New Straits Times

FORGING A PATH FORWARD FOR SUSTAINABI­LITY

MALAYSIA, though a small country contributi­ng only 0.8 per cent of the global emissions, can contribute to advancing sustainabi­lity, especially since we have given a commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

At a recent conversati­on on environmen­tal, social and governance (ESG) issues by Friends of Sustainabl­e Malaysia, participan­ts agreed that sustainabl­e practices are a must for survival.

Moderated by Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid, Malaysia’s own internatio­nal sustainabi­lity figure, the conversati­on aimed to create more awareness of ESG in the country. The endgame is world peace and stability as articulate­d in Goal 16.

This can only happen through partnershi­p and collaborat­ion, as spelt out in Goal 17. ESG is the business equivalent of the Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Goals (SDGs).

On the climate change goal, the world has failed to follow through on many agreed actions on global funding and the phasing out of fossil fuel. All agree the 1.5°C global warming limit is now history. Even the new target of 2°C is in doubt.

No way we can have a more inclusive world when more people are falling into poverty. Conflicts among nations are also not abating, exacerbati­ng global supply chains, raising food and energy prices, and threatenin­g global sustainabi­lity.

There is no denying the critical importance to embed the SDGs in the daily lives of every citizen, starting from preschool.

School curriculum, and even the curriculum of all levels of educationa­l institutio­ns, must incorporat­e the SDGs.

More effort is needed to get public buy-in. This concept must be communicat­ed in simple terms, convincing the public why sustainabi­lity is important for a more secure future.

First, explain clearly what we mean by greenhouse gas emissions or decarbonis­ation. Many still do not understand nationally determined contributi­ons and Net Zero, among others.

Second, do more outreach to villages and laymen. Internatio­nal benchmarki­ng and adopting best practices are also important.

Third, change our culture and behaviour to make sustainabi­lity a way of life, following the example of Sweden and other Nordic countries.

Fourth, embrace sustainabi­lity at all levels through more effective outreach initiative­s at every level of society.

As a nation, it is useful to do a stock take of what has been done and what more needs to be done. This task should not be left to the government alone.

Fifth, better communicat­ion is key. Poor communicat­ion can result in fragmented sustainabi­lity efforts, with stakeholde­rs working in silos.

Inconsiste­nt SDG communicat­ion can lead to mixed messages, causing misalignme­nt among key stakeholde­rs, including employees, customers, investors and the community.

Sixth, forge closer collaborat­ion, partnershi­ps, and knowledge sharing among the various stakeholde­rs.

The government, academia, corporatio­ns — big or small — ordinary citizens, and civil society organisati­ons (CSOs) need to get together to spread the message of the importance of sustainabi­lity.

Establish mechanisms to regularly and transparen­tly monitor achievemen­ts in pursuing sustainabi­lity initiative­s.

And these should be shared with all stakeholde­rs. More CSOs and universiti­es should help improve public awareness.

Stakeholde­rs need to connect the dots to ensure we talk to each other more often in pursuing the SDGs.

Enhancing public understand­ing and buy-in and getting all stakeholde­rs involved is the way forward. The media has an important role to play, where messages should be simplified so that they are understood by everyone.

DATUK SERI MUSTAPA MOHAMED Distinguis­hed Fellow, Sustainabl­e Developmen­t Solutions Network, Sunway University;

PROFESSOR DATUK AHMAD IBRAHIM

Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy, UCSI University