CPG was delighted to contribute a keynote speech to the “Strategic Climate Action Event – Building Resilience Across Sectors,” held in Bangkok on 14–15 September and organized by DEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of KfW Group, one of the world’s leading transformation and promotional banks. Bringing together business representatives, experts, and practitioners from across Southeast Asia and beyond, the event explored practical approaches to building more resilient, competitive, and future-ready businesses in a changing climate, with discussions spanning climate strategy, decarbonization, climate risk management, renewable energy, and sustainable business transformation.

CPG Director Henning Glaser contributed a broader strategic perspective in his keynote, “The Future of Strategic Climate Action in Southeast Asia: Conditions, Challenges and Trajectories.” Complementing the practical company perspectives that ran through the program, he examined how rising physical climate exposure, expanding development and energy demand, growing transformation investment needs, and constrained financing capacity are increasingly moving out of alignment in Southeast Asia. He also placed these pressures in a wider context in which climate action is becoming more closely intertwined with energy security, industrial policy, trade, and geopolitical competition.

A central theme was the shift from ambition to capability: while targets and commitments remain indispensable, the next phase of strategic climate action will increasingly depend on the ability of companies, institutions, and financial systems to convert ambition into capital allocation and implementation.

CPG Program Manager Lucas Meier also participated in the two-day event and appreciated the many opportunities to exchange with participating companies and experts, gain first-hand insights into the practical challenges of climate transformation across different sectors and markets, and engage in interesting conversations throughout the program.

We greatly valued the opportunity to contribute and thank Benjamin Brink, Regional Director Thailand at DEG, and the entire DEG team for the excellent organization, thoughtful program, and open and welcoming atmosphere.