NCGS 2026 Day 2: Advancing Climate Leadership, Finance and Resilience

Day 2 of the National Climate Governance Summit (NCGS) 2026 brought together leaders and experts to explore the role of climate leadership, sustainable finance, corporate governance and responsible investment in building a more resilient, low-carbon future.

The day featured discussions on carbon-free leadership, resilient capital markets, sustainable supply chains and transition financing, alongside a special tribute recognising the contributions of Dato’ Henry Barlow to climate governance and environmental conservation.

Carbon-Free Leadership: The Role of Corporate Boards

Dr. Hoesung Lee, Former Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and President of the Carbon Free Alliance (CFA), returned on Day 2 for a fireside chat with Datin Seri Sunita Rajakumar.

Building on his Day 1 keynote, Dr. Lee explored the role of corporate boards in driving the transition towards a carbon-free future.

He encouraged organisations to align their net-zero strategies with science-based targets, strengthen transparency in sustainability reporting, and work together to establish credible standards for carbon-free energy across global supply chains.

Together with his Day 1 keynote, the discussion reinforced the importance of bold leadership, strong governance and practical collaboration in achieving a carbon-free future.

Capital Markets for a Resilient Future

In his keynote address, Dato’ Muhammad Faiz Azmi, Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), highlighted the critical role of resilient capital markets in supporting Malaysia’s climate transition and strengthening long-term economic resilience.

Using Malaysia’s oil palm industry as an example, he illustrated how physical climate risks, including rising temperatures and water stress, are already affecting business operations and enterprise value.

He emphasised the importance of mobilising private capital, strengthening sustainability disclosures and aligning Malaysia’s reporting framework with international standards to accelerate climate action and attract sustainable investment.

Strengthening Climate Governance Through New Initiatives

Building on this focus, Dr. Gary Theseira announced four new initiatives supported by the Securities Commission Malaysia–Capital Market Development Fund (SC–CMDF):

• Premium Climate Governance Newsletter for Directors

• Knowledge Partnership with MSWG for the Review of NSRF Reporting

• Climate Literacy Training Modules

• MCCG26 Governance & Policy Research

These initiatives reflect CGM’s continued commitment to strengthening climate governance, enhancing board literacy and supporting Malaysia’s sustainable finance ecosystem.

Building Trust Through Sustainable Supply Chains

As sustainability expectations continue to evolve, businesses are increasingly challenged to strengthen both the resilience of their supply chains and the credibility of their sustainability commitments.

During a panel moderated by Kishore Ravuri, Chief Executive Officer of the ESG Business Institute and Asia Director of IMPACTO Ethics Advisory, Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, Executive Chairman of Westports Holdings Berhad, joined fellow panellists to discuss how businesses can navigate growing climate risks, evolving ESG regulations and global trade requirements while maintaining long-term competitiveness.

The discussion highlighted the importance of building resilient supply chains that can withstand physical climate impacts and adapt to changing international sustainability standards.

The session also featured the launch of the Sustainability Claims Policy Guidance by IMPACTO Ethics Advisory, providing organisations with a practical framework to strengthen the credibility, transparency and governance of sustainability claims while reducing the risk of greenwashing.

Financing the Transition Through Responsible Investment

Climate risks continue to reshape the global economy, making the role of institutional investors increasingly important in supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.

A panel moderated by Chong Kok Wai, Council Member of Climate Governance Malaysia, brought together Datuk Shahril Azuar Jimin, Chief Executive Officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Dr. Ismet Yusoff, Shahida Mohd Jaffar Sadiq Maricar and Kishore Ravuri to discuss how investors can drive long-term resilience through responsible capital allocation.

The session explored the importance of embedding climate considerations into investment decisions and corporate governance, while encouraging boards to view climate adaptation as a core fiduciary responsibility.

Panellists also highlighted the need for transition financing to support high-emitting sectors in their decarbonisation journey, emphasising active engagement and long-term value creation over simple divestment.

The discussion reinforced that sustainable finance is not only about managing risk, but also about unlocking opportunities for businesses, investors and the wider economy to thrive in a low-carbon future.

Honouring the Legacy of Dato’ Henry Barlow

One of the meaningful moments of Day 2 was a special CGM Tribute dedicated to Dato’ Henry Barlow, Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board, Climate Governance Malaysia.

The tribute recognised his lifelong commitment to environmental conservation and his enduring contributions to climate governance in Malaysia.

A commemorative poster was unveiled to celebrate milestones from Dato’ Henry’s remarkable journey and the lasting impact he has made through CGM and the wider conservation community.

The tribute also celebrated his vision of bringing together business leadership, sound governance and environmental stewardship — an approach that continues to inspire today’s directors and future generations of climate leaders.

It served as a reminder that lasting change is built on the dedication, leadership and legacy of those who have paved the way.

A Day of Climate Leadership and Resilience

Beyond these featured highlights, Day 2 welcomed an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Dr. Hoesung Lee, Deputy Commissioner (CD) Dr. Mohamad Fazli Sardi, Ir. Dr. Salwa Binti Ramly, Seah Kian Hoe, Robin Hicks, Nithiyah Tamilwanan and many other distinguished experts.

Together, they brought valuable perspectives on climate leadership, sustainable finance, disaster resilience, corporate governance, responsible investment and the transition to a low-carbon future.

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