Kuala Lumpur, 13 November 2024 – Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or “The Exchange”) recently concluded its inaugural Climate Week, held from 4 to 8 November 20240F1. Themed “From Aspiration to Action: Unlocking Green Financing,” the event aimed to create greater awareness and engage various stakeholders on sustainability-related matters, underscoring Bursa Malaysia’s commitment to advance sustainable development.
The curated events commenced with the symbolic “Ring the Bell for Climate” ceremony1F2 where exchanges around the globe demonstrate their united dedication to combat climate crisis and advance sustainability efforts. This opening act initiated a series of panel discussions, workshops, and community activities over the course of the week, aimed at enhancing understanding and discourse around sustainable finance and sustainability practices.
The Climate Week engaged a diverse audience of over 1,700 attendees comprising industry leaders, public listed companies (“PLCs”), startups, consulting firms, and the general public. Key highlights from the week include:
1. Launch of the Corporate Sustainability Practitioner (“CSP”) Competency Framework 2.0: Bursa Malaysia in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (“UNGCMYB”), launched the CSP Framework 2.0 on 7 November 2024 during the GO ESG Symposium 2024. This enhanced framework builds on the first version released in 2021, to enhance sustainability competencies across corporate roles, aiming to empower professionals with skills to navigate the complexities of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) requirements. To learn more about the CSP Framework 2.0, visit https://bursasustain.bursamalaysia.com/competency-framework
2. IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards Workshop: In partnership with the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (“UN SSE”), International Finance Corporation (“IFC”), International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) Foundation, and Policy, Assumptions, Calculators, and Education (“PACE”), this virtual workshop addressed the critical need for standardised sustainability reporting, coinciding with the nationwide adoption of the recently launched National Sustainability Reporting Framework (“NSRF”)3F4. The workshop aimed to provide PLCs with knowledge needed to comply with IFRS S1 and S2 disclosure standards.
3. MYCentre4IR ESG Innovation Challenge 2024: In collaboration with the Malaysia Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (“MYCentre4IR”), the conclusion of the Challenge saw five local and international startups awarded with bridge funding, to further develop their ESG-focused digital solutions, for potential future adoption by participating Malaysian PLCs. The Challenge drew over 100 submissions from entrepreneurs across 30 countries, leveraging UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s innovation platform.
4. Sustainability-themed Panel Discussions: With topics ranging from ‘Transition Finance for Supply Chain Companies’ to ‘Shaping Sustainability Leadership: Skills, Mindsets, and the Role of Education’, the panels provided a platform for thought leadership and practical insights to integrate sustainability into business strategies.
5. Community and Educational Engagements: Provided Bursa Malaysia staff and school children with deeper understanding of sustainability matters, via interactive activities like community gardening and climate games.
Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive officer of Bursa Malaysia acknowledged the wide support and interest, stating, “We extend our appreciation to the diverse group of partners and participants for contributing to the success of our inaugural Climate Week. Such initiatives are part of the Exchange’s efforts to foster a sustainable future by driving collaboration, innovation, and the adoption of robust ESG practices in the marketplace. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient marketplace that balances economic growth with ESG progress.”
