By Natasha Mahezabin, WIPO

Asia-Pacific today stands as a leader in the global clean energy transition. Accounting for nearly half the world’s energy demand, the region is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements and innovation in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-smart infrastructure. Decisions made across the region are shaping not only regional development pathways, but also the trajectory of global emissions.

This momentum is captured in the Special Expo25 Edition of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Green Technology Book, launched during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The publication brings together more than 200 energy technologies that are either commercially available or nearing market readiness across Asia-Pacific. These solutions span diverse sectors from urban and rural households, public transport systems to water utilities, agriculture, fisheries, and service industries such as hotels and shopping malls.

More than a catalogue, the collection offers a practical demonstration of how sustainable development and economic growth can reinforce one another. It highlights that climate-friendly solutions are no longer theoretical; they are already being deployed to meet rising demand for energy, food, and infrastructure while reducing emissions, strengthening resilience, and expanding access to modern energy services.

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This article explores two key sectors driving Asia’s shift toward clean energy: cities and fisheries and aquaculture.

Rethinking cities: Energy, infrastructure, and mobility

Urban areas across Asia are expanding rapidly, accompanied by rising incomes and changing consumption patterns. These shifts are driving a sharp increase in energy demand, particularly for cooling, lighting, water heating, and appliances. Much of this demand continues to be met by fossil fuel-based electricity, placing pressure on both energy systems and climate targets.

This accelerates the adoption of digital and energy-efficient technologies. Smart home systems like Home-A-Genius in Singapore, allow households to monitor and adjust energy use in real time through the Internet of Things (IoT). Such systems can align energy use with off-peak hours or times when renewable energy is abundant, improving efficiency without sacrificing comfort. A substantial 36% energy reduction is possible in homes with IoT-enabled solutions. However, adoption remains uneven, particularly in parts of South and Southeast Asia, where high upfront costs, connectivity requirements, and concerns about data security continue to pose barriers.

By 2040, residential air conditioner ownership is projected to increase to 60% in the region. A range of solutions is emerging to help manage this growing demand. For example, pairing rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) with home energy storage allows households to store excess renewable energy and use it during peak cooling periods. Companies like SPRSUN in China provide heat pumps which offer a more efficient alternative to conventional heating and cooling systems by transferring heat rather than generating it. Meanwhile, green roofs with vegetation also help reduce building energy consumption by providing natural insulation.

Urban transformation goes beyond homes. Public infrastructure is also evolving. The technologies featured in the Expo25 Edition include water-retaining pavements that reduce urban heat, as well as electrified mobility systems such as electric public transport, efficient charging infrastructure, and battery-swapping networks that minimize downtime. For example, Hitachi Energy’s ultra-fast charging starts within seconds, delivering over 600 kilowatt of power. A notable share of renewables in the energy mix provides an opportunity to accelerate a relatively low-carbon EV adoption. Smart traffic management systems further contribute by improving traffic flow and reducing fuel consumption.

Water systems are another critical part of the urban energy equation. Energy production and use already account for roughly 10% of global freshwater withdrawals, while water supply and treatment themselves require significant energy inputs. In the context of growing demand, aging infrastructure, and increasingly variable rainfall in the region, integrating water and energy management is becoming essential. In many Southeast Asian cities, up to 50% of water is lost through leaks and inefficiencies, driving up energy use and operational costs. Digital monitoring systems can optimize pumping and distribution, while leak detection technologies reduce losses. Efficient motors and variable-speed drives can cut further energy use across water networks.

Taken together, these innovations support multiple SDGs, including SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 13 (climate action).

Fisheries and aquaculture: Balancing productivity and sustainability

In Asia, fisheries and aquaculture are central to regional economies and food systems, accounting for around 75% of global production. They provide livelihoods for millions while playing a critical role in food security and nutrition.

At the same time, the sector is highly energy intensive. Operations, processing facilities, cold storage systems, and transportation networks often depend on fossil fuel-powered engines, or inefficient cooling and aeration systems. Meeting future demand without increasing emissions or energy insecurity presents a major challenge.

Here too, innovation is opening new pathways. The Expo25 Edition highlights a range of technologies designed to reduce energy use and integrate renewable energy. Companies such as Azura Indonesia are developing electric propulsion systems for small boats, often paired with solar charging solutions, enabling low-emission fishing operations. Renewable energy-powered cold storage and feed processing units are also becoming common, reducing dependence on unreliable grid electricity or costly diesel generators. At the same time, fish farms are using sensors, automated water quality controls, and smart feeding systems, enabling high productivity with lower energy use and environmental impact.

One of the innovative approaches gaining attention is aquavoltaics, which combines floating solar panels over fishponds or other water bodies. These installations generate electricity while shading water surfaces, which helps regulate water temperature and reduce evaporation, benefiting overall productivity and water conservation.

Such technologies not only lower emissions, but also improve the viability of operations, particularly for small-scale producers working in remote or energy-constrained areas, supporting SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG 13 (climate action).

Challenges and the road ahead

While the technologies highlighted in the Expo25 Edition demonstrate what is possible, scaling them widely across Asia remains a complex task. Several countries continue to face structural challenges, including limited grid infrastructure, constrained access to finance, and regulatory hurdles. In addition, awareness of available technologies, and the capacity to deploy and maintain them, varies widely across and within countries.

Addressing these barriers will require coordinated efforts. Policies that support investment in clean technologies, targeted financing mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives can all play a role. Equally important is identifying solutions that are tailored to local contexts, ensuring that technologies are not only available, but also accessible and appropriate for the communities they are intended to serve. The WIPO Green Technology Book series is a testimony to the abundance of innovation and technology available and coming. It illustrates their transformative capacity for some of the most serious challenges currently facing the region.