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 aims to support the implementation of ADB’s Environment Action Plan 2024-2030 (EAP) that was approved in 2024. The event will promote 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 will focus on integrated, innovative approaches, and lessons learned to foster nature-positive and mainstreaming investments in sector operations. Inclusive and gender-responsive approaches will be integrated throughout the activities of the event. Expected outputs of the event include: 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 & 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. Video Recordings (Day 1 and 2) Program and Learning Materials 7 October 8 October 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 Keynote Remarks - Closing the Nature Finance Gap This presentation provided a concise exploration of global biodiversity finance, drawing from the Financing Nature initiative led by the Paulson… Terry Townshend 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) The presentation provided an overview of the Environment Action Plan (2024–2030), outlining its framework, key pillars, and approach to strengthening… Karma Yangzom 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 The presentation explained how ADB tracks its environment and nature portfolio under the new Corporate Results Framework. It outlined the Strategy… Duncan Lang 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 ... Erik Spiro-Larrea 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 What is needed to address the financing gap for nature? ... Aaron Vermeulen 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 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 (members, responsibilities) Moderator: Stephane Salim, Senior Environment Specialist, CCRE TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Strengthen enabling environment for private sector in forest production (Luli project, Papua New Guinea project, Forest Stewardship Council) 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 Afforestation, Reforestation and Regeneration in the Philippines Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Regional approach for the preservation of remaining areas of primary forest in Asia Pacific Global Environment Facility, Regional Cooperation Initiative of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Q&A CLOSING SESSION Key takeaways and next steps Yoko Watanabe, Director, Environment, CCRE-ENV CLOSING SESSION Closing Remark Toru Kubo, Senior Director, CCRE Opening Remarks and Presentation Opening Remarks (CCRE-ENV/external speaker) Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Event Coordinator/s Isao Endo ADB Organizer/s Environment Thematic Group Topics Environment