Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya PCL and its business units) unveiled "Krungsri Race to Net Zero", the new ESG chapter further strengthening Krungsri' s commitment to promoting sustainable community, society and economy as well as advancing the urgent global agenda. The initiative focuses on enabling participation from over 20,000 staff across Krungsri Group to counter the rising concern of global boiling and climate change resulting in massive natural catastrophes.
Amidst the escalating threat of "global boiling", a term recently used for a stern warning on climate emergency by the United Nations, Krungsri is taking resolute action to combat the climate crisis and reduce its own carbon footprint, in alignment with the Bank’s Carbon Neutrality Vision in achieving decarbonization of own operations by 2030 and financial services by 2050.
In realizing Krungsri’s vision of decarbonization, the Bank adheres to the notion of leading by example in the Thai financial industry, with engagement of our employees across the financial group. Krungsri, therefore, has set forth a comprehensive mandate for its "Krungsri Race to Net Zero: Together, Stop the Global Boiling!", to leverage the power of its dedicated workforce through both capacity building and involvement of over 20,000 employees across its financial group to actively participate in climate action, making sustainability a shared commitment.
Krungsri President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Kenichi Yamato, said "We are reaching an important juncture within our climate landscape. To deploy the best way out that matches the magnitude of the current global boiling crisis, we place the urgent task in fostering the net-zero culture in our organization. Through over 20,000 staff across Krungsri Group, we are on the solid steppingstone to create a daily business journey that contributes to lower carbon footprint. The organizational built-in experience can be further employed to customers and other stakeholders. This multiplier effect will help accelerate Thailand's action in realizing to the net zero goal."
"The Krungsri Race to Net Zero initiative will serve as a testament to the Bank's firm commitment to the guiding principles of banking with purpose, in alignment with the Carbon Neutrality Declaration of our strategic shareholder, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (MUFG)." said Mr. Yamato.
Key highlights of the initiative which will be held from 2023 through 2024 include:
- Capacity building: Recognizing the pivotal role of employees in achieving climate goals, Krungsri has launched an extensive employee education program, with training and resources to enhance their understanding of net-zero concepts, carbon neutrality strategies, and their individual roles in the campaign.
- Edutainment activities: The "Krungsri Race to Net Zero" will feature a series of engaging edutainment activities designed to make learning about climate action fun and accessible. These activities may include interactive workshops, climate action challenges, and gamified learning experiences.
- Collective commitment: Krungsri is fostering a sense of collective commitment among its workforces. Employees will be encouraged to pledge their support for the "Krungsri Race to Net Zero" initiative, signifying their dedication to reducing carbon emissions both at work and in their personal lives.
Krungsri’s notable track record of environmental responsibility initiatives and activities that have underscored our responsible banking mandate and also set path for industry peers, include declaring our Carbon Neutrality Vision, becoming the first bank receiving the Gold Level Award of the Green Office Project, and a founding member of the Carbon Markets Club in 2021, playing a leading role in the Thai Bankers’ Association’s ESG Declaration, and the first Thai commercial bank to establish a carbon footprint for organizations covering all office buildings, bank branches, and subsidiaries in 2022.