ESG POSITIVE IMPACT AWARDS 2024

Award Categories

ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Biodiversity Conservation

Recognising an organisation who has implemented a project that has conserved, restored, regenerated or rehabilitated and developed sustainable ecosystems including projects that are also focused on conserving existing terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems.

Example: Conserve wetlands, coral reefs, mangroves, rainforests etc. to ensure thriving habitats for organisms.

Water Management and Efficiency

Recognising an organisation who has designed and implemented innovative water management systems and processes to improve water efficiency and pollution control whereby the organisation has shown improved operations, smart use of water resources, technological innovation and the implementation of sustainable models and initiatives.

Example: Reduce water wastage through the installation of flow reducers and regular plumbing maintenance.

Waste Management

Recognising an organisation which has implemented innovative methods that successfully improves reduction, recycling and reuse of solid waste as well as responsible waste disposal.

Example: Reduce paper usage through the digitalisation of core company processes.
Purchase merchandise made from sustainably sourced materials that are recyclable or biodegradable and wrapped in plastic-free packaging.

Responsible Manufacturing

Recognising an organisation which has successfully curated and demonstrated long-term contribution and commitment to the protection of natural resources through sustainable management and efficient use of materials in the production of goods or services.

Example: Regularly reduce, reuse, repair, repurpose and recycle in the three core areas of water, energy and food.

Renewable Energy

Recognising an organisation which favours renewable energy sources in its supply and value chain. The organisation exhibits originality, provides market-based solutions and environmental benefits, whilst making significant socio-economic contribution through the usage of renewable energy in its products and projects.

Example: Save energy through the installation of Solar Photovoltaic Technology on business premises with a signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Energy Efficiency

Recognising an organisation which has demonstrated energy efficiency and energy conservation throughout its supply and value chain, developed best energy-saving projects, whilst demonstrating energy and carbon savings, backed-up by data, with particular consideration for innovation and replicability.

Example: Reduce energy usage by switching from fluorescent light bulbs to energy-efficient LED lights, as well as switching off electrical appliances when not in use.

SOCIAL AWARDS

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Awarded to an organisation who has initiated and led action/s to remove barriers as well as improve work experience and engagement levels of employees and the value chain. Whilst demonstrating excellence in the delivery of services, without considering factors such as age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social mobility, disability and gender.

Example: Hiring disabled individuals and providing them with equal opportunities (training, promotions, medical support etc.) to succeed in their careers.

Relations with Local Communities

Recognising an organisation which has developed and implemented a programme to positively impact and strengthen links with the local community and indigenous people within the locality of which the company operates. The programme should respond to a specific need in the community and should focus on the measures taken to engage with the community and all relevant stakeholders, as well as the positive impact delivered through the programme.

Example: Supporting orphans or youths in peril through academic, charitable or financial programmes.

Human Rights & Labour Standards

Awarded to an organisation which has advanced fundamental human rights and responsible labour practices throughout their operations, where they uphold fundamental human rights principles in all ways that they interact with people (employees, consumers, customers, suppliers, contractors and community members).

Example: Ensuring equal practices when hiring foreign labour, such as fair wages, medical coverage, insurance, healthy work environment etc.

Talent Management

Recognising an organisation which has developed and implemented effective, consistent and all rounded training programmes, where it has enabled the talent to execute business strategies, and contribute to long-term success of the organisation.

Example: Creating succession plans for employees that have directly resulted in promotions to senior or management positions within the company.

Good Health and Wellbeing

Recognising an organisation which has developed and implemented effective programmes to promote the health and wellbeing of employees which has contributed to the overall improvement in productivity and increase in satisfaction and morale of staff.

Example: Providing medical support to employees, such as setting up a vaccination centre on company premises.

GOVERNANCE AWARDS

Governance, Reporting & Transparency

Recognising an organisation with effective corporate and sustainability governance, audit and risk management, integrity, and transparency in reporting while keeping a meaningful relationship with stakeholders.

Example: Reducing corruption, risks and harassment at the workplace by implementing a whistleblower policy, regular risk assessments and providing employees with an ethics handbook.

OTHERS AWARDS

Supply Chain Management

Recognising organisations which have created a progressive and comprehensive strategy to improve the adoption of best ESG practices in its supply chain, which has demonstrably led to a positive impact on the sustainability of the supply chain.

Example: Sourcing raw materials from suppliers who emphasise renewable or sustainable energy.

Innovative Partnership

Recognising organisations which have developed progressive and innovative partnerships which have led to positive and sustainable impacts on communities and/or the environment. This can be demonstrated in strong, long-term partnerships (more than 2 years) which are mutually beneficial with tangible outcomes/impacts to society and/or the environment.

Example: Partnering with a Social Enterprise or an NGO on a local ESG initiative.

Transformation

Recognising an organisation which has transformed their business to promote sustainable development in a manner that ensures long term economic and financial, social, environmental, and institutional sustainability.

Example: Increasing efficiency and reducing costs by digitalising business processes.

Sustainable Products & Services

Recognising the development of products and services that exhibit substantial positive effects on the environment and society by providing innovative and marketable solutions. These products and services integrate sustainability into their offerings, demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability.

Example: AI, IOT solutions for energy efficiency and waste reduction, sustainable plastics or packaging from tapioca, pulp and fibre, AR and VR use in healthcare, Smart sensors or devices for efficient traffic systems, Apps & other software solutions, Green bonds, circular products/ buy-back initiatives, and sustainable agriculture practices.

Examples provided are for reference only and should not be used as a hard guideline for submissions.

awards tiering

The Awards will be further sub-categorised into two tiers based on its annual sales turnover as per table below based on each company’s latest audited financial statements:

Annual Sales Turnover (RM' mil)	Products	Services
Small and Medium Enterprise And Mid-Tier (SME & Commercial) *Classification as per Matrade	Up to RM500 million*	Up to RM200 million*
Large Companies (Corporate) **Classification as per SME Corp	> RM500 million**	> RM200 million**

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify as an applicant for any of the Awards listed above, the company must meet the following requirements:

The company is duly incorporated in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act 2016. [Please note that a company registered under the Companies Act 1965 is deemed to have been registered under the Companies Act 2016];
For a group of companies* (“the Group”), only those companies incorporated in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act 2016 are eligible to apply either individually or as a Proforma Group.
Must submit audited financial statements for the past three (3) consecutive financial years.
Entries can be for projects that are ongoing or completed between July 2023 - December 2024. However, the project will only be judged based on impact made between January 2024 - December 2024.
The organisation must not be bankrupt, and does not have any legal suit / reputation that impairs the image of this award program.
The organisation must provide regulatory or acknowledgement documentation for presented initiatives (i.e., government engagement and acknowledgement letters, news clippings, media articles, etc.)

Note: *group of companies ("the Group") refers to a holding company (incorporated in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act 2016) and its subsidiary companies as defined in the Company Act 2016.