Climate Change is Everybody's Business and Capital Markets Could Drive the Change Needed

Responsible business behaviour and their concerns for climate change are essential in driving Thailand towards a low-carbon economy, nurturing business growth, and collectively crafting a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient capital market.

A webinar titled ‘Managing Climate-related Risks and Opportunities in Equity Analysis and Investment’ held on 23rd November 2023 was co-organized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), CFA Institute and CFA Society Thailand to provide insights into how capital market professionals could integrate climate-related risks and opportunities into their analysis and investment decisions. In addition, it also served as a forum for leading institutional investors, financial firms, and public sector leaders to further engage on how disclosure and governance could be improved to ensure that sustainability goals can be met.

Ms. Pornanong Budsaratragoon, Secretary General, Securities Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC) said "Thai capital market is entering a chapter of increased expectation on responsible business behavior and climate accountability. All stakeholders in the capital market, both listed companies and financial intermediaries such as securities companies and asset management companies, needs to be ready to facilitate fund raising and investments to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2065. We are delighted to continue this strong partnership with    the CFA Institute and CFA Society Thailand in 2023 - to promote the integration of climate-related risk into equity analysis and investment decisions which will help to allocate the capital to green investments that are essential in driving sustainable growth in Thailand.”

Mr. Andres Vinelli, Chief Economist, CFA Institute added “Climate change is not a future event waiting to happen; it has already occurred and continues in real time. Climate-related risks and opportunities are increasingly seen as material factors to be included in investment decision making.    As the global association of investment professionals, CFA Institute publishes thought leadership research and provides certificate programs to equip investors and industry practitioners with the best knowledge and tools around climate change analysis, in order to make best informed investment decisions with climate factors taken into consideration.”

Mr. Sornchai Suneta, the President of CFA Society Thailand, stated that “As the global community confronts the unprecedented challenges of climate change, CFA Institute and CFA Society Thailand are dedicated to providing the highest quality education and resources for our members and the broader investment community on climate-related risk. We aim to equip investment professionals with the skills to integrate climate-related investing principles into the investment process. Our Climate Risk, Valuation, and Investing Certificate is a practical and comprehensive program that helps investors identify opportunities, enhance valuations, and manage risks in a changing climate. We believe that climate investing is not only a strategic imperative, but also a source of competitive advantage and long-term value creation for investors and society. We also recognize the growing importance of ESG factors in the investment landscape. ESG investing is not just a trend; it is a fundamental commitment to sustainable and responsible finance. The Certificate in ESG Investing will enable participants to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate ESG considerations into the investment decision-making process. By doing so, they will be able to better support client demand and play vital roles in advancing sustainability, ethical practices, and social responsibility. The Certificate in ESG Investing is aligned with the global standards and best practices of ESG investing, and is suitable for anyone who wants to enhance their ESG expertise and credentials."