As Asean prepares itself for regional integration next year, policies for sustainable development are in place but the challenge is getting it “off the drawing board into implementation” at a time when economic growth is high on the agenda
Global issues such as climate change, energy, food and water security and deforestation are being driven by Asia’s urbanization, population growth and wealth increase.
Dangerous idea
“Asia needs to think more about sustainable development, and not feel that it can worry about it later when economic growth and prosperity is achieved – that is a dangerous idea,” said Sanit Kessuwan, innovation and technology director of SCG cement-building materials.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, also known as Asean, is set to establish the Asean Economic Community – a common market meant to increase the flow of goods, labour and capital within the bloc – by the end of next year.
President Rodrigo Duterte, speaking at last month’s ASEAN forum held in Manila, warned that as the region forges ahead with integration efforts, “we also have to ensure the judicious use of our rich natural resources which sustain vital life support systems, fostering economic growth without degrading the natural environment”.
He called for the private and public sectors in member countries to work together to achieve a “clean and green” Asean community.
Close collaboration
Echoing this sentiment, SCG’s Kessuwan said this is precisely what the government and private sector in Thailand is striving for: closer collaboration between the public and private sector to implement sustainable development policies in the region. “We hope this happens across the board throughout the ASEAN communities,” he said.
Public-private partnerships are only beginning to be understood, but there are encouraging instances of the private sector responding to sustainability issues and governments setting the direction on where policy needs to go, he added.
“Asean is at a crucial moment in time – there is the choice to get ahead of the curve or be left behind,” he said.
The Siam Cement Group (SCG) has operations throughout ASEAN, and businesses in cement, chemicals and paper. It has been selected by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index as a sustainable leader in the construction materials industry every year since 2011.
Kessuwan told the Manila Standard that sustainable development is “a choice” to boost the reputation of their company.
“We feel that as a responsible member of the private sector, we can effect change due to our flexibility and influence throughout the supply chain,” he said.