Wasco Bhd is taking a proactive stance to bolster  environmental, social, and governance (ESG) readiness among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within its supply chain, anticipating Malaysia’s upcoming mandatory ESG disclosures under the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF). 

The energy infrastructure services group is set to host its inaugural Sustainability Day on July 29 in Kuala Lumpur, themed “Building a Responsible Value Chain Together”. This full-day event aims to elevate awareness and cultivate ESG preparedness across Wasco’s vendor ecosystem. Key areas of focus for the event include Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, human rights due diligence, and responsible sourcing. Attendees can expect a panel discussion titled “From Learning to Leading: Real Stories from the Sustainability Journey,” moderated by broadcast journalist and ESG advocate Freda Liu, along with vendor advisory booths offering hands-on ESG guidance. 

Wasco, recently recognized at the 2025 Sustainability and CSR Awards Malaysia, emphasizes expanding its ESG initiatives beyond internal operations to empower its supply chain partners. According to Wasco chief strategy officer Ariesza Noor, “Sustainability is no longer a peripheral issue. It is central to long-term value creation”. She highlighted that while general ESG awareness is common, Wasco is delving deeper by “tackling climate data, supplier transparency and human rights due diligence through practical, sector-specific guidance”. 

Despite many SMEs in Wasco’s supply chain not being immediately subject to NSRF disclosure requirements, proactive engagement is deemed essential. “We recognise that many of our partners are not legally bound yet. However, readiness cannot wait until regulation knocks. That is why we have stepped in early not to audit, but to empower,” Ariesza added. 

The NSRF, spearheaded by the Securities Commission Malaysia, aligns with global standards from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). It mandates disclosures based on IFRS S1 and S2, encompassing Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions. The framework will see phased implementation, with Tier 1 Main Market PLCs (RM2 billion market capitalisation and above) required to comply from January 1, 2025. Other Main Market companies are expected to follow by 2026, while ACE Market firms and large unlisted entities must comply from 2027, aiming for full adoption by 2030. The event will feature knowledge-sharing segments from organizations such as Bursa Malaysia and UNGC Malaysia & Brunei, offering toolkits on climate reporting, social compliance, and ethical procurement. 

Source 

https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2448608