Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), presented his vision at the “TSCN CEO PANEL: Vision 2030: The Power of Collaboration for a Sustainable Future” during the largest sustainability event in ASEAN, the Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX 2024). He was joined by top executives, including Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, CEO of Thai Beverage Public Co., Ltd. (ThaiBev); Thammasak Sethaudom, CEO of SCG; and Thiraphong Chansiri, CEO of Thai Union Group Public Co., Ltd. The panel was moderated by Suthichai Yoon and focused on business models that integrate sustainability, along with strategies for collaboration to achieve sustainable development goals.

CP Group’s commitment to sustainability was strongly represented at the event, with numerous executives in attendance, such as Prasit Boondoungprasert, CEO of CPF; Somjet Phaskanon, Sustainability Director of CP Group; Rongruja Saicheua, Senior Executive Vice President for Governance at CP Group; Jomkitti Sirikul, Senior Executive Vice President for Public Sector Sustainability and Government Relations at CP Group; Kobboon Srichai, Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Affairs at CPF; Siriporn Dechsingha, Deputy Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Siam Makro PCL; Dr. Netchanok Wipatasilapin, Head of Corporate Strategy and Education at True Corporation PCL; Jakkrit Urairat, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at True Corporation PCL; and Thiti Luchintanon, CEO of Animal Feed Raw Materials Trading and Chief Operating Officer of Rice Business.

The session attracted over 1,000 attendees, including senior executives, business leaders, sustainability networks from both national and global organizations, and entrepreneurs from various sectors, who gathered at the SX Grand Plenary Hall at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center to hear from committed leaders driving their organizations toward sustainable goals.

Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), emphasized that achieving sustainability goals is of critical global importance. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030, yet as of 2022, only 12% of these goals had been met, with the current figure standing at 17%. With just six years left, progress is lagging, presenting a major challenge that requires collaboration from all sectors to achieve these objectives.

As a multinational business, CP Group has committed to driving its 2030 sustainability strategy, encompassing 15 goals aligned with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and the 17 SDGs. The group’s key targets for 2030 include three Big Goals: 1) achieving Carbon Neutrality (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030 and reaching Net Zero by 2050, 2) attaining Zero Waste to Landfill, and 3) supporting 50 million people in accessing quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.

CEO Suphachai Chearavanont also revealed CP Group's progress toward its Net Zero goal. Despite CP Group's expansion into 21 countries worldwide, the company’s greenhouse gas emissions have continued to decline. Last year, the group successfully reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 0.6 million tons compared to its peak in 2021. CP Group has adapted its business model to move toward Net Zero by increasing the use of renewable energy to 17%, incorporating solar power, biomass, and biogas, and encouraging employees and partners to participate in reforestation initiatives to offset carbon emissions. Reducing greenhouse gases in Scope 3 remains a significant and challenging task. To address this, CP Group has set a target with its partners to reduce carbon emissions by 25% throughout the supply chain by 2030, aiming for a sustainable future together.

CP Group CEO Suphachai Chearavanont proposed a roadmap for driving Thailand towards Net Zero, emphasizing the need for collaboration across all sectors—government, private sector, and civil society. He highlighted that the government must implement policies and regulations that promote carbon reduction and push for clean energy initiatives to attract investors. This includes considering nuclear energy as an alternative, a method adopted by many countries to reduce carbon emissions, though further studies are required to assess its overall impact.

He also stressed the need for incentives to encourage carbon reduction, especially as the world faces increasingly extreme weather conditions. Studies suggest that if this volatility continues, global temperatures could rise beyond 2 degrees Celsius, causing even greater harm to the environment and human livelihoods. He cited the example of flooding in Mae Sai District, Chiang Rai Province, where residents affected by floods and landslides are struggling with the aftermath, which has severely impacted the local economy. Therefore, a collaborative approach to preventive measures is essential.

"Reaching the sustainability goals we’ve set is extremely difficult and challenging. We must urgently build collaboration across all sectors, especially in reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions, as the private sector cannot achieve this alone. Collaboration throughout the supply chain is essential to guide Thailand toward Net Zero and ensure sustainability in all dimensions," Suphachai Chearavanont concluded.

At the event, Suphachai Chearavanont also witnessed the declaration of intent to drive business partners under the TSCN Business Partner Code of Conduct. Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Co., Ltd. (CPF), a CP Group company and Co-Founder of the Thailand Supply Chain Network (TSCN), participated in this declaration. Additionally, CPF showcased its vision of becoming the “Kitchen of the World” by presenting sustainable food production innovations under the concept of “Sustainovation.” This further solidifies its leadership in sustainable food innovation, promoting products that are good for both body and mind, and advancing toward Agri-Tech goals.

The booth is part of the Sustainability Expo 2024, displayed in the "Better Me" zone on the G floor of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, from September 27 to October 6, 2024.