Consortium aims to ensure integrity

KUALA LUMPUR: Strict measures have been locked into the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC) project to ensure firm delivery of environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, said Star Media Group chief business officer Lydia Wang.

According to Wang, there will be professionals on board to filter out “greenwashing” efforts in content

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“At the journalistic effort, we talked about how we can ensure that we do not inadvertently promote greenwashing.

“We are endeavouring for journalists to be trained to spot greenwashing stories and to do the necessary research to ensure integrity in our stories,” Wang told a joint press conference after the launch of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC) project here yesterday.

Greenwashing is a term used to define making a product, policy or practice appear more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is.

Wang said the consortium will leverage cross-country research on ESG impact by companies and acceptance by consumers.

KG Media chief executive officer Andy Budiman said a measure of success of the newly-launched consortium was its regional impact on achieving ESG goals. “At the end of the day, what matters is the impact – how these initiatives impact society,” he added.

Philippine Daily Inquirer president and chief executive officer Rudyard Arbolado said there were various screening methods to safeguard against greenwashing attempts.

“Basically there are two types of screening, which is screening by countries themselves and another at a regional level.

“So, that will provide a safeguard against fears of greenwashing,” he pointed out.