Diagram: http://www.globoforce.com/
ISBN 978-983-2786-33-7
TRANSFORMATION * INNOVATION * PARTNERSHIP
1
Copyright © October 2016 by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, except
with the prior written permission of the Director-General of Malaysia Productivity Corporation or in the
case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by
copyright law. For permission requests, write to the Director-General, Malaysia Productivity Corporation.
Published by
Malaysia Productivity Corporation,
P.O. Box 64, Jalan Sultan,
46200 PETALING JAYA
MALAYSIA
Website
Email
Tel
Fax
: www.mpc.gov.my
: [email protected]
: 603 – 7955 7266 / 7955 7050
: 603 – 7957 8068 / 7955 1824
2
Preface
1. Understanding Sustainable Development
2. Waste Not, Want Not
3. 4R Lifestyle – Anybody, Somebody or Nobody?
4. Seven billion dreams, One planet, Consume with care!
5. On Simplicity & Sustainability I
6. On Simplicity & Sustainability II
7. On Simplicity & Sustainability III
8. On Simplicity & Sustainability IV
9. Sustainability & us
10.Sustainable Living
11.Sustainable Consumption
12.Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP)
13.SCP II
14.SCP III
15.Green growth
16.Do you know?
17.Sustainability – The way forward for continuous
growth & competitiveness
18.Do you know (II)?
19.Do you know (III)?
20.Let’s Recycle!
21.Green growth, TPPA & Sustainability
3
Preface
As the nation strives for Green Growth to fuel our last league towards Vision 2020, it became
pertinent we take stock of who, what, why and how we have been to Mother Nature. Earth is the
planet where we live, breathe and journey our lifetime on. Hence, the importance of loving the
environment we exist in. Green environment and Green way of living starts with each one of us
– not the Government nor the policies! The question that remains is: can we change the way we
live so that we do not add more damages to the nature around us? And, how can we rectify some
of the rectifiable damages? One way is through Sustainable Development. I have written about
this topic for some years and am happy to compile my 21 e-Sustainability Talk bulletins of 2015
that were e-published in the MPC e-Bulletin Board for our reference and reading pleasure. The
noble aim of the e-Sustainability Talk is to share and enlighten people on the importance of
sustainability in everything we do and how it is related to the productiveness of our daily tasks.
The periodical e-Sustainability Talk 2015 bulletins that began on 20 May 2015 covered quite a
wide variety of topics from Understanding Sustainable Development to end the year with “Green
Growth, TPPA and Sustainability”. Happy Reading!
Shaik
Dr. Shaik Roslinah Bux,
Author of e-Sustainability Talk/ Senior Manager,
Productivity & Competitiveness Development (PCD) Division,
Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
(E) [email protected]
October 2016
4
e-Sustainability Talk 1/2015: Understanding Sustainable Development
GOOD Morning & Salam 1MPC! As we progress towards mid-2015, we need to give
thanks that we are enjoying another peaceful day on Earth in Malaysia. The issues of
erratic climate change and severe weather incidences have become hot topics among
many people. Weird catastrophes are happening around us. By the way, I have written
about this way back in January 2010, yet we as a nation have yet to address the
environmental issues and sustainability efforts well!
Extreme winter with heavy snowing; the seabed constantly moving causing tsunami at
Soloman Island, Taiwan and Japan; and strong earthquakes that have killed thousands at
Haiti in 2010 and now Nepal. These catastrophes are CLEAR message from Mother Nature
that the human race has done enough damages beyond her tolerance!
Governments around the world have met to address the issues, be it Kyoto Protocol or
the Copenhagen Protocol. We have yet to see concrete commitment. And, do be
reminded, Earth is the only planet we live, breathe and journey our lifetime on.
Collectively, we all have our role to take care of Mother Nature. Green environment and
Green (Sustainable) way of living start with each one of us - not the Government or the
policies! The question now is: Can we embark on a sustainable way of living so that we do
not add more damages to the environment around us? And, how we collectively and
collaboratively could rectify some of the rectifiable damages? Two basic answers are
definitely sustainable development for each nation and sustainable living for each living
being on Earth. What do these two concepts mean?
Sustainable development and sustainable living merely mean inculcating the process of
maintaining human needs while preserving the environment for future generations. It also
means we must use available resources (i.e. treated water) efficiently so that they will still
be available for many more years to come. This is important because failure to do so
would bring about problems to others and reduce each other's ability to create new
things. Much food for thought as we embrace ourselves for a possible hot spell caused by
El Nino at our neighouring countries between now and September 2015. THINK about
what we as individuals could contribute towards greener living and environment as well
as getting the powers of the day to make sustainable development a way of life. Till the
next Sustainability Talk, have Environmental Friendly days ahead! Remember One Earth,
Care for the Environment and Do your bit NOW!
5
e-Sustainability Talk 2/2015: Waste Not, Want Not
A week ago, I have talked about embracing ourselves for a possible hot spell caused by El
Nino that is happening at our neighbouring countries between now and September 2015.
Hence, when I chance upon this photo in The Sun newspaper today, it reiterates what was
said last week. Picture tells a thousand words! When the weather goes extreme, we will
have climate, water and food supply challenges. We in Malaysia are blessed in many ways;
thus the importance of counting our blessings and at the same time “Waste not, Want
not!” By the way, have we started our contributions towards greener living? Each living
being has a role to assume as we strive towards Environmental Friendly days. Besides, as
documented in our 11th Malaysia Plan, we have one of the six strategic thrusts that
require us to pursue green growth for sustainability and resilience. We will talk more
about this later. And, with the impending two weeks’ school holiday starting next week,
remember to guide our young on sustainability as well as walk the talk on sustainable
living for this is our only one living planet! As a friendly reminder: One Earth, Care for the
Environment and Do your Bit Now!
6
e-Sustainability Talk 3/2015: 4R Lifestyle – Anybody, Somebody or Nobody?
We have talked about “Waste Not, Want Not” and El Nino last week. In true sense,
we in Malaysia are indeed experiencing volatile weather patterns; it can be blazingly
hot in the morning and pouring rain in the afternoon. These are indications of intense
global warming. Many people are lamenting about the weird weather that we have
to endure now. This, notwithstanding the maddening changing economic and social
landscapes that we are experiencing, culminates into stressful living in the 21st
century. People tend to finger point at others on the catastrophes making it anybody,
somebody or nobody case! One of the current catastrophes was in India where more
than 2200 people have died from heat stroke as temperature soars to 50oC! I wonder
on the global warming awareness level in our country. Awareness is the fundamental
requirement for change to take place. Additionally, we must learn to consume less
and waste less as these two practices will help curb global warming. Should we need
to consume, try recycling wherever possible for the following reasons:
1. Recycling reduces waste that in turn reduces the need for landfills and dumpsites;
2. Recycling reduces pollution and saves energy;
3. Recycling creates up to five times more jobs than waste disposal alone;
4. Recycling is cheaper in the long run compared to maintaining landfills and other
systems; and
5. Recycling promotes cleanliness and improves the quality of life.
Hence, it would be good if we could inculcate the 4R lifestyle. REFUSE (if you do not
have genuine need for it), REDUCE (quality matters, not quantity), REUSE (valuecreation), and RECYCLE. Remember it is NOT anybody, somebody or nobody’s
responsibility. IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY to take care of our
environment and our sole living planet called Earth. As indicated before “One Earth,
Care for the Environment and DO your bit NOW!
7
e-Sustainability Talk 4/2015: 7 Billion Dreams, 1 Planet, Consume with Care
Welcome to the 2nd week of June 2015. The last few weeks had the world
experiencing all kinds of natural disasters, be it heatwave in India, earth quake in
Nepal and Sabah, or capsized ship in Korea and China. The human-race will
continuously be subjected to catastrophes as our planet Earth experiences
geographical changes mainly due to the massive damages and depletion of natural
resources and settings by humans. The scary question to ask is: Are we heading to the
critical stage of no-return? We must now reflect on the phrase “Seven Billion Dreams,
One Planet, Consume with Care”; that is this year’s slogan for World Environment
Day celebrated on 5th June 2015 (last Friday). Messages from Malaysia’s Minister of
Natural Resources and Environment, and the Environment Malaysia office
emphasized the importance of sustainable livelihood that includes sustainable
consumption and sustainable lifestyles, as well as sustainable development. Every
one of us has a role in these. In tandem with our 42nd World Environment Day, allow
me to reiterate the statement “let ‘s each one of us embrace the spirit of sustainable
consumption and sustainable lifestyle towards building a sustainable nation”.
Remember, “One Earth, Care for the Environment and DO your bit NOW!”
8
e-Sustainability Talk 5/2015: On Simplicity & Sustainability
Last week I have shared with you on this year’s World Environment Day slogan:
“Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.” Messages of sustainable
consumption and sustainable lifestyle have also been emphasized. With the coming
of the holy month of Ramadhan tomorrow, it will be good for all of us regardless of
faith to take time for deep reflection on the said messages. Moderation and
simplicity will be our key enablers towards sustainable consumption and sustainable
lifestyle. Scholars have opined that one of the spiritual and ethical responsibilities of
our time is to rediscover an appreciation for living the simple life. Duane Elgin (2011)
in the book entitled “Voluntary Simplicity” published by Harper, New York, have
shared eight differing flowerings growing in what is called “Garden of Simplicity”.
Two of the Simplicity flowers are:
(1) Ecological Simplicity
In this context, simplicity means choosing ways of living that enables us to reduce
our ecological impact on the web of life. We are encouraged to connect with
nature, the seasons and the cosmos. According to the author, an ecological
simplicity has a deep reverence feel for the community of life on Earth.
(2) Frugal Simplicity
Through this concept, we learn to cut back on spending that is not truly serving our
lives. We are encouraged to learn to practice skillful personal finance management
to achieve greater independence. Living with less will decrease the impact of
consumption on Earth and frees resources for others.
To conclude this week’s e-Sustainability Talk on simplicity, I wish to remind ourselves
with this phrase “let‘s each one of us embrace the spirit of sustainable consumption
and sustainable lifestyle towards building a sustainable nation”. Remember, “One
Earth, Care for the Environment and DO your bit NOW!”
9
e-Sustainability Talk 6/2015: On Simplicity & Sustainability II
As informed by the Meteorological Department earlier, the monsoon season will
bring hot and dry weather for the next two months. We are indeed experiencing such
weather now! Contrary to common practice, do we in the effort to lead sustainable
lifestyle and green living, put on the air-conditioner or fan full blast, or shower many
times a day? To illustrate the essence of what have been said here and in my previous
e-Sustainability Talk series, allow me to remind ourselves of the “Garden of
Simplicity” concept that was shared last week. I have also shared on (1) Ecological
Simplicity and (2) Frugal Simplicity. This week, I am sharing with you another two
Simplicity flowers; namely:
(3) Uncluttered Simplicity
Simplicity in this context means taking charge of lives that are too busy, too
stressed and too fragmented. The essence of this simplicity is reiterated by two
famous scholars:

Thoreau said “Our life is frittered away by detail…Simplify, simplify.”

Plato wrote, “In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the
mechanics of ordinary, everyday life.”
(4) Family Simplicity
This simplicity seeks to place the well-being of one’s family ahead of materialism
and the acquisition of things. It also places importance on giving children healthy
role models of a balanced life that is not distorted by consumerism. Family
simplicity has the inter-generational essence that looks ahead. It seeks to live with
restraint that enables us to leave a healthy Earth for future generations as living
with less will decrease the impact of consumption on Earth and frees resources
for others.
So much for now, till the next Sustainability Talk serial, remember “Seven Billion
Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.”
10
e-Sustainability Talk 7/2015: On Simplicity & Sustainability III
Last week we have talked about the hot and dry weather that is largely due to humaninduced climate change. We will discuss more about this in my next Sustainability Talk
serial. For this week’s serial, I would like to share an interesting write-up published in
the Star newspaper yesterday entitled “From Taste to Waste”. The writer has aptly
commented that “Malaysians complain a lot about the rising prices of food and yet
waste so much of it!” According to the Solid Waste & Public Cleansing Management
Corporation (SWCorp), as much as 9000 tons of food that are discarded daily could
still be consumed. The main culprit of this food wastage is the many dinners and food
fiestas that Malaysians in general like to indulge in without a care if this lifestyle is
sustainable. We have touched on the issues of sustainable lifestyle and sustainable
consumption in my previous e-Sustainability Talk serials. There is much food for
thought if people care enough to reflect on how they have been living or wasting life’s
abundance. SWCorp claims that 270,000 tons of solid waste are expected to be
dumped this month, and the 270,000 tons could feed 180 million people or six times
more than Malaysia’s population of 30 million!
As we take stock of this matter, let me remind ourselves of the “Garden of Simplicity”
of which I have shared four types of Simplicity flowers, namely (1) Ecological
Simplicity, (2) Frugal Simplicity, (3) Uncluttered Simplicity, and (4) Family Simplicity.
The next two Simplicity flowers for this week’s knowledge sharing are:
(5) Business Simplicity
Globally, there is now a new kind of growing economy that focuses on healthy and
sustainable products and services of various kinds be it food production, energy
systems, home-building materials or transportation. The need for sustainable
infrastructure in developing nations is generating an enormous wave of green
business innovation and employment.
11
(6) Civic Simplicity
This simplicity that means living more lightly and sustainably on Earth would need
changes on public life such as public transportation, education, design of our cities
and workplaces as well as mass media. According to the Garden of Simplicity’s
author, the mass media is the primary vehicle for reinforcing and transforming the
mass consciousness of consumerism. With the magnitude of changes required of
every nation on Earth, we certainly need new approaches to govern ourselves at
every scale! The ball is on each individual’s court! Remember “Seven Billion
Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.”
12
e-Sustainability Talk 8/2015: On Simplicity & Sustainability IV
This is the 2nd week of our 2nd half year 2015, yet too many happenings in the past
few months have left many feeling rather “lost in transit”. When are we going to get
out of this puzzling maze? Unsustainable developments and blind pursuance of new
things have always the consequence of happenings and high opportunity costs.
Hence, I am an advocate for simplicity and sustainability with the hope that
collectively we could enjoy sustainable living and sustainable productivity! Further
elaboration on sustainable productivity will be included in my periodical eSustainability Talk serial later; so stay tuned!
For this week, I wish to share the thoughts of a Speechless writer from Penang
published in The Sun newspaper yesterday entitled “STOP wasting water before it’s
too late!” Many rational Malaysians would be speechless too at the way the general
public consume without a care for the future! This point relates to Sustainable
Consumption and Production or SCP that is emphasized in our 11th Malaysia Plan
(2016-2020). The letter writer lamented that Malaysians tend to be not appreciative
of the abundant natural resources the nation is blessed with. Instead they normally
take things for granted. Do we? S/He also said that the authorities are complacent
and make little effort to preserve our inheritance. Accordingly, the water supply
problem is going to consume Klang Valley very soon, yet the usage of water per
person has increased through the years! Do we care? In Australia, the authorities
restrict the use of water during hot season. Fines would be imposed on people
washing cars and watering their lawns with water from the taps. To show the severity
of the water issue, I am enclosing a recent photo of a piece of parched land in
Thailand. Thai paddy farmers are badly hit; with dried out field and no yields, the
impoverished farmers went deeper into debts. Therefore, do anticipate shortage and
more expensive Thai rice!
13
As we take stock of the stated matters, let me remind ourselves again of the “Garden
of Simplicity” of which six types of Simplicity Flowers have been explained; namely,
(1) Ecological Simplicity, (2) Frugal Simplicity, (3) Uncluttered Simplicity, (4) Family
Simplicity, (5) Business Simplicity, and (6) Civic Simplicity. The remaining two
Simplicity flowers for this week’s knowledge sharing are:
(7) Compassionate Simplicity
This simplicity focuses on bonding with the community of life and being drawn
towards a path of cooperation and fairness that seeks a future of mutually assured
development for all.
14
(8) Soulful Simplicity
Simplicity in this final context concerns with consciously experiencing life in its
unadorned richness rather than being attached to any particular manner of
material living.
I hope the eight flowers of simplicity from the Garden of Simplicity that I have shared
since 17 June 2015 would serve as beneficial guides for us as we evolve towards
sustainable consumption and living with the hope we could all enjoy sustainable life
and productivity. With the magnitude of changes required of every nation on Earth,
new approaches are needed to govern ourselves at every scale! The ball is certainly
on each individual’s court! Remember “Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume
with Care.”
15
Sustainability Talk 9/2015: Sustainability & US
Welcome back to our conversation on sustainability. After a break of three weeks, let
us refresh what we have covered previously. We have talked about understanding
sustainability on 20th May; “Waste not, want not” on 27thMay; 4R lifestyle – Anybody,
Somebody or Nobody on 3rd June; “7 Billion Dreams, 1 Planet, Consume with Care”
on 9th June; followed by four weeks’ narration on the Garden of Simplicity that
comprises eight simplicity flowers. Do you remember what those eight simplicity
flowers are? Do not remember? It’s OK! The bulletins are for light introspective
reading anyway. The eight simplicity flowers that we have talked about are: Ecological
Simplicity, Frugal Simplicity, Uncluttered Simplicity, Family Simplicity, Business
Simplicity, Civic Simplicity, Compassionate Simplicity and Soulful Simplicity. These
eight flowers from the Garden of Simplicity will definitely serve as useful guides for
our evolution towards Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) that is
focused in our 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020). Talking about SCP brings up the
question: “Are we producing, buying, consuming and wasting too much?” It is
estimated that there will be a drastic 65% increase in our waste production with about
17,000 tons per day by 2020! This will cause the landfills at Jeram, Kuala Selangor and
Tanjung Dua Belas in Kuala Langat filled to the maximum capacity by 2035! Waste
management becomes an issue we need to handle seriously if we are to live
sustainably! Even Singapore has worked on SCP and conducted numerous public
engagements on the issue. With increasing affluence lifestyle, it became pertinent
each nation asks itself on how best to promote sustainable living and zero waste as
part of the Sustainable Roadmap when kiasu pursuance of development always foster
over-consumption! What are we doing – or should be doing- about it? I leave you with
this question to ponder as our conversation on sustainability adjourn for the week It
is time we recharged the planet so that it is liveable for generations to come.
Remember “Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.”
16
Sustainability Talk 10/2015: Sustainable Living
Welcome to the 33rd week of 2015. A fortnight ago we have talked about Sustainable
Consumption & Production (SCP), sustainable living, waste management and the
question: “Are we producing, buying, consuming and wasting too much?” This week
I will talk about how each one of us could assume our eco-friendly role and contribute
to the Sustainable Roadmap that correlates with one of the six strategic thrusts of the
11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020); that is pursuing green growth for sustainability and
resilience. This week’s conversation touches on the basics of living sustainably.
Understanding on this basic sustainable living is important because the totality of how
each one of us live will affect our environment and determines if we are sustainable
and resilient. This, in turn, affects our productivity and competitiveness! There are
five suggestions for sustainable living; they are:
1. Harvest rainwater
Living in the tropical zone means we are frequently blessed with rainwater.
Hence, it is logical to harvest rainwater to reduce our dependence on clean
water that should be used for drinking, food preparations and personal hygiene
purposes.
2. Install solar photovoltaic system
We are also blessed with lots of sunlight throughout the year. Therefore,
harvesting sun light power is also a logical choice. Although the initial cost of
installing solar photovoltaic system is relatively high, the long term benefits of
harnessing power through the system will justify the cost. Residences with
solar panels can use the electricity that is generated immediately. Besides,
home owners can also sell the power they generate by feeding the system to
the national power grid.
17
3. Start an edible garden
Consider saving root ends of vegetables and regrow them. One may contact
community gardening groups such as Eats, Shoots & Roots to assist us o n this
attempt. Even with the limitation of land, urbanites can learn new skills to grow
edible garden through a sunlit balcony or window sill.
4. Furnish with sustainable fixtures
We should support manufacturers that market functional and sustainable
products made from green materials. Additionally, always opt for evergreen
design when decorating a place.
5. Practice garbage separation
Solid waste separation is made mandatory in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca
and Negeri Sembilan beginning 1st September 2015. Accordingly, this move will
reduce the amount of solid waste sent to waste disposal sites by 40%. Hence,
for places that have yet to implement garbage separation, you are encouraged
to practice separating recyclables from wastes.
Besides the above, would you have other suggestions for sustainable living? Do
share with us as we are all accountable for planet Earth. Together we maintain a
cleaner, sustainable and more conducive environment for one another and our
future generations. Remember “Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with
Care.”
18
e-Sustainability Talk 11/2015: Sustainable Consumption
Last week we talked about Sustainable Living. I hope many have taken cognizance
of the contents, especially those who stay in Wilayah Persekutuan as you would
need to practice garbage separation beginning 1st September 2015. This week I am
sharing with you on Sustainable Consumption. The focus is on sea-food
consumption. Many people, typically in Asia like to eat seafood. A good example is
the mushrooming seafood restaurants in Malaysia. I wonder if you are aware that
ocean tasty and good seafood is becoming scarce and depleting fast globally!
Apparently, Hong Kong is the second-largest consumer of sea-food per capita in
Asia. The World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Hong Kong found that on average, a
resident of Hong Kong consumes 71.2 kilos of sea-food each year; that is more than
four times the global average! Over-fishing (hopefully not in the name of quantitybased Productivity!!) is driving the collapse of the world’s ocean fish stocks. This
non-sustainable practice has edged many types of fish toward extinction!
Unsustainable fish include those caught by controversial fishing practices such as
using cyanide poison, or from over-fishing already depleted species. WWF recently
launched a Sustainable Seafood Week in Hong Kong requesting restaurants to
provide ocean-friendly options. One way to help stem the crisis is through fish
farming. A fish farmer in Hong Kong has farmed about 35,000 fish to accommodate
the big seafood appetite of consumers from Hong Kong and China. Similarly, with
the shark’s fin issue, there is the need to educate and heighten consumers’
awareness on sustainable consumption. There is a down-side to ocean-friendly
seafood – lesser choice and certainly, one may not get seafood as tasty as oceanfresh ones. So what is your pick in Malaysia – continue eating unsustainably until
one day, one finds out there is no more of such ocean-fresh food available anymore
and that our future generations will never know what those seafoods are, nor the
opportunity to taste the depleted species. By the way, we in Malaysia have recently
19
experienced shortage of cockles. Oh Goodness!! ..has cockles become extinct in
Malaysia? Have you noticed that many curry laksa stalls now do not serve the dish
with cockles anymore? If any, perhaps, it is farmed cockles – the quality is certainly
not the same! There is much food for thought as one prepares to consume your next
meal. Waste not; want not, and do consume sustainably – not only for the planet
but also for our health. Over-consumption of seafood has caused many to have high
level of uric–acid and gout. Hence, please remember “Seven Billion Dreams, One
Planet, Consume with Care.”
20
e-Sustainability Talk 12/2015: Sustainable Consumption & Production
We have talked about sustainability for some weeks. In fact, this word appears in
many documents that we read. So, what does sustainability mean? What actually is
sustainability? Bursa Malaysia Berhad refers sustainability to economic,
environmental and social risks and opportunities. Sustainability is also defined as
the practice of maintaining processes of productivity, be it natural or human made,
by replacing resources used with resources of at least equal value without degrading
natural biotic systems (Hendrix, 2014).1 In this context, we have talked about
sustainability on the basic single unit level (i.e. individual’s role), namely, Sustainable
Living in my e-Sustainability Talk 10/2015 dated 18 August 2015, and Sustainable
Consumption last week. These simple talks will now culminate into our national
focus on Sustainable Consumption and Production or SCP as documented in the
11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020).
Accordingly, SCP is about promoting “economic growth without compromising the
environment or jeopardizing the needs of future generations”. This concept focuses
on the life cycle of products and services. What this means is that – we should
collectively ensure nature resources are used efficiently with containable
environmental impact. SCP is important as it would enable the nation to evolve into
sustainable development, a process for meeting human development goals while
sustaining the ability of the natural systems to continue providing natural resources
and ecosystem as needed by the economy and society. When we talk about
sustainability, it requires we put the lens of four interconnected domains: ecology,
economies, policies and culture together. Hence, it is of paramount importance that
when we plan national developments, we have the basic unit of the society (i.e.
1
Hendrix, Melvin K. (2014) Sustainable Backyard Polyculture: Designing for ecological resiliency Smashwords ebook edition.
21
individuals) on the right footing before we can progress to the collective levels of
households, community, society and the nation. The sustainability culture must be
well understood and ingrained into the fabric of the human race so that we could all
continuously enjoy sustainable economic progress. This week’s talk has much food
for thought. Thus, I will adjourn this session on SCP for now to provide space and
time for every reader of this bulletin to digest what have been covered here before
we proceed further on the topic of sustainability. Till the next bulletin, remember
“Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.”
22
e-Sustainability Talk 13/2015: SCP II
Hello again. Last week I have begun the deliberation on Sustainable Consumption
and Production (SCP) as well as explaining the interconnectedness of Sustainable
Living, Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Development and Sustainability
Culture that would drive our national strategic plan for green growth. Sustainability
issues have been well documented in ISO 26000; a guiding standard on social
responsibility. According to the standard, sustainable consumption refers to
consumption of products and resources at rates consistent with sustainable
development. In the race for speedy development, Mother Earth has been
excessively robbed of rich natural resources; some are irreplaceable while many will
take decades if not centuries to be replenished! The consequence is the HIGH
opportunity costs that we are experiencing now; be it hastened global warming,
rising sea level due to the melting icebergs at the North Pole, massive famine and
hardships due to severe drought as yields of produce declines, food bank becoming
a global issue and CLEAN WATER becoming a scarce commodity! Yet, many people
are still taking a nonchalant attitude towards the happenings around us nor the
fundamentals of living on earth!
Current rates of consumption are clearly
unsustainable as evidenced by environmental damages and resource depletion. It
became critical that everyone takes ownership for sustainable development. How?
– Many would ask! A simple step is by considering ethical, social, economic and
environmental factors when making our choices and purchasing decisions. In
addition, analysis on productivity must now be done in tandem with SCP. The
contention that society with high productivity per person needs higher consumitivity
per person is questionable. Productivity should be measured by the ratio of output
to resource input in production, NOT by the amount of output in a given period of
time. This fallacy must be corrected URGENTLY to arrest further destruction to
Mother Earth. Similarly, consumitivity should be measured by the ratio of
23
satisfaction to resource consumption, NOT by the amount of consumption in a given
period of time. Perhaps, it is time we rethinked our understanding on productivity
and how we should promote the concept of productivity to the nation as our
productivity–driven journey for the 11th Malaysia Plan looms. So much for now; I
believe my menu for SCP this week is quite heavy. Happy Reading (Digesting) the
visible and underlying messages of this talk! Till the next sharing on SCP, remember
“Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.”
References:
Adachi, E. (2014, March 13). Eco-behaviour and eco-lifestyle change. Paper presented at the Conference
on Achieving sustainability to empower future generations, Taipei.
International organization for standardization. (2014). Discovering ISO 26000, ISO Central Secretariat,
Switzerland.
24
e-Sustainability Talk 14/2015: SCP III
Welcome back to our conversation on Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP).
I wish to reiterate two key points from my bulletin last week; they are:
1) Everyone must take ownership for sustainable development through SCP. The
advocated step is by considering ethical, social, economic and environmental
factors when making our choices and purchasing decisions; and
2) Analysis (including strategic plans) on productivity MUST factor-in SCP.
Why - you would ask? The reason being…
The economic growth of Asia has been a success story in the early years of the 21st
century. However, as with everything, there are opportunity costs involved. The
economic rise of countries has created serious pressure on our environment. Due to
the rapid progress in the region, Asia became vulnerable to climate change as
evidenced by the many catastrophes and unpredictable weather change that
happened among the economies of Asia. Alas, the impacts will only become more
intense if we fail to address the sustainability issues well! There have been many
regional and international talks about this phenomenon yet we are STILL not seeing
the fruits from the many protocols agreed upon. On the contrary, major
environmental–related national incidences are slowly crippling many nations, be it
droughts, earthquakes, floods, typhoons or volcano eruptions. Are we so helpless or
nonchalant to the happenings? Hence, it is important for each of us to do our small
part so that collectively we could help arrest further climatic change and sustain our
progressive growth as envisaged in our 11th Malaysia Plan. Inclusiveness becomes
an important criterion for success in whatever we do. Pennies for your thought on
what are being shared here as we wind down to celebrate Malaysia Day tomorrow.
Have a blessed and meaningful Malaysia Day. Remember “Seven Billion Dreams,
One Planet, Consume with Care.”
25
e-Sustainability Talk 15/2015: Green Growth
We have been talking about Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) in my last
three e-Sustainable Talk bulletins. Let’s take a bigger view this week by looking at green
growth so that we do not lose sight of the forest. SCP is a key enabler and catalyst for
Green Growth. The 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) has labelled the nation’s effort to
embark on green growth as a game changer. Perhaps, it is time we aligned our lifestyles
with the forces of nature so that whatever progress that we pursue is sustainable by
nature. By the way, I wonder if you have noticed many things have been called green –
it becomes an overused word! It must be beyond colour calling. What’s important is not
the name (what) but the how and why of it. For this, it became important we
understand and inculcate the essence of how green growth is defined by the World
Bank: “Growth that is efficient in its use of natural resources, clean in that it minimizes
pollution and environmental impacts, and resilient in that it accounts for natural
hazards and the role of environmental management and natural capital in preventing
physical disasters.” Just by this definition itself requires much thought and reflection of
how we have been and the development journey the nation has undertaken. Growing
population and demand must be balanced with our natural environment that is
increasingly under stress. Hence, adopting green growth is an imperative for Malaysia
and must be given due cognizance in our effort to unlock the nation’s productivity
potential. Otherwise, what are we unlocking? Or do we have any more resources to
unlock? As economists will always say, strategize our development plan well for all
resources have respective diminishing marginal returns. What we must focus on is
optimizing sustainable production and not maximizing. Woes will befall us if our natural
resources that have been our economic strength get depleted! On this planet Earth, we
are not alone; the availability of resources no matter where we are, are somehow
interconnected! Remember “Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.”
26
e-Sustainability Talk 16/2015: Do You Know?
As I have mentioned in my recent e-Sustainability Talk bulletins, Sustainable
Consumption & Production (SCP) correlates with productivity. In a similar context,
Green Growth advocates resilience as it accounts for natural hazards and the role of
environmental management and natural capital in preventing physical disasters.
Indeed, the current prolonged smog (haze) in Malaysia has profound effects on our
economy. In our interconnected world, we (Malaysia & Singapore) have been
subjected to annual environmental WOES due to trans-boundary hazards. Do you
know that …
1. On average two to three million broiler chickens in the Northern Region of
Peninsula Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Penang & Perak) die in month due to smog
(haze). This is because chickens are more sensitive to haze than humans. The
consequence: price of chicken has been escalating!
(Source: Penang & Province Wellesley Farmers Association)
2. Egg production has also dropped by about 2% (Source: Sarawak Livestock Breeders
Association). In the case of two farms in Ulu Tiram and Layang, egg production has
declined by 5% since the start of the haze. The normal production of each bird is
25 eggs a month; now, the production is between 15-20 eggs each bird. Hens
become restless, weak, suffocate and die – the number recorded to be about
twice the usual number of deaths. (Source: Lew Brothers Poultry Farm Sdn Bhd)
3. Price of vegetables has increased! Long beans are now at RM6 per kilogram
compared with RM2 to RM3 before the haze problem. Spring onions and celery
have doubled in price (Source: Penang Island Vegetable Wholesalers Association).
4. Reduced production of vegetables and fruits due to a lack of sunlight. This is
because haze reduces the photosynthesis rate that causes lesser sunlight to reach
the plants. A case shared by Kulim Montel Farm is that banana trees at its 165 ha
and the 110 ha farms only produced about 4500 and 6000 new buds which were
27
about half of what the farms normally produce. In another case, the reduced
sunlight caused by the haze of 2013 saw a 40% lower photosynthesis rate to the
corn plants in Serdang resulting in reduced yield. (Source: Agrobiodiversity and
Environment Research Centre at Mardi).
In addition to the smog, many of us are not aware of the amount of damage we inflict
on our environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to reduce the pressures we are
placing on our planet and its ecosystem. Otherwise, we will have to endure
unfavourable consequences to future human development and well-being.
Remember, “One Earth, Care for the Environment and DO your bit NOW!”
28
e-Sustainability Talk 17/2015: Sustainability – The Way Forward for Continuous
Productivity Growth & Competitiveness
In continuing our broad view on Sustainability this week, I would like to advocate that
sustainability is the way forward for continuous productivity growth and
competitiveness. As with many progressing nations, economic, government and
social transformation paths are defined by respective ability to be sustainable.
Economists and environmentalists have long opined that economic growth has
always come with considerable opportunity and environmental costs as evidenced by
the numerous calamities and socio-economic happenings around us that are
detrimental to our future generations. With due cognizance, the Malaysian
Government has strategically established sustainability as one of the key goals of our
New Economic Model (NEM) in 2010. The importance of sustainability is reiterated
in NEM’s Strategic Reform Initiative number eight that says “Ensuring Sustainability
of Growth”. This emphasis is crucial to ascertain our economic development
journey’s ability to achieve sustainable productivity growth and competitiveness; that
is continuously meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
A key determinant for sustainable productivity growth and competitiveness is
inclusiveness. Malaysia needs to take holistic approaches that include the
development of human dimension to enable the country to propel forward.
Borderless business environment has brought about fierce competitions for talents.
Although Malaysia in general is blessed with abundance of natural resources, we
must also learn from Singapore, a nation despite scarce natural resources, has
capitalized well on its talents, both local and abroad to attain its sustainable
productivity growth and global competitiveness. Over focusing on low cost business
models through pricing and policy distortions for short term gains would jeopardize
our nation’s future prospects and growth. There is now the crucial need to increase
29
investment in R&D, build interest in innovating products and processes to move up
the value chain. This would in turn facilitate our journey towards a high-income
nation with improved productivity as envisioned by NEM and Vision 2020. It then
became pertinent that Malaysia pursue economically and environmentally enduring
solutions in our journey towards a developed nation by 2020.
Additionally, with increasing population, Malaysia also needs to review the nation’s
dependence on natural resource consumption as the primary engine of growth as this
would not be sustainable in the long run. The NEM plan has advocated that
investment and policy decisions should only be made after full consideration of their
long term impact on society, the economy as a whole, and the environment.
Therefore, for environmental sustainability, equal emphasis must be placed on both
protecting the environment and economic growth. Malaysia has since developed the
“Green GDP” concept to analyse the impact of growth on the environment and
proposes appropriate measures to address environmental concerns. In terms of
economic sustainability, Malaysia needs to establish fiscal discipline to safeguard
macroeconomic balance and financial stability. There is also the effort to reform the
public sector to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public services, making it
more customer-focused with reduced wastages! In short, everyone has a role to
reduce the pressures we are placing on our planet and its ecosystem. Remember
“Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care.”
30
e-Sustainability Talk 18/2015: Do You Know (II)?
The world is currently experiencing topsy-turvy climate change – and this is on top of
the puzzling economic challenges that almost every nation on Earth is enduring. Many
economists and environmentalists are at wits end on how to weather these “storms”.
The question now is: “Can we return to our clear and calm life that we once used to
enjoy?” Numerous reminders have been conveyed that every decision that we make
has its opportunity cost. Hence, everyone must take responsibility to arrest further
destruction to our only living planet. The key is by adjusting and harmonizing our
living patterns with the elements of nature.
Last week I have talked about an important sustainability agenda; that is,
sustainability is the way forward for continuous productivity growth and
competitiveness. This week, I would like to transport ourselves back to the ground
level and share what we have taken for granted or guilty of doing. Do you know that
…?
1. 9000 tons of food (leftovers) are discarded daily – much of which can still be
consumed! This means, in a month, the leftovers would culminate into 270, 000
tons of food that could feed 180 million people or six times more than Malaysia’s
population that is currently at about 30 million. This is a huge waste of money too!
(Source: Solid waste & Public Cleansing Management Corporation or SWCorp)
2. In 2014, the cost of managing solid waste in seven states (Federal Territory,
Pahang, Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Kedah) under SWCORP was
a whopping RM1.4B! This is a paradox because Malaysians complain a lot about
the rising prices of food and yet waste so much of it!
3. Food wastage is a global issue. According to Food and Agricultural Organization
(FAO) statistics, 1.3 billion tons or one third of the total food produced in the
world, is lost or wasted in production or before consumption.
31
4. Poor management of garbage and unconstrained increase in wastes have
become major environmental issue leading to the pollution of water, soil and
air. This matter brought about the creation of various types of filters, be it water
filters, air filters and demand for organic things. The creation of things may be
good for business prospects and supposed to make life easier, but dependence on
too many e-gadgets will also bring about other unquantifiable costs as well as
endangering ourselves in other aspects.
Having said these, I wish to reiterate that significant steps must be taken to reduce
the pressure we are placing on planet’s climate and natural processes, protect nature
and use its resources responsibly for future human development and well-being.
Remember, “One Earth, Care for the Environment and DO your bit NOW!”
32
e-Sustainability Talk 19/2015: Do You Know (III)?
Climatic happenings worldwide have awakened many people from their deep slumber
that disrupting nature’s harmony and unsustainable development pursuance for material
gains have high consequences. Besides, there have been too many talks and agreed
protocols; let’s hope real affirmative and positive actions will be convincingly visible
before the only living planet we have is destroyed! Hence, it is heartening to note that
the Malaysian Government has given due focus on sustainable developments as
indicated in the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) and the Economic Report 2015/16 as
unveiled during the 2016 budget tabling in Parliament by YB Prime Minister on 23rd
October 2015.Therefore, in continuing my emphasis on the importance of adjusting and
harmonizing our daily activities with the elements of nature, as well as inculcating
sustainability as the way forward for continuous productivity growth and
competitiveness, I am pleased to append below this week’s sharing for my bulletin
entitled “Do You Know (III)”:
5. El Nino poses threat to CPO
The drastic drop in global oil prices has certainly dented our coffer and national
revenue. Would this be compounded by the phenomenon from the extreme weather
caused by El Nino on our crude palm oil (CPO) production? According to the Malaysian
Palm Oil Council (MPOC), occurrence of an El Nino could result in a yield decline of
between 2 to 23 percent. This, in turn, could increase the CPO price in the near term.
Whether this becomes a positive or negative outcome for Malaysia depends on the
stock buffer for edible oils and demand for bio-diesel that have been weak this year.
6. Water security a rising challenge
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia has reported that conservation effort cannot
keep up with the nation’s demand for water. About 14 billion litres of water was
extracted from our rivers in 2013, almost twice the amount of what was extracted 10
years ago. The consequence is the escalated water security challenge. Another
33
connected issue is food security. This is because rivers are a source for fish that in turn
serves as a major source of protein for Malaysians. On a positive side, there was a
noted decline by almost 10% in river pollution during the last eight years.
7. The 3R target of Malaysia
As stated in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan, the Government targets to achieve 22%
recycling rate among households in Malaysia by 2020. While the Government puts in
place systems that enable better waste management, getting households to practise
recycling requires mind-set and behavioural change will be challenging. Malaysians
will certainly have to inculcate better consumption and waste disposal behaviour; a
prerequisite for a developed nation by 2020. An initiative seen recently is the
implementation of waste separation at source started with several states in
September 2015 which will be extended to other states during the Eleventh Plan.
8. Waste as Resource
The Government has been encouraging Malaysians to tap on their creativity and
innovativeness on how best we could divert wastes towards productive use to give us
economic value and reduces landfills problems. Industries are urged to reduce
dependency on natural resources when wastes become valuable resources – either
by conversion to energy such as biomass and food waste for power generation; or use
as an input for other products. However, such projects will have to be private sector
driven to ensure long term financial viability.
So much for this week’s sharing. Here’s reminding ourselves to take significant steps to
reduce our pressure on planet’s natural resources and live sustainably for future human
development and well-being. Till the next bulletin, remember One Earth, Care for the
Environment and DO your bit NOW!”
34
e-Sustainability Talk 20/2015: Let’s Recycle!
As indicated in our Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), waste separation at source
has started at several states in September 2015. The Government targets to achieve
22% recycling rate among households in Malaysia by 2020. It is important that
Malaysians transform mind-sets to achieve our envisioned developed status by 2020.
Alas, we are merely 50 months away from 2020. Can we achieve this goal? Daily
indiscriminate waste dumping has led to a rise in dengue cases and pests roaming
around our commercial centres. Lots of educational initiatives are needed to
transform the public’s mind-set on waste management.
According to Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), 90% of
Malaysian wastes went to landfills while a mere estimation of 10% was recycled. In
contrast, only 1% of Singapore’s wastes ended up in landfills as 51% are incinerated
while 47% of solid wastes (excluding construction waste) are recycled. Another
benchmark to note is that many other Asian countries including Taiwan and Hong
Kong, have recycling rates of at least 50% mark.
For our information, approximately 4% of the world’s crude oil is used to manufacture
plastic products compared with 45% for transportation and 42% for production of
heat, electricity and energy. Despite the negative view of plastics as hazardous waste,
plastic packaging constitutes less than 4% of all municipal solid waste by weight
compared with food waste of 50% domestic waste in Malaysia! The Malaysian Plastics
Forum education and awareness chairman shared that all conventional plastics are
recyclable while those that are not, have an energy value that can be recovered
through waste-to-energy incineration. He cited that plastics have a high calorific value
which means a good fuel source. The recycling industry, though low-key in Malaysia,
is acclaimed to be a profitable one!
35
MPMA informed that a pound of plastic can produce twice the amount of energy than
some coals and almost as much energy as fuel-oil. Modern energy recovery facilities
clearly burn the non-recyclable plastics in special combustion chambers. There is also
a need to emphasize the importance of separating organic waste and rinsing out
recyclable items because in the case of plastics and polystyrene, contaminated
materials becomes less valuable because of its properties at a molecular level could
become weaker. So much for this week, remember to inculcate the practice of
recycling for we only have one living planet but 7 billion dreams! The onus is on us to
take care of Mother Earth: One Earth, Care for the Environment and DO your bit
NOW!”
36
e-Sustainability Talk 21/2015: Green Growth, TPPA & Sustainability
As we wind down for the year-end, it is important that we know what’s in store for
2016 – that’s when our Eleventh Malaysia Plan or 11MP (2016-2020) rolls out. In the
11MP, pursuing green growth for sustainability and resilience forms one of the six
strategic thrusts as the nation takes the final lap towards Vision 2020. By anchoring
growth on people, the emphasis on green growth in the 11MP is crucial to shift the
paradigm of sustainability from an initial focus on natural resources (that are
depleting rapidly) to include consumption and production processes in households
and all sectors – hence, the concept Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).
The stated initiatives will assist Malaysia to expedite the transition from the
conventional and costly “grow first, clean-up later” pattern to a cleaner and greener
trajectory. Green Growth is a development trajectory that has three sustainable
development pillars; namely, economic, social and environment. The enabling
environment such as policy and regulatory framework, human capital, green
technology investment and financial instruments will be strengthened to facilitate
both public and private sectors towards sustainable patterns of consumption and
production. The targeted goals of this transformation is to ensure the sustainability
of the nation’s natural resources, minimize pollution, and strengthen energy, food
and water security.
In tandem with the Sustainability Development Goals of the United Nations, the
Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) also stipulates the need for products to
be in compliance with international environmental and green standards. Malaysia is
one of the four ASEAN economies that have joined TPPA. Hence, Malaysia has to gear
up the nation’s efforts to enforce international standards on labour and
environmental issues. Inculcating sustainability and green economy have become a
37
must-do rather an option. This is especially so when TPPA countries comprise 40% of
global GDP (USD2.75 trillion) or a third of world trade. There have been glimpses of
hope on greening Asia through increased regulatory practices in promoting
sustainability best practices. Bursa Malaysia has taken a lead by launching the Bursa
Sustainability Reporting Guide in late October. The importance of sustainability has
shifted beyond CSR or social obligations to include EES (economic, environmental &
social) risks and opportunities. The change towards a sustainable economy, one that
involves transformational linkages between financial and non-financial matrices,
requires focus alignment and leadership commitment of everyone. As said before,
each individual has a role to take care of our planet and its ecosystem. This
responsibility is certainly beyond government and international protocols. Remember
“Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care”.
Reference:
1) The Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020)
2) Bursa Sustainability Reporting Guide (October 2015)
3) SMEBiz – Monday 23 November 2015
38
39