Funds could also be used in traditional forms of capital financing to encourage private sector involvement in a project. On a market level, GEF activities could stimulate wider penetration for renewable technologies. For example, supporting the development of factories to produce energy-efficient industrial boilers in China or solar power production in India could have significant global benefits for many years. Enhanced global demand for a specific technology could result in overall cost reductions and savings for developing countries. A comprehensive response to global environmental challenges requires regional cooperation in addition to international cooperation.
Regional cooperation provides a framework for joint responses to shared problems.
It helps in sharing experience and in replicating solutions to environmental degradation across borders. And it takes advantage of lessons learned in responding to the specific problems of the region. In this context, the Asian Development Bank has played a key role in addressing national and regional environmental problems which affect the planet as a whole. The ADB has helped foster real progress towards sustainable development by assisting countries in developing operational strategies and programs, undertaking environmental impact assessments of development projects, promoting cooperation with local, regional, and international institutions, and tackling specific environmental problems. Projects have addressed issues affecting the global environment, such as air pollution control, forest management, protection of natural habitats, as well as institution building and human resources development.