CHANGE is coming for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), whether they like it or not.
Those that lag in adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices risk missing out on valuable opportunities with larger companies, especially where regulations or funding are tied to ESG standards.
To remain competitive, small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must align with the ESG expectations of their customers.
However, while SME owners may be trained in business or management, they often lack the same expertise in ESG.
Pos Malaysia group chief executive officer Charles Brewer will speak on ‘Leadership and Management Strategies for ESG Success’.
This means their knowledge is primarily fuelled by experience or cross-sector learning.
The upcoming Star ESG Summit 2024 offers a unique opportunity for organisations to learn how to seamlessly incorporate ESG practices into their operations.
Dedicated to promoting sustainable development and fostering ESG integration across various sectors, Star Media Group’s inaugural ESG Summit will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from Nov 6 to 7.
Featuring a range of activities, this two-day conference will bring together influential leaders, policymakers, investors, and sustainability professionals to engage in insightful discussions, share best practices and explore innovative solutions.
The summit will include a keynote address titled “From Vision to Action: Regional Implementation of NIMP 2030” by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, alongside a host of speakers from around the globe.
Malaysian Association of Public Advocacy for Nature (Mapan) founder and chairman Ben Ong will share about ‘Entrepreneurship and SME Support: Integrating ESG into Their Business DNA’.
Malaysian Association of Public Advocacy for Nature (Mapan) founder and chairman Ben Ong will present on “Entrepreneurship and SME Support: Integrating ESG into Their Business DNA.”
Ong’s session will highlight ESG guidelines for supply chain players, including an ESG quick guide for micro, small and medium sized enterprises by SME Corp Malaysia, the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide by Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM), and Mapan’s ESG kickoff e-book detailing a 30-point ESG sustainability scanning matrix.
He will also discuss various government incentives available to SMEs, funding for green financing, the National Sustainability Reporting Framework, the importance of ESG in small businesses and more.
Ong is a hands-on practitioner in digital supply chain, automation, and enterprise resource planning, with over 30 years of experience in system integration, cold chain management, halal compliance, environmental management systems, and ESG as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).
Pos Malaysia Group CEO Charles Brewer will speak on “Leadership and Management Strategies for ESG Success.”
His session will cover Pos Malaysia’s sustainability journey, emphasising the organisation’s transition and sustainability roadmap.
Brewer brings extensive experience in the supply chain industry, particularly in e-commerce logistics, cross-border fulfilment, first and last-mile delivery, logistics and supply chain management, and business and digital transformation.
Ong and Brewer are among the many distinguished speakers sharing their expert insights and practical strategies.
Their sessions are part of the summit’s plenary offerings, providing practical guidance on navigating various business, regulatory, and trade developments, such as carbon border adjustments and sustainable supply chains.
Attendees will have the opportunity to curate their own schedules with a choice of three streams over the two-day event.
Stream 1 will focus on governance and sustainable reporting, discussing how company leadership can mitigate reputational, financial, and cybersecurity risks.
Stream 2 will address economic security and value chain decarbonisation – managing and engaging talent to ensure low attrition rates while fostering skills development and enhancing the brand as a good employer.
Meanwhile, attendees interested in digital transformation can look forward to Stream 3, which emphasises climate and sustainable innovation.
The ESG Summit is organised by Star Media Group, with Sime Darby Property Bhd as the Urban Biodiversity Partner. Saxon Renewables and Zurich Malaysia are silver sponsors.
For more information, visit https://conference.thestar.com.my/esgsummit/.
