(18/01/23) Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative to promote responsible business practices and advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As the first aviation company in Malaysia to join the initiative, MAG will align its operations and strategies to the UNGC Ten Principles which outline the business’ core human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption principles.
Through this global initiative, MAG expects to benefit from access to local and global sustainability tools and resources; and by implementing culture and talent development programmes, including the incorporation of the UN Global Compact Academy, into the learning syllabus to increase awareness and deepen group-wide engagements in sustainability.
Malaysia Airlines A350 reg: 9M-MAD. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com
Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) said “We are delighted to welcome Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) to the United Nations Global Compact. As a sector that plays a critical role in connecting people and driving economic growth, the aviation industry has a unique opportunity to lead the way in sustainable business practices. We look forward to working together to create a more sustainable future for all.”
Since the launch of its Sustainability Blueprint in April 2021, MAG has continued to accelerate its sustainability agenda. In addition to supporting the United Nations’ 13th SDG (Climate Action), nitiatives target three other SDGs: Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
In the near term, MAG will focus on four priorities to achieve net-zero from the ground up through measures taken within all its operations, including implementing fuel efficiency programmes such as sustainable aviation fuel.
Other initiatives include the carbon accounting project, which tracks the Group’s GHG emissions to help develop a decarbonisation strategy and mitigation plan; the fuel efficiency plan, fleet renewal programme, the installation of solar panels; waste management programme and utilisation of Electrical Vehicles to reduce ground carbon emission in near future.
MAG has also committed to increasing female employees in technical roles and reduce income inequality in line with its commitment to IATA’s 25by2025 initiative to strengthen and improve female representation within its organization and the wider aviation industry.
“We are pleased to join the United Nations Global Compact to strengthen our commitment in adopting sustainable business practices, joining a growing list of more than 20,000 companies in over 160 countries who have committed to the UNGC’s Ten Principles and share the same values and goals for a sustainable future,” said Captain Izham Ismail, Group Chief Executive Officer of MAG. “Beyond achieving our net-zero goal, we believe that partnerships and collaborations will be essential to propelling our efforts holistically and delivering a positive impact on the environment, society, and governance, and chart our way forward for long-term success.”
