Requirements for the integration of environmental concerns, human rights issues, fair labour conditions and good governance in industrial development are significantly affecting the business sectors in developing and transitioning countries. FROM the lofty towers of policymakers and implementers to the profit-driven boardrooms of corporations and conglomerates, the increasingly familiar term ‘green’ or ‘greening’ has become a buzzword. It has gained popularity and traction in both the public and business spheres, and is used interchangeably depending on the situation. It’s even made its way onto the cheeky local burger menu! It is fashionable and trendy to speak or write of ‘greening’ in mission statements and CSR programmes. The media, not to be left out of the linguistic vogue, have joined the chorus and are contributing to amplifying the voice on greening as well as broadening the public and cross-sector support for the greening narrative. However, there is a larger and more comprehensive story behind the ‘green’ or ‘greening’ movement, which frequently emerges as a daring declaration of a new civic awakening in the cause of ensuring environmental sustainability, even as we advance the rhetoric as a united campaign to counteract the greenhouse effects of climate change on our environment. Yes Minister, as we delve deeper and explore further, we would find that the much-spun narrative on environmental sustainability in our society is more complex and intriguing than a well-written treatise can explain. Let’s start by posing the following question: What does it mean to ‘green’ business, society, industry, or even human-instituted organisations? One way to achieve sustainable economic growth and support sustainable economies is through the greening of industry. It encompasses resource-efficient productivity, enhanced industrial production methods, and policymaking. Carbon neutrality by 2050 The five-year 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), introduced by the government back in September 2021, aims to achieve economic growth and transform Malaysia into ‘a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable country’. Goals include achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, increasing the total installed capacity of renewable energy, enhancing green financing and incentives, and promoting the circular economy. Sarawak, with the passing of the Natural Resources and Environment Bill in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in November this year, will assume full regulatory authority over the environment. The piece of legislation reaffirms the authority and commitment of the Sarawak government to manage the environment sustainably without compromising its economic development agenda and industrial plan. Regulatory authority on the environment was transferred to Sarawak in phases since 2022. The recently-passed Bill gives Sarawak full authority over resource conservation, environmental management, pollution control and sustainable development. These provisions are intended not only to safeguard Sarawak’s natural assets but also to promote responsible development in alignment with global environmental standards. This would include determining the use of natural resources, issuing directives on environmental management practices, and setting environmental quality goals. Yes Minister, the rise in importance of environmental, social, and governance standards comes as consumers are growing more concerned about the environment and demand institutions to behave in ways that align with what they believe is socially responsible. An investing principle that prioritises social, environmental, and corporate governance is known as environmental, social and governance – or ESG. Other terms for investing with ESG considerations include impact investment or responsible investing, which is used in more aggressive circumstances. Ethical concern More and more investors are making social and environmental performance a primary factor in their selections. In recent years, ethical concern has become increasingly ‘mainstream’, even though this has played a role in ethical funding. Nowadays, requirements for the integration of environmental concerns, human rights issues, fair labour conditions and good governance in industrial development are significantly affecting the business sectors in developing and transitioning countries. This is referred to as corporate social responsibility (CSR). In this regard, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is developing a framework for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that aids in converting CSR principles into a pertinent SME viewpoint, improving their market access and competitiveness. Through a number of research projects, global forum events, and technical assistance programmes, UNIDO provides SMEs and the organisations that support them with an easy-to-implement method of meeting the social, environmental, and productivity/quality demands of stakeholders in this field. Yes Minister, it is all well and good to have the legislation and the enforcement agencies in place to make sure that the established guidelines for the dos and don’ts related to environmental sustainability and health are not broken. More than legislation, enforcement Yes Minister, green sustainability is more than just legislation and enforcement, and it requires a variety of efforts to ensure a sustainable future. When environmental requirements are imposed by governments, businesses are encouraged to spend on research and development to meet them. This could lead to the development of new, environmentally friendly processes and technologies. Consumers can help by reducing waste, choosing sustainable options, and buying from local and sustainable sources. They must be encouraged and reminded to do so from time to time, with the local community leaders and the media playing an important role. Companies can assist by recognising the effects that their goods and services have on the environment and society, and by developing innovative approaches to sustainable production and consumption. To guarantee adherence to laws and regulations, government officials can step up enforcement actions. To guarantee more compliance, they can also extend guided self-regulation across industries. Beyond all the aforesaid is the pivotal importance of sustainability benchmarking. Yes Minister, sustainability benchmarking plays a crucial role in guiding companies towards more responsible and efficient operations. By comparing their ESG performance against industry standards and peers, organisations can uncover valuable insights and opportunities for improvement. Sustainability benchmarking One of the main advantages of sustainability benchmarking is the ability to pinpoint areas that require improvement. It pushes businesses to innovate and embrace best practices, which results in sustainability breakthroughs that can save expenses, boost productivity, and boost overall performance. By analysing their position in relation to their counterparts, businesses can obtain a competitive advantage through benchmarking. This information can be used to guide strategic choices, giving companies a competitive edge by showcasing their dedication to sustainability. Investors and customers are increasingly prioritising sustainability in their decision-making processes. Companies that perform well in sustainability benchmarks can attract investment and customer support by showcasing their commitment to responsible practices. Setting goals Establishing attainable, realistic sustainability targets is made easier with the use of benchmarking. Knowing where they stand allows businesses to set specific goals for improvement and track their success over time, guaranteeing ongoing development towards sustainability. Yes Minister, to enhance their ESG effect, businesses are called upon to measure sustainability performance accurately. In order to give a thorough picture of a business’s sustainability initiatives, this method uses a range of measurements and technologies. Yes Minister, the core of monitoring sustainability is Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Metrics pertaining to energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, trash management, and social aspects like community impact and staff involvement may be among them. In this sense, companies are using environmental audits – often known as green auditing – more and more to boost investor trust and satisfy other stakeholder needs. Why conduct a social and environmental audit? It is crucial because stakeholders and investors are starting to place equal weight on an organisation’s environmental impact as they do on its financial performance. Limitations and challenges Before getting entangled in the web of rhetoric and syntax, we need to define what constitutes the mandatory standards and benchmarks important to green auditing. Unlike financial audit, a lack of mandatory standards means that the value of these greening of environmental audits is disputed, but it is generally agreed that more knowledge and information on any aspect of governance is better than less. Obviously, there are challenges and limitations of environmental auditing. Lack of standardised practices and guidelines is one of the key challenges in greening audits. This can lead to inconsistencies in the assessment of environmental performance. The complex process of data collection; the limited scope of operations, the procedure, especially for multinational or multi-site businesses; the interpretation of results, which necessitates knowledge of environmental legislation; and continuous monitoring and development, are the additional challenges. An environmental audit is a continual procedure as opposed to a one-time event. In light of the audit findings, organisations need to establish mechanisms for continuous monitoring and improvement. All these point to education where people from the top and lower rungs must be trained and be instilled with the knowledge and values pertinent to ‘greening’ control. * Toman Mamora is ‘Tokoh Media Sarawak 2022’, recipient of Shell Journalism Gold Award (1996) and AZAM Best Writer Gold Award (1998). He remains true to his decades-long passion for critical writing as he seeks to gain insight into some untold stories of societal value.As mobile gaming continues to gain popularity worldwide, the launch of "Infinite Warmth" serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and cutting-edge technology. With Alibaba Cloud's support, Diézhǐxīn has been able to bring its vision to life and offer players a truly immersive and unforgettable gaming experience.
AGLC makes multiple contraband tobacco busts
Former Navy pilot says he rules out commercial contractors, questions fed involvement in NJ drone sightingsCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday as Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag and were met by Buckeyes who confronted them. Police had to use pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the rivalry game. Ohio State police said in a statement “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.” Ohio State police will investigate the fight, according to the statement. After the Ohio State players confronted their bitter rivals at midfield, defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the top of the Wolverines' flag and ripped it off the pole as the brawl moved toward the Michigan bench. Eventually, police officers rushed into the ugly scene. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood the actions of his players. “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren't going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said. The two Ohio State players made available after the game brushed off questions about it. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, didn't like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines' postgame celebration. He called it “classless.” “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game," he said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football. But at the end of the day, you know some people got to — they got to learn how to lose, man. ... We had 60 minutes, we had four quarters, to do all that fighting.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said everybody needs to do better. “So much emotions on both sides," he said. "Rivalry games get heated, especially this one. It’s the biggest one in the country, so we got to handle that better.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
One of the key pillars of the discussion was the imperative of expanding domestic demand. Participants underscored the need to stimulate consumer spending, boost household income, and promote the consumption of domestic goods and services. By empowering consumers and strengthening their purchasing power, China can create a virtuous cycle of economic growth that benefits both businesses and consumers alike. The emphasis on expanding domestic demand aligns with China's broader strategic goal of rebalancing its economy towards greater consumption-led growth.
Moreover, with the introduction of the Huawei AppGallery, users of the Pura 70 series can access a wide range of apps and services tailored to their needs. The Huawei AppGallery offers a curated selection of high-quality apps, ensuring that users have access to the latest and most popular applications. This, coupled with the advanced features of HarmonyOS, makes the Huawei Pura 70 series a truly compelling choice for tech-savvy consumers.One key highlight of the October report is the sustained positive momentum observed across a wide range of industries. This consistent trend suggests that Chinese businesses are successfully managing risks, optimizing operations, and maintaining a solid financial position, despite the uncertainties and disruptions caused by both domestic and global factors.
Guinyard's 31 lead UT Martin over Champion Christian 123-56Lewis Hamilton ended his glorious 12-year spell at Mercedes with cheers and tears yesterday after finishing a rousing fourth from starting 16th in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, who will turn 40 before he races with Ferrari next season, stirred emotions with his driving and his words after a classic recovery drive that saw him pass teammate George Russell on the final lap. “When he (race engineer Pete Bonnington) said ‘hammer time’ I did notice, in the moment, that it was the last time I’m going to hear that,” said an emotional Hamilton afterwards. “It really clicked for me in that moment. “It was a really, really hard race naturally where I was, I didn’t get as great a start as this one here, my teammate next season (pointing to nearby Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc) and the first stint was really, really difficult. “I wasn’t losing hope, but it just wasn’t going as well as I thought it would. I didn’t give up, I kept pushing and thinking ‘come on, we can get there’ and switched on to the different tyres and the car came alive. I wanted to finish on as much as a high and give every ounce of me to the team as they have given to me all these years.” Before spinning ‘donuts’ in his car to the cheers of a chanting crowd and posing for photographs with individual team members, Hamilton had spoken eloquently of his feelings and his love for the ‘silver arrows’ team in radio exchanges. “That was the drive of a world champion,” said Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff. The drive of a world champion. Amazing!” Bonnington said: “Stellar drive today bud, it’s been a pleasure all the way.” Hamilton replied: “The pleasure’s been mine. We dreamed alone, but together we believed and as a team we achieved things, thank you for all the courage, the determination and the passion for seeing me and supporting me. “What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books. We did everything together and I’m so grateful to everyone back at the factory from the bottom of my heart. All the best.” Bonnington added: “It’s been an amazing journey and I’m so grateful to have been a part of this chapter of your life and best of luck for the next one.” In a final comment, team boss Toto Wolff said: “We love you too and you’re always going to be part of the family. And if we can’t win, you should win.” In 12 seasons, Hamilton started 246 races with Mercedes, a record for a driver with a single team. He won 84, secured 13 other podium finishes and claimed 78 pole positions and six of his seven drivers’ world championships. In a final social media post, he wrote: “It’s been real. I love you all.” Related Story NBK Automobiles unveil Mercedes-Benz campaign QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and TechnologyThe government's ongoing efforts to support and stimulate business growth, enhance regulatory frameworks, and promote financial inclusiveness have played a vital role in fostering a conducive environment for enterprise development and credit stability. Policies aimed at reducing bureaucracy, facilitating access to capital, and promoting sustainable practices have yielded positive outcomes reflected in the October corporate credit index.
