UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) Brunei recently kicked off the first of a series of sustainability-related webinars on the importance and impact of incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investments.
The one-day session was organised in collaboration with the Universiti Brunei Darussalam School of Business and Economics (UBDSBE), the webinars focused on raising awareness on how investors can act through their actions and investments.
It was UBD’s first webinar series dedicated to ESG and sustainable investing. According to the Asian Development Bank Institute, ESG awareness in Brunei is still in its infancy stages, said UOBAM in a statement.
As the younger generation deepens its understanding of global ESG issues such as climate change, UOBAM Brunei anticipates that they will help to drive the demand for sustainable investments either personally, through their connections, or as they enter the workforce.
UOBAM Head of Sustainability Office Victor Wong said that with more than three decades of investment expertise in Asia, UOBAM is committed to steering wealth to sustainable investments that create long-term value and positive impact for stakeholders.
“In line with the global push to achieve net-zero sustainability targets, we have seen growing investor interest and demand, among the younger generation, in sustainable investing,” he said.
Through the webinar series, the asset management company wants to provide the public in Brunei with a more in-depth understanding of ESG trends to better navigate the complex and evolving ESG landscape.
“For example, they will learn about the different indicators for the evaluation of companies’ ESG performance. As we invest for both profit and purpose, we can help forge a sustainable future for all,” said Wong.
Over the years, international initiatives, such as the Paris Agreement signed by 195 countries in 2015 to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius, have given rise to investor activism and awareness.
As a result, corporates are facing increased pressure to adopt sustainability practices by environmentally- and socially conscious investors who want to contribute to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, the company added in a statement.
Examples of sustainability practices include making improvements in the areas of energy efficiency, resource conservation, and waste management to reduce environmental impact.
There is also a greater emphasis on how a company is run, including its business ethics and shareholder protection practices.
In 2020, sustainable investment assets globally surpassed US$35 trillion, up from US$30.6 trillion in 2018 and which accounted for a third of total assets under management.
By 2025, sustainable investment assets are expected to exceed US$50 trillion. As a signatory of the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, UOBAM is committed to integrating ESG considerations into its investment practices.
The UN PRI is recognised as the leading global network to promote sustainable investments. The inaugural webinar, titled ‘Sustainability – the Key to Global Investing’, was moderated by Deputy Dean (Academic) at UBD SBE Dr Mohd Hairul Azrin Haji Besar,
Also attending the virtual session was Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Global Affairs) at UBD Dr Joyce Teo Siew Yean.
More than 180 UBD students, faculty members, and the general public participated in the session. For more information on the webinars and to register for future events, please visit www.sbe.ubd.edu.bn/UOBAM. – Analisa Amu
This article was first published on 27 November 2021 in our Weekly E-Paper issue 169 |
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
