Books

This book seeks to present the importance of household financial management using academic research and case studies. Covering all aspects of household financial management throughout their lifecycle, each chapter is devoted to a central topic such as digital payments, equity investments, and retirement planning.

In each chapter, readers are presented with economic concepts and theories in an accessible way and are shown how they can benefit from it. For instance, the book examines how different markets work, including the credit markets, insurance markets and housing markets. With an understanding of how these markets work, readers can make a more informed decision with the use of financial instruments and markets.

The book further highlights puzzles in household finance that examine how households make sub-optimal decisions. Through evidence-based research, this can be attributed to different cognitive and behavioral biases, as well as a lack of financial literacy. With the use of real-life examples, readers would be exposed to the different mistakes made by households, such as the credit card debt puzzle and stock market participation puzzle.

By integrating theories and empirical evidence from economics and finance, this book informs households on what they should do to avoid common pitfalls in managing their finances.

Asia and the Pacific stands at the forefront of the global climate challenge, facing intensifying risks alongside persistent development needs and fiscal constraints. This volume frames climate change not only as an environmental issue but as a fundamentally fiscal one, with implications for public revenues, expenditures, debt sustainability, and long-term growth. Drawing on evidence from across the region, it underscores the urgency of aligning fiscal frameworks with climate vulnerabilities to strengthen resilience, manage risks, and support sustainable development pathways.

This book is structured around four interrelated themes that examine the intersection of fiscal policy and climate outcomes. It explores fiscal resilience amid rising climate vulnerability, the integration of climate priorities into public budgeting and procurement, the use of fiscal instruments to reduce emissions, and the expanding role of climate finance. Through a combination of country case studies and regional empirical analysis, the chapters offer practical insights into policy tools such as environmental taxes, emissions trading systems, climate budget tagging, and innovative financing approaches, providing a comprehensive guide for policymakers.

Contributing to the volume's section on mainstreaming climate-related policies, Yeow Hwee co-authored Chapter 7: "The Fiscal Impact of the People's Republic of China's Emissions Trading System Pilot Programs" alongside Jieyi Gao. This chapter provides critical empirical evidence on how market-based environmental regulations affect public finances at the local level. By analyzing China's ETS pilot phases, their research explores how transitioning to carbon pricing mechanisms intersects with local government revenues and expenditures, offering valuable lessons for policymakers seeking to balance ambitious climate action with fiscal sustainability.