JC3 Journey To Zero Conference Reaffirms Financial Sector’s Role In Driving Climate, Resilient Growth - BNM
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3) Journey to Zero Conference 2026 has reaffirmed the critical role of the financial industry in advancing Malaysia’s sustainable and resilient growth agenda, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
The central bank said the conference reinforced JC3’s commitment to translating climate and nature ambitions into tangible outcomes, including catalysing capital deployment, strengthening market capabilities and supporting resilience across the financial sector and wider economy.
"Climate change is a present reality, not a future risk. We must commit to mobilise capital boldly, support innovation actively, collaborate and co-develop solutions to accelerate transition effort.
"We must finance resilience before the next major flood, super El Niño, or devastating landslide. Therefore, financial institutions need to build capacity and deepen understanding of nature-related risk to ensure that relevant considerations can be embedded into risk management and business decisions," said BNM Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour in a statement.
The two-day conference, which concluded on Tuesday themed "Building Climate and Nature Resilience for People and Business", focused on advancing climate and nature resilience through investable projects and innovative financing solutions that deliver measurable outcomes for businesses and people.
The conference which brought together more than 800 participants across the financial sector, government, businesses, investors and academia, discussed on sustainable growth, financing the energy transition, climate adaptation, nature-related risks and opportunities, carbon markets and project bankability.
Across these themes, participants explored practical pathways to strengthen project readiness, mobilise financing and scale implementation efforts.
The conference also convened several masterclasses by subject matter experts on disclosure requirements, nature and adaptation financing, to further translate theory into practice.
Several initiatives were introduced during the event, including the announcement of the Association of Sustainability Professionals (ASP), an industry initiative incubated and supported by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).
Aligned with the goals of the SC’s Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030, the ASP which is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, intends to recognise and accredit sustainability competencies, while raising standards and capabilities for sustainability professionals, BNM said.
Additionally, JC3 and the financial sector are strengthening collaboration with six universities in Malaysia, namely Monash University, Sunway University, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, and Universiti Tenaga Nasional.
"The JC3-University Collaboration Programme aims to deepen the financial sector’s capacity to address climate-and-nature-related challenges through applied research, talent development, and practical solutions," it said.
It added that JC3 will continue to strengthen the pipeline of climate and nature projects through the Climate Finance Innovation Lab, a platform that helps move marginally bankable climate and nature-related projects towards funding.
-- BERNAMA