25/02/2026

ESG WEDNESDAY | FEB 25, 2026

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Climate risks now a business and health emergency

oversight; enhancing its enterprise risk management processes to support resilient operations; reinforcing its commitment to transparent communication with stakeholders; as well as clear disclosures and balanced reporting in its Integrated Annual Report, Corporate Governance Report, Sustainability Report and other publicly available information. This year’s recognition further solidifies Top Glove’s position as a benchmark for governance excellence among Malaysian public listed companies, reaffirming its credibility as a trusted partner, while highlighting its long term commitment to ethical leadership and sustainable growth. Prasarana recognised in UNGCMYB ESG Select List KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, a public transport operator, has received recognition in the inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Select List organised by the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB). Through the recognition, Prasarana was named a 3-Star Lister for excellence in three key categories – ESG Trailblazer, Purposeful Partnership and North Star ESG Target Setting – reflecting the company’s continued commitment to comprehensive and high-impact sustainability practices. Its health, safety, security, environment and sustainable development chief officer Idzqandar Abu Bakar said the recognition reflects the consistent implementation of the group’s sustainability agenda in line with the Prasarana Sustainability Blueprint , encompassing environmental, safety, social and governance aspects. He said the recognition was assessed based on the efforts and achievements of several strategic initiatives implemented by Prasarana, including the deployment of the Traction Energy Recovery System for the Shah Alam LRT Line project, which is expected to commence operations in the future, aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. “In addition, the company’s continued commitment to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the delivery of public transport services was also among the key elements evaluated.” He said the establishment of the Prasarana Vendor ESG Hub was also identified as one of the main factors contributing to the recognition. Idzqandar said the digital platform is among the earliest initiatives in the public transport sector developed specifically for the use of Prasarana’s vendors and suppliers, providing access to sustainability learning as well as self-assessments of ESG maturity, readiness and risk. He said Prasarana views the North Star ESG Target Setting recognition as proof of strong ESG direction-setting and target formulation, while the ESG Trailblazer and Purposeful Partnership recognitions highlight the firm’s role in driving sustainability. – Bernama

o Lancet report warns of higher healthcare costs, food insecurity and workforce disruption

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Code on Corporate Governance and a detailed sustainability scorecard. The 2025 assessment covered 847 PLCs based on market capitalisation as at Dec 31, 2024. The methodology for NACGSA is endorsed by the Corporate Governance Council, chaired by the Securities Commission Malaysia, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory requirements. Top Glove’s achievement at NACGSA 2025 is supported by ongoing advancements in corporate governance and sustainability. These include strengthening board diversity and independence to ensure balanced perspectives and sound projections. real, measurable harms happening right now,” she said, citing rising heat exposure, air pollution and the expansion of climate-sensitive diseases such as dengue. She said Selangor reduced dengue cases by 61% last year, or more than 36,000 cases, through coordinated interventions, and has allocated RM4 million this year to strengthen prevention efforts at community level. Jamaliah added that the state has taken steps to integrate climate considerations into economic decision-making, including restructuring the Selangor Climate Action Council and establishing the Selangor Climate Adaptation Centre. “One of the biggest challenges is ensuring climate policies do not sit in isolation from economic realities,” she said, noting that climate action must balance development needs while protecting vulnerable communities. Experts at the forum stressed that while Malaysia has developed multiple climate and health policies, delivery across sectors remains a key challenge, with economic, energy and health systems often operating in silos. Discussions also highlighted that unequal energy transitions could create new health risks if not carefully managed, including reduced access to cooling during heatwaves and higher exposure for outdoor workers. The Lancet Countdown emphasised the need for evidence based planning, from heat-health early warning systems and disease surveillance to urban design, food system resilience and energy transition strategies. Speakers agreed that translating global climate science into local policy and business decisions will be critical to ensuring that climate responses strengthen resilience, reduce inequality and protect long-term economic growth. These are

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern but an escalating risk to public health, labour productivity and economic resilience, according to the Lancet Countdown 2025 Report on Health and Climate Change launched in Malaysia recently. The report, which draws on the work of 128 researchers from UN agencies and academic institutions worldwide, highlights how rising temperatures, extreme weather and continued fossil fuel dependence are already driving higher healthcare costs, food insecurity and workforce disruption risks that are increasingly material for governments, investors and businesses. Launched at Monash University Malaysia through the Regional Hub for Asia Climate Change and Health (REACH), the Malaysian briefing connected global scientific findings with national policy priorities, particularly around just transition, food security and climate resilience. Monash University Malaysia president and pro vice-chancellor Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the Lancet Countdown offers one of the clearest assessments of how climate change is affecting not just lives, but economies and health systems. “The climate is not going to wait for any country’s commitments. We feel it every day, whether through excessive heat, flooding or air pollution,” she said, adding that monitoring climate-health impacts has become even more critical amid

Jamaliah says Selangor has taken steps to integrate climate considerations into economic decision-making.

a structural risk to food security, energy systems and long-term economic stability. “Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, it is a profound and growing public health emergency,” he said, adding that UMT’s research in marine science, food systems and climate adaptation is increasingly aligned with national needs. He highlighted that Malaysia’s policy priorities under the Lancet Countdown have consistently stressed the need for a just transition, including reducing reliance on fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting investment towards cleaner energy systems. “Recent discussions on targeted fuel subsidy reforms show how economic policy, sustainability and public health are now deeply interconnected,” Zamri said. Selangor executive councillor for public health, environmental sustainability, climate resilience and green technology Jamaliah Jamaluddin said climate change is already affecting labour productivity, food security and healthcare delivery, particularly in densely populated and economically active states like Selangor.

global geopolitical uncertainty and uneven climate commitments. She noted that Malaysia is already experiencing more frequent heatwaves, shifting rainfall patterns and climate-linked disease risks such as dengue, while rising sea temperatures threaten coastal livelihoods and food systems. “These pressures ultimately translate into economic costs, from labour productivity losses to increasing strain on healthcare systems,” Adeeba said, adding that climate action represents both a public health emergency and a major opportunity. The Lancet Countdown 2025 Report found that heat-related deaths globally now average 546,000 annually, with climate change responsible for 84% of heatwave days. In 2022 alone, air pollution linked to fossil fuels and household energy caused an estimated 4.8 million deaths worldwide, while extreme weather pushed 123.7 million people into moderate to severe food insecurity. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) vice-chancellor Professor Ts Dr Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said climate change should be viewed as

Top Glove earns top honours at NACGSA 2025 SHAH ALAM: Top Glove Corporation Bhd, a glove manufacturer, garnered outstanding achievements at the recent National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards (NACGSA) 2025 organised by the Minority Shareholders Watch Group (MSWG). Top Glove received two prestigious accolades – Overall Excellence Wee Chai commented: “We are honoured to receive the highest recognition in the Overall Excellence category, and the Industry Excellence Award in the healthcare category. “These achievements reflect our strong corporate governance and sustainable practices, which are fundamental to the trust and confidence our stakeholders place in us.” implementing best practices to strengthen our business and deliver meaningful impact for all our stakeholders.” NACGSA is Malaysia’s most comprehensive and independent corporate governance and sustainability assessment. Organised annually by MSWG, the awards evaluate public listed

Award where Top Glove ranked as the highest ranking public listed among the 847 Public Listed Companies (PLCs) on Bursa Malaysia which were evaluated by MSWG and the company also emerged winner for a sectoral award, namely the Industry Excellence Award (Healthcare). Executive chairman Tan Sri Dr. Lim

companies against globally recognised benchmarks in areas including board effectiveness, shareholder rights, disclosure practices, integrity and ESG integration. The rigorous process combines three assessments comprising the Asean CG Scorecard, the Malaysian

Banking & Finance Managing director Lim Cheong Guan remarked: “We are proud of this recognition which is a testament to our people’s dedication and the value they create through responsible practices, ethical stewardship, and a focus on sustainable growth. We will continue learning, improving and

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