Asia’s food system is at a pivotal moment. As climate and nature risks intensify across the region, banks will play a defining role in enabling a shift toward more resilient, sustainable, and humane protein supply chains.

ARE’s latest report, Banking Asia’s Protein Transition: Financing the Shift Towards Responsible and Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems, provides the first comparative assessment of how 24 major banks across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India are beginning to integrate responsible and sustainable food and agriculture considerations into their financing strategies.

The report identifies early signs of progress—from emerging commitments on deforestation, animal welfare, biodiversity, and plant-based proteins—to initial steps toward climate-aligned lending. Yet significant gaps remain across transparency, risk management, and responsible lending frameworks.

With food and agriculture deeply linked to climate, nature, health, and economic stability, the report outlines how banks can strengthen policies, support deforestation-free and humane production, and seize the transition and green finance opportunities ahead.