Understanding Climate Risks: Launch of The ASEAN Climate Governance Network

CGM is delighted to announce the launch of the ASEAN Network for Climate Governance. Climate Governance Initiative is a project in collaboration with the World Economic Forum with the aim of promoting the Principles for Effective Climate Governance.

After months of dialogue and consultation with directors and institutes of directors in ASEAN, we have resolved to launch this network to raise awareness of climate risks which will disproportionately affect this region. As responsible long-term stewards of the organization, this network is intended to mobilize boards and directors to focus on the climate crisis and climate transition priorities.

Business are responsible for most of the emissions around the world and when considering the decarbonisation which the world has committed to [via the Paris Agreement], directors, as long-term stewards need to be mindful of their responsibilities in curbing these emissions; identifying financial risks arising from climate risks; managing a smooth transition to a decarbonised economy which governments, regulators, allocators of capital (such as investors and banks), employees and consumers are expecting of the board; ensuring climate literacy and awareness is acculturated throughout the organisation, to increase the resilience of the business; and recognizing opportunities which might arise as a result of this transition, which could create value for the business.

This means the board of directors need to be sufficiently climate literate and implement climate governance principles to help them manage this process.

Join us for this launch as we kick off this important conversation!

Agenda

Launch of the ASEAN Climate Governance Network

3pm-5pm Monday 14 February 2022

Welcome by Sunita Rajakumar, Chairman, Climate Governance Malaysia and Karina Litvack, Chairman Climate Governance Initiative (5 min)

Keynote "Overview of ASEAN Climate Risks" by Anouj Mehta, Unit Head, Green and Innovative Finance and the ACGF, Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (10 min)

Keynote "ASEAN Climate Transition" by Eugene Wong, CEO, Sustainable Finance Institute Asia (10 min)

Keynote "Code Red - Asia Pacific’s Time To Go Green" by Dr Victoria Hatton, Director, Sustainability and Climate Change from PwC New Zealand (10 min)

Session I "Enhancing Climate Resilience of ASEAN Businesses" (40 min)

Dominic Scriven, Dragon Capital, Vietnam

Vicky Bowman, Myanmar Institute of Directors, Myanmar

Anthony Chin, MARUHAN Japan Bank, Laos

Moderator: Datuk Seri Johan Raslan, Climate Governance Malaysia

Session II "Directors' Role in the Climate Crisis" (40 min)

Ria BWS Pardede Sidabutar, Indonesia Institute of Directors

Kulvech "Colin" Janvatanavit, Thailand Institute of Directors

Dante Briones, Institute of Corporate Directors, Philippines

Moderator: Shai Ganu, Climate Governance Singapore

Speaker Profiles

Karina Litvack is the Founder and Chairman of the Climate Governance Initiative. Karina is a corporate governance and sustainable investment expert with a 25-year career in finance and sustainable business practice. She currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Italian oil & gas major Eni SpA, where she is also a member of the Controls & Risks Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Sustainability & Scenarios Committee. She also serves on several other boards and advisory bodies, including the Board of Directors of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR); the Global Advisory Council of Cornerstone Capital Inc.; the sustainable development advisory bodies of Lafarge and SAP; and the Transparency International-UK Advisory Council. Until December 2012, Karina ran the Governance and Sustainable Investment activities of F&C Investments, a UK institutional investor, where she acted on behalf of client portfolios collectively worth approximately £160 billion, focusing on equity research, shareholder activism and public policy engagement. Prior to joining F&C, Karina managed the redevelopment of derelict inner-city properties for the City of New York, and worked for PaineWebber Inc in corporate finance and private placements. Karina holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, a BA in Political Economy from the University of Toronto, and a Diploma in Italian Translation and Interpretation from the UK’s Royal Society of Linguists. She holds French and Canadian nationalities, and is married with three adult daughters.

Datin Sunita Rajakumar is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Climate Governance Malaysia, the country chapter of the World Economic Forum’s Climate Governance Initiative. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia as well as Singapore Institute of Directors, a member of the Global Advisory Board of Nottingham University's School of Business, the Advisory Panel of the UN Global Compact Malaysia’s Sustainability Centre of Excellence, and supports the CEO Action Network, an industry led initiative to increase sustainability and climate resilience. She is an independent director of Bursa-listed companies Dutch Lady Milk Industries (Chairman) and Berjaya Corporation; as well as MCIS Insurance (a member of the Sanlam group) and Zurich General Insurance, and serves as trustee of 5 charitable foundations.

Anouj Mehta focuses on Innovative and Green Finance across Southeast Asia. Through SERD innovative finance hub, he manages the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance facility, including the Green Climate Fund approved "Green Recovery Program," one of the first such in Asia. He also led other initiatives and partnerships aimed at developing sustainable and leveraged finance projects. His focus on green finance since 2015 led to the development of ADB's first Catalyzing Green Finance publication and related ADB projects in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Southeast Asia as well as the launch of the recent "Green Recovery Strategies Post COVID-19" knowledge product. Previously Anouj led a pioneering PPP and sub-sovereign initiative in India from both the ADB and the World Bank. Anouj was an investment banker at JP Morgan Chase prior to joining ADB and has expertise in mergers and acquisitions, project and corporate finance, capital markets, sovereign and non-sovereign infrastructure financing.

Eugene Wong is the Chief Executive Officer of SFIA, an independent institute established to catalyse  ideas on Sustainable Finance at the policy level in Asia, particularly in ASEAN, as well as propel action  in support of those policy ideas.  Eugene was previously the Managing Director, Corporate Finance & Investments of the Securities  Commission Malaysia (“SC”). He oversaw the SC’s ASEAN related initiatives and was a Chair of the  Deputies of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (“ACMF”), the Co-Chair of its Sustainable Finance  Working Group (“SFWG”) and a Co-Chair of the ASEAN Working Committee on Capital Market  Development. At the SC, he also oversaw matters related to accounting for capital markets and served  as a member of the Audit Oversight Board and an Adviser to the Malaysian Accounting Standards  Board.  Prior to joining the SC, Eugene held positions in a merchant bank, a stockbroking company and in the  corporate finance division of an international accounting firm.  Eugene is a Fellow of CPA Australia, Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and  a Chartered Accountant of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. He has an Advanced Diploma in  Corporate Finance from The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) and holds  a B. Comm. from the University of Melbourne. He is also a member of Climate Bonds Initiative’s  International Advisory Panel.

Dr. Victoria Hatton is a passionate net zero strategist and systems thinker, Victoria has a deep desire to work alongside clients as they navigate their way through the complex climate change conversation and challenges.  Victoria recently joined PwC bringing over a decade of experience working in climate change adaptation and mitigation, both in New Zealand and internationally. She works with a range of clients including government departments, large and medium sized organisations, local councils, and charities. She has a PhD in geography, using community participation in local planning decision making. Victoria also specialises in agri-food production and technology, drawing on her involvement working for the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome. Victoria is passionate about creating a better future through the work she does. She actively challenges others to do the best they can to limit their impact on the climate. Unfortunately, the world is warming, and Victoria strives to be able to look her children in the eyes and know she has made a difference to the future world they will grow up in. Victoria is originally from the UK and New Zealand has been her home since 2005. She is an F45 junkie, loves music, tramping, the beach and sunshine.

Dominic Scriven graduated from Exeter University in 1985 with a degree in Law and Sociology.  Shortly thereafter, he went to Hong Kong, where he worked in fund management and broking  with M&G, Sun Hung Kai, Citicorp and Peregrine. In 1991 he moved to Hanoi and studied  Vietnamese for two years before co-founding Dragon Capital in 1994. Dominic was awarded  an OBE in 2006 for his contribution to relations between the UK and Vietnam. For his work  in developing the country’s capital markets, the HCMC People’s Committee gave him a  Recognition Award in 2008, and the President of Vietnam bestowed a Labor Order, Third  Class on him in 2014. His interests and passions range from Vietnamese art – to biodiversity  and eliminating the illegal trade in wildlife.

Vicky Bowman has been the Director of Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) since July 2013. Prior to that, she led global mining company Rio Tinto's policy approach to transparency, human rights and resource nationalism/resource curse issues from 2011. She was Director of Global & Economic Issues and G8 sous-Sherpa for the United Kingdom from 2008-2011 and Head of the Southern Africa Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Government from 2006-2007. Vicky served as ambassador of the UK to Myanmar from 2002-2006 and as second secretary in the Embassy from 1990-1993. She has also worked in Brussels as Member of Cabinet of European Commissioner Chris Patten (1999-2002) and as press spokeswoman for the UK representation to the EU (1996-1999).

Vicky has an MA in Natural Sciences (Pathology) from University of Cambridge, is an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of University of Bradford (Division of Peace Studies and International Development). She speaks Burmese and is married to Myanmar artist Htein Lin.

Anthony Chin is currently the Chief Executive Officer of MARUHAN Japan Bank with 23 years of extensive banking experience. He was previously with a major banking group in Malaysia, with expertise in many key areas such as strategy, digital, distribution, marketing, credit, operations, technology, collections, transformation and project & change management, amongst others. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Chin held numerous senior leadership roles such as Deputy Managing Director, Acting Head of Retail & SME Banking, Executive Vice President of Group Digital Experience, Innovation & Culture Transformation, and Chairman of Group Digital Security Council (cyber security) and experienced various work & project assignments across Asia Pacific. He has led his organization to win many notable & prestigious awards. Aside from being a Certified Credit Professional (Corporate) by the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers in 2001, he was also conferred a Chartered Banker (CB) status, jointly awarded in 2019 by the Chartered Banker Institute UK & Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers. Mr. Chin is Lean Six Sigma-trained and is currently a member of the Malaysian Business Council Laos and Laos National Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Credit) majoring in Finance & Marketing from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia and has a Master of Business Administration degree from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland.

Dato’ Seri Johan Raslan is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee chairman of Sime Darby Property Berhad, a company listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia. He has served as a director of two other Malaysian public-listed companies. He is also currently a board member of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) and the Securities Commission’s Audit Oversight Board (AOB). He worked in auditing and advisory for 10 years in London, and for 20 years in Kuala Lumpur, culminating with his serving as Executive Chairman of PwC Malaysia. Johan is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), a member of Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and of the Malaysian Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA). He is a former President of the MICPA and a former Chairman of the Financial Reporting Foundation, the body which oversees the work of the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board. He is a mentor for the Malaysian chapter of the 30% Club, a global business-led campaign to increase the proportion of female directors of public-listed companies. Johan is also an active member of the Steering Committee of the CEO Action Network (CAN), and also of the Council of Climate Governance Malaysia (CGM).

Kulvech ‘Colin’ Janvatanavit has led CAC (Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption) under the supervision of the IOD. CAC is a private sector platform that addresses corruption issues in Thailand. He is currently a director at The Financial Institutions Policy Committee (FIPC), one of the main committees in the Bank of Thailand. The FIPC is responsible for setting prudential policies, regulations, and supervisory practices to ensure the safety and stability of Thailand’s financial institutions. Kulvech is also currently a member of the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s Sustainability Award Committee. Before he was working at the IOD, Kulvech was a partner at PwC, helping clients integrate sustainable development into their business operations. His team assisted several leading Asian multinational businesses in developing sustainability strategies to adapt to the ever‐changing global business landscape. Kulvech holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development (MSRED) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and International Business from Sasin GIBA, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.

Ria BWS Pardede Sidabutar, SH, MBA, currently serves as Member of the Board at P.T. MBK Ventura as the nominee director of the IFC, World Bank. This company engages in micro-finance using a Grameen Bank model, with 1.2 million women customers and 5,000 women employees. She is also passionate in community buildings involving women among others : up to now active in woman leadership training at the grass-root. Designed and delivered a Health and Clean program with local Government of Serdang Bedaggai (East- Sumatera) and a cloth promotion program (Tenun Batubara) with local government of Batubara (East Sumatera). She as well spends time as a part-time lecturer at University Management Program as a give-back activitst to future generations, to observe Biz Ethics, specifically GCG. She is an active trainer and facilitator under the auspices of IICD (IOD Indonesia) for corporate directors (Public and State Owned Enterprises) on GCG and Sustainabilty. She has more than 35 years of experience in senior positions at financial institutions including The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A-Jakarta, Member of Board of Director (Compliance) in Bank Danamon Tbk and Non-Executive Director (Independent Commissioner) in PT Dunamis Intra Sarana, PT Dunamis Instramitra, PT Dunamis Intimaster, PT Bank Pikko and PT Bank ICB Bumiputera (Tbk). She also holds Master Degree in Business Administration from De Montfort University, Leicester-UK and Bachelor of International Law Degree from University of Indonesia.

Dante M. Briones is an advocate of the environment and clean energy, an entrepreneur, a teacher and a leader, Dante is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of SasonbiSolar, a solar PV systems integrator. He is a Board Member of Oronax Development Corporation and Micro-D International, Inc. and is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors. He was an IT industry veteran, having served as President & CEO of ABM Global Solutions as well as CIO of leading multinational and local companies such as Coca Cola Bottlers Phils. and JG Summit Holdings, Inc. He was a member of the faculty of the UP College of Engineering. Dante is a member of the Management Association of the Philippines, the UP IE Alumni Association, and the Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers. He was President of the Philippine Solar Power Alliance, the country’s solar industry association. Dante holds a Master’s degree in in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University. He was recipient of the UPAE Distinguished Alumnus Award for Industrial Engineering.

Shai Ganu leads the Rewards business in Asia Pacific for Willis Towers Watson – covering Board Advisory, Management Consulting, and Data Services portfolios. He also heads the Talent & Rewards business segment across ASEAN and South Asia. Shai leads a team of 450 exceptional consultants providing human capital advisory, data, and software solutions to organizations across the region. This includes advising companies on their executive compensation, board effectiveness, performance management, talent management, sales effectiveness, and Diversity & Inclusion strategies. Shai is a member and faculty at Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia, Singapore Institute of Directors, and Philippines Institute of Corporate Directors. He is an associate lecturer at Singapore Management University (SMU) and conducts training courses for Directors on Remuneration and Talent Management matters for the Singapore Institute of Directors-SMU diploma. Shai frequently contributes his views and opinion to Harvard Business Review, Business Times and other publications on Executive Pay and Corporate Governance. He was the lead author for the Remuneration Committee Guidebook for Singapore Institute of Directors, and has also written chapters for HR textbook for MBA courses. Shai serves on the Boards and HR Committees of leading companies and not-for-profit organizations in the region.