Smart Net-Zero

January 30, 2026 | Asia Pathways - Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) |

This new analysis examines how the circular bioeconomy can transform agricultural waste into valuable products across Asian agri-food systems. The study identifies significant potential, noting that converting agro-food waste to animal feed and bio-based materials has reduced GHG emissions by 30% in India, while Thailand's climate-smart irrigation systems improved water-energy-food efficiency by 20%. However, adoption remains critically low, with less than 10% of biomass converted in both India and Indonesia. The authors highlight that weak technology access, fragmented policies across agriculture and energy sectors, and limited inter-firm collaboration in ASEAN countries constrain progress. They recommend strengthening incentive-driven models, investing in decentralized technologies, and establishing multi-stakeholder governance platforms to align policy objectives.