Unlocking Capital for Sustainability

Established since 2018, Unlocking capital for sustainability is an annual premiere event organised by Eco-Business in partnership with UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that brings together high-level decision makers in finance, business, government and civic society to discuss and commit to actionable initiatives that mobilise the capital markets for sustainable development.

The financial sector stands at a crossroads of change: Since the 2008 global financial crisis, the role of finance in building equitable, sustainable economies has been extensively debated across societies. Set amid this backdrop is the rise of sustainable finance, which allocates capital with an environmental, social and governance (ESG) lens to create long-term value for all stakeholders. Despite the encouraging momentum, however, the deployment of sustainability-driven capital remains small relatively to the size of global markets. Unlocking capital for sustainability aims to accelerate the growth and adoption of sustainable finance in capital markets, with a particular emphasis on Asia Pacific.

Singapore

Transforming Asia: Mobilising finance at speed and scale

September 12, 2024

Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay

What we're talking about

Synopsis

As the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline looms, United Nations officials have issued a stark warning: despite notable strides in Asia, no single country is on track to meet the critical goals. At the current pace, it will take another 32 years for the region to achieve the 2030 agenda.

The next five years are pivotal. To bridge the trillion-dollar funding gap necessary for Asia to regain momentum, we must mobilise resources through clear policies, robust investment plans, and strategic partnerships.

Sustainable finance is critical in achieving these goals. With comprehensive regional taxonomies now established, what measures are needed for green finance to be scaled with speed? What role will transition finance play in the region?

Asia’s growing marketplace for carbon credits also presents an opportunity to galvanize funding, but how will governments and businesses leverage this mechanism while maintaining credibility? Amid our global biodiversity crisis, how will regulatory frameworks evolve to enable companies to integrate nature and biodiversity risks into their business decisions?

Unlocking capital for sustainability 2024 will be hosted in six countries across Asia this year — in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and China/HK with the main summit being held in Singapore to discuss the responses to these urgent questions. These multinational meetings, in its seventh edition, will convene policymakers, business leaders and civil society to explore innovative ways to accelerate progress in meeting these ambitious targets.

Key Speakers

Singapore

Advancing sustainable finance for nature in Asia

September 11, 2024

Capital Tower, Level 9, Left Brain & Right Brain

What we're talking about

Synopsis

Gain industry-first insights on nature-related finance, policies, and strategies at 'Advancing sustainable finance for nature in Asia', a special one-day masterclass organised by Eco-Business and UNEP FI.

Key Speakers

Malaysia

Decarbonising growth, accelerating sustainability

July 24, 2024

Securities Commission Malaysia, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

What we're talking about

Synopsis

The momentum on climate action has gained pace in Malaysia in the past year, with new government-led directives and national roadmaps launched to accelerate the energy transition and spur investments into the country’s burgeoning green economy.

This year’s Malaysian edition of Unlocking capital for sustainability seeks to bring together leaders across government, private sector, academia and civil society to shed light on these questions and explore the way forward.

Key Speakers

Philippines

A new nexus for energy and nature in the Philippines

August 14, 2024

Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

What we're talking about

Synopsis

How can the Philippines unlock more funding to support the new era of nature and energy? What frameworks are needed to make transition finance an effective tool for hard-to-abate sectors? Unlocking Capital for Sustainability Philippines 2024 will convene leaders and decision-makers across the government, financial institutions and civic society to explore how to enable an equitable transition. 

Key Speakers

Indonesia

Integrating sustainable finance: A nation in transition

June 20, 2024

Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan

What we're talking about

Synopsis

Unlocking capital for sustainability 2024: Indonesia will convene leaders and decision-makers to discuss developments in the country’s energy transition journey, and the challenges they must navigate in the years ahead.

Key Speakers