Client: CIMB Group
Sector: Banking / Financial Services
Location: Malaysia
Ambition to: Support its clients in navigating the low-carbon transition and build internal expertise in sustainability.
Services: Bespoke capacity building training
About CIMB Group
CIMB Group is one of ASEAN’s leading banks committed to supporting clients in the low-carbon transition. It provides a range of financial services including consumer banking, wholesale banking (corporate & investment), Islamic finance (via CIMB Islamic), asset management and insurance.
Sustainability is integrated into CIMB’s “Forward30” strategic plan. It aims to minimize its footprint through reducing negative environmental, social, and governance impacts from its operations and financed activities, and to maximize its handprint by creating net positive outcomes through offering sustainable products, mobilizing resources, and influencing clients and communities. The Bank has also committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 & 2) in its operations by 2030, and overall net zero (including financed emissions, Scope 3) by 2050.
The Challenge
CIMB sought to educate their internal team to enhance their capability to support clients as they navigate the low-carbon transition. Building expertise on complex climate and sustainability topics was no small feat: it required practical insights relevant to the banking context in order to help staff integrate sustainability into client conversations and financial decision-making.
Our Expertise
CIMB recognized RESET’s on-the-ground engagement with supply chains from economically relevant key sectors: electronics, automotive and other light industry manufacturing. A key challenge lay in translating complex global sustainability topics into relevant, actionable trainings, and RESET’s track-record with topics such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and supply chain decarbonization positioned it as a strong program partner.
Our Approach
Our Southeast Asia team delivered tailored training sessions as part of CIMB’s Sustainability Insights Series, unpacking complex topics into accessible, practical guidance. We rolled out a fit-for-purpose program, co-created with the CIMB team, which included multiple feedback adaptations to ensure the training was highly relevant to the banking context and Malaysian market. By including a variety of relevant case studies and recommendations, program participants were able to translate their learnings into actionable, client-ready insights.
Key Outcomes at a Glance
- Broadened participants’ understanding of climate issues.
- Provided practical tools for CIMB to support its clients more effectively.
- Strengthened CIMB’s position as a trusted advisor on sustainability in Malaysia and demonstrated its commitment to helping clients manage risks, seize opportunities, and thrive in a low-carbon economy.
Results
By building their team’s internal expertise, CIMB is better positioned to effectively support clients as they advance their decarbonization ambitions.