Day Two of the OFIC 2021 virtual conferenced concluded yesterday, this time involving speakers with technology and consumer expertise. Again, there were several intriguing takeaways throughout the day:

1. Dr Jason Schatz of Descartes Labs Inc explained that although recent sustainability monitoring-based technology advances have been promising—e.g. there are now satellites that can see through clouds and tree canopies, as well as measure carbon footprint—mapping out supply chains in detail still remains a challenge. While there is no specific technology that can help solve the problem, Dr Schatz suspects that existing tools, such as a consumer packaged goods (CPG)-traders coalitions, blockchain, and trackers, could go a long way in addressing it.

2. According to Mr Dario Altera, the Oleochemical Head of Department of the Desmet Ballestra Group, the market is shying away from petrochemicals in favour of oleochemicals, particularly in the personal care, pharmaceutical, food, and feed sectors. Consequently, there is a need to find a balance between oil for food and oil for oleo as the market share of oleochemicals and biofuels continues to grow.

3. Dr Gary Theseira observed that Covid-19 has revealed the world’s vulnerability to climate change and other associated risks (interestingly, he mentioned that the demand for plastics has increased during the pandemic). Greater transparency from companies—in this context, palm oil companies—is increasingly demanded by the public and required for more concrete steps to materialise and address this vulnerability.

4. Ms Luanne Sie, the Head Group Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility of CIMB Group, revealed that investors are increasingly asking banks pertinent questions about deforestation and Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). She also gave an interesting update on the regulatory front: the Climate Change and Principle-based Taxonomy, an initiative by Bank Negara which aims to assist financial institutions in determining whether their economic activities will “contribute towards climate change mitigation and adaptation.”