USAID GREEN INVEST ASIA FORUM
USAID GREEN INVEST ASIA FORUM:
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Date: May 18-19, 2023
Venue: Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
USAID Green Invest Asia organized this in-person forum at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, which convened near 200 industry leaders, buyers, processors, investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), donors, and others with business interest in sustainable agriculture and forestry sectors in Southeast Asia. The event marked the close out of USAID Green Invest Asia after six years transforming the sustainable agriculture and forestry sectors in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with business, investor, and financial institution partners. Participants shared information, experiences, and best practices on sustainable land use business models through five panel discussions and networking side events for investors and environmentally and socially responsible land use businesses. Presentation available here.
MAY
18 – 19
2023
BANGKOK
THAILAND
AGENDA
12:00 – 13:00
Registration
13:00 – 13:15
Welcome speech

Christy Owen
USAID Green Invest Asia

Steve Olive, Ph.D.,
USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia
13:15 – 13:30
Introduction

Christy Owen
USAID Green Invest Asia
13:30 – 14:30
Panel discussion 1
Investing in Agriculture and Forestry Climate Solutions: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
Investment in sustainable agriculture and forestry remains a key priority for the Southeast Asia region to accelerate sustainable production and help meet net-zero emissions commitments by companies and others. While more capital is being made increasingly available, deployment still remains slow despite the increasing urgency climate change poses to existing business models and our way of life. Drawing from their unique perspectives, investor panelists will explore how the investment landscape for sustainable agriculture and forestry in Southeast Asia has evolved over the past 5 years.
What is emerging as key trends for investors?
How are investors addressing climate change challenges and opportunities in the region?
What are the clear opportunities for investment going forward and what are the barriers to making those real?

Carrie Heng
New Forests

Nicolas Hayon
Mirova

Cédric Chaudron
Rabobank

Susan Olsen, CFA
Asian Development Bank, Thailand Resident Mission (TRM)
Moderator

John McGinley
USAID Green Invest Asia/MSP
14:30 – 15:00
Coffee Break, Networking, and Exhibitions
15:00 – 16:00
Panel discussion 2
Power of Partnerships: Collaboration for Sector and Landscape Level Impact
Partnerships have emerged as key in successfully addressing the climate crisis in Southeast Asia. Whether those are public-private partnerships that provide blended finance or pre-competitive partnerships among companies, the growing consensus is that solutions are more sustainable and impactful if they are designed collaboratively and share risk. Panelists will share their partnership experiences-what works, how to identify the right partners, and what results have been achieved that accelerate positive environmental and social outcomes.

Jessica Wettstein
Barry Callebaut

Michal Zrust
Lestari Capital

Steve Olive, Ph.D.,
USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia

Wouter De Smet
Nestlé
Moderator

Christy Owen,
USAID Green Invest Asia
16:00 – 17:00
Panel discussion 3
Meeting Climate Commitments: Carbon Baselines, Traceability and Verification
Aligning with the belief that you cannot manage what you do not measure, the role of metrics and real time data is increasingly important for investors as well as companies seeking to meet sustainability commitments. However, quantifying and setting baselines for carbon emissions-particularly Scope 3 is time consuming and presents several challenges for companies with complex supply chains. Similarly, advances in GIS and remote sensing make monitoring forest loss and land use change more accurate and easier, but the technology has not been fully integrated into business or investor practices. Panelists will discuss the metrics which matter most for their business, how they are establishing baselines, and what tools and technologies are helping them make progress and attract investment toward net-zero emissions and zero-deforestation.

Do Ngoc Sy
JDE Peet’s

Christian Bustamante
Halcyon Agri Corporation Limited

Dr. Nguyen Hanh Quyen
SERVIR-Southeast Asia / Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)

Lyra Pinto
South Pole
Moderator

Barry Flaming
USAID Green Invest Asia
17:00 – 20:00
Network and Cocktail Reception Co-hosted by Global Coffee Platform (GCP)
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023
8:30 – 9:00
Registration
9:00 – 10:00
Panel discussion 4
Carbon Markets: What is the Future of Carbon Credits?
The Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) has surged forward within the last 5 years. Fueled by net-zero commitments and the interest of corporations to offset carbon emissions in the short term as well as by growing interest of investors and companies alike to tap into a nature-based revenue stream that contributes to mitigating climate impacts, the demand for carbon credits has grown significantly in recent years. This growth has further highlighted some of the challenges with carbon market projects related to transparency concerns, verification hurdles, and investment-ready supply. Panelists will discuss how the carbon markets in Southeast Asia are developing, how carbon credits can form part of the solution for mitigating climate impacts, and what steps need to be taken to ensure the challenges facing the carbon market are effectively addressed.

Dr. Riza Suarga
Agraus Resources

Jonathan Joson
Kennemer Eco Solutions, Inc.

Bryan McCann
Climate Impact X

Jérémie de Charentenay
Livelihoods Ventures

Martalena Nurseno, CFA
Freepoint Commodities Singapore Pte Ltd
Moderator

Nick Boerema
USAID Green Invest Asia
10:00 – 10:30
Coffee Break, Networking, and Exhibitions
10:00 – 11:30
Panel discussion 5
Investing in Inclusivity: Benefits for smallholders, Women, and Vulnerable Populations
While economic outcomes and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are important priorities for the private sector, for sustainable climate outcomes that ensure a just transition and living incomes, ensuring that benefits are shared with smallholder farmers, women and vulnerable populations is crucial for positive long-term impacts and success. What are current approaches and strategies to distribute economic benefits to those most at risk to climate change and on whom global supply chains rely to produce commodities we use in daily life? Panelists will discuss how their business models are inclusive to the needs of communities, and what more needs to be done to address challenges faced by smallholders, women and other vulnerable groups.

Mark Koppejan
Rabo Foundation

Todd Johnson
USAID

Maiprae Loyen
AgriAc

Regan Pairojmahakij
The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC)

Lol Toeng
Conserve Indigenous Peoples Languages Organization (CIPL)
Moderator

Phuong Tran
USAID Green Invest Asia
11:30 – 11:40
Closing remarks

Sashi Jayatileke
USAID
11:40 – 13:30
Lunch and networking
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