The economies and people of Asia and the Pacific region depend heavily on a healthy environment and nature, with the natural capital and ecosystem goods and services they provide. Approximately $18 trillion, or over 53% of the region’s economy, is directly dependent on nature, with key sectors such as construction, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry being particularly reliant. While the region has seen rapid economic growth, contributing to over 70% of global GDP growth in the past decade, this progress has come in part through significant environmental costs including ecosystem degradation, pollution and climate change or the triple planetary crisis. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific highlights that the region is experiencing the most rapid decline in biodiversity-related ecosystem services.

To respond to these challenges, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has prepared the Environment Action Plan 2024-2030 (EAP), which provides a strategic approach to address the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. Through three closely linked and mutually supportive pillars on biodiversity and ecosystem management, pollution management, and nature-based climate solutions the EAP sets the roadmap for scaling up nature related investments in ADB’s portfolio.

The event will include speakers from multi-lateral and bi-lateral financiers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and national governments. Key highlights of the EAP will be presented in the session followed by a panel discussion on key lessons and experiences on addressing the triple crisis, opportunities for collaboration and scaling up nature finance.

The objectives of the event are:

• Present ADB’s new EAP: Provide the key highlights of the EAP including: i) the three pillars of biodiversity and ecosystem services, pollution and circular economy and nature based climate solutions, ii) the two complementary approaches of increasing nature-positive investments and mainstreaming environmental sustainability/nature in sector investment, iii) operationalization of the EAP through upstream, mid-stream, downstream and cross-cutting actions, and iv) monitoring and results framework.
• Share lessons and experiences on addressing the triple crisis: Discuss success stories on scaling up nature finance. Discuss operational approaches for addressing ecosystem degradation, pollution, and climate change across landscapes and seascapes tailored to the unique needs of developing member countries (DMCs).
• Discuss opportunities for collaboration to scale nature financing:  Learn about ongoing nature related projects and programs of multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations including NGOs and opportunities for collaboration. Learn about national government plans for nature-finance.