ESG

KUALA LUMPUR: SME Corp Malaysia has led a pivotal Asean Hong Kong, China SMEs Going ESG Policy Dialogue and Workshop 2024. The event today drew over 300 participants from local SMEs, Asean countries and Hong Kong and China. It served as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, and sharing best practices on sustainability among Asean countries, SME Corp said. The one-and-a-half-day event centred around the theme “Empowering SME sustainability”. “This event, attended by government officials, ESG experts, SME owners, representatives from financial institutions and academia, aimed to educate participants on the importance of ESG practices, development of ESG strategy, as well as measurement and monitoring of ESG performance. “The dialogue session focused on developing policy recommendations to promote the adoption of ESG practices among SMEs, sharing stories of SMEs pioneering the ESG journey, and highlighting efforts of the government and relevant agencies in the region.” SME Corp added that the sharing session specifically provided participants with insights into best practices, challenges, and recommendations from prominent speakers. Rizal Nainy, the chief executive officer of SME Corp shared that being ESG-ready is a huge advantage for SMEs to access local and global markets. “Hence, SME Corp has launched the ESG Quick Guide for MSMEs to facilitate the adoption of ESG practices among MSMEs, which can be downloaded for free upon taking the ESG assessment on our website.” Given its importance, SME Corp has taken the initiative to recognise the MSMEs that actively integrate ESG practices into the company’s business and strategy with a new special award under the Enterprise 50 Programme this year, the Best E50 Award for ESG Practice.–New Straits Times

HONG KONG: JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong prioritizes the planet while delivering unparalleled guest experiences. The hotel is dedicated to enhancing positive environmental and social impacts through its daily operations, inspiring guests to embrace greener living with a variety of initiatives. A comprehensive sustainability program has been implemented across guestrooms, meeting spaces, and dining offerings. A Green Stay Experience Guests are invited to experience eco-friendly travel during their stay at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, contributing to the hotel’s efforts to reduce environmental impacts. Key sustainable measures in the guestrooms include: -Waste Reduction: The hotel offers paperless solutions such as digital check-in/out, online newspapers and magazines, and digital in-room dining menus. Plastic bottled water and amenities are replaced with sustainable alternatives, and water dispensers are provided in public areas to reduce waste. – Recycling Programme: Recycling bins are available in guestrooms and staff areas. Leftover soap bars are sent to social enterprises, used furniture and equipment are donated to non-profits, and guests can use recyclable coffee capsules and biodegradable tea bags. -Energy and Water Saving: Rooms feature digital thermostats with energy-efficient modulating valves and faucet flow regulators. Guests are encouraged to conserve water by reusing towels and linens. Over 95% of the hotel’s lighting is energy-efficient LED. – Accessible Location: The hotel is conveniently located downtown, directly connected to the Admiralty MTR station, promoting sustainable commuting and reducing carbon footprints. The ‘Stay Green at JW’ package merges luxury with sustainability, offering a comfortable stay, daily breakfast, reusable stainless steel water bottles, a reusable tote bag, and dining credits at Fish Bar, where sustainable seafood and beverages are served. Sustainable Meeting Solutions JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong integrates sustainability into event planning, providing eco-conscious solutions for low-carbon meetings and events: – Paperless Events: The hotel uses digital signage, screens, projectors, and QR code menus to reduce paper use. The JW Marriott Ballroom features LED walls for presentations and backdrops. -Eco-friendly Water Solutions: Plastic bottled water is replaced with recyclable aluminum bottles, and meeting delegates are encouraged to bring their own containers to refill at dispensers. -Green Food and Beverage:The culinary team sources sustainable, local ingredients, offering plant-based menus and donating food waste to local charities or recycling it into energy. – Energy Saving: Venues like Executive Meeting Suites and the newly launched PRESIDEN room feature natural daylight to reduce energy consumption. The ‘Meet Green at JW’ package includes a green menu, reusable water bottles, and a central stationery desk, with full-day and half-day meeting options available. Sustainable Gastronomy The restaurants and bars at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong combine culinary excellence with sustainability, focusing on responsible sourcing, food waste management, and eco-friendly operations: – Responsible Sourcing: Menus prioritize sustainable and organic ingredients, local produce, ocean-friendly seafood, cage-free eggs, and locally farmed vegetables. Eco-friendly beverages like ecoSPIRITS and Belu filtered water are available. – JW Garden: Herbs grown in the hotel’s JW Garden are incorporated into dishes and cocktails, enhancing the culinary experience with fresh ingredients. – Food Waste Management: Chefs develop innovative recipes using all parts of the food, and surplus food is donated to local charities. Food waste is recycled into energy through the Food Waste Collection Scheme. – Eco-Conscious Operations:Digital menus, portioned meals, and biodegradable takeaway packaging are some of the steps taken by the hotel’s restaurants to operate sustainably. The Fish Bar, an alfresco seafood restaurant, reopened in spring 2024 with a focus on sustainable dining, reflected in its design, food, and operations. As the world faces severe environmental challenges, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong remains dedicated to championing sustainable values and engaging guests in actions for a greener future. For more information, visit the hotel’s website or contact them at +852 2810 8366.

SINGAPORE: CGS International Securities (CGS International) has released its first sustainability report, highlighting its dedication to sustainable development within Southeast Asia’s (SEA) financial services sector. This independently assured report adheres to the Global Reporting Initiative and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board standards. In the report, Mdm Chang Yu, Chairlady of CGS International and CEO of CGS International Holdings Limited, stated, “CGS International is more than a leading financial services provider in Asia; we have a broader role to play. Whether facilitating collaborations between China and ASEAN or fostering financially savvy communities, we aim to uplift the lives of those in the markets we serve.” Ms. Carol Fong, Group CEO of CGS International, added, “By leveraging our extensive financial networks across ASEAN, CGS International is committed to steering financial services towards sustainable development in the region. Our goal is to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into our products and services progressively, thereby empowering our customers with more opportunities for sustainable investment.” The report details the company’s progress in its early journey toward its eight Sustainability Focus (8SF) areas, a key component of CGS International’s Vision 2025. This vision positions sustainability as a strategic pillar in establishing CGS International as a leading world-class investment bank in Asia. The report also covers GHG emissions, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 (Category 1). CGS International has pledged to expand its Scope 3 GHG emissions measurement to include business travel starting in 2024 and will develop a climate strategy to manage these emissions in the future. To bolster its sustainability efforts, CGS International has launched the ASEAN Institute of Carbon Neutrality (AICN). AICN aims to promote climate mitigation and adaptation by developing thought leadership for capital markets. Mr. Kevin Lee, Group Head of Sustainability at CGS International, noted, “AICN leverages CGS International’s award-winning research team to advance sustainable finance knowledge in SEA through various platforms. By partnering with local entities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, we aim to strengthen knowledge and networks to mobilize capital towards climate action.” In December 2023, CGS International signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National University of Singapore (NUS), marking NUS as AICN’s first partner. AICN and NUS’ Sustainable and Green Finance Institute are collaborating on three research projects on renewable energy and the just transition in SEA, with findings expected by Q4 2024. AICN will also host a series of webinars on sustainable financing to enhance ESG knowledge. The first webinar, “Understanding Just Transition & Climate Finance in the ASEAN Context,” will be held in July 2024, in collaboration with NUS.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sika Malaysia, part of global leader Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and automotive industry — partners with PINTAR Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at enhancing education for underprivileged students in both rural areas and urban poor communities across Malaysia, in conducting a gotong-royong drive benefiting schools throughout the country. The gotong-royong drive involved more than 400 Sika Malaysia employees and benefited five schools, consisting of more than 3,000 students and 250 teachers within Sika Malaysia’s operational regions. This initiative demonstrates the company’s efforts to enhance community involvement, promote environmental awareness, and create a safer, more conducive learning environment for the students.   “I am very pleased to see the enthusiasm and dedication of the employees who came to the ground and successfully carried out the gotong-royong drive, making a significant impact on the underprivileged students,” said Francisco Retondo, General Manager of Sika Malaysia. “I would like to thank PINTAR Foundation for collaborating with us to uplift the communities where we operate, reaffirming our commitment to societal and environmental stewardship. We look forward to fostering long-term benefits with PINTAR Foundation for the disadvantaged students in Malaysia.”   “We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Sika Malaysia,” said Norzalina Masom, General Manager of PINTAR Foundation. “Our new partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to make a tangible difference in the lives of underprivileged communities. Together, we’re not only pooling resources but also magnifying our impact, ensuring a nurturing environment for the educational growth of underprivileged students throughout Malaysia.”   The benefiting schools include Sekolah Kebangsaan Dato’ Ahmad Manaf in Nilai; Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (T) Bukit Darah in Sungai Buloh, Selangor; Sekolah Kebangsaan Telok Gong in Telok Gong, Selangor; Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jalan Pasir Puteh in Ipoh; and Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Indahpura 2 in Kulai, Johor. Sika Malaysia also donated approximately 3,300 stationery sets to the students as a means to provide them with the basic schooling needs.   Sika Malaysia’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative is part of Sika’s broader global community engagement with this year’s theme, ‘One Team. Many Voices. Going Beyond Together’, observed on Sika Day, held annually on 11th June. This CSR initiative has brought together over 33,000 employees worldwide to participate in various activities, achieving 10,000 days of community engagement worldwide that aid local communities and create lasting benefits for generations to come.