Chula Introduces TOP Green PLUS to Transform Sustainability into Competitive Strategy

Chulalongkorn University, through its Sustainable Environment Research Institute, in collaboration with business partners and leading organizations, has officially launched the “TOP Green PLUS (TOP Green+)” program. This executive-level leadership course aims to strengthen the capabilities of organizational leaders to transform environmental challenges into strategic drivers. The program offers new perspectives on value creation, enhances competitiveness, and fosters cross-sector collaboration to accelerate the transition toward tangible sustainability outcomes at both organizational and societal levels. 

This year, the TOP Green PLUS program seeks to move “sustainability” beyond theoretical learning toward a deep understanding of competitive conditions, business opportunities, and strategic decision-making in a world where environmental standards are becoming decisive factors for organizational success. The course also equips leaders with tools and frameworks to systematically and sustainably drive organizational transformation. 

The opening ceremony for the “TOP Green PLUS (TOP Green+)” program was held on February 26, 2026, at Room 111, Maha Chulalongkorn Building, with Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, presiding over the ceremony. He described the second cohort of TOP Green PLUS as a program designed to develop key personnel who will play an important role in Thailand’s national development. The curriculum goes beyond classroom learning, focusing on strategic planning to lead organizations and the nation toward goals that extend beyond sustainability. 

“From Sustainability to Regeneration” represents a shift beyond the traditional concept of sustainability, which emphasizes preservation, toward regeneration—simultaneous development and restoration. The program encourages participants to explore what it calls “SDG 18,” a customized sustainable development goal tailored to Thailand’s unique context and environment, rather than strictly following the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pantawat Sampanpanish, Director of the Environmental Research Institute for Sustainability at Chulalongkorn University, noted that the university recognizes global volatility, including economic crises, climate change, disasters, inequality, and rapid technological and geopolitical shifts. The second cohort of TOP Green PLUS moves from knowledge-based instruction to practical implementation, focusing on CEOs from both the public and private sectors. Building on the first cohort’s emphasis on knowledge, this edition prioritizes hands-on application that executives can immediately implement within their organizations. 

“Sustainability is not simply a slogan or ideology—it must be practical,” he said. The second cohort includes diverse case studies such as calculating carbon footprints at both the organizational level (Corporate Carbon Footprint: CFO) and the product level (Product Carbon Footprint: CFP), as well as simulation games to plan for crisis response and disaster evacuation. 

Dr. Benjarong Suwankiri, Assistant to the Minister of Finance, stated that the program emphasizes sustainability beyond corporate social responsibility (CSR) or image-building. It positions sustainability as central to building a green business and green economy, aligned with government policies promoting investment in alternative energy, carbon market development, and Thailand’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. He emphasized that Thailand should not merely follow global standards but should upgrade organizations, products, and supply chains to move ahead, leveraging its leadership in the food and agricultural industries to develop environmental technologies and solutions for export. 

Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Director-General of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, delivered a keynote address highlighting environmental risks in terms of economic impact and business continuity. Climate volatility, water resource challenges, pollution, and regulatory pressures are becoming hidden costs that increasingly affect real business operations. He urged the private sector to strengthen systematic risk management and promote the concept of “Research to Commercial” to expand the practical application of knowledge and innovation. The TOP Green PLUS program, he said, will serve as a key mechanism in bridging academic knowledge and business management to produce tangible results. 

This year, the project is supported by major partner organizations, including the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), UN Global Compact Network Thailand, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand. Their support strengthens governance networks, data utilization, risk management, and the expansion of economic opportunities on a broader scale. 

TOP Green PLUS aims to build a network of visionary organizational leaders capable of driving sustainability in concrete ways—from transition strategies, governance, and data utilization to risk management and systemic collaboration—enhancing Thailand’s long-term competitiveness. 

For more information, please call 06-5636-9873 or email: topgreenplus@gmail.com 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Line