Alfredo Baño Leal

Alfredo Baño Leal is a Senior Energy Specialist at ADB developing sustainable energy operations in the East Asia region. Previously, he worked at the Independent Evaluation Department of AD3, where he evaluated energy programs and led Of AD3' s 2009 Energy Policy. He has 1 5 years Of experience working on energy infrastructure sectors in Europe and Asia. Before joining ADB, he worked for the International Atomic Energy Agency, he consulted for the World Bank and ADB, and worked for an engineering consulting firm in Spain.

Panel Discussion

Yongping Zhai and Preety Bhandari emphasized that while institutions such as ADB can help mobilize financing towards low carbon and climate resilient development, the bulk of climate financing originates in countries where they are deployed. Ultimately, the greater role will lie on governments in ensuring that national policies are in place so that national budgets are allocated towards this purpose and incentives are provided to the private sector to channel funds in the right direction.

Remarks

In his remarks, James Lynch highlighted the need for new approaches and integrated solutions to achieve carbon neutrality in the region, generate new revenues from renewable energy, and channel more private investments into research and development.

James Lynch

James Lynch was the Director General of the East Asia Department of Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines. He assumed office in February 2020.

Mr. Lynch managed ADB’s sovereign operations in the People’s Republic of China and Mongolia across multiple sectors and thematic areas, including transport, energy, environment, climate change, health, education, and public finance. He was also responsible for ADB’s relations with Hong Kong, China; Republic of Korea; and Taipei, China.

Overview of Fiji's Climate Change Challenges and Responses

Shivanal Kumar first talked about climate science and climate change impacts in Fiji, with emphasis on Tropical Cyclone Winston and the relocation of Vunidogoloa. He then shared Fiji's climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, including its policies, plans and frameworks as well as its governance arrangements relating to climate change. Finally, he discussed about the salient features of Fiji's Draft Climate Change Bill.