ASIATODAY.ID, MANILA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued a $100 million green bond aimed at raising global awareness about the accelerating melting of glaciers across Asia, a growing threat driven by climate change.
The five-year bond was arranged by BNP Paribas and Morgan Stanley and will be listed on the Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX). Proceeds from the bond will finance projects aligned with ADB’s Green and Blue Bond Framework, supporting climate adaptation and sustainable water management initiatives across the region.
According to ADB Vice-President for Finance and Risk Management Roberta Casali, glaciers are among the most critical yet climate-sensitive natural systems in Asia.
“The accelerated retreat of glaciers is reshaping river flows, increasing disaster risks, and threatening the water security and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people,” she said on March 4, 2026.
Water Security for Two Billion People at Risk
ADB notes that river basins fed by glaciers and snow provide water for nearly two billion people across Asia. However, rising global temperatures are accelerating glacier retreat and altering snowfall patterns.
These changes are creating a dangerous double impact:
– Short-term flood risks, including glacial lake outburst floods
– Long-term water shortages, particularly in South Asia and Central and West Asia
As these hydrological shifts intensify, investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and water systems are becoming increasingly urgent.
Funding Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Projects eligible for financing through the green bond include:
– Climate-resilient infrastructure development
– Integrated water resource management
– Early warning systems for disasters
– Disaster risk reduction programs
– Community resilience initiatives in high-mountain regions
The financing will also complement ADB’s broader initiatives focused on glacier monitoring, risk assessment, and water governance across Asia’s high-mountain regions, including programs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya and Central Asia.
$15 Billion Raised Since 2015
Since launching its green bond program in 2015, ADB has raised around $15 billion to finance climate mitigation and adaptation projects throughout Asia and the Pacific.
Founded in 1966, ADB is a multilateral development bank owned by 69 member countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region, working to promote sustainable economic growth, reduce poverty, and safeguard the environment.
The latest green bond issuance underscores a growing global concern: glacier melt is no longer just an environmental issue—it is becoming a major threat to Asia’s water security, energy systems, and food supply. (AT Network)
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