Europa Awards for Sustainability 2019 Recognises Excellence
Awards aim to educate businesses on Sustainability by sharing best practices and real-life success stories
The EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce Industry (EUMCCI) awarded six organisations and one individual for their excellent social, environmental and governance contributions to Malaysia at the Europa Awards for Sustainability 2019 recently.
The Awards recognise companies that have shown exemplary business excellence in the field of sustainability and that have been generating long term benefits for Malaysia’s society and economy.
Following a stringent and transparent assessment by our technical partner Deloitte Malaysia, who led a judging panel comprised of 7 independent judges, the awards were presented to winners during a Gala Dinner and Award presentation ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by YB Puan Teresa Kok, Minister of Primary Industries Malaysia, H.E. María Castillo Fernández, EU Ambassador and Head of EU Delegation to Malaysia, and Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.
Roberto Benetello, Chief Executive Officer of EUMCCI, added: “We hope that the Europa Awards can continue to be the platform to promote and amplify Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable development. With a better understanding of the importance of sustainability to create a more balanced economic development while generating profitable results, we hope to see a growing number of firms incorporate sustainable practices into their strategies in this region,” he added.
This year’s winners were evaluated from close to 150 nominations, from approximately 100 local and international businesses throughout Malaysia. In her formal address, H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez, EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Malaysia emphasised that the EU fully supports Malaysia in its sustainability endeavours. She highlighted the role that the circular economy model can play to move toward sustainability and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She added that the Europa Awards for Sustainability 2019 can be seen as not only a platform where the business community come into competition in the name of sustainability but also seen as a strategic initiative to bring EU and Malaysian business leaders even closer together.
This year’s Europa Awards is supported and sponsored by different stakeholders, including United Nations Malaysia, WWF Malaysia, MATRADE, EU bilateral chambers and business councils, International SOS, BNP Paribas Malaysia Berhad, BMW Group Malaysia, Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, BNP Paribas Asset Management, Carlsberg Malaysia, Remy-Cointreau and Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Cheryl Khor, Asia Pacific Operational Risk Leader at Deloitte Malaysia said, “37% of the nominations came from large companies, 48% from SMEs and the other 15% from NGOs. These figures are a healthy indication that the Awards programme has made a significant mark across all sectors in promoting sustainability.
“All companies including small and medium enterprises are encouraged to start adopting sustainable practices in order to penetrate new export markets and differentiate themselves to improve competitiveness, as more developed markets now have such requirements in place,” she added.
Stefan Priesner, UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam added: “There is much work to be done to accelerate progress on SDGs. It is clear that extensive private sector involvement in terms of investment, SDGs alignment and innovative solutions is needed to achieve the targets by 2030, at both national and global level. Although momentum is picking up, we all need to work together in incorporating the social and environmental dimensions into a new type of growth model, systematically mainstream the SDGs and report and measure on impact”
Ms Sophia Lim, CEO of WWF-Malaysia applauded companies that are taking extra steps to work with others in their value chain to create and support models for sustainable production and best practices.
“There is still quite some ways to go for many Malaysian companies, but we cannot afford to wait much longer. We also strongly believe that companies should take on the responsibility of communicating the importance of both sustainable production and consumption to consumers,” she concluded. The Europa Awards for Sustainability 2019 awardees are:
Best Sustainability Reporting Category
Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Berhad
Best Innovation in Sustainability Category
Sime Darby Plantation Berhad
Best Social Impact Category
Bank Rakyat (Large Company)
The Lost Food Project (SME Company)
Best Environmental Impact Category
DRB-HICOM Environmental Services Sdn Bhd (Large Company)
Bluebee Technologies Sdn Bhd (SME Company)
Best Sustainability Leader
Annemarieke- De Haan
