Lead-acid battery (LAB) manufacturing accounts for approximately 85% of global lead consumption. These batteries are used primarily in the automotive sector, photovoltaic systems, and uninterruptible power supplies. In many low and middle-income countries—including numerous developing member countries (DMCs)—the improper recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) is a major source of lead pollution. Elevated lead levels are increasingly detected in soil, water, and human bloodstreams, posing serious risks to public health, particularly for children and workers.

A circular economy approach—grounded in safe collection, regulated recycling, extended producer responsibility, and market incentives—can play a critical role in addressing this challenge while protecting vulnerable populations and supporting sustainable and inclusive growth.

With this in mind, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will stage a three-part online capacity-building series to learn key findings from the regional study on managing and recycling ULABs conducted jointly by ADB’s Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD) and the Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI). The series will facilitate deeper dialogue on this important issue and identify cooperation opportunities to promote policy, technological, and financing solutions for sound ULAB management in Asia and the Pacific. Both the webinar series and the study support ADB’s Operational Approach to Achieve a Lead-Free Future in Asia and the Pacific.

Each webinar will be an hour-long, each building on the previous session. An invitation to register will be sent closer to the date, together with the agenda. To be part of the mailing list and to receive an invite, please sign up here.

Below is a list of the webinar sessions under the series, with more details (including speakers) to be added soon.