Global and regional leaders convened at the Philanthropy Asia Summit (PAS) 2025 to address the mounting urgency of the climate crisis and the transformative role philanthropy can play in building a sustainable, liveable future for Asia.
Sessions under this theme converged around a shared message: action must be bold, inclusive, and rooted in systemic, collaborative approaches.
A Tipping Point for Climate Action
Climate action cannot wait. Nature’s signals demand urgency, and delayed action will only make the transition more chaotic and costly. Asia is both highly vulnerable and strategically positioned to lead climate responses. Speakers called on philanthropy to catalyse collective action by mobilising private capital, funding public goods, and ensuring a just, inclusive transition for affected communities.
Mr. Ravi Menon, Ambassador for Climate Action, and Senior Adviser, National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), at the PAS plenary.
Fostering Resilient Food Systems
Transforming how Asia grows and consumes food is key to climate resilience. Millions of smallholder farmers in the region struggle with climate impacts and degraded lands, compounded by biodiversity loss and outdated practices. Emerging solutions — such as regenerative agriculture and indigenous, nutrient-rich crops — offer promise, but adoption hinges on innovative financing, capacity building, and building trust with local stakeholders.
PAS partner event, “From Seed to Harvest: Building Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems in Asia”, anchored by Alliance Bioversity International - CIAT.
Financing Transformation at Scale
Unlocking and directing capital where it can have the greatest impact was a cross-cutting theme. Blended finance models — combining philanthropic support with commercial investment — are helping to de-risk nature-based solutions. Successful case studies demonstrated that environmental and community outcomes can align with commercial viability when projects are well-structured and stakeholder-inclusive.
PAS partner event, “Investing in Tomorrow: Blended Finance Driving Nature-based Solutions”, anchored by Temasek Foundation.
Aligning Climate with Broader Agendas
Although climate is still a new priority for many Asian philanthropists, sessions explored how it can be woven into existing focus areas — such as education, health, and livelihoods — creating synergies rather than requiring strategic overhauls. Beyond funding, philanthropy can shape climate transitions by offering neutral platforms for dialogue, providing technical assistance, partnering with governments, and supporting evidence-based policy implementation.
PAS partner event, “Catalysing Change: Asian Philanthropy’s Role in Climate and Just Energy Transition”, anchored by Tara Climate Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Sequoia Climate Foundation.
Restoring Nature Through Regional Collaboration
Nature-based solutions featured prominently, including a landmark regional initiative to restore interconnected ecosystems from mountains to mangroves. These efforts emphasised an integrated approach, long-term financing strategies such as phased capital deployment and outcome-based models, and the use of technologies like barcoded tree tracking to manage and verify large-scale projects.
PAS partner event, “Mobilising Transformative Finance for Nature Restoration”, anchored by Conservation International.
Local Ownership, Global Relevance
Throughout the sessions, a strong emphasis was placed on empowering local actors and institutions. Homegrown solutions and regional expertise are essential for sustainable impact. Funders were urged to invest in local capacity — particularly in areas like climate policy, community organising, and environmental stewardship — to ensure long-term relevance and resilience.
The Road Ahead
Speakers at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025 made clear that systemic change demands collective will. From farmers’ fields to forest corridors, from capital markets to community networks, the path to a sustainable Asia will be shaped by those willing to work together — boldly, inclusively, and with the future in mind.
For deeper insights from the Summit, look out for the upcoming PAS 2025 Insights Report.
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