- Brought together top executives, partner agencies, and representatives of the GEN S generation, both domestic and international, to address urgent global issues and foster awareness of and encourage sustainability for future generations.
- Shared insights and best practices from 40 prominent figures in sustainability to inspire individuals to embrace sustainable lifestyles and contribute to ensuring a greener future for the world.
PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, also known as GC, a leader in the international chemicals business, reaffirmed its leadership in the global chemical industry by partnering with public, private, and leading organizations to hold a prestigious global conference called “GC Sustainable Living Symposium 2023: We are GEN S.” The symposium was a significant gathering of GEN S, the new generation with sustainability at its core, who came together to address urgent global issues and inspire a commitment to sustainable living. It aimed to trigger a ripple effect in people’s lives that transforms our world, which currently faces environmental challenges, into a better one.
The GC Sustainable Living Symposium 2023: We are GEN S event was a pivotal gathering of GEN S, members of the new generation who are deeply committed to sustainability. Now in its fourth year, the symposium built upon its past success through collaboration with the government, private sector, education sector, and environmental experts. This year, it brought together 40 top executives and representatives from the GEN S community, both from Thailand and internationally. Their shared goal was to translate ideas into actions that can help mitigate the global climate problem, contributing to a better world for all. These actions can benefit not only large and small organizations, but also people’s everyday lives. Organized by GC in partnership with leading collaborators, the symposium was an unparalleled gathering of individuals with sustainability at heart. Open to everyone and free to attend, it took place on October 27 and 28, 2023, at Royal Paragon Hall, 5th floor, Siam Paragon. It was also streamed on GC’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
The opening of the GC Sustainable Living Symposium 2023: We are GEN S event was graced by the presence of Mr. Yuri Yarviaho, Ambassador of Finland to Thailand, who chaired the proceedings. During the event, Finland’s global vision of sustainability practices was highlighted as a model from the world’s most sustainable country. Finland is also the founder of the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF).
Another major symposium highlight was a presentation by Dr. Kongkrapan Intarajang, Chief Executive Officer and President (CEO) of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, which has held the prestigious title of the world’s number one chemical company for four consecutive years in the chemicals industry group of the DJSI (Dow Jones Sustainability Index). Dr. Intarajang emphasized that Thailand emits less than 1% of the world’s greenhouse gases when compared to the global total. However, Thailand is among the top 10 countries worldwide that are most affected, with greenhouse gases originating from three major sectors: energy, agriculture, and industrial processes and product use: IPPU. As an organization committed to long-term sustainability, GC is focused on two urgent solutions for the world: Energy Transition and the Circular & Bio-based Economy.
Energy Transition means a shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. This involves enhancing energy efficiency and embracing various forms of clean energy, as well as solutions such as carbon storage.
Thailand has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Leveraging this advantage and applying it through approaches like Bio Solutions, such as adding value to agricultural products, can make a significant contribution to reducing Thailand’s greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with the Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model and the increased adoption of Circular Economy principles, which builds on the concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. These principles can be applied to low-carbon agricultural practices, including low-water farming, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining or even increasing production levels. This is especially valuable for Thailand, a leading global rice exporter. The knowledge shared during the GC Sustainable Living Symposium 2023: We are GEN S event provided inspiration and guidance for all involved. Attendees acquired practical knowledge that can be put to immediate use. It also highlighted that urgent cooperation is needed at the organizational level by small and medium-sized businesses, as well as at the individual level. At the event, a member of GEN S said, “We are Generation Sustainability, and it is our responsibility to support one another. I sincerely hope that our generation will be remembered as the one that made a tangible and positive difference in the world.”
The GC Sustainable Living Symposium: We are GEN S held on 27 October 2023 offered updates on sustainability trends and practices with contributions from leading organizations dedicated to addressing urgent global climate issues. Notable participants included Accenture, renowned experts in world-class technology with a long-standing commitment to sustainability; allnex, a global leader in environmentally friendly coating resins; Econic, pioneers in the innovation of converting carbon dioxide into plastics and chemicals to meet modern-day needs; and Microsoft, a leader in digital technology and business-driven sustainability solutions that respond to ever-evolving global trends.
In addition to insights on creating a better world by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, attendees heard from GEN S representatives from leading local organizations. They shared their experiences in progressing towards Net Zero sustainability, guided by three key approaches: Act Now (taking immediate action to reduce greenhouse gases), Accelerate Now (tools to facilitate achieving Net Zero goals), and Change Now (the starting point for implementing change today to move closer to the Net Zero objective).
The symposium also included a GC Upcycling Upstyling #4 exhibit, where attendees explored more than 15 collections of aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly items from eight partners and 12 prominent local designers. These collections aim to ignite ideas for creating value from used plastics while contributing to the “Design for Sustainable Living” initiative, which taps into business opportunities for sustainability.
The GC Sustainable Living Symposium: We are GEN S held on 28 October 2023, on the discussion stage, speakers shared stories to bring sustainability closer to home. A variety of organizations from Thailand and GEN S green idols including Toey Jarinphon and Tik Jessadaporn joined in discussions on topics such as “Eat well… how to eat to benefit both us and the world,” “Live well… trying to adopt sustainable living practices that are genuinely achievable, what steps to take?” and “Low Carbon Tourism, a trend in low-carbon travel.”
Exhibition zones and various activities focused on sustainability were open throughout the two-day symposium. They provided an opportunity to explore innovations in plastics and chemicals aimed at reducing greenhouse gases, which reinforce a commitment to achieving Net Zero and offering sustainable products to meet lifestyle needs. There were also opportunities to navigate the sustainability maze and learn how to create value from used plastics. Symposium participants engaged in activities to test their environmental awareness and win special prizes. Environmentally friendly fashion items from the UPTOYOU product line were also available for purchase.
Let’s ignite a ripple effect in solving urgent global problems through sustainability by becoming a part of the year’s biggest gathering phenomenon for the generation with sustainability at its core. The event took place on October 27-28, 2023, at Royal Paragon Hall, 5th floor, Siam Paragon, and was also streamed on GC’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
