As sustainability becomes increasingly central to business strategy, innovation, and long-term growth, the leaders shaping the conversation have never been more important. Across Asia, sustainability voices are driving change through climate action, sustainable finance, biodiversity conservation, clean energy, and environmental innovation.
In this edition of Top Voices driving Sustainability across Asia, NewInAsia spotlights ten influential leaders who are helping businesses, communities, and policymakers navigate a more sustainable future. Through their ideas, initiatives, and achievements, they continue to inspire meaningful action across the region.
Highlights
Amitabh Kant
G20 Sherpa, Government of India Official
Amitabh Kant has been one of the key architects behind India’s transformation agenda over the past two decades. As India’s former G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, the country’s premier public policy think tank, he has played a significant role in advancing sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth at scale. Furthermore, he was instrumental in driving nationally recognized initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, and Incredible India, which helped strengthen India’s global competitiveness while encouraging long-term development.
Beyond government leadership, Amitabh remains an influential voice on climate finance, energy transition, digital transformation, and sustainable growth. Moreover, his ability to connect policy, innovation, and sustainability has made him one of Asia’s most respected public sector leaders. For business leaders and policymakers alike, his insights offer a valuable perspective on how large-scale transformation can be achieved through strategic leadership and collaboration.
Razan Al Mubarak
President, IUCN | Co-Chair, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)
Few sustainability leaders have influenced conservation and environmental policy as extensively as Razan Al Mubarak. As President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), she became the first leader from West Asia and only the second woman to hold the role in the organization’s history. In addition, she served as the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, helping to elevate global climate and nature agendas.
Throughout more than two decades of leadership, Razan has championed biodiversity protection, species conservation, and climate action across the Middle East and beyond. Notably, she helped establish the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, which has supported thousands of conservation projects in more than 160 countries. Her work demonstrates how environmental stewardship, policy leadership, and international collaboration can come together to create lasting impact.
Sandeep Chandna
Chief Sustainability Officer at Tech Mahindra
Sandeep Chandna has spent more than 15 years building and strengthening sustainability practices at Tech Mahindra, one of India’s leading technology companies. As Chief Sustainability Officer, he has developed sustainability frameworks, governance structures, climate initiatives, and ESG strategies that have positioned the company among the world’s most recognized sustainability performers. Notably, he was ranked among the Top 100 Chief Sustainability Officers globally and was named Sustainability World Businessperson of the Year by BW Businessworld.
Meanwhile, under his leadership, Tech Mahindra became one of the few companies worldwide to achieve an ‘A’ rating in both CDP Climate and CDP Water disclosures. Furthermore, the company has been recognized by Corporate Knights and awarded the Terra Carta Seal by King Charles III. Through his work, Sandeep continues to demonstrate how sustainability can create both business value and long-term societal impact.
Eric Lim
Chief Sustainability Officer, UOB
Eric Lim is helping shape the future of sustainable finance in Southeast Asia. As Chief Sustainability Officer at UOB, one of the region’s leading banking groups, he oversees initiatives focused on responsible business growth, sustainable investments, social inclusion, and environmental stewardship. Furthermore, he leads the bank’s efforts to support businesses navigating the transition toward a lower-carbon and more sustainable economy.
What distinguishes Eric is his ability to integrate sustainability into core business strategy rather than treating it as a standalone initiative. Having also held senior leadership roles within UOB, he brings a deep understanding of how financial institutions can balance growth with long-term responsibility. As sustainable finance continues to play a critical role in Asia’s development, Eric’s leadership offers valuable insights into how capital can accelerate positive environmental and social outcomes.
Natalie Sum Yue Chung, CESGA
Co-Founder and CEO, V’air Sustainability Education
Natalie Sum Yue Chung represents a new generation of sustainability leaders combining education, policy, and climate innovation. As Co-Founder of V’air Sustainability Education, she has dedicated her career to making climate knowledge more accessible through transformative nature-based experiences, ecotours, and public engagement initiatives. Her work has earned recognition from organizations including Tatler Gen.T, Eco-Business Youth A-List, and The Japan Times.
Alongside her social entrepreneurship, Natalie is pursuing a PhD in Climate Change Adaptation Policy at Princeton University while contributing to government advisory bodies in Hong Kong, serving as the Deputy Convenor for Youth and Capacity Building at the Council for Carbon Neutrality. Moreover, her experience spanning academia, policy, and sustainability education allows her to connect research with real-world action. Her growing influence makes her one of the most promising sustainability voices to watch across Asia.
Christine Amour-Levar
Co-Founder, Investors for Climate
Christine Amour-Levar has built a career at the intersection of climate action, impact investing, and leadership development. As Co-Founder of Investors for Climate, she has helped create a global network of more than 400 climate investors across over 40 cities, connecting capital with ventures focused on climate tech, energy, agritech, and biodiversity. Furthermore, her work has played a key role in accelerating conversations around climate finance and sustainable innovation.
Beyond investing, Christine is also a social entrepreneur, author, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Through initiatives such as Her Planet Earth and Women Beyond Limits, she has led expeditions and programs supporting environmental conservation and underserved communities across Asia and Africa. As a result, she has become a prominent voice demonstrating how leadership, capital, and purpose can work together to drive meaningful change.
Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi
Group Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer – Sustainability, Climate & ESG, ADNOC Group.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning energy, government, academia, and international organizations, Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi has become one of the Middle East’s most influential sustainability leaders. As Group Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer at ADNOC, he oversees sustainability strategy, climate priorities, sustainable finance, ESG reporting, and a US$23 billion decarbonization and energy transition investment program. As a result, he plays a key role in shaping sustainability efforts within one of the world’s largest energy companies.
In addition, Ibrahim serves on several national and international sustainability bodies, including the UAE Climate Federal Council and the United Nations Global Compact Network UAE. He is also the author of How to Net Positive and has been recognized among the Top 100 Sustainability Leaders globally, as well as one of Forbes’ leading sustainability voices in the energy sector. His work highlights the increasingly important role that business and industry play in accelerating climate action.
Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum
CEO, Green Building Index | Chief Architecturalist & Director, [SA]² or Sarly Adre Sarkum Architecture Sdn Bhd
Ar. Sarly Adre Sarkum is one of Malaysia’s most influential voices in architecture, sustainability, and the future of the built environment. With more than three decades of professional experience, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s green building movement and advancing sustainable development at both industry and policy levels.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Green Building Index (GBI), Malaysia’s premier green building rating and certification system, he leads the transformation of the built environment towards higher standards of environmental performance, resource efficiency, resilience, and occupant wellbeing. Having previously served as Chairman of GBI, he has been instrumental in expanding its impact, strengthening its governance, and driving the development of new sustainability assessment tools for emerging sectors.
Sarly is also a Board Member of the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM), where he contributes to the advancement of professional standards, architectural education, and industry governance. He is the Immediate Past President of the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and a Past President of the Malaysia Green Building Council, reflecting a long-standing commitment to elevating both the architectural profession and the sustainability agenda nationally and regionally.
An award-winning architect, sustainability strategist, educator, and thought leader, Sarly is widely recognised for bridging design excellence with environmental responsibility. His work spans architecture, urban development, green infrastructure, climate resilience, and the integration of emerging technologies into the built environment. Through his professional practice, public service, academic contributions, and industry leadership, he continues to champion a future where cities are not only more sustainable but also more inclusive, resilient, and human-centred.
Farwiza Farhan
Chairperson and Co-Founder, Yayasan HAkA
Farwiza Farhan has dedicated her career to protecting the Leuser Ecosystem in Aceh, Indonesia — one of the last places on Earth where critically endangered Sumatran rhinos, tigers, elephants, and orangutans still coexist in the wild. As Chairperson and Co-Founder of Yayasan HAkA, she works closely with local communities, policymakers, conservation experts, and private sector stakeholders to safeguard one of Southeast Asia’s most important biodiversity hotspots.
Rather than approaching conservation in isolation, Farwiza advocates for inclusive solutions that empower Indigenous communities and strengthen local participation in environmental decision-making. Moreover, her work has helped elevate global awareness of forest conservation and biodiversity protection in Indonesia. Through her leadership, she continues to demonstrate how conservation, community engagement, and policy advocacy can work together to create lasting impact.
Beyond ESG: The Leaders Driving Real Change Across Asia
Sustainability today goes far beyond reporting frameworks and corporate commitments. Across Asia, it is shaping business strategy, climate innovation, biodiversity protection, sustainable finance, and long-term growth. The leaders featured in this list are at the forefront of that transformation.
From influencing climate policy and advancing the energy transition to protecting critical ecosystems and promoting sustainable development, these individuals are creating impact across industries and communities. Moreover, their work demonstrates that sustainability is no longer a side initiative but a key driver of progress.
As Asia continues its sustainability journey, these voices will remain important catalysts for change. Through their leadership, ideas, and actions, they are helping shape a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for the region.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here.
