Dentons Rodyk, Singapore’s global law firm, proudly hosted the annual Dentons Rodyk Dialogue 2024, marking its eighth consecutive year of thought leadership excellence, on October 30, 2024. Organised in partnership with Singapore Management University (SMU), the event attracted over 200 guests at the Yong Pung How School of Law. Keynote speakers from Boston Consulting Group, the University of Cambridge, and GenZero shared their expert insights on today's most critical challenges in climate change.

Titled “Climate Engagement, Finance, and the Law," the event brought together a distinguished panel of speakers comprising:

• Mr. Dave Sivaprasad, Managing Director and Partner, Southeast Asia Lead, Climate and Sustainability, Boston Consulting Group
• Professor Harro van Asselt, Hatton Professorship in Climate Law, University of Cambridge
• Ms. Sim Ting, Managing Director, Head, Corporate Services Group and General Counsel, GenZero
• Ms. Emily Low, Senior Partner, Dentons Rodyk
• Mr. Jonathan Guwe, Partner, Dentons Rodyk

On the importance of this year’s dialogue, Professor Timothy Clark, Provost of SMU, stated, “For eight successive years now, Singapore’s global law firm Dentons Rodyk has partnered with the Singapore Management University Centre for Commercial Law in Asia to bring together thought leaders from the government, business, and academia to discuss some of the most important issues of the day. This year, the dialogue addresses the existential threat of climate change, with the central theme of Climate Engagement, Finance, and the Law. This is an area we at SMU care about and have colleagues from across the university researching.”

Dentons’ Global Vice-Chair and ASEAN CEO Gerald Singham, in his welcome remarks, discussed the role of law and finance in climate change. “It is without doubt that climate change presents a fundamental threat to the environment and all life within it. Aligning the roles of law and sustainable finance with meaningful actions that yield lasting impacts is crucial as we confront a critical issue for humanity. "While the law provides the necessary frameworks for implementing climate policies, finance effectively mobilises resources to drive these initiatives and mitigate the devastating impacts of the impending climate crisis."

The Managing Director, Partner, and Southeast Asia Lead in Climate and Sustainability at Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Dave Sivaprasad, emphasised the urgent need for collective action to combat climate change in Asia. “Asia stands at a critical juncture in the global climate transition. While the region has the most to lose from rising temperatures, it also has the most to gain through climate action. Although the pace and scale of transition remain uncertain, by focusing on both mitigation and adaptation, Asia can not only safeguard its future but also unlock significant business opportunities. Key sectors such as energy, transport, construction, industry, and agriculture will experience major value shifts, and it is up to the public sector, corporations, investors, and civil society to harness these changes for a sustainable and resilient future,” Mr. Sivaprasad said.

In his presentation titled (No) End in Sight? The Role of Law in Tackling Public Finance for Fossil Fuels, Professor Harro van Asselt from the University of Cambridge made a compelling case and highlighted the concerning trend of record amounts of public money flowing into carbon-intensive activities in recent years. He stated in his presentation, “As we consider the objectives of the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to acknowledge that in recent years, despite numerous international commitments to reduce public finance for fossil fuels, record amounts of public funding continue to drive carbon-intensive activities. By examining the roles of international law, climate change litigation, and national legislation, we can identify pathways to shift financial flows toward more sustainable and climate-resilient development.”

Ms. Sim Ting, Managing Director and Head of Corporate Services Group and General Counsel at GenZero, shared in her presentation how corporations play a pivotal role in mobilising and directing financial resources to meet climate goals. “To effectively facilitate financial flows towards climate initiatives, companies must adopt innovative strategies that align with emerging global trends in the legal and climate landscape. This includes leveraging new financial instruments, such as green bonds and sustainability-linked loans, as well as integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into their investment decisions. By understanding and responding to these trends, corporations can play a pivotal role in driving climate action while enhancing their competitive advantage in the market.” Ms. Ting explained.

Dentons Rodyk’s partners Emily Low and Jonathan Guwe addressed the critical intersection of law and finance in addressing climate change. Emily underscored the necessity of robust legal frameworks to facilitate sustainable investments and enhance investor confidence, emphasising that clear regulations can attract capital for green initiatives. Jonathan discussed the role of innovative financing solutions, such as green bonds and public-private partnerships, in supporting energy and infrastructure projects that align with climate objectives. The panellists also discussed Singapore's urgent need for comprehensive policies that promote renewable energy and foster collaboration between the legal and financial sectors to effectively navigate the complexities of the climate transition.

In her closing remarks, Professor Lee Pey Woan, Dean of the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law, expressed her gratitude to the thought leaders for sharing their valuable insights. She said, "Since 2017, we have held this dialogue series annually, bringing together the best thought leaders to discuss issues of significant social importance with each iteration. This is the eighth dialogue in the series, and we are extremely grateful to Dentons Rodyk for their strong support throughout the years. In fact, Dentons Rodyk has been a wonderful friend of the Law School in other areas as well, supporting our students through their kind sponsorship of the Dentons Rodyk Prize for Top Student in Legal Research & Writing and the Dentons Rodyk Prize for Top Student in Corporate Law.”

About Dentons Rodyk

Dentons Rodyk is one of Singapore's biggest law firms and part of the world’s largest, with a team of around 200 lawyers offering clients a full suite of legal services necessary to do business locally and globally. With over 160 years of establishment, consistently ranked highly in leading publications, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality advice to our clients while maintaining strong working relationships with key public sector agencies and leading organisations in the private sector. Our combination with global law firm Dentons, makes us part of the world’s largest law firm with more than 12,500 professionals in over 160 locations in more than 80 countries.

Designed to be different, Dentons Rodyk can help you grow, protect, operate and finance your business. Our polycentric and purpose-driven approach, together with our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and ESG, ensures we challenge the status quo to stay focused on what matters most to you.

The first global pan-ASEAN law firm, Dentons ASEAN has an established history in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore and will continue to grow our presence through combinations with exceptional local firms across the ASEAN region and help clients navigate change wherever they are located.

In the new dynamic decade, clients continue to be confronted with complex scenarios and want to work with a purpose-driven law firm that has the experience and confidence to help them thrive at wherever they are located. Through our combinations with firms that are leaders in their respective communities and local markets, along with the partner firms in Dentons’ Nextlaw Referral Network, Dentons is ideally positioned to support our clients everywhere in ASEAN and around the globe.