The 2024 UN Food Waste Index highlighted that more than 1 billion tonnes of food is wasted annually. With the food services and retail sector accounting for approximately 40% of global food waste, how are industry players addressing this issue? On the eve of World Food Day, we discuss the factors contributing to food waste and initiatives to mitigate them with Lee Qi Ni, Corporate Responsibility and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead for Sodexo Malaysia and Singapore. See...

What are the major attitudes in Southeast Asia with regard to decarbonisation and energy transition? We unpack some of the findings from the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook 2024 Survey Report with Mirza Sadaqat Huda of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hydrogen economy is said to be a key lever to the world achieving its net zero targets, but what does the pathway look like? We discuss the role of hydrogen in global decarbonisation efforts with Daniela Vivaesh and Voon Jye Yng of ERM. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In two months, the 29th United Nations climate change conference or COP29 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan. How will Baku build on the developments of COP28 in Dubai and what are the sticking points that could dominate discussions? We get a preview of what to expect from Hannah Fernandez of Eco-Business. Image Credit: Poetra.RH / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is blessed with abundant sources of water, including ample rainfall, but government officials are warning of a crisis scenario in the future if water stewardship doesn’t improve. What are the challenges and available solutions to safeguard this precious resource? We discuss the complexities of water and wastewater management with Olivier Estienne, Malaysia Country Director for Veolia Water Technologies. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although women have made immense strides as entrepreneurs, challenges persist in Malaysia and the world over for women looking to take their businesses to the next level. How much has the ESG movement tipped the scales for women in entrepreneurship and what are the initiatives that can make a difference? We get perspectives from Ingrid Vanderveldt, the founder and CEO of Empowering a Billion Women Worldwide, an organisation that provides opportunities for women-led businesses. Image Credit:...

Although the concept of circularity has gained traction in global policy discussions, there hasn’t yet been tangible impact on the ground. Could this change with the launching of the National Circular Economy Blueprint in Solid Waste Management 2035 to 2045 by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government this month. How much could this plan move the needle? We discuss this with Dr. S. Sri Umeswara, Deputy Secretary General of Koperasi Kitar Semula Selangor Berhad and a member of the National...

Malaysia is lauded for its diversity, but how much of that is actually reflected in the corporate world? Today we discuss findings from the 2024 Talent Trends Report by consultancy Michael Page, focusing on the issue of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) with Nic Chambers, Managing Director of Michael Page Malaysia. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that the ESG market could grow to 40 trillion US dollars. In light of this unstoppable trend, how are asset management companies adapting to the ESG requirements in making investment decisions? We get insights from Sylvia Chen, Head of ESG for South Asia of French asset management firm Amundi. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainability commitments have become mainstream in the corporate world, but how much is the rhetoric backed by action especially from corporate boards? We discuss the findings of a recent report by Stewardship Asia Centre with CEO Rajeev Peshawaria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small-holders make up 40% of Malaysia’s palm oil output and control around 26% of palm oil areas. How are they impacted by the sustainability imperatives of global supply chains? We discuss these themes in the context of independent smallholders in Johor with Dr. Asad Ata, Associate Professor at the Asia School of Business and Director at the Center for Sustainable Small-owners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been a flurry of headlines over the past month highlighting the problem of illegal waste and recycling in the country. What are the gaps in regulatory oversight and can there be better policies in place to tackle plastic and hazardous waste? We speak to Wong Si Peng of the advocacy group C4 and Wong Pui Yi of the Basel Action Network.People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image Credit: Triawanda Tirta Aditya / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

The Edelman Trust Barometer has become a mainstay in corporate surveys, taking the temperature of public trust levels towards the government, businesses, civil society groups and media across 28 countries. The 2024 edition looks at the nexus between trust and innovation. We discuss some of the highlights with Chris De Cruz, Chief Operating Officer of Edelman Malaysia.People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Director, Episteme Consultants.People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota.Image Credit:...

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 you by UMW Toyota. Image Credit: shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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'Estaing on how it's mainstreaming sustainability in its operations.People, Planet, Profit is brought...

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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Siew. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image Credit:...

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. We discuss the implications of this with Rebekkah Markey-Towler, Research Fellow at Melbourne...

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 Lee Chong. People, Planet, Profit is brought to you by UMW Toyota. Image credit:...