N Jan 26, the world observed the International Day of Clean Energy, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivering a compelling message that highlighted the urgent need for a faster transition to renewable energy.

Guterres emphasised that while shifts towards clean energy were evident, the pace of change required much improvement. He noted that scientific assessments indicated a potential temporary overshoot above 1.5 ° C, stressing the necessity of minimising both the duration and impact of this breach through a just and equitable move away from fossil fuels.

In his address, Guterres pointed out that renewable energy sources have become the key drivers of this essential transition. He reported that, for the first time last year, wind, solar, and other renewables generated more electricity globally than coal, marking a significant milestone in the industry.

Renewable energy not only connects

underserved communities, providing clean cooking options and enhancing health and education opportunities, but also fosters new industries, creates decent jobs, and lowers energy costs. Additionally, it strengthens countries ' resilience against geopolitical shocks and market instability.

Despite these advancements, Guterres expressed concern that the renewable revolution lacked the necessary speed and reach. He highlighted that grid infrastructure had failed to keep up with the rapid expansion of clean energy capacity, resulting in high costs that excluded many nations from participating in the transition.

The secretary-general outlined a clear roadmap for the future, calling for a threefold increase in global renewable capacity by 2030. He urged stakeholders to lift barriers, reduce costs, and ensure connections between clean power, people, and industries with urgency and solidarity.

In his message, he insisted that regulators implement policies that incentivise

clean power and streamline permitting processes, while safeguarding communities and the environment. Furthermore, he stressed that utilities must modernise and expand their grids to transport clean power effectively and enhance storage capabilities as renewable energy grows.

Guterres also called on the industry to diversify supply chains, enabling more nations to manufacture, install, and maintain clean energy systems. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the benefits of critical minerals needed for the transition reached the producing countries and communities, rather than enriching global markets alone.

Financing was another key aspect of his message, with the Secretary-General highlighting the need to lower the cost of capital for developing countries that hold substantial renewable energy potential. Multilateral development banks were urged to reduce risks and stimulate significantly greater private investment as well.

Most importantly, Guterres called for

BRIGHT TOMORROW: Renewable energy sources are paving the way for a sustainable future, connecting communities and creating opportunities worldwide.

a just transition that prioritises worker protection, educational support, and the cultivation of industrial development and opportunities for all as energy systems evolve.

He concluded his message by asserting that a clean energy future is within grasp and urged global leaders to act decisively to ensure that the renewables revolution reaches every corner of the world.

THAILAND has faced the challenge of enhancing economic growth amid a competitive global landscape. A recent analysis from the World Bank ' s Thailand Economic Monitor suggested that advanced green manufacturing could invigorate the economy.

The country aims to transition into higher-value, low-carbon industries, including electric vehicles and solar equipment, which could boost productivity, generate jobs, and adapt to changing global demands. The economic outlook for Thailand projects a slowdown to 1.6 per cent in 2026, with a rebound to 2.2 per cent in 2027 as global conditions improve.

Manufacturing plays a crucial role in the economy, contributing 25 per cent to GDP and providing 6.2 million jobs. The report highlighted that green goods accounted for nearly 10 per cent of total exports, demonstrating higher technological advancement than nongreen products.

Melinda Good, World Bank Division Director for Thailand and Myanmar, emphasised the potential of advanced green manufacturing to power growth and create highquality jobs, particularly in light of the upcoming IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok.

The report identified electric

PROGRESSIVE PATH: Thailand embraces advanced green manufacturing to secure a sustainable economic future.

vehicles and energy-efficient technologies as key green value chains in which Thailand already has capabilities. Policies to attract investment and support technology transfer were deemed essential to making green manufacturing a new engine for sustainable growth.

Kiatipong Ariyapruchya, World Bank senior economist for Thailand, noted that expanding advanced green manufacturing could increase GDP by an additional 2.9 per cent by 2035. The report also advocated for reforms to enhance competition, upgrade skills, and rebalance fiscal policy to capture new growth opportunities.

SAMSUNG Biologics, a premier contract development and manufacturing organisation( CDMO), has successfully secured independent validation of its Product Carbon Footprint( PCF) system from Det Norske Veritas( DNV), a reputable third-party assurance provider. This validation has confirmed that the system aligns with globally recognised standards.

The assessment found that Samsung Biologics ' PCF calculation methodology aligns with international benchmarks, including ISO 14067 and PAS 2050. This achievement highlighted the company ' s systematic, advanced approach to carbon accounting in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector, thereby enhancing transparency and consistency in sustainability reporting.

DNV, headquartered in Norway, meticulously evaluated the integrity of the company ' s PCF system, focusing on data input, conversion, and output. The validation assured that the methods, assumptions, and overall approach utilised by Samsung Biologics align with widely accepted practices.

With its validated PCF framework, Samsung Biologics aimed to promote clearer communication regarding product-level carbon footprint data across the biopharmaceutical value chain, responding to evolving client expectations and sustainability requirements.

" Obtaining independent validation of

our PCF system demonstrates the rigour and transparency of the carbon data we provide to our clients," stated Samsung Biologics President and Chief Executive Officer John Rim.

" This achievement underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable operations grounded in established standards, while ensuring reliable and consistent manufacturing. As sustainability considerations increasingly influence decision-making within the biopharmaceutical industry, we believe this system facilitates constructive collaboration with our partners."

In addition to this validation, Samsung Biologics has also garnered recognition for its sustainability efforts through a recent EcoVadis assessment, achieving a prestigious Platinum rating. This accolade placed the company among the top 1 per cent of businesses globally evaluated for their sustainability management practices. – @ green