The ASEAN-UK Race to Zero Dialogues
2021 is a decisive year for climate action – and businesses play a critical role in reducing emissions and building our resilience to climate change. The ASEAN-UK Race to Zero Dialogues will bring together UK and ASEAN businesses in advance of COP26 to discuss the need for private sector climate action – and the business case for net zero emissions by 2050.
Join the ASEAN-UK Race to Zero Dialogues, 24-25 May to:
- Understand why setting targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 is imperative, and the pivotal role that businesses have to play in a net-zero, low-carbon future
- Learn more about the Race to Zero, and how your company can join and contribute to combatting climate change, and the opportunities committing to net-zero emissions offers in terms of corporate image, competitive advantage and innovation
- Hear stories of climate action progress from ASEAN and UK companies who have joined the Race to Zero
- Discover more ways for your company to support COP26, through initiatives like RE100, EV100, the Powering Past Coal Alliance, and the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
The global low-carbon transition is inevitable and accelerating. Now is the time for companies to ensure they are part of the race. If you have questions about the Race to Zero and how it is involved with COP26, read our Race To Zero FAQs section.
VIP Speakers include:
- Nigel Topping - UK High-Level Climate Action Champion
- Dato Dr Amin Liew - Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, Brunei Darussalam
- Richard Graham - MP for Gloucester, and the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to the ASEAN Economic Community, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines
- YB Yanty Rahman - Chair, ASEAN Business Advisory Council
- Ken O’Flaherty - COP26 Ambassador to Asia-Pacific and South Asia
- Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG - Chair, UK-ASEAN Business Council
Register for these upcoming sessions
The ASEAN-UK Race to Zero Dialogues begin on 24 May with an overview session. There are a number of sessions happening over the two days; each is listed below.
Please note that some sessions run in paralell. You are welcome to register for all events and decide which to attend on the day itself.
DAY 1
ASEAN-UK Race to Zero Dialogues Launch
24 May (15:00 – 15:30 - Singapore time)
Welcoming remarks from Nigel Topping (COP26 High Level Champion on Climate Action) and Dato Dr Amin Liew (Minister of Finance and Economy II)
The Pivotal Role of Businesses in a Net-Zero Future
24 May (15:30 – 16:15 - Singapore time)
Learn about the business case for a net-zero transition, and the opportunities in corporate net-zero commitments across sectors.
Why 1.5°C? The importance of companies setting ambitious science-based emissions reduction targets.
Presentation by Giacomo Santangelo (Global Operations Lead, Commit to Action, CDP).
The business case for ASEAN – what is the value of setting net-zero corporate targets, and how can companies achieve their net-zero aspirations? Presentation by Chris Stephens (Asia Director, Carbon Trust).
The path for SMEs – becoming climate-resilient and climate-ambitious.
Presentation by Johan Falk (Co-Founder and Head of Exponential Roadmap Initiative)
Powering a Net Zero Future: Implementing Net Zero Strategies in the Energy Sector
24 May (16:15 – 17:15 - Singapore time)
Energy transformation will progress as renewables outcompete alternatives, policy frameworks further strengthen, more companies demand renewable energy. This session will explore the actions needed within the energy sector to accelerate progress on net zero emission, business strategies.
Mohamad Irwan Aman (Head of Sustainability, Sarawak Energy Berhad)
Mark Shorrock (CEO, Shire Oak Energy)
Sam Kimmins (Head of RE100, The Climate Group)
Victoria Burrows (Director of Advancing Net Zero, World Green Building Council)
Please note that this session and the session below occur at the same time.
Transforming Agriculture and Land Use to Win the Race to Zero
24 May (16:15 – 17:15 - Singapore time)
There has been massive investment in ecosystems of innovation to promote ‘climate-smart’ ways of producing, distributing and consuming food.
This session will explore opportunities around scaling regenerative agriculture, what setting net-zero targets for agriculture means in practice, and catalysing investment in climate resilient food systems, and new approaches to scale up the impact of new investment.
Christopher Stewart (Global Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Olam International)
Noppadol Dej-Udom (Chief Sustainability Officer, Charoen Pokphand Group)
Dhanush Dinesh (Head of Partnerships and Outreach - CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security and Co-Chair of 'Transforming Agricultural Innovation for People, Climate and Nature')
Imelda (Dada) Bacudo (Advisor, ASEAN Climate Resilience Network)
Alexander Giles (Chief Commercial Officer, Liberty Produce)
Please note that this session and the session above occur at the same time.
High-Level Roundtable on Business Action to Deliver Net Zero
24 May (17:15 – 18:15 - Singapore time)
Roundtable will discuss the importance of public and private partnership on climate action and delivering net-zero.
Nigel Topping (UK Climate Champion)
Cherine Fok (Director - Sustainability Services, KPMG)
Esther An (Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments Limited)
Speaker from AstraZeneca TBC
Moderated by Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe (Chair of the UK-ASEAN Business Council)
DAY 2
Welcoming Remarks
25 May (15:00 – 15:30 - Singapore time)
Welcoming remarks by Richard Graham MP, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the ASEAN Economic Community, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Financing Net Zero: the Role of the Financial Sector in Climate Action
25 May (15:30 – 16:30 - Singapore time)
It is increasingly recognised that getting to net zero emissions is as an important goal by financial institutions – and a driver of growth, innovation and job creation.
This session will explore the role of the financial sector in reaching net-zero emissions, and the business case and financial opportunity in aligning portfolios to net-zero.
Rebecca Lewis (Managing Partner, Arisaig Partners)
Elson Goh (Head of Investment – Singapore, St. James’s Place)
Rino Donosepoetro (Vice Chairman, ASEAN & President Commissioner, Indonesia, Standard Chartered)
Lois Guthrie (Director of Redefining Value and Taskforce for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures Lead, WBCSD)
Alex Michie (Head of Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, COP26 Private Finance Team)
Please note that this session and the two sessions directly below occur at the same time.
Net Zero Fashion: Decarbonising the Garments and Textiles Sector
25 May (15:30 – 16:30 - Singapore time)
The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
This session will explore what does setting net-zero targets mean for the garments, textiles and fashion sector in practice.
Pete Ford (Environment Programme Specialist – Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar, H&M)
Bradley Abbott (Project Lead - Promotion of Sustainable Energy Practices in the Garment Sector in Cambodia, GGGI)
Cherie Tan (VP Sustainability, Asia Pacific Rayon)
Please note that this session, the session above and the session below occur at the same time.
The Road to Zero: Decarbonising Transport
25 May (15:30 – 16:30 - Singapore time)
Today, the transport sector represents 23% of all energy-related global emissions and it is one of the fastest growing sectors.
This session will explore driving forward the transition of their fleets in ASEAN to 100% zero emissions and how decarbonising transport keep businesses in ASEAN competitive and more resilient.
Jamie Plotnek (Campaign Lead - RouteZero, The Climate Group)
Angela Hultberg (Road Transport Lead, COP26 Climate Action Champions)
Gareth Kerr (Founder and Chief, evRiderz)
Seth Townsley (Energy Marketing Manager, Schneider Electric)
Please note that this session and the two sessions directly above occur at the same time.
The Race to Resilience: How Can Your Company Help Build Resilience to Climate Change in SE Asia?
25 May (16:30 – 17:00 - Singapore time)
This session will focus on the role and opportunities for businesses in ASEAN can play in increase action on climate adaptation and resilience.
Closing Remarks
25 May (17:00 – 17:15 - Singapore time)
Closing remarks from Ken O’Flaherty (COP26 Ambassador to Asia Pacific and South Asia), Jens Radschinski (Head of UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia Pacific) and YB Yanty Rahman (Chair, ASEAN Business Advisory Council)