Kasikornbank, in collaboration with ONNEX by SCG under the SCG Smart Living business, has announced a strategic partnership to develop a service model called Green Ecosystem Financing & Solutions to support Thai entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs, in systematically initiating and implementing environmental initiatives. This encompasses everything from assessing organizational carbon footprints, providing in-depth consulting, designing, planning, and developing clean energy projects, to accessing green loans tailored to actual projects, all aimed at driving the Thai business sector towards the country's goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The partnership aims to provide 5 billion baht in green loans under this initiative.

Dr. Krin Bunleawich, Deputy Managing Director of Kasikornbank, stated that the current economic situation and global political uncertainties have posed significant challenges for medium and small enterprises, particularly in adapting to environmental regulations and meeting investors' expectations for sustainable business practices while maintaining profitability and operational performance. Kasikornbank is committed to being a key supporter for entrepreneurs by collaborating with its business partner ONNEX by SCG to develop solutions that enable clients to take concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, explore new business opportunities, and confidently transition to a low-carbon economy. Achieving a tangible low-carbon economy in Thailand requires collaboration from all sectors, both business and government.

Mr. Bowornsanti Nawarat, Managing Director of SCG Building and Living Care Consulting Co., Ltd. under the ONNEX by SCG brand, remarked that transitioning to a low-carbon economy is not only a challenge for businesses but also a significant opportunity to enhance Thailand's competitive potential. However, many entrepreneurs still require knowledge, technology, and appropriate financial tools. The collaboration between ONNEX by SCG and Kasikornbank is designed as a comprehensive support system, from carbon footprint assessment and clean energy project development to connecting with Green Finance, enabling entrepreneurs to take real Climate Action and collectively drive Thailand towards a low-carbon economy and achieve Net Zero goals tangibly.

This collaboration reflects the shared vision of both organizations to create a comprehensive Green Ecosystem by integrating ONNEX by SCG's expertise in clean energy solutions, renewable energy project design and development, and efficient energy management with Kasikornbank's capabilities in supporting clients with green finance and comprehensive climate change adaptation solutions. This includes sustainability consulting and greenhouse gas emission reduction through K-Climate ESG Advisory, greenhouse gas accounting tools like KClimate1.5, enhancing knowledge on global warming in collaboration with the Creative Climate Research Center (CCRC), obtaining renewable energy certificates (RECs) through the Green Pass platform, and Watt’s Up, a platform for electric motorcycles, to empower entrepreneurs to adapt and implement environmental initiatives effectively while generating economic and sustainable business outcomes in the long term.

Under the Green Ecosystem Financing & Solutions model, entrepreneurs will receive comprehensive support starting from calculating their organization's greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Footprint Assessment), analyzing suitable carbon reduction strategies for their business type, designing and evaluating the feasibility of clean energy projects such as rooftop solar or other energy solutions, to receiving consulting services for developing sustainable business transition plans and systematic guidance on applying for green loans from Kasikornbank.

For this collaboration, Kasikornbank has committed to providing green loans amounting to 5 billion baht with a special interest rate of only 3.5% for the first two years and 5% for years three to five, to help entrepreneurs invest and transition their operations towards a low-carbon economy effectively. Kasikornbank aims to disburse a total of 400,000 to 500,000 million baht in loans and investments for sustainability by 2030 to support the growth of the green economy in Thailand.

This collaboration will drive the implementation of clean energy projects and carbon reduction initiatives in the Thai business sector tangibly. Preliminary assessments indicate that within a project duration of about one year, if the full loan amount of 5 billion baht is utilized for installing solar energy systems, it could develop approximately 250 megawatts of clean energy production capacity, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 180,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to planting between 7.5 to 15 million trees annually.

In addition to financial support, participating entrepreneurs will also receive knowledge, analytical tools, and consulting from energy and sustainability experts to enhance investment efficiency, reduce project risks, and create sustainable environmental and economic outcomes in the long term.

The collaboration between Kasikornbank and ONNEX by SCG marks another significant step in uniting the Thai business sector to jointly drive the country's low-carbon economy while establishing a robust green finance and energy sustainability ecosystem for future economic growth alongside environmental stewardship.