ClientEarth and Regional Experts Explore Carbon Markets and Greenwashing at Bangkok Climate Action Week

On 9 October 2026, Foodthink and ClientEarth co-organised “Beyond Green Claims: Accountability, Carbon Markets and Corporate Responsibility in ASEAN–China Agri-food Systems” as part of Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026.

The event featured speakers from regional organisations through two panel discussions on carbon markets and greenwashing. With a focus on environmental accountability and corporate responsibility, the sessions examined the role of legal frameworks and community safeguards in addressing challenges across Southeast Asia.

Panel 1: Carbon Markets and Climate Justice

The first panel, moderated by ClientEarth's Azam Hawari, examined the opportunities and challenges surrounding carbon markets in Southeast Asia.

 ClientEarth's Endraswari Sayekti highlighted the importance of credible carbon credits and effective regulatory frameworks, drawing on Indonesia's evolving carbon market regulations and case studies that raise questions about carbon credit integrity. ClientEarth also emphasised that certification alone should not be treated as conclusive evidence of a carbon credit's credibility or integrity.

RECOFTC also highlighted the importance of meaningful participation by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in forest carbon projects, including free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and fair benefit-sharing.

Panel 2: Corporate Climate Claims and Greenwashing

The second panel explored how misleading environmental claims can undermine genuine climate action and what can be done to hold companies accountable.

ClientEarth’s Hannah Chan highlighted existing legal frameworks addressing greenwashing in Indonesia and the Philippines, including consumer protection regulations and opportunities to strengthen accountability for misleading environmental claims. The session also examined how carbon credits can be linked to misleading corporate climate claims.

Speakers also shared examples of legal action against greenwashing in the region. RimbaWatch shared its legal challenge concerning Malaysian authorities' handling of a complaint about carbon-neutral advertising, while TuK INDONESIA presented its lawsuit against Bank Mandiri, raising questions about the bank's sustainability commitments and its financing of companies allegedly operating without valid land rights.

These insights highlighted the importance of stronger legal frameworks, greater transparency and meaningful community participation in building credible carbon markets and addressing greenwashing. Stronger safeguards can help ensure that climate initiatives protect both the environment and the communities they affect.