Evaluation as a Catalyst for Climate Innovation: Lessons from Climate-Smart Infrastructure Projects Financed by MDBs
Webinar | Online
About the Event
As part of gLocal Evaluation Week 2025, the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of the New Development Bank (NDB) will convene a high-level webinar titled “Evaluation as a Catalyst for Climate Innovation: Lessons from Climate-Smart Infrastructure Projects Financed by MDBs.” The session will spotlight how rigorous, evidence-based evaluations conducted by multilateral development banks (MDBs) are shaping the design, delivery, and long-term sustainability of climate-smart infrastructure and renewable energy investments.
As MDBs take center stage in financing green transitions and resilient infrastructure, this panel will bring together senior evaluation professionals from leading institutions including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), New Development Bank (NDB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and African Development Bank (AfDB). Drawing on real-world evaluation evidence and state-of-the-art methodologies, the discussion will examine cross-cutting lessons and emerging practices in evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate-related development projects.
The session aims to foster dynamic dialogue and mutual learning on how evaluation functions not only as a tool for accountability but also as an indispensable enabler of accelerated climate action, informed policy design, and stronger global and local partnerships that advance low-carbon, inclusive development pathways.
Rationale:
Amidst the escalating global climate crisis, MDBs have emerged as critical drivers of investment in renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in emerging and developing economies. Yet, the long-term success and transformative potential of these interventions rely heavily on robust, systematic evaluations that generate actionable insights on their effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability.
This session will explore how independent evaluations of MDB-financed climate-smart projects contribute to evidence-informed decision-making. By examining cross-cutting challenges such as social inclusion, environmental safeguards, and resilience in renewable energy and infrastructure investments, the webinar will provide valuable lessons for improving the design and implementation of future projects.
As MDBs take center stage in financing green transitions and resilient infrastructure, this panel will bring together senior evaluation professionals from leading institutions including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), New Development Bank (NDB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and African Development Bank (AfDB). Drawing on real-world evaluation evidence and state-of-the-art methodologies, the discussion will examine cross-cutting lessons and emerging practices in evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate-related development projects.
The session aims to foster dynamic dialogue and mutual learning on how evaluation functions not only as a tool for accountability but also as an indispensable enabler of accelerated climate action, informed policy design, and stronger global and local partnerships that advance low-carbon, inclusive development pathways.
Rationale:
Amidst the escalating global climate crisis, MDBs have emerged as critical drivers of investment in renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in emerging and developing economies. Yet, the long-term success and transformative potential of these interventions rely heavily on robust, systematic evaluations that generate actionable insights on their effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability.
This session will explore how independent evaluations of MDB-financed climate-smart projects contribute to evidence-informed decision-making. By examining cross-cutting challenges such as social inclusion, environmental safeguards, and resilience in renewable energy and infrastructure investments, the webinar will provide valuable lessons for improving the design and implementation of future projects.
Speakers
| Name | Title | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Henrique Pissaia | Principle Professional, Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), New Development Bank (NDB) | Henrique is Principal Professional at the Independent Evaluation Office of the NDB. Henrique was staff in the Brazilian Ministry of Planning, and held positions on the Board of Directors and Governors in various Multilateral Development Banks and Funds, such as the AfDB, CAF, FONPLATA, IDB, IFAD and others. He also worked in IFAD and FONPLATA, where he was Chief of Staff of the Executive Presidency and General Coordinator for Strategic Alliances. |
| Mr. Eskender Zeleke | Head, Independent Evaluation Office, Complaints-resolution, Evaluation, and Integrity Unit (CEIU), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) | Eskender Zeleke is a globally recognized evaluation and sustainable finance leader with over 25 years of experience at institutions like the World Bank Group and IFC. As the inaugural Head of the Independent Evaluation Function at AIIB, he has positioned evaluation as a strategic tool for institutional learning and climate-responsive policy. He led major evaluations—including AIIB’s $20 billion COVID-19 facility and green investments in India, Türkiye, and Oman. Eskender spearheaded the Evidence for Climate Action Pavilion at COP29 and is guiding AIIB’s evaluation engagement towards COP30, while fostering collaboration with MDBs and global evaluation networks. |
| Mr. Garrett Kilroy | Principal Evaluation Specialist, ADB Sector and Project Division, Independent Evaluation Department (IED), Asian Development Bank (ADB) | Garrett has 20 years of professional experience and leads evaluations of ADB’s climate change, environment, agriculture, water and urban operations. Garrett has been based in Asia since 2008, and before joining ADB in 2015 he worked for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and other development organizations. Prior to that he was with the Irish Environmental Protection Agency and holds a BSc in environmental sciences and PhD in hydrogeology from Trinity College Dublin. |
| Mr. Joseph Mouanda | Chief Evaluation Officer, Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV), African Development Bank Group | Mr. Joseph Mouanda is Chief Evaluation Officer at the Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) of the African Development Bank Group. A statistician-economist by training, he has been with IDEV since 2001, leading evaluations in infrastructure, private sector development, and corporate performance. He has also contributed to knowledge management and capacity development. Prior to AfDB, he served as a consultant to Côte d’Ivoire’s public ministries in education and training, and lectured at ENSEA Abidjan. |
| Mr. Alper Dincer | Principal Evaluation Manager, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) | Alper Dincer is a Principal Evaluator in the Independent Evaluation Department (IEvD) of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). He specializes in designing and delivering complex, multi-project evaluations, leveraging independent research, rigorous analysis, and other evaluation methodologies. Before joining the IEvD, Alper served as a Principal Economist at the EBRD, where he supported the development of EBRD’s Economic Inclusion Strategy and ex-ante impact assessment tools. He holds a PhD from Columbia University, and his academic research has been published in World Development and the International Journal of Educational Development. |
Moderators
| Name | Title | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Ms. Xiaozhe Zhang | Senior Professional, Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), New Development Bank (NDB) | Xiaozhe is a Senior Professional at the Independent Evaluation Office of the New Development Bank (NDB). Before joining NDB, she held various roles at the United Nations, including Regional Manager for Asia in the South-South and Triangular Cooperation unit at IFAD, where she supported mainstreaming SSTC in Asia-Pacific operations. She also contributed to independent evaluations at IFAD and managed agricultural development initiatives with the European Commission. Earlier, at FAO, she facilitated projects under the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Trust Fund. |