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ESG

ESG, News

Yayasan Hasanah Changing the Game in Community Development

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KUALA LUMPUR: Impact-based foundation of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Yayasan Hasanah launched its 10th edition of The Hasanah Report (THR) 2023, revealing a total of RM223 million worth of funds disbursed in 2023 with a reach of 2.9 million people in Malaysia across all layers of society. According to the report, a total of RM1.6 billion worth of funds have been disbursed to date since 2015, across core areas of education, community development, arts, heritage and culture (AHC) as well as environment and knowledge. The report marks a decade of Yayasan Hasanah being the leading foundation in Malaysia’s philanthropic sector, going beyond charity but anchored in the concept of social justice for the rakyat. “When we look back at the milestones achieved by our partners, a unifying theme emerged: the inspiring stories of trailblazers, stereotype-breakers and courageous dreamers. These are the people who are forging new possibilities and shaping our collective future narrative, which is what inspired the theme of our report this year of ‘Reinventing our Future: Harapan Tanpa Sempadan’,” said Yayasan Hasanah Trustee and Managing Director Dato’ Shahira Ahmed Bazari. In the report, Hasanah highlighted one of the many livelihood programmes supported by the Ministry of Finance, namely the Blind Planters Programme in Terengganu which offers training for visually impaired individuals to become planters, cultivating the Terengganu Sweet Melons to generate income, successfully harvesting a collective total of 387kg of the fruit to date. This initiative not only challenges the stigma surrounding blindness but also broadens the horizons of career options for the visually impaired as well as inspiring new perspectives in empowering other vulnerable communities, especially the B40 community. The foundation also recognised the exponential growth of numerous community leaders who have emerged through programmes supported by Hasanah, such as the Temiar Orang  Asli community in Perak, who – with the leadership of the Tok Batin – have transformed their village into an ecotourism destination, creating sustainable income opportunities, generating close to  RM 40,000 in revenue within seven months from its launch. Within the environmental sector, Hasanah has been steadfastly supporting Roots & Shoots Malaysia since 2019 which began with a handful of dedicated youth volunteers and has grown into a movement empowering 317 young individuals. The volunteers are allowed to collaborate with a diverse array of NGOs, amplifying their impact and contribution to environmental causes. Emphasising the power of the Public-Private-Philanthropy partnership model, Shahira added, “We’re excited to see the involvement of youth across various impact areas – from education to community development – underscoring their potential to shape Malaysia’s future.”

ESG

Frangipani Langkawi Accelerates Path to Sustainability, Sets Target to 2030

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KUALA LUMPUR: The tourism and hospitality sector is strongly emerging as a pivotal player in shaping a more environmentally conscious future as the world increasingly prioritises sustainability in all aspects of businesses. However, key industry stakeholders face challenges that demand strategic attention and action to effectively contribute to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While many prominent players in the tourism and hospitality sector openly declare their dedication to corporate sustainability, the prevailing understanding within the industry prioritises business goals, streamlined operations, and saving money rather than genuine sustainability concerns. One local hospitality player has been moving strongly towards achieving sustainability in its businesses and operations. The Frangipani Langkawi Resort And Spa group managing director Anthony Wong said the resort achieved accolades from two UN bodies, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), in 2022, declaring it the centre of excellence (CoE) in sustainable hospitality. “Our book, which is 270 pages long, offers over 200 ways to practice sustainability. We envision achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 instead of 2050 and showing others how to accomplish this. “From the start of our resort operations, we have considered sustainability, and when the UN introduced the concept of sustainability, we used it as a benchmark. “Over the past 18 years, we have dedicated ourselves to this endeavour, successfully attaining all 17 SDGs. Our team, comprising three full-time members solely dedicated to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives within the resort and two external team members, receives unwavering support from all department heads in our pursuit of sustainable goals. “We have full-time officers recording our water, energy, food and green practices, and documentation is compulsory where we produce academic papers to teach local higher learning institutes on sustainability practices,” Wong told The Exchange Asia. The resort is allocating approximately RM5 million to enhance its facilities, particularly water and food security. Additionally, more investments will be made in energy-saving equipment such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles (EVs). Furthermore, there are also plans to increase tree planting to serve as carbon sinks. Note that the current best practices in sustainable hospitality involve the hospitality industry’s better waste management and reduction. This means hotels must take initiatives to use less plastic and disposable items, waste less food, and explore innovative recycling solutions. Secondly, water conservation, whereby water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and greywater recycling technologies are adopted to reduce water consumption without compromising guest comfort. Finally, sustainable sourcing, local partnerships, and how leading hotels should prioritise procuring goods and services that meet ethical and environmental standards, including organic and locally produced items. Hotels can reduce their carbon footprint by fostering local partnerships and supporting nearby businesses and communities. When asked to elaborate on various sustainability initiatives, Wong said the resort is currently upgrading every room to have a larger internal garden with the edible landscape around the villas, watering from grey water and more rainwater harvesting, and underground tanks and most villas have rainwater harvesting tanks. “We are producing more organic food and creating more education programmes focusing on the environment and sustainability, especially for children. We are also planting more flowers and making our landscape more colourful. “Our resort boasts 115 villas along a spacious 350-meter beachfront, set within an expansive 11.3-acre estate. “We prioritise family education and provide healthy dining options. Unlike targeting the mass market, we cater to a more intimate experience,” Wong said. When asked how the leadership philosophy influences the resort’s management, Wong said leadership is needed as sustainable concepts are still new in Malaysia. “We train everyone on why and how. We recognise internal green champions. We have the training, documents, and videos to learn, and most importantly, I am teaching staff myself on the ground. “Our main challenge is recruiting skilled staff who can grasp the principles of sustainable hospitality and possess a warm, friendly attitude. “We are open to offering higher wages to incentivise productivity. Therefore, the ability to multitask is essential for survival and success in our industry,” Wong pointed out. “My journey in greening and sustainability started nearly 50 years ago, and I pioneered ecotourism in the Asia Pacific. “We are now partnering with the UN to spread our sustainable green practices and discoveries so more countries can learn from our work globally. The best way for capacity building. “Our goal to be a sustainable green hotel school is almost there. We can show over 200 ways to save involving architecture, bioengineering, chemistry, natural science, biology and continuous research,” Wong said.

Energy & Technology, ESG

Transformative ESG Project to Kick Off Today as MIGHT Signs MoU with Pantas Software

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and Pantas Software Sdn Bhd have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embark on a transformative environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) project. The partnership aims to pioneer a Proof of Concept (PoC) Carbon Accounting and Management Software Services towards a new era of corporate sustainability practices starting 1 May 2024. MIGHT said the project will kick off with a 6-month PoC phase, which will enhance understanding, awareness and commitment to carbon accounting by implementing robust software solutions to monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions accurately. The technology think tank said that this collaboration will leverage innovative technology to analyse emissions data, pinpoint areas for enhancement and establish emission reduction goals. “The PoC collaboration represents a significant milestone in integrating ESG principles into corporate governance strategies. “This venture will empower organisations to address the challenges of a rapidly evolving world while promoting sustainable business practices,” it said. According to MIGHT, the initiative will give its employees valuable exposure and hands-on experience in adapting to emerging trends and innovations related to emissions for sustainability reporting and management. “The partnership established underscores MIGHT’s unwavering dedication to fostering a more sustainable future and driving positive change within its ecosystem,” it added. Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the biggest contributing factors to global warming, which is mainly attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation. A study by Statista showed that in 2022, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy consumption in Malaysia amounted to approximately 272.9 million metric tons, an increase compared to the previous year. The amount of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel energy consumption in Malaysia was at its highest in that same year. — BERNAMA

Energy & Technology, ESG

Sustainable Products Gaining Popularity Among Gen Z, Millennials

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KUALA LUMPUR: People within the Generation Z (Gen Z) age range, along with millennials, are willing to pay a higher price for sustainable products, but a majority of them are not willing to commit any additional resources to be more sustainable in their energy usage. This is the result that was derived from a recent Ernst & Young’s (EY) Energy Transition Consumer Insights report. The survey found that 81% of Malaysian energy consumers believe they are doing their part to promote sustainability, 85% believe energy providers are responsible for managing sustainable energy use and 31% are unwilling to pay more for sustainable products. EY Asia Pacific Energy and Resources Customer Experience Transformation Leader Mark Bennett said, “Consumers are grappling with uncertainty as we enter a new phase of energy transition, amid higher energy prices, geopolitical volatility and growing concerns around energy equity. “While efforts on the supply side are gaining momentum we need a fundamental shift in how we encourage sustainable consumer behaviour. Consumers want a clean energy future but need a broad range of support to make personal energy choices,” he added. He also mentioned that to close the gap between consumers’ intentions and actions, everyone in the broader energy ecosystem, including energy providers and the government, must work together to do their part. Additionally, the index found that energy consumers from Southeast Asia (SEA) were more confident about their energy future than global respondents, with Indonesia ranking second with a score of 72.2, Malaysia ranking third with a score of 69.4 and Singapore in sixth position with a score of 61.7. “The findings reveal a correlation between the progress of countries in the energy transition and energy consumer confidence. As a market progresses through the energy transition process, consumer confidence rises first, reflecting positive sentiment around the future before falling sharply. “This might be because as the energy transition process shifts from concept to implementation, the magnitude, intricacy and extent of disruption inherent in this journey become increasingly apparent to consumers,” he added. Bennet elaborated that SEA is still relatively in the early stage of its energy transition and consumers in the region remain more confident about their energy future than global respondents. “Building and maintaining consumer confidence throughout the transition journey is an important determinant of a country’s ability to achieve its decarbonisation goals. “SEA is in a unique position to learn from the experience of countries that are further along in their transition journey and choose to do some things differently in achieving its net-zero commitments,” Bennet added. — BERNAMA

ESG, News

Measures Involving Trade and ESG Must Be Fair to Developing Countries – Tengku Zafrul

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia believes there is a need to revisit commitments to sustainable development, efficient global recourse and fair and balanced trade among countries, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). Its minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said countries must have shared values which will result in trade policies that can contribute to equitable and sustainable development. “However, this should not be used as non-tariff measures to restrict trade flows. The proliferation of trade-related environmental measures such as the threat of environmental, social and governance (ESG) by developed countries is among the most important aspects of international trade,” Tengku Zafrul said during a meeting at the World Economic Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tengku Zafrul said the proliferation of trade-related measures has emerged as potential protectionist tools that could unfairly discourage global production and trade, particularly to developing countries. “These measures can manifest as border instruments and compliance but they will undoubtedly be complicated and perhaps too costly for most developing country exporters,” he added. Tengku Zafrul stressed that leaving the matter unattended could potentially erode developing and least developing countries’ trade competitiveness and investment attractiveness. Citing a report by the World Trade Organisation, he highlighted that environmental goods and services face an average tariff of 4.3% along with numerous non-tariff measures. “The cost of compliance, including certification, can be prohibitively expensive, especially for small and medium enterprises from developing nations. “Such barriers necessitate a collaborative approach where developed countries not only impose these standards but also facilitate the means for compliance through technical and financial support,” he added. Tengku Zafrul went on to say that in light of the complexities posed by ESG standards as non-tariff barriers and the significant need for capacity building and fair trade policies, a comprehensive approach is essential to ensure both environmental sustainability and economic justice, particularly for developing nations. “Therefore, Malaysia supports and welcomes discussions on establishing effective multilateral rules on trade and sustainable development. “Our commitment is evident through initiatives such as the New Investment Policy, New Industrial Master Plan 2023, National Energy Transition Roadmap and the ESG Industry Framework, which are all aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth,” he said. — BERNAMA

Energy & Technology, ESG

Nornickel Develops Palladium Solutions to Address Environmental Challenges

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BANGKOK: Mining and smelting company Nornickel is developing innovative palladium solutions to address key climate challenges in the Asia Pacific region. The solutions include improving water treatment for over 2 billion people, facilitating the implementation of green energy projects, reducing harmful emissions and optimising the transition to biodegradable packaging. For this, Nornickel has allocated a total of US$100 million to be used for research and development of palladium applications by the end of 2030. Currently, water that has been disinfected with chlorine poses significant environmental risks in its production, transport and storage. A palladium alloy catalyst combined with electrolysis technology allows the disinfectant to be produced close to the water supply, reducing environmental risks. “Palladium is a critical mineral for the future, especially for hydrogen and solar energy projects. “Palladium-based catalysts in the hydrogen energy sector show efficiency gains at every stage of the production chain, from the extraction of hydrogen from water through electrolysis, to its transport and even in the fuel cell itself. In the solar energy industry, palladium chalcogenide can be used to make highly efficient photovoltaic (PV) cells,” said Norilsk Nickel Palladium Centre’s Head Dmity Izotov. The key raw material for the production of biodegradable packaging is currently glycolic acid, which is derived from formaldehyde, a dangerous carcinogen. The new palladium-based catalyst eliminates the need for carcinogenic formaldehyde and provides better raw material yields. Palladium technology not only helps manufacturers meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations but also reduces production costs and improves safety. “In the era of global digitalisation, technologies such as neural networks, big data analysis and machine learning play an important role in accelerating processes. Nornickel is actively using digital technologies to model and predict the structures and properties of materials. “Tight international cooperation in the development of digital technologies is needed at all levels and is crucial to accelerate the adoption of green technologies and achieve sustainable development goals. The Palladium Technology Centre is poised to act as a pilot site for testing new digital tools,” said Dmitry. Palladium is widely recognised around the world for its significant role in resolving environmental challenges. It is already being actively used in the automotive industry to develop emission control systems. Palladium is highly catalytic, hydrogen-permeable and when combined with other elements, has good optical properties. This gives palladium enormous potential to improve the performance of green technologies and make them cheaper to implement.

ESG

Yayasan Tengku Abdullah Joins Hands with FOMEMA to Gift RM300K to Aid Vulnerable Communities During Ramadan

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KUALA LUMPUR: – FOMEMA Sdn Bhd, through its charity arm, Yayasan Tengku Abdullah (YTA), continues to support vulnerable members of the community, particularly those in the B40 category, with a series of charitable activities during the holy month of Ramadan. This annual ‘giving back’ initiative reflects YTA’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity and solidarity among vulnerable communities with the active participation of volunteers from  FOMEMA employees, irrespective of their religious backgrounds. “As the charity arm for FOMEMA, we understand our role in identifying and supporting the local communities, especially during the festive season. “To this end, we have allocated RM300,000 towards impactful activities during the month of Ramadan for those who need it the most”, YTA chairman Tengku Shaheera Tengku Tan Sri Abdullah said in a statement. Building on this commitment, two major Iftar events were organised recently with residents of Kampung Sungai Kepong in Lanchang, Pahang, while in Kuala Lumpur, the event was attended by representatives and residents of four charity homes alongside 51 students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, attended the event and received aid in the form of textbooks and medical tools required for their respective courses. Both events welcomed a total of approximately 1000 members of vulnerable communities, including students, single mothers, orphans, and the elderly from underprivileged backgrounds. To further spread festive joy, duit raya and contributions amounting to approximately RM70,000 were distributed to the recipients to help alleviate their financial burden ahead of the Aidilfitri celebrations by both Tengku Shaheera and FOMEMA executive chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Ahmad Tengku Tan Sri Abdullah. Additionally, throughout the month of Ramadan, donations of 650 packets of dates were distributed to charity homes and donations of necessities and Hari Raya essentials to recipients from low-income families in Klang Valley, all in the spirit of spreading happiness and the blessings of Ramadan. “These initiatives are part of continuous efforts by YTA to spread joy and much-needed support to vulnerable communities, aligning with FOMEMA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus on giving back to communities and ensuring public well-being while creating meaningful bonds leading up to the festive periods”, FOMEMA chief executive officer Dr Mohd Afiq Farhan Md Hanif said.

ESG, News

Ministry and SMJ Secretariat to Discuss Measures to Tackle Hardcore Poverty in Sabah

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KOTA KINABALU: The Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry and the Sabah Maju Jaya secretariat (SMJ) will discuss interventions to address hardcore poverty in the state.   Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also the Penampang MP, said the discussion aims to formulate entrepreneurial and educational interventions to complement existing initiatives in tackling the issue. “I want to reaffirm our commitment to continue working together to develop the entrepreneurial sector through the Sabah Entrepreneurial Development Coordination Committee as envisioned by the Sabah Governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin. “The ministry is also following through on this mandate through on this mandate alongside the Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in Sabah,” he said. Ewon noted the achievement of total foreign investments amounting to RM26.7 billion over the 2 years from 2021 to 2023, as well as the reduction in hardcore poverty to 12,555 households, as 2 significant accomplishments that the state should be proud of and appreciate. He also commended the Sabah government’s decision to establish a Joint Coordination Committee to coordinate relevant agencies and departments in entrepreneurship development functions between the federal and state governments to maximise economic activities in the state. Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob said that dwelling on past infrastructure failures would not benefit the people of Sabah. Instead, he urged strong support for the current Sabah government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in its efforts to provide various infrastructures for the people and eradicate hardcore poverty in the state. “Enough of blaming each other. We should instead support and give opportunities to the state government under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) to solve the state’s issues,” he said. Yusof urged the people to give time and understand the state government’s intentions in addressing existing problems, particularly those concerning water, electricity and roads. — BERNAMA

ESG, News

1 Utama Becomes Mall With Biggest On-Site Solar PV Panels in Malaysia

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KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd, operator of 1 Utama Shopping Centre has appointed Solarvest Energy Sdn Bhd to install 273,300 sq ft of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and building-integrated PV (BIPV) panels on the mall. The panels will cover the rooftop of the building and the carpark to generate over 5,700 kWp of renewable energy, making it the largest on-site solar PV and BIPV project in Malaysia to date. Solarvest will undertake the engineering, procurement, construction and commission works for installing the solar power system and the installation is nearing completion. “Being the first green mall in Malaysia since 1995, we recognise the important role we play in promoting sustainable practices, managing environmental impact and investing in impactful long-term solutions for a circular economy and climate mitigation,” said 1 Utama Shopping Centre Public Relations and Sustainability Senior Manager, Lee Li Lian. He also mentioned that the mall had always set new standards in integrating green features and eco-campaigns, with its award-winning rainforest enclave that features 100 species of forest trees and the mall’s rooftop Secret Garden, which is the largest in Southeast Asia. “We are proud to be adopting solar energy and innovative green technology to further reduce our carbon footprint. This is a step forward for 1 Utama to achieve our ESG and Zero Energy building goals,” he added. With shopping malls being energy-intensive in terms of lighting and air conditioning, Lee said that the solar power system would help the mall conserve electricity usage and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, 1 Utama plans to earn the GreenRE Super Low Energy Building Certification by next year and achieve full ESG compliance while implementing International Labour Organisation (ILO) 2019 standards throughout its supply chain. Meanwhile, Solarvest Executive Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Solarvest, Davis Chong Chun Shiong revealed that Solarvest’s tender book in Malaysia grew from 1.6 gigawatts (GW) last year to 2.8GW this year.

ESG

Graphjet Technology Celebrates NASDAQ Bell-Ringing, Highlighting Progress In Sustainable Graphite Production.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Graphjet Technology Sdn Bhd (GTSB), a leader in sustainable graphite and graphene production, has made significant milestones with a bell-ringing ceremony at the NASDAQ stock exchange. This ceremonial event symbolises the successful listing of GTSB’s ordinary shares under the ticker symbol GTI, which began trading on March 15, 2024. The bell-ringing ceremony, a time-honoured tradition on Wall Street, was led by GTSB co-founder and chief executive officer Aiden Lee Ping Wei, along with chairman Lim Hooi Beng, executive director Jay Aw, chief technology officer Liu Yu and other key members of the company’s management team. This momentous occasion was celebrated with the participation of esteemed guests, including business partners, investors, and representatives from the Malaysian government. “Ringing the NASDAQ bell is a proud moment for all of us at GTSB. It signifies the culmination of more than two years of hard work and dedication by our team,” said Aiden Lee in a statement. “As we step into this new chapter as a publicly traded company, we are more committed than ever to leading the way in green graphite production and contributing to a sustainable future,” he said. GTSB’s innovative approach to producing graphite and graphene from agricultural waste has set a new standard in the industry. With a production process that reduces the carbon footprint by up to 83% and costs by up to 80 per cent compared to traditional methods, GTSB is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for these critical materials, especially in the United States market. The company’s recent NASDAQ listing will further bolster its growth strategy and manufacturing capacity expansion. GTSB is dedicated to delivering shareholder value through groundbreaking technologies and sustainable business practices. The company’s vision of driving innovation across multiple industries with its sustainably produced graphite and graphene is now more attainable than ever, thanks to the global visibility and strong platform provided by its NASDAQ listing.

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