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 is organizing the in-person USAID GREEN INVEST ASIA FORUM: SUSTAINABLE LAND USE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA on May 18-19, 2023 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. The event will convene an expected 200 stakeholders, including industry leaders, buyers, processors, investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), donors, and other relevant stakeholders with business interests in sustainable agriculture and forestry sectors in Southeast Asia.

The event will close out USAID Green Invest Asia, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), after six successful years transforming the sustainable agriculture and forestry sectors in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with businesses, investors, and financial institutions. It will allow participants to share information, experiences, and best practices on sustainable land use business models through panel discussions and networking opportunities for investors and environmentally and socially responsible land use businesses. Activities include:

Key-note speech: Recognized thought leader in sustainable finance/climate change to offer insights into how private sector investment in Southeast Asia is integral to meeting global climate goals.

  • Plenary panel discussions: Five panel discussions to discuss key themes and challenges addressed by USAID Green Invest Asia.
  • Exhibition space: Space for a maximum of 20 organizations and companies to showcase their latest innovations, sustainable products and solutions, green technology services, and business models.

More details forthcoming closer to event date.

For more information please contact:

Ronnarit Chaiyosaeng

[email protected]

MAY

18 – 19
2023

BANGKOK
THAILAND

AGENDA

12:00 – 13:00

Registration

13:00 – 13:15

Welcome speech

13:15 – 13:30

Key-Note Speech

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?

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.

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.

17:00 – 20:00

Network and Cocktail Reception

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.

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.

Christy Owen

Chief of Party,
USAID Green Invest Asia

Christy Owen

Chief of Party,
USAID Green Invest Asia

11:30 – 11:40

Closing remarks

11:40 – 13:30

Lunch and networking