ADB urges Asia governments to adopt greener investment treaties

The Asian Development Bank has urged governments in Asia to adopt a more environmentally ambitious approach in negotiating new investment agreements. The regional development bank made the call as its latest report showed that the effect of new environmental elements in bilateral investment treaties is “positive and significant” for total FDI and green FDI. Among the economies that have benefited from greater green FDI inflows are Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam. The ADB said a model agreement should be part of the reforms to existing agreements. The model agreement should also allow economies to flexibly join to modify old agreements.