Thailand Green Recovery: AWR Lloyd joins Minister in FCCT workshop
On 8 September 2020, AWR Lloyd arranged the workshop in partnership with Ministry and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT). Our MD Brad Denig presented an important dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of a post-Covid-19 green recovery with honored speakers including the Minister Of Environment and Natural Resources H.E. Varawut Silpa-archa, Head of Global Sustainability of Indorama Ventures Harsha Reddy, Executive Director of RECOFTC Dr. David Ganz, and Global Head of Digital and Climate Innovation of Bombardier Transportation Anthony Watanabe.
A post-Covid-19 green recovery for Thailand? Planning for a sustainable economyPanel discussion and address by Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and EnvironmentAs the Covid-19 pandemic continues to escalate around the world, the economic fallout weighs ever deeper on Asia. Throughout the region, tourism has collapsed and export industries are suffering. Thailand’s finance ministry has forecast an 8.5% contraction in GDP this year, while imports are expected to plunge by nearly 20%. The government has passed a 1.9 trillion baht stimulus package for pandemic-related relief and efforts, to support sectors across society and business, and to promote domestic travel.Such measures will help in the short-term, but long-term resilience for the Thai economy lies in reconciling the country’s need for tourist dollars with the need to protect the ecosystem. In the Global Climate Risk Index 2018, Thailand was ranked ninth on a list of countries most affected by extreme weather events in the period 1997–2016. There are growing calls for Thai policymakers to prepare for broader threats such as climate change and set the stage for a sustainable and lasting recovery.The energy transition, regenerative capitalism, and inclusive business practices in step with the UN’s sustainable development goals are key to a resilient future and will require public-private sector coordination and innovation. How can the private and public sectors shape a greener, more sustainable economy for post-pandemic Thailand? Can their combined forces help develop incentives and policies to promote resilience through renewable energy, innovative clean technology and protection for biodiversity?For this discussion we are fortunate to host Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, H.E. Varawut Silpa-Archa, along with Thai corporates and Bangkok-based experts to discuss possible policy responses and public-private sector solutions. Critical issues include overcoming the pandemic and fostering a new, resilient and inclusive framework that can help ensure a better quality of life for all, through an effective energy transition that decouples carbon and inclusive growth.To discuss these crucial issues, we are pleased to welcome our distinguished panelists in person at the FCCT and streamed live on our Facebook page:Panelists:H.E. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and EnvironmentAnthony Watanabe, Global head of Digital and Climate Innovation – Rail Control Solutions, Bombardier TransportationHarsha Reddy, Head of Global Sustainability, Indorama VenturesDr. David Ganz, Executive director, RECOFTC (The Center for People and Forests)Brad Denig, Managing director of Innovation for Sustainability, AWR LloydModerator:Gwen Robinson, FCCT presidentPhoto credits: Thai Enquirer
