200 million people. In India, subnational teams are using satellite data to monitor short lived climate pollutants and inform better waste management policy.
While mitigation dominates the climate agenda, participants stressed that adaptation and resilience are equally critical – especially in Asia. Local governments are already responding to escalating climate risks, from heatwaves to floods, but face barriers including governance gaps, limited budgets, and data gaps.
Case studies from India highlighted how states like Punjab and Assam are integrating climate considerations into agriculture, water management, and urban development through holistic, community-based approaches.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Under2 Coalition – a decade of local action driving global impact. The inaugural Asia regional meeting kicked off a global series of regional meetings and ministerials, setting the stage for regional collaboration in 2025 to accelerate implementation, share best practices, and drive climate action across continents.
As one speaker put it: “We’re past the point of ambition. What we need now is action—at speed, at scale, and across systems.”
With bold leadership emerging across Asia, the momentum is already well underway.