By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, July 3: Sarawak Energy Bhd (Sarawak Energy) has became the first Malaysian company to sign the United Nations (UN) Global Compact Pledge and Commitment for Sustainability.
In a press statement, Sarawak Energy revealed that by signing the pledge, it has committed to setting a science-based emission reduction target across relevant scopes, in line with the Paris Agreement to pursue efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2030.
The company added the signing of the pledge has sent an important signal to other businesses in Malaysia to work towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
According to the statement, as of June 18, 249 companies around the world had signed the Business Ambition for 1.5°C commitment.
Sarawak Energy revealed its signing of the pledge was witnessed by UN Global Compact’s senior manager of Global Operations Neha Das and Global Compact Network Malaysia’s executive director Faroze Nadar.
In conjunction with the pledge signing, the energy provider has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) virtually with Global Compact Network Malaysia to focus on promoting and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Under the MOU signed by Sarawak Energy’s senior vice-president for corporate services Siti Aisah Adenan on behalf of Sarawak Energy, and Faroze on behalf of Global Compact Network Malaysia, both parties will collaborate under the latter’s “ #mySDGAction2030 ” campaign which is a local call for a more sustainable and resilient Malaysia by accelerating sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges which include climate change, inequality and closing the financial gap.
Meanwhile, the statement also revealed Sarawak Energy recently launched a campaign to build a common understanding of sustainability for its staff.
Led by the group’s chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili and Siti Aisah, the virtual event was attended by almost 700 employees through a virtual collaborative platform.
During a speech at the event, Sharbini had said Sarawak Energy hoped to raise awareness on sustainability and educate its 5,200 strong workforce on how to internalise the sustainability mindset and culture across the organisation.
“As the world progresses towards building a more sustainable energy future, we aim for Sarawak Energy to be a leader at national and regional level through our role as a renewable hydropower developer and sustainability champion.
“We are aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainability Development Goals 2030 or SDGs, and prioritise six of them in our business and operations,” the statement reported him as saying.
Sharbini also revealed Sarawak Energy’s focus on renewable hydropower as the primary component of its generation mix has seen the carbon dioxide emission intensity of Sarawak’s main grid decrease by 68 per cent in 2019 as compared to 2011.
He asserted the campaign was also a platform to raise awareness and knowledge on how to incorporate sustainability practices into the daily lives of employees to contribute to global efforts at an individual level.
On another note, Siti Aisah disclosed Sarawak Energy is focusing on efforts to integrate a robust sustainability agenda into its business and operations.
“This campaign aims to create a platform of awareness and discussion of our sustainability efforts within Sarawak Energy and also to build our position as a leading proponent of sustainability in Sarawak,” she said.
Meanwhile, the virtual event included a panel discussion with Sharbini and sustainability leaders Faroze who represented Global Compact Network Malaysia; Andrew WK Chan from Consulting Leader (Malaysia) and Sustainability and Climate Change Leader PwC’s South East Asian Consulting Services; and ASEAN Hub Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) regional head Michele Lemmens.
It was moderated by Sarawak Energy’s sustainability senior manager Mohd Irwan Aman. — DayakDaily
