Empowering Investors to Drive a Credible Transition: First-Ever Investor Training Delivered in Thailand

Investors play a critical role in driving the global transition to a low-carbon economy. By aligning capital with credible climate strategies, investors can not only safeguard portfolios against climate-related risks but also actively support the decarbonisation of key sectors. As stewards of capital, their decisions influence corporate behaviour, shape markets, and accelerate the scaling of sustainable finance solutions. 

On 13 June 2025, Climate Bonds Initiative, in collaboration with the Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC), delivered its first-ever training tailored specifically for investors, marking a significant milestone in our global Capacity Building work. Hosted in Bangkok, this one-day workshop brought together leading Thai investors, fund owners and asset managers to deepen their understanding of credible transition strategies and the pivotal role they play in financing the low-carbon economy. 

As Thailand progresses toward its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, the country’s financial sector—particularly asset managers—has a key role to play in aligning capital with climate-resilient and science-based pathways. This training aimed to equip investment professionals with the knowledge and tools to identify, support, and engage with credible transition efforts, while also enhancing their ability to assess the integrity of green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked (GSS+) bonds. 

The Role of Asset Managers in Driving a Credible Transition 

Led by Meggie Eloy, Senior Analyst for Capacity Building and Technical Assistance at Climate Bonds, the workshop began by addressing a common misconception about the cost competitiveness of renewable energy. While many participants believed that renewables are more expensive than fossil fuels, the discussion clarified that the average cost of renewable energy is now $52/MWh, compared to $76/MWh for conventional energy 

The training focused on three core areas: 

• Developing and assessing credible transition plans, anchored in our Five Hallmarks and Triple-A (Ambitious, Actionable, Aligned) approach.
• Engagement strategies for asset managers, including how to review portfolios, set key performance indicators, and interact meaningfully with issuers.
• Thematic investment strategies that support sectoral decarbonisation, especially through transition-focused funds. 

Leadership from Thailand and Global Best Practice 

Thidasiri Srisamith, Chief Investment Officer at Kasikorn Asset Management, shared how the firm has emerged as a domestic leader in sustainable investment. Highlights of their transition journey include: 

• Net zero targets for Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030 and net zero AUM by 2065, in line with Thailand’s NDCs.
• A strategic partnership with Lombard Odier and a commitment to "ice cube" investments (decarbonising assets) over "burning logs" (high-carbon laggards).
• A three-pillar strategy focused on stewardship, emissions measurement, and decarbonisation implementation, along with the use of implied temperature rise (ITR) metrics to guide investment decisions. 

From the global stage, Frank Tsui, Head of Responsible Investment at Amundi, offered insights into how one of the world’s largest asset managers (USD 2.2 trillion AUM) is structuring their approach. Amundi applies a rigorous engagement strategy, segmenting issuers into categories—inhibitors, laggards, improvers, transitioners, aligned, and net-zero enablers—and tailoring its stewardship accordingly. In 2024 alone, they engaged over 2,800 issuers. 

Amundi’s landmark GB-TAP programme was also highlighted for its success in nurturing emerging markets’ green bond ecosystems, having supported 30 green bond issuances worth USD 6.7 billion. 

A Growing Appetite for Engagement 

The training revealed both strong interest and clear knowledge gaps. Many participants expressed a desire for deeper collaboration with the Climate Bonds Technical Assistance (CBTA) programme—especially in understanding how to evaluate transition credibility and integrate it into investment decision-making frameworks. 

This first investor-focused training underscores the growing momentum in Asia toward aligning capital flows with a 1.5°C pathway. It also reflects Climate Bonds’ ongoing commitment to building the technical capacity of market participants as they navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable finance. 

Want to know more about our technical assistance and investor training programmes? 
Contact us at technical.assistance@climatebonds.net