Climate Conference for SMEs 2025
17
Nov 2025
Climate Conference for SMEs 2025
Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur
JC3 SME Focus Group (SFG) hosted the inaugural JC3 SFG Climate Conference for SMEs 2025 - a dynamic platform where small businesses met big ideas and practical solutions for a greener, more sustainable future.
This conference brought together regulators, financial institutions, climate solution providers and SME leaders to explore practical solutions for sustainable business growth.
Agenda
SFG Climate Conference for SMEs 2025 - Programme Agenda
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Registration
9:00 am - 9:10 am
Welcoming Remarks
Ng Wei Wei
Chief Executive Officer of United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (UOB)
9:10 am - 9:20 am
Keynote Address by Assistant Governor
Madelena Mohamed
Bank Negara Malaysia and Co-Chair of Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3)
9:20 am - 9:35 am
Showcase 1
ESG Jumpstart Portal x imSME: Powering SMEs for a Sustainable Future by Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) and SME Focus Group (SFG)
Explore the refreshed ESG Jumpstart Portal, developed by the JC3 SME Focus Group and now seamlessly integrated into CGC’s imSME platform. With its modern look, intuitive navigation, and user-friendly design, the portal delivers a streamlined experience for SMEs. It offers curated ESG resources, step-by-step guides, self-assessment tools, and direct access to green financing—making sustainability adoption simpler, smarter, and more actionable. This showcase demonstrates how the portal jumpstarts the ESG journey, helping SMEs take confident steps toward a greener future with clarity and ease.
9:35 am - 9:45 am
Showcase 2
From Floods to Fortitude: RAFt for SMEs Recovery and Resilience by Bank Negara Malaysia.
Malaysia has seen a rise in flood events in recent years, posing significant challenges to communities and businesses alike. As such events become more frequent and severe, there is an urgent need for proactive adaptation measures beyond public flood mitigation efforts. Recognising this, Bank Negara Malaysia has reoriented its Disaster Relief Facility into the Relief and Adaptation Facility (RAFt), to promote small and medium enterprises' (SMEs) flood preparedness and business resilience against floods. With this shift, RAFt goes beyond recovery and financial relief, empowering SMEs to adapt, endure, and thrive in the face of climate change.
9:45 am - 10:30 am
Panel Session 1
Future-Proofing SMEs: Climate Risks, Opportunities & Strategic Actions.
SMEs can expect to gain clarity on how climate-related regulations, market trends, and ESG expectations are reshaping business operations. The session highlights sustainability as a strategic advantage, not just a compliance requirement, offering insights into how SMEs can stay competitive and resilient in a low-carbon economy. Speakers will share practical strategies and mindset shifts needed to kickstart or accelerate climate action. SMEs will leave with a better understanding of available support, emerging opportunities, and the importance of integrating sustainability into core business decisions.
Ahmad Haniff Jamaludin
Deputy Director, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)
Dr. Wong Wai Khuen
Senior Principal Assistant Director, Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry, Malaysia (MITI)
Leong See Meng
Director of Origination & Listing, Bursa Malaysia
Azizi Mustafa
Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF)
Datuk Wira Lim Chiun Cheong
Chairman, Industry and ESG Committee of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM)
10:30 am - 10:40 am
Showcase 3
Simplifying Adoption of the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG): GHG Emissions Calculator, Adopter Programme and Tutorial Support by Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)
This session will provide a practical walkthrough of key tools developed to support the implementation of the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) for SMEs in supply chains. Participants will be introduced to the Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator, which helps SMEs identify their major emission sources in line with the ‘Emissions’ disclosure requirements of the SEDG. The calculator enables businesses to estimate both absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, as well as emissions intensity per unit revenue — using data readily available from their operations. The session will also highlight the SEDG Adopter Programme, which equips companies, financial institutions, and industry partners with guidance and resources to facilitate SEDG implementation across their supply chains, fostering greater assurance in ESG reporting. Speaker: Farina Farid, Head of Communications, Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM)
10:40 am - 11:00 am
Break and Booth Visits
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Panel Session 2
Navigating the Climate Landscape for SMEs (Challenges and Catalysts)
Participants will gain sectoral insights from a report commissioned by Alliance Bank on Malaysian SMEs navigating the ESG landscape, highlighting their challenges and assistance needed, as well as discussion on available support (e.g. grants, financing, adaptation products) provided by ecosystem partners, for SMEs to embark on sustainability journey.
Edey Suresh
Board Director at Large, UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB)
Roy Heong
Chief Sustainability Officer, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
Teresa Wong
Chief Risk Officer, Zurich General Insurance Malaysia
Syed Kamal Muzaffa
Director of Sustainability Division, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
12:00 pm - 1:00 am
Panel Session 3
Empowering SMEs: Success Stories and Lessons for Enhancing Bankability and Integration of Sustainability Practices.
This session explores the real experiences of Malaysian SMEs as they navigate the uncertainties, obstacles, and opportunities of climate transition, highlighting the importance of building business resilience. It highlights how leveraging ecosystem support can enhance SME bankability and readiness to decarbonise, drawing on success stories and lessons learnt from both SMEs and ecosystem partners.
Azmir Abdullah
Regional Head, Sustainable Finance, Group Commercial & Transaction Banking, CIMB Group Berhad
Dr. John Loh
Co-Founder, Emerging EPC Sdn Bhd
Harith Green Carpenter
Founder, The Green Factory
Chan Sow Keong
Co-Founder / CEO, Green Lagoon Technology Sdn Bhd
Nomis Sim Siang Leng
Group Managing Director, Unitrade Industries Berhad
1:00 am - 2:40 am
Lunch and Booth Visits
2:40 am - 2:50 am
Showcase 4
SME Loss Prevention Framework: Flood and Fire Risk Management by Generali and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
At the JC3 SFG Climate Conference for SMEs, Generali Insurance Malaysia will present the latest enhancements to the SME Loss Prevention Framework (SME LPF)—a digital tool developed in collaboration with UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility. Initially designed to help small businesses build resilience against flood risks, the framework offers practical, data-driven guidance tailored to SMEs, and is in its next iteration with a key enhancement of a new Fire risks module. The enhanced SME LPF now includes: A Loss Prevention Action Plan: A step-by-step guide and downloadable toolkit to help SMEs reduce risks and recover quickly. A new Fire Risk and Prevention module: Covering 19 trade occupations, it identifies top fire hazards and provides targeted preventive actions. Improved Risk Classification: Updated with five years of claims data, the tool now offers more accurate flood risk assessments based on location. Hosted on Generali Malaysia’s website, the SME LPF empowers businesses with actionable insights to protect their operations in the face of climate challenges and other risks.
Haris Abdul Rahim
Vice President – Products, Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad
2:50 am - 3:50 am
Deep Dive 1
Energy Efficiency for SMEs - Reduce Emission and Cost
An overview of Malaysia’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024 and its business implications, with practical guidance for SMEs to reduce GHG emissions and manage costs through sector-specific examples and step-by-step solutions.
Chow Sheng Wai
Chief Sustainability Officer, Hong Leong Bank Berhad (HLB)
Ahmad Firdaus Kamarazaman
Deputy Director, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Energy Commission Malaysia (ST)
Ar. Zulkifli Zahari
President, Malaysian Association of Energy Service Companies (MAESCO)
Zakiah Mat Esa
Chief Sustainability Officer, Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank)
Peter CW Tan
President, Malaysian Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Association (MACRA)
3:50 am - 4:15 am
Break and Booth Visits
4:15 am - 5:15 am
Deep Dive 2
Green Certifications
An overview of the green certification landscape for SMEs, including avenues to pursue green certifications and the available support available in the market. The session will also highlight the importance of responding to market expectations (internal and external) and benefits of obtaining green certifications.
Mohd Sunny Tan Bin Mohd Saiful Tan
Deputy Director, Knowledge & Learning, Public Bank Berhad
Mohamed Ridza Mohamed Abdulla
Managing Partner, Mohamed Ridza & Co (MRCO)
Angus Salim bin Salleh Amran
Group Chief Sustainability Officer, RHB Bank Berhad (RHB)
Sabihah Saleh
Director of Green Growth Division, Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporations (MGTC)
Kamini A/P M. Sooriamoorthy
Section Head and Principal Auditor, SIRIM QAS International, SIRIM Berhad
Syazly Salleh
Business Development Manager, Sustainability & Climate Change, Bureau Veritas Certification (Malaysia)
5:15 am - 5:30 am
Wrap-up and Closing Remarks by SFG Co-Chair
Moreen Joseph
Chief Sustainability Officer of United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (UOB)
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