SEI at the Bangkok Climate Action Week

Panel discussion on “Preparing People and Infrastructure for Southeast Asia’s Clean Energy Transition”

Panel discussion on “Preparing People and Infrastructure for Southeast Asia’s Clean Energy Transition”

Organizer: Climate Policy Initiative, Climate Finance Asia, and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) 

When: 10:00 – 12:00 

Where: Mekong Room, SEI Asia office

The clean energy transition is gaining momentum as renewable energy technology has become cheaper and more efficient in the past decade. However, renewables are struggling to dominate in Southeast Asia due to limited grid capacity and coal-dependant livelihoods of many workers. The panel will merge two themes usually discussed separately: strengthening grid infrastructure and achieving a just transition, as the most crucial challenges in need of solutions if we are to unlock the full potential of renewables.

​The panel aims to share key insights on investment needs for a robust and flexible grid, and a truly equitable energy transition which accounts for all justice aspects (recognition, restorative, distributional, and procedural). As these insights are discussed, considered and applied in just transition initiatives across Southeast Asia, policymakers and energy stakeholders can hopefully make informed decisions about just transition finance that pave the way for a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous energy future.

Panel discussion on “Lessons Learned from Renewable Energy Policy and Finance in Southeast Asia“

Organizer: Climate Policy Initiative, Allotrope 

When: 13:00 – 14:00

Where: Mekong Room, SEI Asia office

Drawing on recent power sector finance tracking and policy analyses conducted by Climate Policy Initiative and its partner organizations, this panel discussion aims to shine light on the evolving finance landscape of Southeast Asia’s power sector. It will explore key lessons from country-specific case studies — particularly from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines — highlighting what has worked, what hasn’t, and why.

This panel aims to share key insights on important policy tools and strategies to mobilize more RE investments in developing economies, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Bridging the Gap: Global Just Transition Pathways for the Global South

Organizer: Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress (iGDP)

When: 10:30-12:30

Where: Bangkok Art & Culture Centre

This panel examines global transition gaps and solutions, focusing on actionable frameworks for the Global South, especially Southeast Asian countries. It assesses progress under the UNFCCC Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), explores both OECD and emerging economies’ possible contribution to just transition challenges and explores finance models to meet just transition demands. It addresses the need for measurable indicators and inclusive governance—encouraging cross-regional collaboration between policymakers, finance leaders, and civil society.

SEI Research Fellow Stefan Bößner will speak at this session.

Resilient Cities, Protected Rights: Addressing Urban Climate Challenges through a Rights-Based Lens

Organizer: Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI)

When: 10:30 – 11:45

Where: Benjakitti meeting room, the old Tobacco Monopoly building

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) will convene a session on this critical intersection of climate change, urban challenges, and human rights. Framed by RWI’s Framework for Integrating Rights and Equality (FIRE), the session will ask: Which rights are most at risk in cities, and what opportunities exist to strengthen them through urban climate action?

Contributions from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) will examine how rising urban heat affects outdoor workers and how inclusive green space planning can promote health and dignity. Judge Chanwit Phusrisomwong will reflect on the landmark PM2.5 litigation in Chiang Mai, where the judiciary recognized the right to clean air and advanced accountability. Together, these perspectives will demonstrate how rights-based approaches can be translated into practice, through legal innovation, participatory planning, and responsive governance.

In this way, the session positions cities as both highly exposed to climate risks and uniquely capable of leading inclusive, rights-based pathways to resilience.

SEI Senior Research Fellow Diane Archer will speak at this session.

Leaving No One Behind: Clean Air through Inclusive Low-emission Mobility

Organizer: SEI 

When: 1:00 – 4:00pm

Where: Mekong Room, SEI Asia office

This session will examine how equitable, low-emission transport systems can deliver health, justice, and climate benefits for all, with a focus on Asian cities. With case studies drawing from research on life-course analysis of consumption patterns, vulnerability to climate change and travel behaviour, and work on congestion charging options for Bangkok, the event will use a focus on transport to imagine a more inclusive and climate-friendly future for cities in Asia.

SEI Senior Research Fellow Diane Archer and SEI Research Associate Cynthia Crouse will speak at this session.

Strengthening Flood Resilience: Co-creating Data Ecosystems for Disaster Risk Reduction in Southeast Asia

Organizer: CivicDataLab Pvt. L.td., India, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, The Rockefeller Foundation Asia, The World Bank Thailand, Wellcome Trust London

When: 13:00 – 16:00

Where: Mekong Room, SEI Asia office

This session will bring together policymakers, technologists, civil society, and development partners to explore Southeast Asia’s collective role in building disaster resilience. Through high-impact presentations, interactive workshops, and a live demonstration of CivicDataLab and BMA’s AI-powered flood resilience dashboard, participants will engage with real-world digital solutions, share community-driven insights, and reflect on opportunities to strengthen collaboration. The session will showcase how data, technology, and AI can be strategically applied to improve governance, enable citizen participation, and prioritize vulnerable populations in climate action.

SEI Senior Research Fellow Thanapon Piman will speak at this session.

Strengthening Professional Capacity for Inclusive Climate Finance in Asia X Bangkok Climate Action Week

Organizer: The Center for Ecological Economics (CEE), Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI Asia), Rockefeller Foundation

When: 9:00 – 12:00

Where: The Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel / Online via Zoom meeting

A key highlight will be the panel discussion “Enabling Climate Action in Developing Countries Through Climate Finance: From Knowledge to Practice” (10:00–12:00), moderated by SEI. The session will feature opening reflections, lightning talks, a live poll and debate, and an interactive Q&A, bringing together diverse perspectives from experts and practitioners.

Discussions will focus on critical issues, including institutional capacity gaps, access to private climate finance, the role of the private sector and the role of green taxonomies in enabling climate action.

SEI Asia Centre Director Marie Jürisoo will deliver an opening remark and SEI Programme Manager Pathit Ongvasith will moderate the session.

Building Resilience to Urban Heat & its Health Impacts in Southeast Asia 

Organizer: CivicDataLab Pvt. Ltd., India, UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF East Asia & Pacific and UNFCCC

When: 9:00 – 12:00

Where: Mekong Room, SEI Asia office

SEI Research Fellow Satish Prasad will speak at this session.

Al for Climate Action in Southeast Asia: Forging Pathways to Resilience

Organizer: CivicDataLab Pvt. Ltd., India, UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF East Asia & Pacific and UNFCCC

When: 13:00 – 16:00

Where: Mekong Room, SEI Asia office

Youth Climate Action Heroes Challenge

Organizer: Embassy of Sweden Bangkok, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI Asia), Chulalongkorn University 

When: 13:30 – 16:00

Where: Center for Social Innovation of Chulalongkorn University – CU Social Innovation Hub

The Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Chulalongkorn University, proudly presents the “Youth Climate Action Heroes” project—designed not only to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis but also to mobilize young changemakers through a positive call to action. The project will foster inclusive climate dialogue while showcasing Sweden’s commitment to sustainability and regional cooperation.

About the Challenge

To inspire public engagement and amplify the voices of the younger generation, the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, together with our partners, invites submissions from young people in Bangkok for a digital campaign. This challenge aims to provide a platform for young voices to pitch creative and practical climate solutions for their communities.

Participants are encouraged to share their best, most concrete ideas—presented in either Thai or English—through a short video Reel under one of these themes:

1. My climate actions matter: My ideas for a sustainable and liveable environment we can all thrive in, starting in my neighbourhood/city. or
2. Their climate actions matter: What I think politicians or the private sector should do to make a sustainable and liveable environment for all in my neighbourhood/city.

The jury will shortlist the finalists, who will be invited to pitch their ideas in person at the main event, which will take place on 3 October 2025 at Center for Social Innovation of Chulalongkorn University – CU Social Innovation Hub. At this event, each finalist will give a 2-to 3-minute live presentation and will receive feedback from the jury members. The audience will then vote to select the winner(s).

Deadline: 19 September 2025

Learn more about this competition.