ADB launches sustainability report, reaffirms commitment to environmental sustainability on World Environment Day

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) increased its financing for environmental sustainability and reduced its corporate footprint in the past 2 years, as part of its efforts to address environmental degradation and natural resource depletion in Asia and the Pacific, according to a new ADB report.

The 2018 ADB Sustainability Report, which was released today to mark World Environment Day, documents ADB’s work to promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability in its operations as well as its corporate activities and facilities in 2016 and 2017.

“The Sustainability Report demonstrates how ADB’s operations, human resources, and facilities management are aligned with and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals,” said ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Mr. Bambang Susantono. “Looking ahead, we must renew and ramp up our commitment to making ADB and its operations more sustainable. We must also continue to modernize our corporate facilities and promote diversity in our staff.”

“To show ADB’s commitment to lower its carbon footprint at its Manila headquarters and minimize its effect on the environment and the community, we are sourcing energy from solar and geothermal plants, reusing rainwater for irrigation and other purposes, operating a waste segregation area, and using a sewage treatment facility to treat wastewater,” said ADB Vice-President for Administration and Corporate Management, Ms. Deborah Stokes. “Aside from these, we also continue to achieve and maintain international certifications to ensure our goal toward sustainability lasts into the future.”

ADB celebrated World Environment Day by highlighting the plastic pollution crisis in the region, in line with this year’s theme chosen by the United Nations Environment Programme, “Beat Plastic Pollution.” About 50% of all plastic used in the region is considered single use, and nearly a third of plastic packaging escapes waste collection systems, polluting the environment and entering the world’s oceans.

ADB invests in projects that directly and indirectly address waste management issues, including marine pollution and plastic waste. Investments include wastewater treatment, watershed management, wetland rehabilitation, and coastal and marine resources management. At its headquarters, ADB’s food service providers stopped selling bottled water in 2013 and is encouraging staff to stop using plastic straws.

Original source: ADB
Published on 05 June 2018