ECO HARMONY
Our Commitment to Environmental Stewardship through Energy, Water, and Waste Management
At QES, we believe that a harmonious relationship with the environment is essential for creating a sustainable future. Through our Eco Harmony initiative, we are committed to implementing innovative practices that address key environmental challenges, including climate change, waste reduction, and water conservation. This holistic approach is at the heart of our sustainability strategy, aligning our business operations with the highest standards of environmental stewardship.
Climate change and energy security have undeniably emerged as pressing global imperatives that exert a profound influence. This can be seen as Governments around the world dedicate resources towards their sustainability goals. The Governments then creates policies to ensure businesses must comply and take positive action in shaping a cleaner, more tolerant and equitable future.
At QES, we uphold a steadfast commitment to sustainability by continually monitoring and optimizing energy usage across our facilities and production processes. Our overarching goal is to mitigate the impact of global warming through enhanced energy efficiency measures.
As an active participant in the manufacturing sector, electricity consumption constitutes a significant expense for our facilities. Proactively monitoring, optimizing, and reducing our electricity usage is paramount, as it not only aids in addressing climate change but also aligns with our long-term economic interests by promoting efficient resource utilization.
To monitor our power usage, we monitor our energy consumption based on electricity bills.
Annual Electric Energy Consumption (kWh) | FYE 2023 |
QES Corporate HQ (Glenmarie, Shah Alam) | 919,940.00 |
As we expand our manufacturing capacity, our operations naturally require increased resources, including electricity. This expansion has led to a noticeable rise in our electricity consumption and associated costs. It’s important to note that this increase is partly attributed to moving into a new corporate headquarters (“HQ”) in March 2022, where the size doubled our previous headquarters.
Moving forward, we anticipate even greater demand for electricity as we continue to grow and enhance our manufacturing capabilities. Despite this uptick in consumption, we remain committed to driving energy efficiency throughout our operations. We actively monitor our electricity usage and seek opportunities to optimize consumption patterns.
Furthermore, we are continuously investing in the development of production equipment with lower energy consumption and higher efficiency. By prioritizing energy-efficient technologies and practices, we aim to mitigate the environmental impact of our operations while simultaneously reducing operational costs associated with electricity consumption. This proactive approach aligns with our commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management.
To achieve this, we have implemented a range of initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of energy consumption while improving efficiency:
- Installation of only inverter air conditioners for our new Corporate HQ: Inverter technology plays a pivotal role in energy management by dynamically adjusting compressor speed based on temperature requirements. This results in lower energy consumption, decreased electricity bills, and reduced strain on the electrical grid. In addition to energy-saving features, these systems significantly minimize environmental impact, offering a practical solution to managing energy consumption while saving costs.
- Exclusive use of LED lighting for our new Corporate HQ: LED lighting stands out for its remarkable energy efficiency, consuming significantly less energy than traditional lighting alternatives like incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. Despite its reduced energy consumption, LED lighting delivers the same level of brightness, ensuring optimal illumination. Moreover, its superior efficiency translates to lower electricity bills and reduced energy consumption overall, further contributing to our sustainability efforts.
- Staff awareness in energy management: We prioritize employee engagement and awareness in energy conservation practices. This includes fostering discipline among staff members to switch off unused lighting and electronic equipment, thereby minimizing energy wastage and promoting a culture of sustainability throughout our organization.
- Solar Panels: After a delay, we’re pleased to announce that the installation of new solar panel roofs at our Corporate HQ has been successfully completed in 2023. As we move forward, our focus shifts towards harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources for a more sustainable future. Beginning of 2024, we will initiate data collection from these solar panels. With a capacity of 233.2kWp, we anticipate an annual output of 302,011kWh, aiming to offset an estimated of 237 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Climate Change Commitment
Addressing climate change is a top priority for QES. We have embraced comprehensive climate action plans aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Key initiatives include installing solar panels across our facilities, optimizing energy use, and sourcing renewable energy solutions. Our commitment to climate action not only supports global efforts to combat climate change but also aligns with our long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions in the coming years.
We actively manage our environmental impact through robust recycling programs, achieving a 12% reduction in energy consumption and recycling over 15 metric tons of waste in FYE 2023. Our commitment extends to climate change mitigation, as we continually innovate to lower our carbon footprint and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We believe that through responsible environmental practices, we can contribute to a healthier planet and a sustainable future.
Key Climate Initiatives:
- GHG Emissions Disclosure: We have measured and disclosed Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions for FY2023 and are working towards including Scope 3 emissions.
- Board Oversight: Our Board receives quarterly updates on climate risks and progress, ensuring climate considerations are embedded in strategic planning.
- Climate Risk Management: We are integrating climate-related risks into our broader risk management framework, assessing opportunities such as green technologies to ensure sustainable growth.
Waste Management
The Group’s commitment to environmental stewardship, in alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, underscores its dedication to sustainable practices and responsible resource management. Central to this commitment is a proactive approach to waste reduction, encompassing prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse initiatives, in accordance with SDG 12.5 on responsible consumption and production.
Operating with a sustainability mindset, the Group endeavors to conduct its business operations with minimal adverse impact on the environment, adhering rigorously to all relevant environmental laws and regulations. To ensure the highest standards of environmental responsibility, the Group embraces best industry practices, particularly in managing subcontractors involved in its operations.
The Group’s waste management practices prioritize proper disposal procedures for scheduled wastes, engaging registered contractors to facilitate disposal at approved treatment premises and facilities. Moreover, in day-to-day operations, the Group fosters a culture of recycling and energy conservation, aiming to minimize wastage, pollution, and harmful emissions.
Employees are actively encouraged to participate in environmental initiatives, including recycling old documents, utilizing electronic communication for memos and company information dissemination, and reusing delivery packaging materials. Additionally, conscientious energy consumption practices, such as switching off electrical appliances when not in use, are promoted throughout the organization.
Looking ahead, the Group remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of environmental compliance. Management will continue to review and enhance current environmental management systems and practices, ensuring alignment with existing regulatory requirements and striving for continuous improvement in environmental performance across all activities and operations.
Water Management
Water is a vital resource, and at QES, we take an innovative approach to managing it sustainably. Our rainwater harvesting systems and water recycling initiatives help conserve precious water resources while reducing our reliance on traditional water supplies. Our production activities have a minimal water footprint, primarily utilized for sanitary and amenity purposes, with no significant water discharge or pollution. Wastewater is directed to the sewage system for proper treatment, eliminating any discharge into oceans, surface or subsurface water bodies, or off-site locations.
All our operational sites rely on water supplied by established water distribution networks, avoiding the extraction of surface water from rivers, lakes, or natural ponds, as well as groundwater from wells or boreholes. Additionally, we operate exclusively in regions not considered water-stressed.
During the fiscal year, there were no incidents of non-compliance with water quality standards or regulations. Nevertheless, the Board recognizes the importance of water security and conservation and commits to contributing to these efforts. We are dedicated to safeguarding clean water, essential for all life, and pledge to explore environmentally friendly methods to enhance water efficiency across all offices and operational sites.
To monitor our domestic water consumption, we collect water consumption data based on the water bills.
Annual Water Consumption (m3) | FYE 2023 |
QES Corporate HQ (Glenmarie, Shah Alam) | 2,349 |
Our water usage primarily serves essential purposes such as sanitation, kitchen activities, cleaning, and gardening. Since our relocation to our new HQ in March 2022, we’ve implemented a rainwater harvesting system to supplement our water requirements. This system allows us to collect and store rainwater for various non-potable uses, thereby reducing our reliance on municipal water sources.
While our usage remains primarily for essential purposes, we are committed to minimizing water wastage and optimizing our usage through environmentally friendly practices. This includes ongoing efforts to repair leaks, install water-efficient fixtures, and optimize irrigation systems for our gardening needs.
By installing a rainwater harvesting system, we not only reduce our reliance on municipal water sources but also demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Our dedication to promoting a greener life extends beyond our operations to inspire positive change in our communities and beyond. Through responsible water management practices, we contribute to the preservation of this vital resource for current and future generations.
Through the embrace of sustainable consumption initiatives, we not only diminish our environmental footprint but also affirm our dedication to responsible guardianship of our planet for future generations.
Our Commitment to the Future
Through Eco Harmony, QES is dedicated to driving positive environmental change. As we continue to innovate and expand our sustainability programs, we remain steadfast in our mission to create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world for future generations. Our efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating our commitment to environmental responsibility and corporate accountability.
2024 @ QES GROUP BERHAD (201401042911)