The direct and indirect impacts of the "COVID-19 Shock" on the Asia-Pacific region have unfolded rapidly, varied widely by country and continue to affect economies. In some countries, rises in poverty are expected, while in others an initial fall in carbon emissions has been observed.
Asia-Pacific countries' fiscal responses have been constrained by their GDP, but even in poorer countries, Asia-Pacific governments have taken strong and innovative COVID-19 response measures to support their poorest, especially in job creation. Overall, 111 measures have been introduced by Asia-Pacific countries that are in line with a green recovery.
This policy brief discusses COVID-19's impact on Asian and Pacific economies, their responses to and financing allocated for COVID-19 and climate change, and specific actions being taken related to energy, transport, tourism, land use, water, waste, and disaster risk management.