People, Planet, Profit

The EU Green Deal was intended to be revolutionary, marrying the sustainability imperative with economic growth at the highest policy level across the bloc. However with far-right groups advancing in the recent European parliament elections, does this new political configuration pose a threat for the Green Deal? We discuss the implications of this with Dr Frederick Kliem, Managing Direct...

Congestion charges seem like a no-brainer policy to alleviate traffic gridlock in cities, but why is it so difficult to implement? We hear perspectives about the failed congestion charge plan in New York from Dr. Gernot Wagner of the Columbia Business School, as well as what’s needed to implement this in the Klang Valley context with Dr. Law Teik Hua of UPM. People, Planet, Profit is brought to yo...

European planemaker, Airbus, has declared that it is pioneering sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. Camille Saguès, its Head of Environment & Sustainability Marketing explains what this all means from the fuel technology it is developing to its progress in bringing to market the world's first hydrogen-powered plane. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. See omn...

The mantra for sustainable tourism is becoming more widespread among tourist hotspots around the world, on the back of heightened awareness of climate change and the ESG scrutiny. How are hospitality and tourism majors adapting to both the physical and consumer demands for sustainability? We discuss trends with Hannah Pearson of Pear Anderson, and hear from Club Med President Henri Giscard d'Estai...

Japanese carmaker Toyota has set a target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 across the vehicle life cycle. How is it rising to the challenge? We discuss Toyota's positioning in a rapidly changing automotive sector with Datuk Ravindran K. of UMW Toyota Motor. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carbon prices took a hit last year in voluntary carbon markets after the credibility of carbon credits came under question. What should businesses consider if they want to use carbon offsets as part of their net zero strategy? We speak to Alex Cox, Head of Climate Markets at ERM for his perspective. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystud...

For businesses wanting to showcase their green credentials, getting certification in ISO 14001 in environmental management systems is a passport to international recognition. We speak to Darren Tang, CEO of Nexus Consultancy on the process and benefits of ISO certification. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the corporate world embraces ESG in their business strategy, there’s also increasing attention on how climate change affects well-being and safety in the workplace. We discuss these themes with Dr. Abed Onn of the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia (AOEMM). People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.co...

The Bursa Carbon Exchange is set to offer its first locally-based carbon credits this year from the Kuamut Rainforest Conservation Project in the state of Sabah. What is involved in launching a successful nature-based carbon credit project and how should Malaysia leverage on its natural heritage to benefit from carbon trading? We discuss this sustainability and climate change specialist Dr. Renard...

Does government inaction on climate change violate fundamental human rights? This question is being tested in courts around the world as the effects of climate change become more widely felt. The latest decision comes from the European Court of Human Rights, which earlier this month ruled that Switzerland had violated the human rights of Swiss women by failing to do enough to combat climate change...

According to the Waste Management Association of Malaysia, at the present rate the country risks running out of space for landfills by 2050. Waste-to-energy plants are being proposed as one solution to reduce the volume of waste being sent to landfills - but these aren’t without controversies. We discuss the benefits and risks of waste-to-energy projects with waste management specialist Dr. Theng...

Carbon pricing is part of climate change policy 101 - but does it make sense for Malaysia's energy and environment context? We discuss the complexities of carbon pricing and considerations to take into account with our expert panel. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysian SMEs are increasingly being asked to provide ESG disclosures from global supply chain partners looking to achieve net zero emissions targets. To help SMEs stay competitive, Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM) issued the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guidelines (SEDG) last year that demystifies the disclosure process. We discuss the genesis and impact of the SEDGs so far with Navina Balasingam of...

The aviation sector is responsible for around 3% of global carbon emissions, and the industry has a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. How far do carbon offsets go in making air travel more green? We discuss how Malaysia Airlines implements its carbon offset programme in collaboration with climate tech software provider CHOOOSE. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. S...

The Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) guidelines are the latest addition to the ESG disclosure universe focusing on nature and biodiversity considerations. How is the palm oil industry, long subjected to sustainability oversight, responding to the TNFD rules? We discuss the genesis and potential implications of TNFD, especially for Malaysian palm oil players. People, Planet...

The European Union launched the Green Deal in 2020, its package of policy initiatives that puts it on a pathway to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However the implications of climate-related policies like pesticide bans and emissions curbs are triggering widespread backlash from a core constituent: farmers. How are the farmers' protests across Europe impacting the implementation of EU green pol...

As urban migration accelerates and in the face of climate change risks, how can we ensure the sustainability and resilience of our cities? We discuss themes related to resilience in the built environment for the Malaysian context with Architect Dr. Miguel Robles-Cardona of Veritas Design Group. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Although there have been negative indicators about consumer demand for electric vehicles in the US, ICN's Dan Gearino argues that the outlook is less bleak than some portray. He breaks down the factors driving EV demand and supply, as well as the challenges to increasing market penetration. Read more of his work at insideclimatenews.org . People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Ima...

Discussions about net zero emission targets in response to climate change often focus on carbon dioxide, but there are other greenhouse gases that also raise the surface temperature of the earth. How much do we understand the science of GHGs and how should this impact the actions that we take? I discuss the technicalities of climate change monitoring with Chong Yen Mee, technical analyst for the M...

Last year the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) set a target for the shipping industry to reach net zero emissions by or around 2050. To what extent is this shared goal shaping sustainability practices of the sector? We discuss green shipping trends with Kenneth Loh, APAC Shipping & Logistics Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image...

The prevailing impression of private equity is that it prioritises short-term gains over long-term value. However with ESG principles taking centerstage, can private equity then become a force for good? Founder and CEO of Bintang Capital Partners, Johan Rozali Wathooth makes the case for impact investing and the unstoppable ESG trend. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. See omn...

Can business be a force for good? That’s the premise behind B Corp certification, a label bestowed upon for-profit businesses that undergo a rigorous assessment by the global non-profit organisation, B Lab. What does the certification process entail and what are the benefits of being a B Corp? Tan Ee Beng, ESG Services Manager of Genashtim walks us through the procedure. Genashtim is the Southeast...

How effective is recycling and what gaps need to be addressed to improve its impact in waste management? We revisit conversations on waste management and recycling from a range of perspectives. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final show of 2023, we look back at some of the conversations this year centering on the themes of ESG reporting, including the launch of the latest ISSB guidelines on climate and sustainability disclosures, as well as whether it will assuage concerns around greenwashing. We also recount the landmark climate change case in Montana and how that could change accountability pathways in climate...

Countries around the world, including Malaysia, are looking to build the resilience of its infrastructure systems in the face of climate change risks. What does sustainable infrastructure look like in terms of the roads and highways? We discuss themes in sustainable infrastructure preparedness with Satpal Singh Chief Governance, Risk and Sustainability Officer of PLUS Malaysia. People, Planet, Pro...