By Danial Dzulkifly
KLANG, Oct 10 — The Klang Royal City Council (MBDK), through smart collaboration and partnerships, is determined to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by adhering to robust environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, said Mayor Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan.
She said while national and international commitments are vital, the true implementation of the SDGs must be led by local governments.
“Today, I witnessed the dedication of the city council, industry players and NGOs in Klang, all actively practising ESG principles and contributing to sustainable development.
“Through ESG, we aim to establish a framework that evaluates the impact of industries on the environment and society, ensuring good governance practices are upheld,” she said in her keynote address at the inaugural Klang Sustainable Convention 2024 ESG for SDG at the MBDK Convention Centre here today.
The convention gathered local stakeholders, developers and community groups to discuss the best methods to effectively adopt ESG practices.
Noraini said Klang, as home to the nation’s premier port with an extensive network of supporting industries, as well as sprawling industrial and residential areas, must lead the way in setting the appropriate sustainable standards in urban planning.
She said this includes the participation of private companies and manufacturers, where the implementation of ESG is no longer an option, but a necessity.
“ESG implementation enables companies to manage environmental risks through resource savings, waste management and carbon emission reductions.
“It also ensures social responsibility by ensuring employee welfare, supporting local communities, and promoting equality within organisations. ESG improves governance by practising transparency, accountability and integrity,” she said.
Noraini also emphasised the goal of creating “liveable cities”, where homes, workplaces and recreational spaces coexist harmoniously, enhancing overall well-being.
“As stewards of the Earth, we must not destroy the planet entrusted to us. Irresponsible development has led to increased carbon emissions and other environmental challenges.”
On the issue of climate change, Noraini acknowledged the long history of the planet’s environmental changes, comparing past climate shifts to current crises exacerbated by human activity.
“The ongoing global warming is largely due to fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. If we fail to act, Klang will face severe consequences, including natural disasters and rising sea levels,” she said.
Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, who was also present, said many initiatives in Klang show that impactful programmes do not necessarily require significant funding.
Despite this, Akmal said, they effectively educate the community and shift public perception on sustainability.
“SDGs should not be confined to international discussions; they are actively being implemented by various stakeholders.
“A company could instead look into reducing energy consumption in their operations and implementing other ESG practices that will ultimately reap them returns after a few years.”
He also acknowledged concerns over rising operation costs to adopt ESG practices, but reiterated the benefits far outweigh the initial expenses.
Akmal said the federal government, through the National Energy Transition Roadmap, has provided schemes and incentives to help local businesses pivot to renewable energy as part of the national mission to reach net-zero carbon emissions and have 30 per cent of the total energy output be renewable by 2050.
