Top 10: Sustainability Leaders in APAC (Asia-Pacific)
Sustainability in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is at a critical juncture, with both significant progress and pressing challenges. The sustainable bond market is projected to reach a record high of US$260bn in 2025, driven by lower interest rates and government-led initiatives, particularly in Japan, South Korea and China. However, only 16 of 117 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are on track for 2030, while 18 are regressing due to issues like rising emissions and land degradation.
Despite these obstacles, the region holds immense potential, with nature-positive development estimated to unlock US$4.3tn annually and create 232 million jobs by 2030.
Fresh from the Top 250 Leaders in Sustainability, Sustainability Magazine's Top 10 Leaders in APAC highlights visionary individuals driving sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region. These leaders, from diverse sectors, are pioneering initiatives that address climate change, social responsibility and environmental stewardship in countries like Singapore, Australia, and India.
10. Aileen Tan
Group Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Singtel
Industry: Telecommunications
Aileen joined Singtel in 2008 and under her sustainability leadership it has won a range of awards for its leading people and sustainability practices.
The company aims to improve its impact on the world through four key sustainability pillars: Climate Change and Environment, People and Future of Work, Community Impact and Sustainable Value Creation.
9. Simon Lowden
Chief Sustainability Officer at Woolworths Group
Industry: Retail
As Chief Sustainability Officer at Woolworths Group, Simon supports Australia’s biggest supermarket chain and its other brands to improve its impact on the planet.
He has previously held roles such as Chief Transformation Officer at Arnott’s and Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo. Simon earned his BSc in Geography from King’s College London.
8. Lorena Dellagionvanna
Chief Sustainability Officer at Hitachi
Industry: Industrial & Technology
As Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Hitachi, Lorena is responsible for managing the Group’s impact on the environment and society.
Based in Japan, Lorena’s full title is Executive Vice President and Executive Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) and Director of the Board of Hitachi Energy.
7. Ron Horng
Chief Environment Officer at Foxconn
Industry: Manufacturing & Technology
Foxconn’s Executive Director and Chief Environment Officer Ron is responsible for corporate social and environmental responsibility, environmental engineering, new site investment and strategic investment and alliance in the ICT industry.
He joined Foxconn in 2007 having previously held positions at SVA and Elite Precision.
6. Matthew Bateson
Chief Climate and Sustainability Officer at Aramoc
Industry: Energy
Matthew spearheads Aramco’s ambitious goal of achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s wider 2060 net zero target. Matthew’s expertise from working in sustainability at companies including Rio Tinto, WBCSD and IETA, as well as working at Shell, helps drive Aramco’s innovative initiatives like carbon capture and storage projects, mangrove preservation and blue ammonia production.
5. Ibrahim Al-Zu.bi
Group Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer at ADNOC Group
Industry: Energy
Alongside his role as Group Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer, Ibrahim is a member of The Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter Steering Committee and the Net Zero Producers Forum Steering Committee. He is also Chair of the Global Council on SDG13: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
4. P.S. Narayan
Global Head - Sustainability and Societal Initiatives at Wipro
Industry: Technology & IT Services
P.S. is Global Head of Sustainability at Wipro as well as the Managing Trustee and Head of the Wipro Foundation, the company’s social initiatives arm. He played an active part in the creation of Wipro’s sustainability programme and has stewarded it since its inception in 2008.
3. Yumi Otsuka
Chief Sustainability Officer at Toyota
Industry: Automotive
As Toyota’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Yumi is passionate about driving positive change through innovation and partnerships.
She is committed to engaging stakeholders, embedding sustainability into strategy and accelerating a more sustainable future through collaboration and investment.
Yumi believes in investing in sustainable solutions and pushing boundaries to drive lasting progress.
2. Sandeep Chandna
Chief Sustainability Officer at Tech Mahindra
Industry: Technology
Sandeep drives Tech Mahindra’s sustainability strategy as its Chief Sustainability Officer.
With more than 25 years of experience in sustainability and technology, he brings a commitment to innovation and extensive industry insights to the role.
Sandeep is passionate about shaping a greener future and engages with industry forums like UNGC and NASSCOM to drive meaningful impact.
1. Chris Leong
Chief Sustainability Officer at Schneider Electric
Industry: Energy & Automation
Chris joined Schneider Electric in 2012 as the Executive Vice President of Digital Customer Experience before joining the Schneider Electric Executive Committee Leadership Team as Chief Marketing Officer in March 2015 and becoming CSO in 2025
Prior to joining Schneider Electric, Chris served as Senior Vice President of China, Japan and Korea at Nokia.
She speaks four languages and describes herself as passionate about ESG (and UNSDG) for a sustainable and equitable future for business, customers, employees, communities and the environment.
Explore the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand