Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. Asia-Pacific accounts for more than half of global emissions — which means this region will make or break the world’s ability to achieve a just and sustainable energy transition. But technology and infrastructure alone are not enough to achieve just energy transition. It succeeds only when it works for people: workers, communities, consumers, and small businesses.
Supported by Cathay Financial Holdings and in partnership with BCG, AVPN launched the ASCENT initiative to put people at the heart of the energy transition. The newly released ASCENT report curates a set of people-centric energy transition initiatives across Asia-Pacific, highlighting how projects can create tangible impact, empower stakeholders, promote equity, and maintain transparency and accountability.
The report, shaped by insights from key stakeholders, introduces clear guidelines and principles for embedding people-centric approaches in energy projects, practical impact metrics to measure outcomes such as jobs, resilience, SME support, and gender inclusion, and a set of replicable solutions ranging from community-led electrification to worker reskilling and SME financing models.
By surfacing what “good” looks like, ASCENT aims to inspire innovation and accelerate adoption of solutions that are equitable, sustainable, and people-focused.
