KUALA LUMPUR: RAM Ratings has assigned its highest sustainability rating of Gold to Sunway Bhd
, which is widely regarded as one of the first companies to adopt the sustainable integrated township model.
It said on Monday the rating reaffirms Sunway’s strong sustainability focus that is enshrined within the company’s vision and business model.
“Sunway scored highly in all sustainability metrics evaluated by RAM, namely Environment, Social, Governance and Positive Impact in the alignment of company’s business activities towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” it said.
RAM said the Sunway Group which was established in 1974, was founded on the concept of sustainability, when it developed Sunway City. The group is widely regarded as a pioneer in sustainable township
The ratings agency said more than four decades ago, the area was a barren land of disused and abandoned mining pools.
However, Sunway City today is home to a thriving community of more than 200,000 people living, working, playing and studying in Malaysia's first integrated green township.
It noted that more than 25,000 trees have been transplanted into Sunway City and a complete ecosystem is restored. Sunway City is also home to more than 150 species of flora and fauna.
Almost 50% of Sunway City is open space and 24% is green space, representing two vital components of sustainable urban design.
Further, Sunway City houses certified green buildings, its own water treatment plant, and has reduced carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions by 12% between 2015 and 2016. Sunway City currently serves as a benchmark model for the company’s other township developments.
Sunway’s growth strategy is closely aligned with a continuous commitment towards environmental stewardship and enhancing the quality of life for the wider community.
“We opine Sunway has a strong governance and risk management structure and has closely adhered to the main tenets of the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance,” said RAM.
Sustainability can be a powerful way to drive innovation in products and services, it said.
RAM pointed out the positive and far-reaching impact contributions made by the company’s healthcare services and sustainable construction materials for green building development.
“Sunway Group has demonstrated its leadership in the area of sustainable development through its business practices and decision-making. It serves as an inspiration and role model for other corporations in Malaysia,” said RAM’s head of austainability ratings Gladys Chua.
Sunway has made commitments to embrace environmental sustainability in the company’s built environment. Approximately 96% of the company’s carbon emissions mainly originate from building energy consumption.
RAM said to mitigate Sunway’s impact on climate change, the company has integrated energy saving features such as LED lights, solar panels, lift enhancements and high efficiency chillers across its building assets.
Environmental performance targets are an important component of an organisation’s sustainability strategy.
Measurable targets provide transparency on the organisation’s action plans to achieve corporate goals.
“We opine the company can improve the quality of sustainability disclosures by identifying specific and measurable corporate goals that can help shape the design of the environmental action plans,” it said.
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