PROGRESSING TOWARDS BUILDING A GREENER ECONOMY

The goal of reaching a net zero carbon emission by a certain year has made its way to the top of many corporate missions over the last couple of years. Corporate giants are more aware than ever of the importance of integrating green and sustainable practices into their operations for a better future.

“WE ARE TARGETING RM100 BILLION IN CONTRIBUTION BY 2030 AND TO DOUBLE THE JOBS THAT WERE CREATED LAST YEAR”

Last year, Petronas announced its aspiration to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 as part of its holistic approach to sustainability that balances Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations which are aligned to its statement of purpose, namely, to be a ‘progressive energy and solutions partner enriching lives for a sustainable future.

And as of recent, Grab’s new carbon offset feature, to be launched in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in July before rolling out to the rest of the region, will let consumers easily purchase carbon offsets at less than US$0.10 per ride. The amount will go towards reforestation and conservation projects managed by local non-governmental organisations.

Anthony Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Grab said, “The health of our business is intrinsically linked to the welfare of our communities and the protection of our environment. In order for our business to grow and succeed in the long run, we must work towards building thriving communities where our partners have sustainable income opportunities, while protecting our environment for generations to come.”

These efforts have also been seen in the banking sector with both HSBC and Maybank announcing extensive initiatives on sustainability and the transition into a net zero global economy.

NEW CHALLENGES, NEW STRATEGIES

Sharing his thoughts on the changes taking place during a pandemic, Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor says new strategies were needed to reflect the new challenges in place and the limitations that had been imposed.