In this latest annual report brought to you by the (PBEC) – Pacific Basin Economic Council, we examine the current equilibrium between strategic & voluntary initiatives at companies in Asia Pacific and compliance efforts in disclosing such emissions. The report assesses the progress and challenges faced by businesses as they strive to meet net zero targets in the coming years. This report provides an analytical overview of the scope 3 emissions reporting landscape in the region, providing insights into one of the defining corporate themes of our time, and a look at how companies in Asia Pacific are responding.
Addressing Scope 3 emission disclosures are integral towards achieving organizational and regional sustainability goals The report highlights a lack of Scope 3 emissions disclosures in Asia Pacific, as they typically occur outside of an organization’s direct control – compared to Scope 1 and 2 emissions Lack of awareness and focus on downstream Scope 3 emissions within organizational supply chains in the region, with organizations generally focused on upstream emissions due to greater control and influence Need to uncover how to…
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) concluded its meeting in Tokyo this week, calling for decisive action to boost trade, digitalization and climate response. “Tackling trade and investment barriers, promoting digitalization and accelerating the climate response is urgent. We can’t wait any longer” said Julia Torreblanca, the 2024 Chair of ABAC. In that regard, Torreblanca announced that ABAC has finalized its recommendations for APEC Leaders addressing these challenges, under its’ theme for this year, ‘People, Business, and Prosperity,’ to be…
5The Pacific Basin Economic Council Vision outlined for 2024-2027 ahead of its AGM 2024 – by Michael Walsh CEO PBEC – June 2024 Collaboration as a mission, to create value, innovation and new opportunities for growth through free and open digitally enabled cross border Trade in APAC Hello PBEC members, colleagues and followers. It’s a pleasure to share the latest mission and vision of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) for the next three years- an organization that has been…
A perspective from the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) on the potential benefits for Hong Kong businesses in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade area should its current application be finally approved: The Pacific Basin Economic Council views Hong Kong’s application to join RCEP as a positive development that could deliver significant economic benefits for Hong Kong businesses. As an export-oriented economy with deep trade linkages across the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong’s membership in RCEP makes strategic sense….
An impressive 35th Gala Anniversary Dinner was hosted by GS1 HK – many congratulations to PBEC’s BoD and GS1 CEO Anna Lin and her wonderful team. A very impressive turnout and PBEC members were excited to reconnect with so many peers and friends and collaborate on mutual beneficial areas of interest including our upcoming report. It was a great opportunity to engage with Financial Secretary Paul Chan of HKSAR Government amongst others included Tencent, Cyberport, DF Group, DHL etc…..
PBEC is known for connecting business leaders with the political elite and politicians in the region past and present. We held a lunch in Bangkok in March inviting the former Thai PM given the elections in the country and he shared his thoughts on Thailand’s new administrations priorities.
Several PBEC members and our Chairman were in attendance at a wonderfully hosted Spring Networking ICAEW event in HK at the British Consulate. It was great to see Chairman Andrew Weir saying a few words together with PBEC’s ICAEW Mary Simpson Director of Int’l Member Engagement – APAC & PBEC BoD Peter Burnett supporting this timely catch-up with Government representatives and friends.
Singapore will implement mandatory climate-related reporting requirements for listed and large non-listed companies, with obligations for some to begin disclosing in line with the IFRS’ International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards starting as early as 2025. The new rules were announced today in the Parliament of Singapore by Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat, with details of the new mandatory reporting requirements subsequently released by Singapore’s business reporting, accounting and corporate services and markets regulators the Accounting and Corporate…
PBEC – Pacific Basin Economic Council is by invitation ONLY a members based institution, that supports connectivity and cross-border regulatory standardisation efforts within APAC for all technological advancements, through dialogue, engagement and collaborative efforts.
PBEC’s focus is to continual attain recognition as the most comprehensive multilateral platform for APAC business leaders to engage with, advocating key trade issues of importance under a fair rules based system, thus promoting cooperation amongst member States to achieve inclusive, sustainable economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific.
Despite the uncertainty about what lies ahead for global trade, there are still reasons for optimism about its resilience and its enduring role as a catalyst for positive change, and these are encapsulated in the current trends that are shaping the landscape.
As 2024 Q2 draws to a close, economies in Asia Pacific are facing what is projected to be a modest slowdown to approximately between 3.5% to 4.2% on average according to the IMF. But this paints over some of the risks within individual economies, such as the deeper property sector, corrections in China and Vietnam which remain important factors in both. This trend reflects macroeconomic factors but also the impact of persistent corruption and un-tethered growth of the last decade in these sectors.
Geopolitical tensions, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and security threats to shipping in the Red Sea, have continued to disrupt global supply chains, and shipping/container prices which get passed on to consumers.
ESG factors have become mainstream and are now a top concern for Boards of Directors. Proper ESG implementation can help businesses and regional Government authorities address current social cohesion challenges and seize future opportunities. On this episode of the Value Prop, we are joined by David Ching Heng Hoe, CEO of Ong & Ong Vietnam and a board member of the PBEC, who shares his insights, challenges and opportunities on the real estate sector and major infrastructure developments in the Mekong region, in particular in Vietnam and Laos, including the company’s pioneering work in social housing projects since 2007 which is now firmly on the agenda of regional Governments in SE Asia.
You have the chance to hear Andrews perspectives first-hand on this and the Asian region.
You’re invited to our latest round table meeting to discuss Q3 2024 market trends in APAC and look ahead to the APEC/ABAC Summit in Peru this November. We’ll also introduce our new Board members before the AGM in late November. If you plan to attend in person, please email me directly in addition to registering below, so I can track seating. We encourage in-person attendance for the chance for you to meet some new friendly faces. Date: Wed 25th September…