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JC3 Journey to Zero Conference 2023

23-25 October 2023  |  Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur

The JC3 Journey to Zero Conference 2023 is a biennial event that brings together a diverse range of climate experts, advocates, innovators, practitioners, leaders, policymakers, and regulators, to discuss the practical applications of climate and nature finance.

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Building on the inaugural flagship event in 2021 which engaged over 3000 participants, the 2023 edition aims to provide actionable solutions and real-world strategies for industry application.

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With an increasing understanding of the climate crisis, it is imperative that we work together to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities of transitioning to a low-carbon, nature-positive economy. Our focus will be on practical and actionable solutions, emphasizing the critical role of the financial industry in driving sustainable transformation.

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The conference will feature a dynamic programme of keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside chat, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. The event aims to provide a platform for learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among industry professionals, as well as to foster dialogue and partnerships that will accelerate the transition to a sustainable future.

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Programme

Day 1: Navigating Climate Finance
[Highlight video]  [Video recordings]

10:00am - 10:50am

Opening Panel: Investing in Climate Resilience: The True Costs and Long-Term Benefits 

Counting the cost towards achieving climate resilience – Shifts in national priorities and strategies across the globe and the wider implications to global trade and impact to economies.

  • Melisa Melina Idris, Assistant Vice President, Editor, Astro Awani (Moderator)

  • Y.B. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change

  • H.E. Michalis Rokas, EU Ambassador to Malaysia

  • Dr. Ma Jun, President, Institute of Finance and Sustainability

  • David Wallace, Chargé d’affaires, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur

9:35 am - 10:00 am

Welcome Remarks

  • Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia [Speech]

  • Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek Haji Hussin, Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia [Speech]

Special Address

  • Y.B. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change

11:00am - 12:00pm

Panel Session 1: Charting the Course of Climate Governance: Implications for Bold Climate Action

Climate governance and its implications for climate change decision making processes – Fostering Prompt action to address climate change whilst avoiding greenwashing.

  • Datuk Jessica Chew Cheng Lian, Deputy Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia (Moderator)

  • Mathew Nelson, Chief Sustainability Officer Oceania, Ernst & Young 

  • Ira Poensgen, Technical Lead of the Taskforce Secretariat, United Kingdom Transition Plan Taskforce

  • Dr. Gary Theseira, Council Member, Climate Governance Malaysia [Slides]

  • Cecile Thioro Niang, Practice Manager, Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation, East Asia and Pacific, World Bank

2:00pm - 2:45pm

Panel Session 2: Strengthening Climate Resilience: Mobilising Finance for Effective Climate Adaptation

Mitigation finance typically focus on reducing GHG emissions while climate adaptation finance requires a broad array of activities tailored to climate risks facing a specific location.

  • Yin Shao Loong, Deputy Director of Research, Khazanah Research Institute (Moderator)

  • Gaurav Gupta, Senior Advisor, Nature Finance, United Nations Development Programme [Slides]

  • Kelvin Tan, Head of Sustainable Finance and Investments, ASEAN, HSBC

  • Simon Horner, Director of Strategy and Public Affairs, United Kingdom Green Finance Institute

2:45pm - 3:45pm

Panel Session 3: Drawing Global Private Capital: Catalyst for Economic Transformation

Climate investments in emerging market- investment considerations, enablers, success stories and challenges.

  • Salmah Bee Mydin, Executive Director, Securities Commission Malaysia (Moderator)

  • Kim-See Lim, Regional Director – East Asia and the Pacific, International Finance Corporation

  • Claire Elsdon, Global Director of Capital Markets, CDP

  • Fares Zahir, Chief Executive Officer, Xeraya Capital

4:00pm - 5:15pm

Special Panel: Unveiling the Path Ahead: Are We Heading Towards an Unjust and Disorderly Transition?

In the face of unprecedented global change, both environmental and technological, societies worldwide are on the brink of transformative shifts. The topic, 'Unveiling the Path Ahead,' explores the trajectory of these transitions, seeking to analyze whether they are leading us towards an era characterized by injustice and chaos.

  • Melisa Melina Idris, Assistant Vice President, Editor, Astro Awani (Moderator)

  • Tan Sri Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus, Former Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

  • Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health

  • Professor Dr. Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Research Advisor, Khazanah Research Institute

  • Yuki Yasui, Regional Director of Asia-Pacific, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)

  • Diana Guzman, Director of Group Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Prudential PLC

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Programme

Day 2: Finance and Protection for the Real Sector
[Highlight video]  [Speakers' interview video]  [Video recordings]

9:35 am - 9:40 am

Special Remarks

  • Mark Carney, United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance and Co-Chair of Glasgow Finance Alliance of Net Zero (GFANZ) [video]

9:40 am - 10:35 am

Panel Session 4: Elevating Voluntary Carbon Markets: Prerequisites for Mobilising Private Finance in the Climate Mission

The trading of carbon credits can help the world meet ambitious goals for reducing GHG emission. What are the necessary pre-requisites to strengthen voluntary carbon markets in promoting private finance for our climate mission?

  • Charis Yeap Khai Leang, Southeast Asia Regional Lead for Green Finance and Carbon Pricing Mechanisms, United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Moderator)

  • Dr. Wei-Nee Chen, Head Carbon Market, Bursa Malaysia

  • Mark Kenber, Executive Director, Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiaitve

  • Jigar Shah, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Research and Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Securities India

  • Dr. Ali Izadi-Najafabadi, Head of Asia-Pacific, BloombergNEF (BNEF)

11:00 am - 11:45 am

Panel Session 5: Unveiling Success: Extracting Insights from Projects Flourishing Through Blended Finance Structures

Public-private partnerships have often been cited as the necessary financing structure to scale up climate finance.

  • Bilal Parvaiz, Executive Director & Head Islamic Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking, Standard Chartered Bank (Moderator)

  • Marat Zapparov, Chief Executive Officer, Pentagreen Capital

  • Adam Ng, Asia-Pacific Regional & Technical Lead (Greening Financial Regulation Initiative), WWF-Malaysia

  • Shilpa Gulrajani, Head Of Corporate Development & Sustainability, Asia-Pacific, BNP Paribas

11:55 am - 12:55 pm

Panel Session 6: A Just Transition: Advancing Inclusivity in Finance

As we progress in the transition journey, it is critical to ensure that no one is left behind. This requires a strong emphasis on support for the vulnerable population and small businesses.

  • Faroze Nadar, Executive Director United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (Moderator)

  • Shahril Azuar Jimin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Maybank Group

  • Helena Fung, Head of Sustainable Finance and Investment, Asia-Pacific, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)

  • Mogesh Sababathy, Youth Climate Champions Consultant, UNICEF Malaysia

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Breakout Session 1: Food Security

Explore the challenges of accessing climate finance for food security in ASEAN. Dive into experiences from industry members, understand financing gaps faced by SMEs, and discover innovative solutions to bolster food resilience in a changing climate.

  • Edey Suresh, Director of United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (Moderator)

  • Dr. Dalal Al-Ghawas, Founder, South West Asia-Pacific (SWAPAC)

  • Joseph D'Cruz, Chief Executive Officer, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

  • Dr. Alizan Mahadi, Chief Economist, United Nations Development Programme Malaysia

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Breakout Session 2: Energy - Renewables and Mobility

Delve into the forefront of renewable energy and sustainable mobility in ASEAN. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in finance, hear from industry pioneers, and uncover cutting-edge solutions for a greener energy future.

  • Michael Heaney, Partner, Ernst & Young (EY) (Moderator)

  • Abdul Raof Latiff, Country Head, DBS Bank Malaysia

  • Ralph Dixon, Executive Director of Sustainability, YTL-SV Carbon Sdn Bhd [Slides]

  • Dr. Ali Izadi-Najafabadi, Head of Asia-Pacific, BloombergNEF (BNEF)

  • Amanda BM Ng, VOLVO Trucks Malaysia [Slides]

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Breakout Session 3: Sustainable Forestry

Navigate the landscape of sustainable forestry in ASEAN. Engage in discussions on challenges and financing solutions, share experiences with forestry experts, and explore innovations ensuring our forests' longevity and health.

  • Perpetua George, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Sustainability – Biodiversity, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) (Moderator)

  • Allen Jun-Yi Lian, Responsible Forestry Manager, WWF-Malaysia [Slides]

  • Charmaine Chee, Country Director, Forest Stewardship Council® Malaysia [Slides]

  • Geoffrey Seeto, Head of Emerging Markets, New Forests [Slides]

  • Datuk Hj Jeffri bin Abd Rasid, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Forest Fund [Slides]

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Breakout Session 4: Sustainable Cities

Venture into the blueprint of sustainable urban living in ASEAN. Engage with urban planners and experts, discuss the challenges in financing and development, and explore innovative strategies for crafting greener, smarter cities.

  • Jacqueline Chang, Country Coordinator, International Urban and Regional Corporation (Moderator)

  • Kamisah Mohd Ghazali, Head, Resilient Environment, Iskandar Regional Development Authority [Slides]

  • Devni Acharya, Sustainability Strategy & Insights Lead for Southeast Asia, Arup [Slides]

  • Alissa Raj, Deputy Regional Director for East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania from C40 Cities 

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Breakout Session 5: SMEs

Dive into the dynamic world of SMEs in ASEAN. Discuss their unique challenges and financing needs, share experiences and best practices, and explore innovative solutions fostering their sustainable growth and resilience.

  • Admen Hassan, Head of SME Academy, SME Bank (Moderator)

  • Moreen Joseph, Chief Sustainability Officer, United Overseas Bank Malaysia (UOB) [Slides]

  • Max Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Pantas Software Sdn Bhd

  • Rizal Nainy, Chief Executive Officer, SME Corporation Malaysia

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Masterclass 1: Mastering Transparency: Navigating Disclosure and Strategic Reporting

Designed to equip participants with the skills and insights needed to effectively manage and communicate information. With an emphasis on best practices, the session aims to guide attendees through the complexities of disclosure to craft strategic reports that resonate with stakeholders while adhering to global standards.

  • Helena Fung, Head of Sustainable Finance and Investment, Asia-Pacific, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) [Slides]

  • Wong Chiun Chiek, Director, Bursa Intelligence, Bursa Malaysia [Slides]

  • David Carlin, Head of Climate Risk, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) 

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Masterclass 2: Seamless Progress: Crafting Effective Transition Plans and Strategic Planning

This masterclass equips participants with the skills to design adaptable strategies, engage stakeholders effectively, and navigate organizational change with foresight and resilience.

  • Ira Poensgen, Technical Lead of the Taskforce Secretariat, United Kingdom Transition Plan Taskforce [Slides]

  • Dr. Renard Siew, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Yinson Holdings Berhad

  • Masa Takanashi, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Group

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Masterclass 3: Pioneering Sustainability: Formulating and Achieving Science-based Targets for Impact

This masterclass empowers participants to set and pursue science-based targets, ensuring their sustainability efforts are both impactful and aligned to climate science.

  • Renaka Ramachandran, Chief Financial Officer, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad [Slides]

  • Mohamad Irwan Aman, General Manager, Sustainability at Sarawak Energy Berhad

  • Mathew Nelson, Chief Sustainability Officer Oceania, Ernst & Young (EY) [Slides]

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Masterclass 4: Balancing the Books of Nature: Techniques for Climate and Biodiversity Accounting

This masterclass unveils methodologies for assessing climate impact and biodiversity contributions, ensuring that organizations can quantitatively measure their environmental footprint and contributions.

  • Divyaasiny R Rajaghantham, Senior Analyst, WWF-Malaysia [Slides]

  • Tiange Wei, Asia-Pacific Lead, Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF)

  • Vivian Zheng, Head of ASEAN Environmental, Social and Governance Solutions, S&P Global [Slides]

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Programme

Day 3: Nature, Economy and Society - Harnessing Synergy From Nature
[Highlight video]  [Speakers' interview video]  [Video recordings]

9:30 am - 9:45 am

Context Setting: Navigating The Next Environmental Challenge: Understanding and Managing Nature-related Risks

Nature provides a foundation for our societies and economies, offering invaluable resources and ecosystem services. As development progresses, this could heighten the risk of environmental degradation, thus exposing businesses, governments, and communities to a spectrum of nature-related risks.

  • Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman of WWF-Malaysia [slides]

 9:45 am - 10:15 am

Expert Session: Transforming Finance Through Nature-Related Disclosure

As the world increasingly acknowledges the interconnectedness of environmental and financial systems; the TNFD emerges as a vital tool for aligning economic activities with the preservation and restoration of nature.

  • Thomas Viegas, Partnerships Lead, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) [slides]

10:15 am - 10:35 am

Special Remarks

​Empowering Change: Insights From An Inspirational Speaker
  • Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health [video]

10:45 am -  11:45 am

Panel Session 7: Conservation Reinvented: Modern Era Conservation Strategies

Conservation efforts in the modern era require a dynamic and multi-faceted approach that leverages innovation in technology and finance to tackle the pressing challenges of biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and environmental sustainability.

  • Natasha Zulaikha Zahirudin, Conservation Scientist at Management & Ecology of Malaysian Elephants, and Founder of Coralku (Moderator)

  • Dr. Mark Rayan Darmaraj, Country Director (Malaysia), Wildlife Conservation Society

  • Mariani Ramli, Founder, Gibbon Conservation Society Malaysia [slides]

  • Kristina Anguelova, Head of Sustainable Finance, WWF-Singapore 

11:45 am - 12:15 pm

Fireside Chat: VBI to Support Climate Transition

Esteemed guests will engage in a thought-provoking discussion on how value-based intermediation can accelerate climate transition and support financing for business models with positive social and environmental impact.

  • Nurul Izza Idris, Director Islamic Finance Department, Bank Negara Malaysia (Moderator)

  • Rizal ll-Ehzan Fadil Azim, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance Islamic Bank

  • Dato’ Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, Group Chief Executive Officer, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad

  • Marcel Omar Papp, Head Reinsurance Malaysia (Conventional & Retakaful), Swiss Re  [slides]

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

Panel Session 8: Unlocking Financing Models for Nature-based Solutions

Scaling up finance to preserve ecosystems not only ensures that the services they provide – and which we are largely dependent on – continue to exist, it will also be a critical component in combatting climate change and mitigating physical and transition risks within the financial system.

  • Fatin Zani, WWF-Malaysia (Moderator)

  • Michelle Loi, Principal Consultant, Sustainable Finance, South Pole

  • Rashyid Redza Anwarudin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Sime Darby Plantation

  • Rizkiasari Yudawinata, Sustainable Finance Program Lead, WWF-Indonesia

2:25 pm - 4:30 pm

Breakout Session: Innovation for Transition: Banks

Implementation focused view on sector innovations and approaches to transition.

  • Arina Kok, Asia-Pacific Decarbonization Solutions Leader, Ernst & Young (EY) (Moderator) 

  • Rafe Haneef, Group Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Building Society Berhad (MBSB)

  • Priya Bellino, Head of Sustainability Solutions Group Asia-Pacific, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)

  • Luanne Sieh, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, CIMB Group  [slides]

2:25 pm - 4:30 pm

Breakout Session: Innovation for Transition: Insurers and Takaful Operators

Implementation focused view on sector innovations and approaches to transition.

  • Junaid Iqbal, Director of Sustainability, AIA Malaysia (Moderator)

  • Teresa Wong, Chief Risk Officer, Zurich General Insurance Malaysia Berhad

  • Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Takaful Association

  • Gerry Lemcke, Head Product Management – Public Sector Solutions, Swiss Re

2:25 pm - 4:30 pm

Breakout Session: Innovation for Transition: Asset Managers

Implementation focused view on sector innovations and approaches to transition.

  • Muhammad Syarizal, Partner, Ernst & Young (EY)

  • Muazzam Mohamad, Senior Vice President & Head of Investment Stewardship, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)

  • Angelia Chin Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer, BNP Paribas Asset Management Singapore and Head of Distribution South East Asia [slides]

  • Serena Li, Manager of Investor Practice, Asia Investor Group on Climate Change [slides]

  • Jono Broome, Associate Director, Client Advisory Team, Morningstar Sustainalytics

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