Rethinking Carbon Markets and Prioritising Real Emission Reductions

Diana Parusheva-Lowery
Managing Director – Public Policy and Sustainable Finance, Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA)
Based in Hong Kong, Diana is responsible for the strategy and direction of various initiatives under this cross-markets division. Diana has over 20 years’ of experience across various countries, industries and sectors. Started as a lawyer working for private banks and for the financial sector regulator and then transitioned to specialize in European and Chinese decarbonisation policies and sustainable finance. During her career she has worked for the Central Bank of Bulgaria, various UK Government Departments and Agencies, the European Commission and European Member States, International Development Banks, Law Firms, multinationals, investors and asset managers assisting with the design, implementation, compliance and assessment of policies and regulations.

Diana was involved in design and further development of flagship European policies like the EU Emission Trading Scheme, setting up and implementing the EU renewable energy targets and the design and evaluation of financial mechanisms supporting key European Initiatives. During her 5 years in China she worked with regulators and policymakers from different sectors supporting international economic relations and multinationals’ business cases. Experienced public speaker and contributing to open or subscription-based policy and macroeconomic forecasting platforms.

She holds Master of Law (LLM) from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Master of International Law from University College of London (UCL) UK and Master of International Economic Relations from Sofia University of National and World Economy.

Diana is a native Bulgarian and holds Bulgarian and British citizenship. She has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

As an International Policy Analyst at the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), Nadine works on the development of global policies at the UN level and the local market level.

Within Southeast Asia, she works on amplifying the business voices to accelerate the development of carbon pricing instruments that work efficiently. She also addresses the needs of businesses in developed emissions trading systems in North Asia and Australia, New Zealand.

Nadine plays a central role in convening cross-sectoral dialogues that bring together governments, private sector leaders, and civil society to advance carbon market policy development. She has been instrumental in shaping discussions on voluntary, compliance, and Article 6 carbon markets in Asia, and in fostering collaboration between stakeholders.

With a background in Economics, she is passionate about equitable, pragmatic climate solutions that work.

Ronald is Head of Sustainable Banking Development at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy to promote sustainable banking activities and facilitate the banking sector’s management of climate related financial risks.

Prior to his current role, Ronald was Head of Sustainable Finance for Asia at a major international bank based in Hong Kong, leading the bank’s sustainable banking activities in the region. During his time as a financier, he was an active contributor to the sustainable finance community, playing leadership roles in industry associations, championing improvements in market standards, and spearheading campaigns for capacity building.

Ronald has over 20 years of experience in international banking, finance and investment based in New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore, focusing on sustainable finance and transactions in the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors.

He received a BS in Economics majoring in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a BSE in Civil Engineering from the same university. He is a CFA charter holder.