In the pursuit of environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices, it is easy to overlook gaps that are worthwhile addressing in creating a foundation for sustainability that is ultimately rewarding for an organisation.

Addressing such gaps represents low-hanging fruit in the journey to cultivate resilience, improve productivity and support growth, which ultimately show up as better performance for those who commit to the transition.

These values are pertinent for UOB Malaysia, whose commitment to sustainability goes beyond green financing solutions and extends to fostering the right culture and environment for the community, beginning with facilitating green practices and employee well-being in the workplace.

Leading the way is UOB Malaysia’s award-winning headquarters UOB Plaza 1 Kuala Lumpur, which outshone other nominated green buildings in Malaysia and across Asean to secure top honours for energy efficiency. It was recognised as the top winner in the Energy Efficient Building category at both the Asean Energy Efficiency and Conservation Best Practices Awards 2024 and the National Energy Awards 2024.

Completed in 2022, the 37-storey headquarters seamlessly incorporates biophilic design elements, such as natural lighting, and integrated greenery that connects the occupants with an organic urban environment and contributes to their physical and mental well-being in support of workplace positivity.

It is worth noting that UOB Plaza 1 KL is Malaysia’s first bank headquarters to receive platinum certification from GreenRE Malaysia — the highest level in the nation’s green building rating system — as well as BCA Greenmark in neighbouring Singapore.

The UOB Malaysia headquarters is embedded with future-proof characteristics across energy savings, health and safety, and other state-of-the-art technological features for a conducive work environment.

For example, LED lighting with sensors, floor-to-ceiling windows for optimal natural light and efficient cooling systems that significantly reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. Water-saving measures such as leak detection and the use of low volatile organic compound materials further enhance the building’s eco-friendly credentials.

“We are honoured to receive these recognitions at both regional and national levels, which affirmed our commitment to sustainability. By combining design, purpose and function, UOB Plaza 1 KL stands as a testament to our journey of advancing ESG best practices that create lasting value for our people, customers and the community. It also demonstrates how we balance long term growth with responsibility,” says UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei.

It is not just about energy efficiency — the thoughtful design of UOB Plaza 1 KL prioritises employee comfort, as exemplified by how it clinched the Workplace Wellness Programme by ESGBusiness Awards twice in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating UOB Malaysia’s dedication to employee well-being and cultivating a healthy, inclusive work culture driven by purpose, passion and people.

“Employee well-being is essential to our organisation’s success and we are glad to have committed people-centric values that not only advance our mission but also provide a space where our people thrive, feel supported and can bring their best selves to work every day,” says Ng.

From bistros on every floor to a health clinic, the 269,000 sq ft UOB Plaza 1 KL also features a gym, childcare centre and recreational areas such as a penthouse and two floors of sky lounge complete with a game room. The building also houses a collection of artworks from the UOB Painting of the Year competition, as well as those by other Malaysian artists (pictured below), which it hopes will inspire creativity among its occupants and visitors alike while “celebrating the creativity and passion of local talents”, she adds.

Ng is the bank’s first female CEO. This itself is an example of how UOB Malaysia encourages personal growth and upholds its merit-based approach while celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We want to nurture our people the UOB Way and help create an environment that advances productivity and collaboration,” she says.

Combine these with a flexible, task-centric workspace that connects business units while optimising the open plan with features like noise zoning and modular layouts, the headquarters aims to bring out the best from its over 3,000-strong workforce that spends ample time in this award-winning architectural marvel.

The recent UOB Business Outlook Study 2024 reveals a strong and growing awareness among Malaysian businesses of the need for energy transition. Despite this, significant financial and technical barriers persist. Over 80% of local businesses recognise the importance of sustainability, yet only 39% have implemented sustainable practices. Many find it a challenge to take on the upfront costs, even though they see the long-term benefits, and there is often a lack of technical expertise to evaluate and implement effective solutions.

Practical solutions such as the adoption of renewable energy, improvement of energy efficiency, emission reduction measures and fleet electrification are some of many actionable measures businesses can adopt to reduce their carbon footprint in operations. These steps not only make a tangible impact but also help businesses ease into meaningful decarbonisation initiatives.

To address these challenges, UOB Malaysia simplifies access to sustainable financing, including businesses in energy-intensive or hard-to-abate sectors. By combining financing with practical tools and hands-on guidance, the bank helps businesses kick-start and navigate their transition journey with a clear roadmap that aligns with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Such services are crucial in helping organisations to achieve more, faster. For example, across Malaysia, there are only 44 buildings with similar platinum GreenRE certification, followed by Gold (109 buildings), silver (89 buildings) and bronze (192 buildings), according to GreenRE’s official website. This means only 434 buildings in the country have successfully applied for green certification, and even those in this group can be elevated further in terms of ESG adoption.

As Malaysia continues to advocate sustainable building practices, UOB Malaysia is committed to supporting these organisations and helping meet their financial needs in various aspects of their transition journey, says Ng.

“It’s the little things that count and they are proven to have been able to move the needle. We are keen to be a part of Malaysians’ journey towards both sustainability and workplace wellness,” she says.

“The UOB Plaza 1 is testament to our own pathway — we want to walk the talk — towards achieving greater ESG best practices that would only move an organisation forward.”