Asia offers a highly contradictory image when it comes to environmental protection. As the manufacturing centre of the world and the most populous continent, it contains some of the most polluting countries globally. Yet paradoxically, these same nations are now emerging as global leaders in environmental protection efforts. Beyond simply tackling air, water and soil pollution, Asian countries such as Japan, China or Taiwan are at the forefront of green technologies, green finance, and afforestation efforts. In the course we will examine the different approaches to environmental governance of Asian democratic and autocratic regimes as well as countries in different stages of economic development. Using the case studies of Japan, China, Taiwan, Nepal and Indonesia, we will study the history of environmental protection in Asia, the key goals and challenges faced by each region, and look at how companies and governments (both local and national) are motivated to fulfil their environmental goals and commitments. Finally, we will investigate the alternative framing Asian countries adopt when talking about green governance, understanding it not so much as an economic trade off or a moral obligation but as a strategic avenue for business innovation and economic advancement.