MDEC launches Digital Climate Action Pledge

•  Introduced corporate pledge aimed at boosting sustainability
• Pledge jointly developed by MDEC, in partnership with UNGCMYB

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has jointly launched the MDEC launches Digital Climate Action Pledge (Mdcap) in partnership with UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB).

Minister of communications and multimedia, Annuar Musa launched the Mdcap, a corporate pledge that aims to build capacity and increase the adoption of sustainability and climate action by businesses across the digital economy.

MDEC said the first cohort of Mdcap signatories consist of 28 businesses from the digital economy sector. 

These signatories will have access to resources including a climate action playbook and carbon toolkit (including a calculator, online scoresheet and reporting tool), to help them take affirmative climate action plan, MDEC said.

"Malaysia's digital economy reached 22.6 percent of gross domestic product last year and is expected to grow beyond the initial target of 25.5 percent by 2025. 

“This makes the digital economy a key catalyst for the nation’s shift to more sustainable economic practices,” said Annuar.

According to MDEC, this pledge is aligned with the government’s commitment to be a carbon-neutral nation by 2050.

As outlined in the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, the government is aiming for a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity of GDP by 2030, compared to a 2005 baseline, and to achieve a 31% renewable energy mix by 2025.

MDEC chief executive officer Mahadhir Aziz said, “Mdcap is a very important step in supporting the acceleration of growth of the digital economy sustainably.”

Signatories of Mdcap are required to undertake a minimum of two out of the following six commitments. This includes:

• Conduct business operations in an environmentally responsible manner, through reduce, reuse, recycle practices;
• Take action to minimise greenhouse gas emissions by implementing energy efficiency and/or renewable energy or other emission-reducing measures;
• Implement responsible sourcing across the supply chain;
• Define a climate governance strategy in accordance with the mission, vision, and values of the company;
• Encourage stakeholder dialogue on the company's sustainability practices; and
• Share sustainability best practices in terms of strategies, action plans, and initiatives.

Executive director of UNGCMYB Faroze Nadar said, “Sustainability need not be overwhelming, it starts with the desire to be a better, responsible business, and the digital economy actors especially are pivotal change agents in enabling the fulfillment of national and global goals on the climate agenda.

“We hope this programme will be the catalyst for digital economy companies, to unlock the value of sustainability to increase their resilience and competitiveness and tap the growing sustainable trade demand.”

Other programmes offered under Mdcap include a sustainability eLearning, co-developed by UNGCMYB and Taylor’s University, that will also be offered to the first 75 SMEs taking the Pledge, at a subsidised rate.

Interested companies are welcomed to learn more about MDCAP by clicking here.