Special topic: 2026 Sustainable Global Leaders Conference & the Second Green Industry and Sustainable Consumption Expo. On October 22, a financial frontline message reported that the 2026 Sustainable Global Leaders Conference was held from October 20 to 22 at the Shanghai Huangpu Expo Park. Elodie Laugel, Chief Responsible Investment Officer of Amundi Asset Management, attended the forum and delivered remarks.

Elodie Laugel said that Asia plays a pivotal role in the global transition. Fast-growing Asian economies must decarbonize while meeting rising energy demand, and unblocking the flow of sustainable finance requires coordinated action, with governments, development institutions and the private sector working together. This need is especially urgent for emerging markets and developing economies.

Elodie Laugel said: "For asset management institutions like us, this means two practical levers: stewardship and investment decisions." She pointed out that stewardship is a powerful tool, because achieving the transition cannot rely only on investing in companies that already have sustainable development characteristics. Companies in some high-emission industries are crucial to achieving the transition, and supporting these companies in making progress is also crucial. Elodie Laugel believes that stewardship is also a way to drive progress rather than simply divesting. Through active engagement, it can help companies improve their climate strategies and urge them to take responsibility for the pace of transition and the quality of their transition plans.

"We also see stewardship as a way to address systemic risks that cannot be diversified, risks that go beyond the scope of any single company. One point must be clear here: no company operates in isolation. Driving substantive change requires all parties to form a collaborative network. This depends on interactions among multiple parties, involving the entire value chain, industry alliances and policymakers, rather than relying only on direct communication with issuers," Elodie Laugel added.

Elodie Laugel further stated that investment decisions specifically mean mobilizing capital. She believes private capital plays a vital role in helping to bridge the investment gap. In this regard, blended finance provides a strategic solution. This approach uses public funds or concessional capital to reduce risk while attracting private investment, enabling large-scale capital flows into projects. These projects are aimed at supporting the transition. Development finance institutions and other public sector institutions can also help reduce risk and attract private investment.