abrdn Sustainability Summit 2022
abrdn hosted our first Sustainability Summit, Asia Pacific, on 24th May 2022
The theme addresses the extraordinary times we live in - as we face geopolitical conflict and macroeconomic uncertainty, amidst increased urgency for sustainability progress.
Effectively addressing global sustainability challenges requires collaboration across governments, businesses, individuals, and many others. This is especially critical in Asia Pacific - a diverse region with countries in different stages of growth but also, where progress could be a global game-changer.
The Summit conversations focused on where action and inflows of money is required, to accelerate us towards more sustainable horizons in the region, and beyond.
The event is brought to you by the Sustainability Institute, Asia Pacific (APAC).
Watch our Summit Highlights
Our sessions
Keynote address – The future of smart cities is a sustainable one
Sustainability in APAC – What investors should look out for
Investors need to stay informed on sustainability themes and regulations to construct resilient, long horizon portfolios. Hear about how climate change, net-zero policies, biodiversity etc… impact APAC’s sustainability journey ahead.
Moderator: Pruksa Iamthongthong, Senior Investment Director, Asian Equities, abrdn
Panellists:
- Danielle Welsh-Rose, Head of Sustainability Specialists and Head of Sustainability Institute APAC, abrdn
- Amanda Young, Chief Sustainability Officer, abrdn
- Jeremy Lawson, Chief Economist, Head of the Research Institute, abrdn
Mobilising capital to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals in APAC
APAC is behind the curve on the SDGs, investors have to mobilise more capital to meet the 2030 target, which presents investment opportunity.
Moderator: Amanda Young, Chief Sustainability Officer, abrdn
Panellists:
- Rob Kaplan, CEO, Circulate Capital
- Smita Luthra Nakhooda, Senior Results Management Specialist Results Management and Aid Effectiveness Division, Asian Development Bank
- Kim Farrant, General Manager Responsible Investing, HESTA
The climate crisis and the necessity of a just transition
APAC has a pivotal role in the energy transition; in fact, the success or failure of the world meeting a net zero by 2050 goal may depend on APAC. But a transition needs to ensure communities are not left behind. There are investment risks and opportunities in a just energy transition
Moderator: Jeremy Lawson, Chief Economist, Head of the Research Institute, abrdn
Panellists:
- Dr. Darian McBain, Chief Sustainability Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
- Dr. Ke Fang, Director General, Implementation Monitoring Department, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- Rizal Mohamed Ali, VP Responsible Investment, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan), KWAP
Reversing biodiversity loss – why natural capital matters
Biodiversity loss and the role of natural capital are issues that investors need to understand, in the same way as climate change. Investors need to understand the risks, and the role of nature-based investments in their portfolio
Moderator: Amanda Young, Chief Sustainability Officer, abrdn
Panellists:
- Zoe Whitton, Partner, Pollination Group
- Anders Nordheim, Head of Asia Sustainable Finance, WWF
Innovative solutions for a sustainable future
Innovation, new ideas and technology development are needed to address APAC’s sustainability challenges. APAC rising to the occasion. These may also present early stage investment opportunities
Host: David Smith, Senior Investment Director, Asian equities, abrdn
Panellists:
- Mikkel Larson, CEO, Climate Impact X
- Spencer Low, CEO, Travel Retail, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, SATS
- Vandita Pant, Chief Commercial Officer, BHP
Effective sustainability strategies for alpha generation
There is increasing evidence that good ESG practices drive positive financial returns. ESG integration and active ownership can generate alpha.
Moderator: Flavia Chong, Head of Equities, Asia Pacific, abrdn
Panellists:
- David Smith, Senior Investment Director, Asian Equities, abrdn
- Adam McCabe, Head of Fixed Income, Asia Pacific, abrdn
- Julien Lepine, , Senior Investment Specialist - Multi-Asset & Solutions
- Satyan Sanghrajka, Head of APAC Real Estate Business Strategy & Investment Specialists, RE Investment Management, abrdn
Green inflation – Separating facts from fiction
Dispelling the myth on green inflation and discussing strategies that will help insulate portfolios against inflationary pressures
Moderator: Kenneth Akintewe, Head Sovereign Debt, Fixed Income Asia, abrdn
Jeremy Lawson, Chief Economist, Head of the Research Institute, abrdn
Engagement and divestment – is one better than the other?
Dispelling the myth on green inflation and discussing strategies that will help insulate portfolios against inflationary pressures
Moderator: David Smith, Senior Investment Director, Asian Equities, abrdn
Panellists:
- Michelle Lopez, Head of Australian Equities, abrdn
- Emily Zhou, Portfolio Management Officer, AIIB
- Nicole Lim, Investment Analyst - ESG, Fixed Income – Asia, abrdn
Decision Making: Net zero and climate scenario analysis
Climate-related scenario analysis is critical to better understand and anticipate the future impacts of climate change on individual companies and portfolios, and therefore to build more climate resilient investments.
Presenters:
- Jeremy Lawson, Chief Economist, Head of the Research Institute, abrdn
- Camille Simeon, Investment Director, Asian Equities, abrdn
- Jerry Goh, Investment manager, Asian equities, abrdn