Conclusion and future outlook

The Asia-Pacific region stands at a historic crossroads. Rapid economic growth and urbanization over recent decades have delivered major social gains, including higher living standards, reduced poverty and expanded access to education. Yet the resource intensive, linear production and consumption model that has underpinned this growth is now confronting clear limits. The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and escalating pollution is intensifying in an interconnected manner, threatening human health, economic performance, social stability and ultimately the range of choices available to future generations.