A company that adopts sustainability practices has opportunities to increase profits and unlock future growth. This is a result of the wider world’s progress towards a lower-emission and more socially equitable economy, and the opportunities will differ by sector, geography, technology adoption and company strength.

How to identify sustainability opportunities

The idea to launch a Home Solar Subscription programme came after Raj Ridvan Singh, founder and CEO of Sols Energy, paid a visit to the US as a Ford Fellow many years ago.

“I got to study at Columbia University in New York and Yale University for about six weeks [in] this fellowship, an...

Energy: Home solar subscription, a game changer for accessibility?

Initially drawn to forensic and crime science because of her passion for criminology, Yap Jo Leen shifted gears after her first job as a scientific officer at the Dark Cave conservation site. This experience ignited her dedication to championing the cause of one of Malaysia’s endangered species, ...

Profile: Restoring nature, one monkey at a time

For years, the view on my commute was a blur of passing billboards. Those giant, dusty advertisements feel like relics of a bygone era. But lately, things have become a bit more interesting. Digital billboards have started popping up, replacing the static ones with bright, colourful displays. I o...

Cooler Conversations: How sustainable are billboards?

Discussions on how waste should be managed used to stop at recycling, but this has been superseded by the concept of the circular economy.

This concept ensures that materials are not wasted and remain useful through reuse, repair and designs that prevent waste from being created in the ...

Circular Economy: A better way to manage waste in Asean

More Malaysians are opting for vapes as seemingly less harmful alternatives to cigarettes. Vapes generate vapour instead of smoke, and the waste is less of an eyesore. In comparison, cigarette butts are littered, which could leach toxic contaminants into the environment.

But the environ...

Circular Economy: Dealing with vape waste

In tropical countries like Malaysia, the surface water is much warmer than deep water. This temperature difference can become a source of renewable energy, called blue energy.

Most people might think of blue energy as that generated from the movement of waves and tidal flows, but ocean ...

Energy: Tapping into the power of the ocean

Chua SengTeong, managing director of ChargEV, reflects that career-wise, he has always been at the forefront of uncharted territory, in the sectors of telecommunications, financial technology (fintech) and now, mobility. “To me, that’s fun … where there [are] endless possibilities.”

Cha...

Mobility: ChargEV’s road map for becoming a regional leader

With the European Union (EU) imposing the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) on imports into the region, Malaysia has also started considering carbon pricing schemes to accelerate decarbonisation efforts and counter the impact of carbon taxes in other jurisdictions.

While this ma...

Coverstory: How to do carbon pricing right

The merger of Celcom and Digi two years ago to form CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) made it the largest telecommunications company (telco) in Malaysia. Now, the merged entity with 20 million network subscribers is also integrating its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies.

At it...

Technology: CelcomDigi’s ESG resolution

Climate change is a long-standing issue that rose to the main agenda of policymakers and the private sector for most of the 21st century. This is as rising sea levels, global warming and increasing extreme weather events turned it into a crisis. This infographic presents the historical timeline for the discovery of climate change and the international cooperation ­to tackle the crisis.

The history of climate change

Malaysia, situated just north of the equator, is free from many forms of natural disasters. However, it is prone to seasonal flooding that is increasing in frequency on the back of global warming.

Climate risks, particularly floods, under focus

Malaysia’s pristine marine ecosystems are facing a crisis, where thriving coral reefs and diverse fish populations are now threatened by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification and extreme weather events.

Dying corals and dwindling fish populations

ESG asked two individuals, who grew up in vastly different locations, to share how they have observed the climate changing and how it has impacted their lives

Observations of climate change

Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) is exploring the use of advanced water treatment technologies through artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor, predict and detect the quality of raw water from Selangor’s rivers before it is treated at the state’s 34 water treatment plants.

Air Selangor looking into AI solutions to better manage water pollution

Wheat fell as weak demand and improving weather in the US overshadowed an outsized interest-rate cut from the Federal Reserve.
 
Futures in Chicago dipped as much as 1.8%, extending losses this week amid weaker exports for European Union soft wheat and better conditions for US winter wheat planting.

Wheat drops as weak demand, better US weather outweigh Fed cut

Europe's incoming antitrust chief Teresa Ribera plans to loosen the bloc's competition rules to strengthen European industries and speed up regulatory scrutiny of merger deals, according to an interview in Spanish newspaper El Pais on Thursday.

Incoming EU antitrust chief Ribera plans to ease antitrust rules, says El Pais

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cut Wednesday was “a very positive sign for where the US economy is,” reflecting progress in bringing down inflation and a determination to protect the job market.

Yellen says US Fed cut ‘positive sign,’ policy still restrictive

The US Senate will prepare temporary spending legislation that would avert a partial government shutdown at the end of the month, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday.

US Senate to move on stopgap bill to avoid partial government shutdown

Walmart Inc customers will soon have the option to pay directly from their bank accounts with instant transfers for online purchases. The enhanced feature is a flash point in the escalating tensions between merchants and the card networks setting the fees for payment processing.

Walmart plans instant bank payments, cutting out card networks

Sales of existing US homes fell in August to a 10-month low on persistent affordability challenges ahead of a recent decline in mortgage rates.

Contract closings decreased 2.5% from a month earlier to a 3.86 million annualised rate, according to figures released on Thursday from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

US existing-home sales drop to lowest level since October

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made the news on Thursday.

Pharmaniaga, Country Heights, EcoWorld, SSF, United Malacca, Ancom Nylex 

Wall Street’s biggest banks are divided over how fast and deep the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates over the next year, setting the stage for jittery financial markets until the outlook clears.

Big banks are split on how fast the Fed will cut interest rates

Wall Street rallied on Thursday with the S&P 500 hitting another intraday record high after the Federal Reserve kicked off its easing cycle with half-a-percentage point reduction and forecast more cuts were on the horizon.

Wall Street jumps with tech stocks in the lead after Fed kicks off easing cycle

The 50-basis-point (bps) policy rate cut by the US Federal Reserve early on Wednesday is expected to stimulate domestic consumption in the US and keep its economy from slowing too rapidly.

US Fed rate cut fuels optimism for sustained Malaysian export recovery after August growth beats

BALI (Sept 19): AirAsia is planning to expand its network in Indonesia, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara, the southernmost province of the country, according to Capital A Bhd (KL:CAPITALA) chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

“We recently launched flights to Labuan Bajo, wh...

AirAsia eyes expansion in eastern Indonesia with new routes

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 19): The Immigration Department is conducting a review and will implement extensive reforms to its work processes and service delivery,&nbsp;in response to concerns raised by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)&nbsp;chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

Immigration Dept to reform work processes following MACC chief’s feedback — DG

(Sept 19):&nbsp;India’s overtaking of China in some global gauges will likely usher in a bigger influx of foreign flows, giving equities in the South Asian country another boost.

India’s eclipsing of China in MSCI global stock gauges to drive flows

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits dropped to a four-month low last week, pointing to solid job growth in September and offering confirmation that the economy continued to expand in the third quarter.

US weekly jobless claims drop to four-month low

Intel said on Thursday it had no plans to sell its majority stake in Mobileye Global, sending shares of the self-driving tech firm up more than 13%.

Intel says has no plans to divest majority stake in Mobileye

Eco World Development Group Bhd (KL:ECOWLD) reported a 21.26% year-on-year increase in its third quarter net profit, driven by improved earnings contributions from its Malaysian operations.

EcoWorld's 3Q profit jumps 21% as revenue and margin improve; 10-month sales exceed FY2024 target

The Malaysian Bar Council has raised concerns over the ongoing delay in the appointment of a new Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM) — the third highest position in the judicial hierarchy — saying it should be expedited to ensure effective administration of justice and continued public confidence in the country's legal system.

Malaysian Bar calls for appointment of new chief judge to be expedited after seven-month vacancy

The US has no immediate plans to withdraw a mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines, despite Chinese demands, and is testing the feasibility of its use in a regional conflict, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

US keeps missile system in Philippines after joint exercises as China tensions rise, tests wartime deployment

BALI (Sept 19): AirAsia announced on Thursday,&nbsp;a long-term partnership with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, to advance research into aviation sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the Asean region.

AirAsia, Airbus partner for Asean aviation sustainability

Agricultural and industrial chemicals manufacturer Ancom Nylex Bhd (KL:ANCOMNY) is acquiring a 70% stake in Colorex Sdn Bhd for RM14 million, cash.

Ancom Nylex acquires 70% stake in specialty chemical player Colorex for RM14m, cash

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 19): Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry&nbsp;secretary-general (Industry) Datuk Hanafi Sakri&nbsp;said&nbsp;Malaysia and Palestine will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to boost bilateral cooperation in several sectors.

Malaysia, Palestine to boost bilateral cooperation in sectors including trade and investment — Miti

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 19): Malaysia welcomes the United Nations’ (UN) decision to implement the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling to end Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.

Malaysia applauds UN resolution backing ICJ ruling on Israel’s occupation of Palestine — ministry

The US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) recent interest rate cut is expected to ease capital inflows into Malaysia, boosting the ringgit and supporting local equities, according to economists and market analysts.

US Fed's 50-bp rate cut seen unleashing funds into Malaysian assets 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged state governments to collaborate with the federal government to achieve the goal of modernising land administration across the country.

PM calls on state govts to work with Putrajaya to modernise land administration

Sales of existing US homes fell in August to a 10-month low on persistent affordability challenges ahead of a recent decline in mortgage rates.

Contract closings decreased 2.5% from a month earlier to a 3.86 million annualised rate, according to figures released on Thursday from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Country Heights Holdings Bhd (KL:CHHB) said it will request a contractor for the group's residential project in Kedah to withdraw its legal action against the group's subsidiary, Country Heights Smart Living Sdn Bhd, over alleged unpaid payments.

ESG

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