In 2010, ASEF commissioned research to investigate good practices connecting the arts to initiatives tackling environmental sustainability issues in a number of Asian countries. Titled Linking the Arts to Environment and Sustainable Development Issues, the research project aimed to carefully document case studies that can not only provide inspiration for networking and collaboration between Asia and Europe in this area but also aid policy making and planning.
The researchers examined initiatives by the cultural sector as well as by civil society organisations working on environmental issues in nine Asian countries. These investigations were conducted in two phases. The first phase consisted of a broad study which mapped initiatives within a country while the second phase delved deeper into selected initiatives. They case studies based on considerations such as the sustainability of the projects as well as the importance of audience development. The researchers interviewed leaders of these initiatives in order to explore the issues and themes further.