Brigitte Balthasar

Brigitte contributes to the financial management of disaster and climate risk across ADB’s developing member countries by working with ADB’s operational departments to prepare and implement respective solutions. Her primary responsibilities include developing disaster and climate risk financing approaches, conducting disaster risk assessments, and providing policy advice. 

Asia's Coastal Areas Are More Than Just Carbon Credits

The blog discusses the importance of Southeast Asia's coastal areas beyond their role in carbon sequestration. While 'blue carbon' projects are gaining attention for their ability to store significant amounts of carbon, it highlights a broader appreciation of these ecosystems' diverse benefits, including supporting fisheries, protecting against extreme weather, and preserving biodiversity.

Audrey Tan

​Ms. Audrey Tan was previously an assistant news editor and environment correspondent at The Straits Times, Singapore’s national broadsheet, where she covered environmental issues and climate change for about a decade. Audrey holds a master’s degree in climate science and policy from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She is an advisory committee member of the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Journalism Fund for Southeast Asia.

To Save the World’s Oceans, We Must Take These Four Actions Now

To protect the world's oceans, the blog outlines four actions: valuing natural capital with nature-based solutions, building partnerships and regional cooperation, promoting sustainable investments and business models, and engaging local leaders and communities. These strategies aim to balance development with conservation, strengthen policy implementation, foster green investments, and empower local stakeholders.

Melody F. Ovenden

Melody’s focus is on coordinating initiatives anchored to the Healthy Oceans Program and promoting a One ADB approach to the Healthy Oceans Implementation Plan. This involves the consolidation of what has been achieved to date and the expansion of ADB’s regional and global leadership position and investments in ocean health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from James Cook University, Australia and a Master of Science in oceanography from Southampton University, School of Ocean and Earth Science, U.K.