spotlight

Most Outstanding ESG Initiatives 2024

LARGE COMPANIES

Heineken Malaysia Berhad

Water Management and Efficiency

HEINEKEN Malaysia Recognised as ESG Leader in Water Stewardship at The Star Awards 2024

Heineken Malaysia Berhad

HEINEKEN Malaysia celebrated a proud achievement by clinching four awards, including the coveted title of Most Outstanding ESG Initiative (Large Companies) for its industry-leading Water Management and Efficiency programme at The Star ESG Positive Impact Awards 2024.

Water is not only the core ingredient in brewing but also a shared resource vital to communities, agriculture, and ecosystems. Recognising this, HEINEKEN Malaysia has made healthy watersheds central to its sustainability agenda. The company’s Towards Healthy Watersheds and Nature strategy integrates both internal and external approaches to support water security. Internally, the brewery continuously enhances operational efficiency to improve water use and create long-term value. Externally, it invests in watershed health through collaborative public-private partnerships that benefit communities and ecosystems.

Within its operations, technological upgrades have delivered measurable results. The Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) system reduces water usage during equipment sanitation, while real-time flow monitoring allows precise control of consumption. Importantly, wastewater is treated to standards that exceed regulatory requirements by 100%, with all treated water reused for non-potable purposes such as cleaning and gardening.

Heineken Malaysia Berhad Heineken Malaysia Berhad

Beyond brewery walls, HEINEKEN Malaysia replenishes more water than it consumes, achieving 209% water balance in 2024. In simple terms, for every litre of water used in its products, 1.5 litres are replenished back into local watersheds through initiatives such as river rehabilitation, reforestation, and rainwater harvesting.

These initiatives are spearheaded through the flagship Working Actively Through Education and Rehabilitation (W.A.T.E.R) Project, led by the SPARK Foundation, HEINEKEN Malaysia’s corporate responsibility arm, in collaboration with the Global Environment Centre (GEC). A key success story includes the transformation of the Sungei Way River, which improved from heavily polluted (Class IV–V) to Class III, making it once again capable of sustaining aquatic life. Additional efforts include reforesting degraded peatland to enhance biodiversity and installing 33 rainwater harvesting systems in both urban and rural communities, strengthening water resilience.

Through these sustained efforts, HEINEKEN Malaysia has achieved a 29% improvement in water consumption compared to its 2014 baseline, recording a water usage rate of 3.06 hl/hl in 2024. The company remains firmly on track towards its 2030 target of 2.6 hl/hl, underscoring its dedication to protecting water resources for future generations.

HEINEKEN Malaysia also treats 100% of its wastewater, ensuring that water used is maximised through recovery, reuse, and recycling. The brewer achieved this by monitoring and tracking its effluent discharge, as well as ensuring that all of its wastewater is treated to standards above those of the Department of Environment.

HEINEKEN Malaysia’s recognition at the ESG Positive Impact Awards 2024 reflects not just its progress in sustainability, but also its commitment to ensuring that every drop of water used in brewing is balanced by a positive contribution to nature and society.

SMEs & MID-TIER

Above Creative Events (M) Sdn Bhd

Human Rights & Labour Standards

Leading with Purpose, Empowering with Impact

At Above Creative Events (a.c.e), ESG is not just a framework—it's the core of how we operate, grow, and create a positive impact. Our dedication to this principle was recently honoured at The Star’s ESG Positive Impact Awards 2024, where we won four awards, including the coveted title of Most Outstanding ESG Initiative (SMEs & Mid-Tier) for Human Rights & Labour Standards. This recognition affirms our role as a people-first, purpose-driven organization.

Our approach to Human Rights & Labour Standards is built on a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. We ensure transparent, OKR-based career progression and conduct fair pay audits to guarantee equity. Our hiring process is inclusive, actively seeking out talent from neurodiversity and non-traditional backgrounds. To foster individual growth and empowerment, we utilize Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and provide developmental Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs). Structured peer reviews further reinforce a culture of mutual respect and fairness.

Above Creative Events (M) Sdn Bhd

When we first identified the challenges in labour standards within the fast-paced events industry, our initial steps were foundational. We began with clear policy communication, ensuring that zero-tolerance practices for discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment were visibly reinforced in our employee handbooks, onboarding briefings, and internal memos. Next, we conducted baseline audits on pay equity and career progression to identify gaps, followed by the introduction of transparent OKR-linked performance reviews to align fairness with measurable outcomes. To create psychological safety from day one, every new team member was paired with a buddy for integration support, while leaders underwent empathy and bias-awareness training. These early measures laid the groundwork for more advanced initiatives, helping us build trust and demonstrate that ESG at a.c.e is not symbolic—it’s actionable from the very first step.

We understand the high-pressure nature of the events industry, which can lead to burnout from long hours, rapid turnarounds, and frequent travel. To combat this, we've redefined wellness as a strategic priority. We introduced flexible out-of-office hours, dedicated wellness pods like our Craft Room and Charge Room, and promote energy care over endurance. These solutions have not only reduced burnout but also increased project efficiency by 25%.

Above Creative Events (M) Sdn Bhd Above Creative Events (M) Sdn Bhd

The results of our efforts are tangible. Our employee retention rate has risen to 95%, driven by clear career grading, fair pay, and well-defined growth pathways. We've also seen recruitment costs drop by 18% through successful intern-to-permanent conversions and internal promotions. Internal mobility has increased by 32%, demonstrating stronger succession pipelines and cross-functional readiness. As our Chief Imagination Officer, Micky Ng, says, "We believe ESG is not a side initiative—it is our DNA. From fair labor practices to wellness-first cultures, we embed care, equity, and growth into every corner of our business. This recognition affirms our belief that even as an SME, we can set new benchmarks for responsible, sustainable growth in the events industry".

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