Interview on Business FM (www.bfm.my) with Andrew Sebastian from the Malaysian Nature Society (Part 2)

AS: Climate change is a big problem and more and more people are acknowledging it. It is a worldwide issue and we need to do something about it. A lot of companies and now doing work based on their idea of climate change and addressing climate change. Immediately, people jump into the same bandwagon as before, let’s plant some trees, let’s do beach cleanups. Companies love to do cleanups, community surveys and such. Some companies also adopt animals and a lot of companies also put money back into environmental or social education. So these are the types of activities that are quite popular. The most important question that companies should think about is doing research on what’s needed in the society. For example, a company’s focus on education would need to do research on what is needed in rural schools and what they are not getting enough of. A lot of homework needs to be done.

DJ: In the immediate term, what should be done in terms of CSR by corporations?

AS: There is a need for us to focus on big issues. I think the environmental education is seriously lacking and there are still a lot of things we need to teach our young, and to teach ourselves as well. Environmental education is the top of our list of concerns. I think in terms of CSR activities by corporations, they should put into place a program that actually educates their staff. They might be a big company with a lot of clients, a lot of suppliers, everybody needs to be re-educated to think environmentally sound practices. So education and awareness is the way to go. Companies need to invest in living green, carbon footprint for example, things that you do that leave a mark in planet Earth. How do they green their operations meaning how they cut down their carbon footprint, either by encouraging their staff and clients to carpool or take public transport, cut down on their use of paper. That’s a good way to start the ball rolling in terms of what companies can do.