Asia, as the largest global emitter, plays a pivotal role in the global decarbonisation transition. Balancing emission reductions with economic development and energy security is particularly critical in developing nations. To support this, ERIA's Asia Zero Emission Center conducted a study, published in January 2025, on the adoption of heat pumps and once-through boilers as part of Asia's green transformation (GX). These technologies offer energy-efficient solutions for heating and cooling, but adoption in Southeast Asia and India remains limited due to high upfront costs and low public awareness. In Viet Nam and Thailand, heat pump usage is still in early stages, with minimal market penetration. India's industrial sector, heavily reliant on fossil fuels, faces significant adoption barriers.

Meanwhile, once-through boilers have seen broader deployment, especially through Japanese companies in Thailand and Viet Nam. As part of the Asia Zero Emission Community , ASEAN nations – excluding Myanmar – are expected to further support such technologies. Though India is not part of AZEC, its high emissions make it a key player. This phase of the project analyses demand and challenges across ASEAN and India, aiming to identify high-potential markets and propose measures like training, standards, and certification systems to enable broader adoption of these climate-smart technologies.