Charlie Tan

Charlie is Chief Executive Officer at the Global Impact Coalition (GIC), a CEO-led cross-industry accelerator platform founded by some of the world’s leading chemical companies. GIC is focused on enabling new business models and investment in proof of concepts that drive net zero and circularity objectives. Charlie works closely with the CEO Advisory Board and Executive Committee, composed of c-suite leaders from GIC member companies, and he guides a team of partners and collaborators to drive projects from ideation to spin-off. Previously, Charlie was at the World Economic Forum, where he led the incubation and development of the Global Impact Coalition as a spin-off from the Low Carbon-Emitting Technologies (LCET) platform. Prior to the Forum, Charlie spent over a decade in commodities trading and building successful start-ups within the energy and shipping spaces. One of these included setting up a global shipping oil waste collection and recycling business, aimed at increasing waste traceability and transparency standards. This successful business was active in 35 ports in 22 countries with a truly global sustainability footprint. Charlie has a BSc in Business from Imperial College London and a CFA Certificate in Investment Management. Charlie has been featured in publications by The Financial Times, Business Matters, Sustainable Plastics, Energy Connects, Chemical Engineering, among others, and has written several articles for the World Economic Forum’s highly regarded Agenda blog. He is a regular speaker at global events including Reuters Sustainability Conferences, ADIPEC, Economist Impact Sustainability Week, ESF and Davos, and he has been on leading podcasts including Radio Davos, Energy Voice, and Edie’s Sustainability Uncovered. In addition, Charlie co-wrote a globally recognized policy whitepaper on chemical sector decarbonization endorsed by industry CEOs and regulators.

Session Overview

Tuesday, 4 November

12:55

Downstream & Chemical Conference Room A 12:55 - 13:35

Downstream and chemical resilience: the role of strategic mergers and joint ventures

The race to secure market position, enhance supply chains and future-proof operations is driving a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint ventures (JVs) across the downstream, petrochemical and refining sectors. Companies are repositioning their portfolios to strengthen resilience and unlock new revenue streams, but with rising pressure on standalone assets, how critical is site integration to long-term viability? These deals present opportunities for cost efficiency, low-carbon innovation and operational synergies, but also introduce challenges such as regulatory scrutiny, geopolitical risks and market demand fluctuations. Stricter environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies and trade tensions are further complicating cross-border transactions, requiring companies to adapt to shifting regulations and integration hurdles.

Attendee insights:

Learn how M&A and joint ventures are transforming downstream markets, reshaping refining strategies and petrochemical investments, and discover which players are leading the next phase of growth.

Tuesday, 5 November

11:00

Finance & Investment Conference Conference Room A 11:00 - 12:00

View Session

Blended finance: the critical roles of public and private finance in delivering the future energy system

The global energy transition is estimated to require US$5-7 trillion a year in funding through 2050, far beyond the means of public finance capabilities. With challenges that vary from region to region and across economic maturity, natural resources, and socioeconomic differences, questions must be addressed to ensure accelerated and equitable progress. How can governments, lenders, investors, and project developers work together to enact de-risking mechanisms and incentivise the private finance required to increase the bankability of critical new energy projects?

Attendee insights:

Gain insights into how public policy is being shaped to promote investment and how the private sector is looking to mobilise capital on the scale needed to meet ambitious net-zero goals.

Thursday, 7 November

12:45

Voices of Tomorrow ICC Hall 12:45 - 13:30

View Session

Bridging boundaries: accelerating net zero through global collaboration

The chemical industry, a major contributor to global carbon emissions, faces significant challenges in decarbonisation. While technologies like electrification, green hydrogen, and carbon capture, are driving emissions reductions, cross-sector partnerships will be critical to maintain momentum. Achieving net zero in this sector requires strong collaboration between industries, governments, NGOs, and IGOs to scale sustainable practices. By fostering global cooperation, the industry can overcome technical and regulatory barriers, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future.

Attendee insights:

Join an engaging discussion that highlights how diverse perspectives from the corporate sector and non-profit associations can unite to drive meaningful change in one of the heavy-emitting sectors: the chemical industry.