Background

Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region have committed to achieving net zero emissions by the middle of the 21st century. To meet this goal, it is essential to transform agri-food systems to reduce their carbon footprint through improved water and energy efficiency and enhanced use of renewable energy. The energy-food-water-climate nexus issues require a holistic understanding of resource optimization to address the interdependencies of energy, water, and food security.

The session will feature case studies on water-food-energy nexus solutions in a changing climate, including low carbon hydroponics, and give the participants a first-hand experience in growing food using the hydroponics technology. This session will discuss the private sector’s role in scaling up innovations to reduce water and energy use in agri-food value chains towards making them carbon neutral. The session will demonstrate how hydroponics technology combined with micro-hydropower can reduce the carbon footprint of today’s agriculture. The session will also discuss the experience from pilot demonstration on energy-food-water nexus in a changing climate in the lower Mekong delta of Viet Nam.

Objectives

  • To showcase technological innovations and solutions available in the energy, agriculture, and water space to create low-carbon and climate resilient agri-food systems.
  • To highlight the role of the private sector in scaling up innovations to reduce water and energy use in agri-food value chains.
  • To present a case study on energy-food-water-climate nexus in the Mekong Delta
  • To discuss priority areas for further action to harness synergies and minimize tradeoffs in optimizing natural resources and reducing carbon footprint of agri-food systems in developing countries.

AGENDA

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Panel Session 1: Understanding the Energy-Water-Food-Climate Nexus and Streamlining the National and Sectoral Policies

Welcome and Context Setting

  • Moderator: Srinivasan Ancha, Principal Climate Change Specialist, ADB

Speakers

  • Vincent Perez, former Secretary, DOE and CEO of AlterEnergy

  • Allison Woodruff, Principal Water Security Specialist, ADB

  • Sumit Pokhrel, Environment Specialist, ADB

  • Viktoria Locson, Renewable Energy Lead-Asia, Blue Water Shipping

  • Sohail Hasnie, Former Principal Energy Specialist, ADB

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Open Discussion

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Coffee Break

11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Panel Session 2: Renewable Energy Solutions for Low Carbon Agri-Food Systems including Hydroponics Innovations

  • Moderator: Sohail Hasnie, Co-founder, Grow-It-Yourself Australia

Speakers:

  • Ruth Yu-Owen, President, Upgrade Energy Philippines Inc.; President, Phil carbon; and Co-Founder, Connected Women

  • Alex Smajgl, Managing Director, Mekong Region Futures Institute, Thailand (to be presented by Srinivasan Ancha, ADB)

  • Emily Morris, CEO, Emrgy Inc, USA

  • Lorraine Wang, Quick demonstration on hydroponics technology (interactive activity with participants)

12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

Open Discussion and Closing

SPEAKERS

Allison Woodruff

Allison Woodruff

Principal Water Security Specialist, Grow It Yourself-Australia

Sumit Pokhrel

Sumit Pokhrel

Environmental Specialist, Asian Development Bank

Viktoria Locson

Viktoria Locson

Renewable Energy Lead-Asia, Blue Watter Shipping

Sohail Hasnien

Sohail Hasnie

Former Principal Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank

About the Organizer

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.

Presentations