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. 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 The presentation highlighted how global Nature-based Solutions (NbS) had improved water security, climate resilience, and ecosystem management. It… 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? The presentation highlighted the large global financing gap for nature and showed how WWF and ADB had worked to mobilize funding for conservation. It… 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 The presentation outlined ADB’s support for air quality management in Asia, highlighting the Asia Clean Blue Skies Program, key technical assistance… Karma Yangzom TECHNICAL SESSION 3: Investing in Clean Air by Air Quality Working Group State of Global Air Quality Funding 2025 The presentation highlighted the state of global air quality funding, emphasizing the health, climate, and economic benefits of investing in clean… Fu Lu 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 Clean Air: A Strategic Pillar of Climate Resilience The presentation highlighted the Urban Resilience Trust Fund’s support for clean air as a core pillar of climate resilience, showcasing how… Joy Amor Bailey TECHNICAL SESSION 3: Investing in Clean Air by Air Quality Working Group Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism The presentation summarized the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JFJCM), which was established in 2014 to provide grants for deploying… Shohei Okano 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 Development of a Taxonomy for ADB’s Circular Economy Activities and Indicators for Tracking Progress The presentation explained the development of a taxonomy for ADB’s circular economy (CE) activities and a set of indicators for tracking progress. It… Piya Kerdlap TECHNICAL SESSION 4: Promoting Circular Economy (CE) by CE Working Group Aligning Circular Economy Goals and International Commitments The presentation discussed how ADB could align circular economy (CE) goals with international commitments such as the Paris Agreement, Kunming… Roger Joseph (Rocky) Guzman Technical Session 4 Development of a Taxonomy for ADB’s Circular Economy Activities and Indicators for Tracking Progress The presentation explained how dynamic systems modeling was applied to support circular economy strategies by simulating policy impacts,… Marios Kostis 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 Linking Civil Society to Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management The presentation explored the evolving role of NGOs and CSOs in environmental action in the Philippines, tracing their shift from protest-based… Wilson John Barbon TECHNICAL SESSION 5: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management – Ocean and Terrestrial by Biodiversity Working Group Deep Dive on MDB Nature Finance Common Principles and Taxonomy and Ocean Finance Tracking The presentation provided a deep dive into MDB nature finance principles, taxonomy development, and ocean finance tracking. It explained the growing… Duncan Lang, Sanya Grover 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 Card Game The presentation introduced the ADB Nature Credits Study, which examined how evidence-based units of ecological improvement could finance efforts to… Guy Williams 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 Opening Remarks: Digitizing and Tokenizing the Bamboo Supply Chain using Blockchain – A Pilot Project The presentation outlined a pilot project to digitize and tokenize the bamboo supply chain in the Philippines using blockchain technology, supported… 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 The presentation highlighted how the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) advanced sustainable forestry practices to support the UN Sustainable… Michelle Wong, Thesis Budiarto TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Digital: Earth Observation for Forest management The presentation showcased the ESA–ADB partnership on Earth Observation (EO) for forest management, highlighting collaborations since 2010 and over… Yves Barthelemy TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group TECHNICAL SESSION 6: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management - Forest Management by Forest Working Group Agroforestry innovations-based NBS The presentation discussed investing in the mountain bioeconomy as a strategy to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and rural poverty. It… Jianchu Xu 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 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