LocationsOne Earth, One Chance: Meet Lisa Louveton, the Expert Behind Nature Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation Efforts in Thailand
April 17, 2025
UNDP Thailand
Every year on April 22, countries around the world celebrate Earth Day to remind us of the importance of protecting our environment and natural resources—something we all share responsibility for. In the face of growing challenges such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity, the role of those driving conservation efforts becomes increasingly vital each day.
In this edition of Faces of UNDP Thailand, we invite you to get to know Lisa Louveton, the Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation Specialist at UNDP Thailand. She works behind the scenes to protect nature, support communities, and drive systemic change—so that both people and the planet can thrive together in a sustainable way.
When a Passion for Nature Became the Driving Force Behind Lisa's Work with UNDP
Before embarking on her environmental career, Lisa earned academic credentials in political science, international relations, and environmental risk management. She holds a master’s degree in Risk Management, Environment, and Health Issues from Sciences Po Toulouse, France.
Prior to joining UNDP, Lisa worked with various organizations dedicated to sustainability. She served as Strategic Partnership Manager at TerraCycle Global Foundation, where she led waste management projects and built partnerships to promote recycling in Thailand. She also played a key role at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), driving circular economy initiatives in collaboration with the private sector in Thailand and Vietnam to reduce plastic leakage into the environment.
In addition, Lisa previously worked as a Climate Officer at the French Embassy in Thailand, where she promoted scientific cooperation and organized regional events addressing marine pollution. These experiences gave her valuable insight into both policy and practical action in advancing sustainability.
Lisa shared with us, “After living and working in Thailand for several years, I’ve developed a deep connection to this place. That’s why I want to contribute to sustainable development in ways that are truly tangible.”
What drew Lisa to UNDP was the organization's inclusive, participatory approach to problem-solving and its strong focus on locally driven action, whether in tackling climate change or conserving biodiversity.
From Desk to Regional Change — A Role Where No Day Is Ever "Ordinary"
For Lisa, no two days at the office are ever the same—each one is filled with variety and inspiration. Her role goes beyond just project management; it also involves shaping policy-level strategies. Currently, Lisa oversees several projects related to biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation, which requires her to constantly coordinate with partners—whether it’s tracking progress or ensuring alignment with national and regional goals.
Beyond managing existing projects, Lisa is also actively involved in developing new project ideas, drawing on her own experiences in marine pollution and current trends in environmental priorities. She says she enjoys brainstorming and constantly finding new solutions.
Lisa shared an insightful perspective with us “Collaboration is a key part of the job—whether it’s meeting with government agencies, planning with partner organizations, or simply brainstorming with teammates.”
On any given day, Lisa might be preparing for a major event—like the upcoming collaboration with WWF on the International Day for Biological Diversity, which will create a platform for dialogue on wildlife trafficking and regional cooperation. Another day might be spent on internal planning, reaching out to supporters, or drafting reports, proposals, or strategic documents.
All this work contributes to driving forward initiatives with one clear goal: a more sustainable world.
Voices from the Community: The Inspiration Driving a Sustainable Future
Lisa told us that one of her most memorable experiences working with UNDP was visiting Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to observe the MBT (Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Tourism) project. There, she had the opportunity to speak closely with the local community, especially with women leaders, whose stories were heartfelt and full of energy.
What deeply impressed Lisa was seeing how community members integrated biodiversity conservation into their everyday lives—whether through eco-tourism, local food processing, or developing products from natural resources. Everyone expressed a sense of pride in what they were doing and truly felt ownership over the change they were creating.
Lisa shared that this experience reaffirmed her belief that real change begins when people on the ground are empowered to drive it themselves. Being there—listening to their stories and witnes
"La Vie en Rose" Doesn’t Always Apply
Life isn't always a bed of roses—contrary to the romantic French saying "La vie en rose". It's perfectly normal to face challenges at some point in life. Lisa shared that one of her biggest challenges has been the need to quickly learn and understand a wide range of complex topics, such as climate finance, biodiversity-friendly tourism, sustainable agriculture, and various policy frameworks, all while managing multiple projects at once.
"Sometimes I don’t have enough time to dive deeply into each topic, so I have to rely on my ability to research quickly and provide accurate answers to keep things moving effectively," she said.
Adapting to the UN system was another significant challenge, requiring her to learn many aspects—from understanding internal processes to coordinating across different teams and working in sync with the rhythm and language of multilateral work.
As a foreigner working closely with Thai government partners and local communities, Lisa also had to be mindful of cultural sensitivities.
"I’ve learned to start with listening—to build trust and mutual understanding, and to ensure our work is aligned with the local context and inclusive of all stakeholders," she explained.
These challenges have not only helped Lisa grow professionally but also enriched her personal development in meaningful ways.
Biodiversity and Climate—Two Crises That Must Be Tackled Together
As a specialist in biodiversity and climate change adaptation, Lisa sees Earth Day as more than just an environmental awareness campaign. For her, it's an opportunity to emphasize that biodiversity and the climate crisis are deeply interconnected.
"A healthy ecosystem doesn’t just store carbon—it also protects us from natural disasters and supports food and water security," Lisa explains. She adds that addressing both challenges together opens the door for nature-based solutions that not only combat global warming but also protect people’s livelihoods.
In many UNDP projects, Lisa emphasizes the importance of involving vulnerable groups from the very beginning—whether they are women, Indigenous peoples, or marginalized communities—because she believes that local knowledge and leadership are key to long-term change."We can’t talk about protecting the planet without including every voice in the decision-making process."
Even in her daily life, Lisa aligns her lifestyle with the values she believes in—such as significantly reducing her meat consumption to lower greenhouse gas emissions and prevent deforestation."I feel that every plate of food is a small opportunity to change the world—and plant-based food is tastier than you’d think!"
She also avoids using air conditioning at home, opting for her own version of sustainable energy use.
Technology for Nature – When AI and Digital Data Become Key Tools for Conservation
In an era where digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are playing an increasingly prominent role in every aspect of sustainable development, Lisa sees them as powerful tools that can significantly amplify the impact of environmental work.
"From my experience, digital technology and AI have enormous potential, especially in tracking, data analysis, and supporting policy decision-making," she says.
A clear example is the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) project, where UNDP supports the development of GIS databases and biodiversity mapping to identify priority areas for conservation and strategies for managing areas outside protected zones (OECMs) in Thailand."These spatial tools help us clearly visualize biodiversity hotspots and identify which areas should be prioritized," Lisa explains.
Digital platforms are also being used to compile reports and revise national biodiversity strategies to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, making monitoring and reporting more efficient and transparent.
In land use and agriculture projects like the SCALA Initiative, digital technology plays a key role in translating climate policies (like NDCs and NAPs) into concrete action—particularly in risk assessment, scenario planning, and building connections across government, private sector, and local communities.
"Ultimately, these technologies don’t just help us work faster and more precisely—they also open the door for conservation and climate adaptation to become more accessible, participatory, and scalable," Lisa concludes.
“Sustainable development must leave no one behind” — When Nature, Equality, and the SDGs Walk Hand in Hand
Lisa’s role as a specialist in biodiversity and climate change adaptation sits at a crucial intersection between nature and sustainable development. “My position allows me to integrate sustainability and equality into every level of environmental planning and implementation — from designing nature-based solutions to driving biodiversity-focused policies at the national level,” she said proudly.
UNDP also plays a key role as a connector, linking government agencies, civil society, businesses, and communities. “We have the technical expertise, resources, and networks to accelerate the achievement of Thailand’s SDGs in a tangible way,” Lisa explained.
One of the things Lisa emphasizes in every project is the inclusion of people from all genders, ages, and vulnerable groups. “Gender equality isn’t just a box to check — it’s a core principle I truly believe in. It’s embedded in every stage of my work, from project design to impact evaluation.”
In the Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Tourism (MBT) project, which Lisa oversees, activities are designed to actively support women’s participation. These include promoting women-led tourism services, encouraging their involvement in provincial-level decision-making, and helping them earn sustainable incomes through community-based conservation.
“Seeing women step up as leaders in eco-tourism, gaining financial security, and having a voice in local conservation efforts — that’s what makes me believe we’re truly on the right path,” Lisa concluded.
What piece of advice would you give to those considering applying #JoinALifeChangingMission with UNDP?
Working with UNDP is an incredibly rewarding experience for the heart — but it’s also not without its challenges. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, in the best possible way. You’ll find yourself juggling multiple tasks at once, working with diverse teams, and collaborating with partners at every level — from government officials to local communities.
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The Faces of UNDP Thailand is a series to echo the voice of UNDP staff who support UNDP and the community to advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Give us three words that describe UNDP Thailand: Inclusive, Innovative and Impactful.Lisa Louveton, Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation Specialist
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