01/10/2025

ESG WEDNESDAY | OCT 1, 2025

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Kuala Lumpur steps up as regional sustainability leader

Knight Frank calls for industry-wide action on green goals KUALA LUMPUR: Knight Frank Malaysia launched its 2024 ESG Report with a clear message to the corporate businesses: the time for pledges is over and the industry must move from ambition to measurable action. The report details how the firm has cut absolute Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 22% compared to its 2019 baseline, achieved a 97% inclusion rating among employees, and sourced 100% of operational procurement locally, among others. It also marks the second time Knight Frank Malaysia’s ESG performance has been verified by an independent third party and aligned with both Bursa Malaysia’s Sustainability Reporting Guide and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). “We are not just reporting progress; we are setting a market benchmark,” said Group managing director Keith Ooi. “ESG is now a competitive advantage. If Malaysia’s real estate industry can integrate ESG at this scale, we can unlock investment, strengthen communities, and meet the climate challenge head on. ” The 2024 report theme, “Defining Our Targets”, marks a shift from last year’s focus on understanding impact to delivering clear, measurable goals — including achieving net-zero emissions for Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2040, securing green building certification for cor porate offices, and screening of active suppliers against ESG readiness criteria by 2025. Knight Frank Malaysia’s work has already gained national recognition, earning a Silver Award in The Star ESG Positive Impact Awards (Governance, Reporting & Transparency category) and Second Runner-Up for the Outstanding ESG Award at the BMCC Business Excellence Awards. Beyond the numbers, the report addresses urgent market needs. As Malaysia prepares for stricter disclosure requirements under Bursa Malaysia, the firm’s new ESG Advisory Services are helping investors and occupiers build strategic roadmaps, reduce emissions, optimise resources, and manage risk. “The property sector is at the intersection of climate risk, regulatory pressure, and investor demand,” Ooi said, adding that this report shows that measurable ESG action is possible and absolutely necessary to remain competitive in the decade ahead.” Key 2024 ESG highlights: Environment: 22% reduction in Scope 2 emissions; 10% recycling rate; 100% local procurement; >100 plants added to managed properties. Social: 94% employee satisfaction; 97% inclusion rating; women make up 40% of workforce and 38% of shareholders; 12% of CSR spend directed to women’s empowerment; 50% increase in community programme investment. Governance: 85% completion rate for anti-bribery, AML, and data privacy training; over 2,000 hours of safety training; zero workplace injuries, bribery, corruption, or data breaches.

contribute to the city’s vision of a Liveable and Lovable Kuala Lumpur,” he said. This year’s campaign, themed “Liveable and Lovable Precinct”, is supported by Urbanice Malaysia and features a precinct wide fundraising initiative to raise RM30,000 for a charitable cause tied to sustainability and social good. Activities at KLCC Park included a fun run, tree planting in partnership with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) under the national 100 Million Tree Campaign, and a community Zumba session. In total, 48 new trees will be planted this month, further strengthening the park’s role as a green lung in the city. First launched in 2022, Sustainable September has grown into a precinct-wide movement, engaging hotels, retail and city partners. Its recognition at the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum earlier this year underscored its potential as a scalable model for other parts of Kuala Lumpur and beyond. As Maimunah concluded: “You have shown that sustainability is not a burden. It is

Mayors Forum and Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals. These events produced the Kuala Lumpur Sustainable Declaration, which will be tabled at the Asean Leaders’ Summit in October. Maimunah herself has been appointed Special Envoy of Asean Cities and Local Governments, a recognition of Kuala Lumpur’s role in shaping regional sustainability policies. “From this precinct to the city, to Asean, to the world the story is the same. Kuala Lumpur is leading by example,” she said, noting DBKL’s readiness to extend the KLCC model to other areas such as Bukit Bintang, Brickfields and Kampung Baru. Datuk Sr Mohd Salem Kailany, Group CEO of KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, said the Sustainable September campaign embodies the precinct’s commitment to shaping a greener, more liveable precinct where business and leisure thrive sustainably. “By embedding sustainability into everything we do, we are building a legacy of resilience and wellbeing for generations to come,” he said. John Burke, chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Business Events Alliance (KLCCBEA), added that sustainability is not an “add-on” but central to the precinct’s development. “Through our collaboration with DBKL and Urbanice Malaysia, we are proud to

o Mayor champions zero waste 2040, pushes 15-minute city vision

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur is stepping up its role as a regional sustainability leader, with Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif unveiling bold urban resilience goals and championing the “15-minute city” concept as the model for future urban living. Speaking at the recent launch of the third edition of KLCC Sustainable September, she underscored Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) Zero Waste 2040 Roadmap, which aims to cut waste at the source, strengthen the circular economy and ensure no resources are squandered. The roadmap has already produced measurable results. At Ramadan bazaars, more than 11 tonnes of surplus food worth RM140,000 were rescued and redirected into thousands of meals, preventing over 21,000 kilogrammes of carbon emissions. “Successful transformation is never the work of the government alone. It builds on what I call the 4Ps, public, private and people partnerships. Sustainability is strongest when it is shared,” Maimunah said. She added that KLCC Precinct already reflects the 15-minute city principle, providing density alongside quality services, connectivity, public spaces, and inclusivity. She stressed that the city’s Local Plan 2040 sets ambitious targets: 70% of residents commuting by public transport, 305,000 affordable homes, 4,700 hectares of green space, and a clear pathway to net zero emissions. These goals, she said, are being translated into tangible action through collaborations such as Sustainable September. Kuala Lumpur’s leadership extends beyond the precinct. The city recently hosted three major Asean gatherings such as the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, Asean Governors and

a benefit. It is good for the planet, good for people, good for business and good for Kuala Lumpur.”

From left: Burke, Mohd Salem, Maimunah and Urbanice Malaysia CEO Norliza Hashim.

Gas Malaysia awards contracts for biomethane plants in Perak SHAH ALAM: Gas Malaysia Bhd, a member of MMC Group, has awarded engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contracts for its biomethane purification plants in Trong and Air Kuning, Perak. standards, providing a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. centralised approach to inject biomethane into the natural gas grid. Building on this milestone, the development has now been broadened to Perak, enabling greater access to green gas in the northern region.

After purification, the biomethane will be transported through a virtual pipeline system or tube skids before being injected into its existing natural gas distribution system to supply green gas that benefits industrial and local com munities. “Our commitment to sustainability is matched by our drive to deliver long-term growth for the state and the nation. By awarding local contracts, we are not only progressing a renewable energy project but also creating tangible economic and social value from local job opportunities to sustainable energy and thriving communities,” said Gas Malaysia president and group CEO, Ahmad Hashimi Abdul Manap. Earlier this year, GMGV had launched Malaysia’s first centralised biomethane injection station in the southern region, offering a

The EPCC contracts were awarded to Malaysia-based companies MTC Orec Sdn Bhd and Enproserve (M) Sdn Bhd, underscoring support in empowering local industry and strengthening homegrown capabilities. Scheduled for completion within 13 months, the project marks a significant milestone in expanding Gas Malaysia’s green gas portfolio and advancing Malaysia’s renewable energy agenda through its wholly owned subsidiary, Gas Malaysia Green Ventures Sdn Bhd (GMGV). The biomethane purification plant s are designed to process raw biogas by removing impurities and purifying it into cleaner, high quality biomethane that meets natural gas

Ahmad Hashimi said natural gas remains as an important part of the cleaner energy mix, and biomethane is proven to be a reliable alternative solution while contributing to the nation’s long-term renewable energy aspi rations. He added the strategic effort in the biomethane project is aligned with the National Energy Transition Roadmap and reinforces Gas Malaysia’s commitment to support Malaysia’s clean energy transition. In advancing the development of the biomethane business value chain upstream, GMGV will continue to expand the green gas business.

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