JC3 SFG Climate Conference for SMEs: Building Climate Resilience: Practical Actions for SMEs

The SME Focus Group (SFG), under the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3), held its first SFG Climate Conference for SMEs 2025 on 17 November 2025 at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur. The event was hosted by the SFG co-chairs Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) Malaysia Berhad.

With the theme ‘Building Climate Resilience: Practical Actions for SMEs’, the conference supports SMEs in future-proofing their businesses with greater understanding of climate-related risks and access to practical tools for effective action.

More than 400 participants from across the SME ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, financial institutions, government agencies, and solution providers attended the event.

Bank Negara Malaysia Assistant Governor and JC3 Co-chair Madelena Mohamed said, ‘There is no doubt that climate action is costly, but climate inaction today is costlier – one which must be borne by the future generations. With SMEs increasingly integrated into global supply chains, meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards is no longer optional but a requirement for competitiveness. Collaborative platforms like JC3 play a critical role in helping businesses, particularly SMEs, turn these requirements into opportunities.’ She also urged financial institutions to demonstrate leadership and commitment by providing capacity building advisory and access to financing to the SMEs.

UOB Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Ng Wei Wei said, ‘As co-chair of the JC3 SME Focus Group, we are proud to support Malaysia’s green transition by making this platform a catalyst for public-private collaboration. Together with member financial institutions, regulators, and industry partners, we aim to double down on our collective efforts in turning climate aspirations into real, on-the-ground impact. It’s not just about making resources available. It’s about making sure SMEs can access and apply them in ways that lead to meaningful transformation.’

The conference showed practical tools that empower SMEs to take meaningful steps towards sustainability, including:

1. ESG Jumpstart Portal

2. Relief and Adaptation Facility (RAFt)

3. JC3 Climate Data Catalogue

4. Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) and GHG Emissions Calculator

5. SME Loss Prevention Framework

The conference featured panel sessions on climate risks, sector challenges, and SME success stories. These were supported by deep-dive sessions on energy efficiency and green certifications.

An exhibition showcased green solutions by financial institutions, government agencies, and ecosystem partners. This provided SMEs with direct access to resources, and technical support for climate action.

The SFG Climate Conference for SMEs 2025 builds on these efforts and marks a key milestone in the broader JC3’s efforts to create a more inclusive and climate-resilient SME sector.

Bank Negara Malaysia United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Berhad 19 November 2025

About the SME Focus Group (SFG)

The SME Focus Group (SFG) was established in May 2023 under the JC3 to accelerate the adoption of green practices among SMEs. Co-chaired by Bank Negara Malaysia and United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, the SFG comprises 14 members from the financial sector and ecosystem partners. Its work focuses on raising awareness, promoting certification and disclosure, and improving access to sustainable financing for SMEs.

Members: Securities Commission Malaysia, Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, AmBank (M) Berhad, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, CIMB Bank Berhad, Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad, Hong Leong Bank Berhad, MBSB Bank Berhad, Public Bank Berhad, RHB Bank Berhad, Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad, Tokio Marine Insurans (Malaysia) Berhad, and Zurich General Insurance Malaysia Berhad.

About the JC3

The JC3 is a platform established in September 2019 to pursue collaborative actions for building climate resilience within the Malaysian financial sector. The JC3 is co-chaired by Madelena Mohamed, Assistant Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia and Salmah Bee Mohd Mydin, Executive Director of Securities Commission Malaysia, with members comprising senior officials from Bursa Malaysia and 25 financial industry players. The JC3’s initiatives and priorities are undertaken by its five sub-committees, namely Risk Management; Governance and Disclosure; Product and Innovation; Engagement and Capacity Building; and Bridging Data Gaps. An SME Focus Group has been established to develop strategies and solutions that support transition by SMEs.

Members: AHAM Asset Management Berhad, Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad, AmBank (M) Berhad, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, Bank Pertanian Malaysia Berhad (Agrobank), BNP Paribas Asset Management Sdn. Bhd., Bursa Malaysia Berhad, CIMB Bank, Etiqa General Insurance Berhad, Franklin Templeton GSC Asset Management Sdn Bhd, HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad, Kenanga Investors Berhad, Maybank Berhad, Mizuho Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Berhad, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Principal Asset Management Berhad, Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad, RHB Bank Berhad, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad, Swiss Re Asia Pte. Ltd. (Swiss Retakaful), Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Am Berhad, United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, UOB Asset Management (Malaysia) Berhad and Zurich General Insurance Malaysia Berhad.

For more information about JC3, please visit www.jc3malaysia.com.