WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? At UEM Edgenta, an effective environmental management system is fundamental to our commitment to corporate responsibility and long-term sustainability. As stakeholder expectations evolve and societal demands intensify, we have placed increasing emphasis on integrating environmental considerations into our decision-making processes. Recognising the interconnectedness between our operations and the broader ecosystem, our approach goes beyond business performance. We are deeply committed to responsible resource management and contributing to the well-being of the communities we serve, aligning our efforts with the global call for sustainable development. Failure to address our environmental management material matter would compromise our longstanding commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. It could damage the trust and confidence of our stakeholders, while exposing us to greater operational risks and inefficiencies. As environmental expectations from society and regulators grow, neglecting to fully integrate these considerations into our decision-making processes could result in missed opportunities to lead in innovation and responsible resource management. Moreover, inaction would not only threaten the ecosystems we are interconnected with but also undermine our ability to enhance the well-being of the communities we serve. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WHAT VALUE WAS CREATED IN 2024? At the operational level, various green initiatives were implemented, including the recycling of electronic waste (e-waste), the use of environmentally friendly materials like sustainable timber and ceiling panels made from recycled materials, and the installation of LED lighting in key areas. Driven by our commitment to excellence and sustainability, our efforts throughout the year led to notable achievements, earning us esteemed accreditations and industry recognition. WHAT IS OUR APPROACH? In 2024, UEM Edgenta continued to embed responsible environmental management practices across its business operations, reflecting our broader commitment to reducing ecological impact. Our approach centred on minimising pollution, conserving resources, and advancing waste management efforts, with an emphasis on improving resource efficiency and lowering our environmental footprint. Key initiatives included supporting hospital clients in adopting rainwater harvesting systems to reduce water consumption, promoting responsible usage through water awareness campaigns, and initiating pilot data collection from suppliers on water, energy, and waste to enhance supply chain transparency and accountability. Strengthening our resilience to environmental risks was also a priority, with risk assessments conducted to evaluate the potential for surface water flooding across our plants and operational sites. While no significant threats were identified, these assessments enable us to remain proactive, ensuring that we are prepared to implement mitigation measures when necessary. UEM Edgenta’s Environmental Management Systems were underpinned by key policies and frameworks, including our Sustainability Policy and Environmental Policy, which provided clear direction on waste reduction, water conservation, and emissions management. In line with regulatory requirements, we complied with the Department of Environment’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the proper handling of scheduled waste, including e-waste and effluents from linen and laundry plants, ensuring all disposal and treatment processes were carried out safely and responsibly. Our scheduled waste management approach covers the proper handling, labelling, packaging, storage, transportation, and disposal of various types of waste, including e-waste, industrial and sewage effluent, and bottom ash from our clinical waste incineration operations. Each disposal process is meticulously tracked and recorded in the DOE online inventory portal, ensuring full transparency and regulatory compliance. To uphold the highest environmental standards, we appointed accredited third-party laboratories to conduct monthly testing on sewage and industrial effluent discharged into water bodies, ensuring strict adherence to DOE requirements. Complementing these regulatory measures, we also advanced waste management practices by focusing on data collection, waste separation, awareness campaigns, knowledge-sharing sessions, and research and development (R&D) on pavement materials using recycled content. All these processes are carried out under the supervision of our HSSE team, in alignment with our HSSE Policy and Sustainability Policy. 157 ENHANCING VALUE THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY
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