Environment and Nature Learning Week 2025
7 to 8 October 2025

Philippines

The Asia and the Pacific is facing the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change that require integrated solutions. As a flagship activity under the Environment Community of Practice, this event aimed to support the implementation of ADB’s Environment Action Plan 2024-2030 (EAP) that was approved in 2024. The event promoted implementation of the EAP priority pillars of (i) biodiversity and ecosystem management, (ii) pollution control and circular economy, and (iii) nature-based climate solutions. Through dialogues, the event focused on integrated, innovative approaches, and lessons learned to foster nature-positive and mainstreaming investments in sector operations. Inclusive and gender-responsive approaches were integrated throughout the activities of the event.

Expected outputs of the event included: 

  • Enriched understanding of the EAP and its priority environmental programs, promoting innovation and the use of digital solutions for implementation and monitoring.
  • Strengthened capacities to enhance ADB institutional frameworks and coordination mechanisms at country and regional levels.
  • Enhanced origination, design, implementation, and monitoring of projects with nature-positive and mainstreaming outcomes.

Key Messages

  • Nature-positive development: ADB is uniquely positioned to accelerate nature-positive and mainstreaming investments across sectors in the region.
  • Enhancing Environment Sustainability: Sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific 
    requires actions to conserve, restore and manage nature to advance economy and livelihoods.
  • Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management. A transition to nature-positive development will lead to a healthy economy and people.
  • Pollution control and Circular Economy: Controlling pollution and promoting circular economy improves public health and productivity and reduces ecosystem stresses.
  • Nature-based Solutions: Enhancing nature-based solutions strengthens climate, economic, and societal resilience and unlocks strategic green/blue development opportunities.
Program and Learning Materials
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
OPENING SESSION: Nature Solutions for People, Planet and Prosperity in Asia and the Pacific Welcome Remarks Yevgeniy Zhukov, Director General, CCOD, ADB
OPENING SESSION: Nature Solutions for People, Planet and Prosperity in Asia and the Pacific Opening Speech Terry Townshend on Closing the Nature Finance Gap
OPENING SESSION: Nature Solutions for People, Planet and Prosperity in Asia and the Pacific Panel Discussion Moderator: Yoko Watanabe, Director, Environment, CCRE-ENV, ADB - Qingfeng Zhang, Senior Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development, SD2-AFNR, ADB - Satoshi Ishii, Director, Water and Urban Development, SD2-WUD, ADB - Jennifer Romero-Torres, Principal Sustainable Finance Specialist, SD3-FIN, ADB - Arghya Sinha Roy, Director, Climate Change Adaptation, CCSD, ADB
INTRODUCTORY SESSION: ADB’s Environment Action Plan 2024–2030 - Toward a Nature-Positive Asia and the Pacific Overview of Environment Action Plan (EAP) Karma Yangzom, Principal Environment Specialist, ADB
INTRODUCTORY SESSION: ADB’s Environment Action Plan 2024–2030 - Toward a Nature-Positive Asia and the Pacific Tracking ADB’s portfolio on Environment and Nature indicator under the new Corporate Results Framework Duncan Lang, Senior Environment Specialist, ADB
ENVIRONMENT MARKETPLACE ENVIRONMENT MARKETPLACE Working Groups: • Air Quality • Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management • Circular Economy • Forest • Nature and Climate Finance • Nature-based Solutions
TECHNICAL SESSION 1: Nature-based solutions (NBS) for resilient landscapes by NBS Working Group Keynote: Global NBS practices and lessons Moderator: Isao Endo, Senior Environment Specialist, CCRE Erik Spiro-Larrea, Senior Engagement Manager (Nature for Water Facility), The Nature Conservancy
TECHNICAL SESSION 1: Nature-based solutions (NBS) for resilient landscapes by NBS Working Group Case study and problem-solving exercise Moderator: Isao Endo, Senior Environment Specialist, CCRE
TECHNICAL SESSION 2: Nature finance for biodiversity and resilience by Nature and Climate Finance Working Group Keynote: What is needed to address the financing gap for nature Aaron Vermeulen, Practice Leader Finance, WWF International
TECHNICAL SESSION 2: Nature finance for biodiversity and resilience by Nature and Climate Finance Working Group Fireside chat “Protecting Nature, Powering Climate Action: The OneADB Approach Moderator: Esmyra Javier, Senior Climate Change Specialist (Climate Finance), ADB Speakers: - Heejin Lee, Climate Change Specialist, South East Asia Regional Department, ADB - Jesus Dominic Dizon, Senior Capacity Development Officer (Climate Change and Resilience), CCSD, ADB - Maria Lomotan, Assistant Treasurer, TDFD, ADB - William Battye, Senior Investment Specialist (Climate Change), CCSD, ADB - Duncan Lang, Principal Environment Specialist, CCSD, ADB
Session / Activity Title Speaker(s)
TECHNICAL SESSION 3: Investing in Clean Air by Air Quality Working Group Overview on Asia Clean Blue Skies Program and relevant TA Moderator: Karma Yangzom, Principal Environment Specialist, CCRE
TECHNICAL SESSION 3: Investing in Clean Air by Air Quality Working Group State of Global Air Quality Funding 2025 Fu Lu, Clean Air Fund
TECHNICAL SESSION 3: Investing in Clean Air by Air Quality Working Group Air Quality Quiz Karma Yangzom, Principal Environment Specialist, CCRE
TECHNICAL SESSION 3: Investing in Clean Air by Air Quality Working Group Panel discussions on different Trust Funds and Facility that supports air quality initiatives: Urban Resilience Trust Fund (URTF) priorities and criteria for seeking financing on air quality, URTF Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JFJCM) priorities and criteria for seeking financing on air quality, Shohei Okano, CCRE Highlight successful air quality projects Proposed Criteria and Metrics for Air Quality Projects, Karma Yangzom
TECHNICAL SESSION 3: Investing in Clean Air by Air Quality Working Group Open Discussion
TECHNICAL SESSION 4: Promoting Circular Economy (CE) by CE Working Group Introduction to Circular Economy Working Group
TECHNICAL SESSION 4: Promoting Circular Economy (CE) by CE Working Group Introduction to Circular Economy: Circular Economy Definitions, Indicators, and Standards; ADB portfolio Piya Kerdlap, Seureca and PXP Sustainability
TECHNICAL SESSION 4: Promoting Circular Economy (CE) by CE Working Group Aligning Circular Economy Goals and International Commitments Roger Joseph Guzman, International Policy Specialist
TECHNICAL SESSION 4: Promoting Circular Economy (CE) by CE Working Group TECHNICAL SESSION 4: Promoting Circular Economy (CE) by CE Working Group Marios Kostis, Seureca
TECHNICAL SESSION 4: Promoting Circular Economy (CE) by CE Working Group Mainstreaming CE at ADB: Fishbowl Discussion
ENVIRONMENT MARKETPLACE Environment Marketplace
TECHNICAL SESSION 5: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management – Ocean and Terrestrial by Biodiversity Working Group Keynote Experiences of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management Wilson John Barbon, Executive Director, Conservation International Philippines
TECHNICAL SESSION 5: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management – Ocean and Terrestrial by Biodiversity Working Group Deep dive 1) MDB Nature Finance Common Principles and Taxonomy 2) Ocean Finance tracking
TECHNICAL SESSION 5: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management – Ocean and Terrestrial by Biodiversity Working Group Q&A on Taxonomy and how it will impact you
TECHNICAL SESSION 5: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management – Ocean and Terrestrial by Biodiversity Working Group Nature Credits Strategy Game co-facilitated Guy Williams (Founder/Director, Ziranjiti) and EY Philippines – Climate Change and Sustainability Services team
TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Introduction to the One ADB Forest Working Group Moderator: Stephane Salim, Senior Environment Specialist, CCRE
TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Opening Remarks
TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Country standards and certification of Nature Based Solutions (NBS) and value chains Michelle Wong, Deputy Regional Director, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC-Asia Pacific) Thesis Budiarto, Program Manager, Technical and Strategic Engagements, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC-Asia Pacific)
TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Digital support for forest and land use management European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Private carbon project in the Philippines: experience from ADRYADA in Samar National Park Pierre Forestier, Head, Investment and Sustainability and Leila Hubeaut, Head of Legal Affairs, Adryada
TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Agroforestry innovations-based NBS for conservation, restoration and livelihood in mountain ecosystems Jianchu Xu, Global Lead in Bioeconomy and China Country Director, CIFOR-ICRAF
TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Q&A
CLOSING SESSION Key takeaways, Next Steps and Closing Remarks Yoko Watanabe, Director, Environment, CCRE-ENV, Asian Development Bank

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Event Coordinator/s

  • Isao Endo

ADB Organizer/s

  • Environment Thematic Group

Topics

  • Environment