People, Planet, Profit

The Singapore Institute of International Affairs has issued a red alert in its 2026 Haze Outlook report, indicating a high risk of transboundary haze this year exacerbated by the El Nino phenomenon. How prepared are ASEAN countries for the haze stress test? I discuss the findings of the report with Khor Yu Leng, Senior Fellow at the SIIA. Read the full report  here . Image Credit: Shutterstoc...

Malaysia is bracing for a period of dryer, hotter weather as the El Nino cycle kicks in, but this doesn’t negate the annual flood risks that the country faces. What can be done to improve the country’s flood mitigation and adaptation responses in the face of climate uncertainty? We discuss this with Dr. Hezri Adnan, Fellow with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. Read more of his work at  hezri...

The world is bracing for a super cycle of the El Nino climate phenomenon this year that will bring hotter, dryer weather to Southeast Asia. What are the implications of El Nino conditions for Malaysia’s water systems, and what can be done to mitigate the negative effects that could ensue? We discuss this with S. Piarapakaran, President of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia and C...

Do the sky-high prices of jet fuel strengthen the economic case for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which has long been touted as one of the main keys to decarbonizing air travel? We discuss the state of play with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Principal Consultant at Frost and Sullivan. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How prepared are Malaysian businesses to take on the obligation of carbon emissions reporting and reduction? I’ll be getting insights from Prof. Dr. Dominic Foo of University of Nottingham Malaysia on what businesses can do to get started and also how useful Carbon Emissions Pinch Analysis is as a tool for decarbonisation. This episode of People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by Bacfree. Shapin...

The Strait of Hormuz blockade and the ensuing supply shortages of fossil fuels have renewed interest in electric vehicles, especially in Southeast Asia. But is the EV agenda truly green and what structural economic changes are needed to reap the full benefits of decarbonisation through electrification? We discuss this with Akshay Prasad, Principal at the consultancy firm Arthur D. Little Southeast...

Malaysia aims to reach high income status by 2030, but the development pathway needs to take into account the mitigation and adaptation needs of climate change. We speak to Muthukumara S. Mani, Lead Environmental Economist with the World Bank about how Malaysia can balance these interests in the short and long term. Read the World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report for Malaysia here . T...

In response to soaring petroleum diesel prices, Southeast Asian governments including Malaysia are looking to increase biofuel blends. We discuss the economics of biodiesel production and its link to energy security with economist Khor Yu Leng of Segi Enam Advisors. This episode of People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by Bacfree. Shaping tomorrow's water. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystu...

The oil supply disruptions resulting from blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has sent the cost of electricity soaring in Southeast Asia. Even Malaysia’s Energy Commission has warned that consumers should be prepared for higher electricity tariffs this year. How can businesses mitigate the impact of future higher costs? We discuss this with Darren Tan, CEO of EFS Group, a renewable energy and energy...

The global energy crisis stemming from the escalation of conflict in the Middle East is exposing gaps in ASEAN energy supply chains and infrastructure. How might the crisis shape the future trajectory of energy development in the region, including renewable energy adoption? We discuss the trends with Trung Ghi, Partner at Arthur D. Little. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for...

RHB recently issued the 11th edition of its ESG Diamonds in the Rough report, highlighting sustainable investment opportunities in key ASEAN markets. We discuss the ESG investing trends and top picks from the report with Alex Chia, Head of Regional Equity Research at RHB. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology has been touted as an important decarbonisation strategy as part of national net zero emission plans. But what does it take for CCUS projects to be commercially viable? We discuss this with Chris Thackeray, CCUS Lead at the international consultancy Baringa. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2026 allocates RM28.6 million ringgit for nuclear energy, focusing on small modular reactors to provide a reliable and low-carbon complement to renewable sources. On today’s People, Planet, Profit, Elaine Boey speaks with Kevin Lee, CGS International’s Group Head of Sustainability, on the benefits, challenges, and potential of nuclear energy in Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See o...

With RM3.8 billion set aside in Budget 2026 for flood-prevention and early-warning systems, Avtandil, APAC Regional Leader at PlanRadar, shares how these investments, paired with digital solutions and smart urban planning, can strengthen resilience against natural disasters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yap Mun Ching, Chief Sustainability Officer at AirAsia, shares how the airline is working to reduce its carbon emissions, why sustainable aviation fuel is not a straightforward solution, and the reasons behind its plan to introduce a passenger carbon fee in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How resilient is Malaysia's water supply and infrastructure amid growing climate change pressures? BIMB Securities explored this in a recent thematic paper, "The Price of Every Drop: Water Risk, Climate Resilience, and Industrial Sustainability in Malaysia." We discuss how water security and ESG imperatives intersect from Mohd Redza Abdul Rahman, Director of Research at BIMB Securities. Image Cred...

How resilient is Malaysia's water supply and infrastructure amid growing climate change pressures? BIMB Securities explored this in a recent thematic paper, "The Price of Every Drop: Water Risk, Climate Resilience, and Industrial Sustainability in Malaysia." We discuss how water security and ESG imperatives intersect from Mohd Redza Abdul Rahman, Director of Research at BIMB Securities. Image Cred...

Two years after the launch of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), questions remain over whether its benefits have truly reached smaller players in the clean energy sector. On today’s People Planet Profit, Elaine Boey speaks with Datuk Muhamad Guntor Mansor Tobeng, Managing Director at Gading Kencana, about the progress and gaps in its implementation. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See o...

DXN Holdings’ Chief Operating Officer, Mahmood Hisham, tells us why the direct selling and network marketing company has chosen to prioritise human rights in its ESG journey. He also addresses questions surrounding DXN’s private jet purchase, explains how the company plans to reduce its Scope 1 emissions and respond to concerns raised by the Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group. See omnystudio.com/...

Budget 2026 offered few details on the much-anticipated carbon tax. Dr. Renard Siew, Climate Change and Sustainability Expert, discusses possible models and pricing for the tax, as well as other initiatives aimed at steering the country toward its stated goals of net-zero emissions and 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Budget 2026 offered few details on the much-anticipated carbon tax. Dr. Renard Siew, Climate Change and Sustainability Expert, discusses possible models and pricing for the tax, as well as other initiatives aimed at steering the country toward its stated goals of net-zero emissions and 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

In early September, China made a landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions by up to 10% by 2030. Belinda Schape, China Policy Analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), tells us what this means for the country’s climate ambitions and how it could reshape its role in global climate leadership. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

How is the global geopolitical shift on the climate change agenda impacting ASEAN’s renewable energy progress? We get insights from Kavita Gandhi of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore based on their latest survey findings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In July this year, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion regarding the obligation of states with regard to climate change protection. What are the implications of this decision for policymaking? We breakdown the case with sustainable development lawyer Kiu Jia Yaw on People, Planet, Profit. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

How has ESG permeated the property industry? Keith Ooi, Group Managing Director of Knight Frank Malaysia, discusses the major ESG trends in real estate, the firm’s own initiatives, and its newly established ESG business advisory unit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.