As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact businesses and investments worldwide, the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and ESG investing continues to grow. This has resulted in a significant increase in the demand for ESG investing where investors seek to further enhance investment resiliency.

In anticipation of developments in this space, RHB Banking Group embarked on its sustainability journey in 2018. Since then, the group has institutionalised its approach to sustainability and continues to take practical steps to embed ESG practices or considerations into its business and operations as part of its overall sustainability journey.

RHB takes a holistic approach in its sustainability journey and is focused on minimising negative impacts and risks while identifying opportunities to create measurable positive influences on society and the environment. It also actively drives ESG across its lending, capital markets, advisory and investments, guided by the RHB Sustainability Framework and in line with its sustainability vision of Building a Sustainable Future.

In the past few years, the group has made significant progress, most notably in managing sustainability and enhancing sustainability governance. In July 2021, it set up a Group Sustainability Committee comprising senior management and chaired by the group managing director (GMD)/CEO to strategically drive the group’s sustainability and climate change agenda. Additionally, four Sustainability Councils of key senior leaders have also been established to ensure successful implementation of the group’s sustainability and climate-related matters. These are the Sustainable Banking Council, ESG Capital Markets and Advisory Council, Sustainable Insurance Council and the Responsible and Sustainable Practices Council.

RHB’s sustainability initiatives are to create value and is aligned with the needs of its internal and external stakeholders. On top of nurturing its employees by instilling awareness and capability building on sustainability matters and issues, the group takes into account the socioeconomic well-being of the local community and development of the nation.

As Malaysia aspires to become a carbon-neutral nation as early as 2050, the government has announced plans to introduce long-term low-carbon emissions development strategies as well as a roadmap and national adaptation plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The group will continue to be guided by the international and industry standard best practices, which include exploring science-based methodology in its ESG integration. RHB’s commitment is evident through the extension of RM5 bil for its green financing activities to promote the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy through lending, capital markets, advisory and investment by 2025. As at June 2021, RHB had made significant progress in this area, with RM3.3 bil in green financing being extended to clients, of which 20% was for renewable energy projects.

RHB’s asset management arm has also launched various innovative products and services, including four ESG SRI-qualified funds — RHB i-Global Sustainable Disruptors Fund, which is a Shariah-compliant fund, RHB Global Impact Fund, RHB Sustainable Global Thematic Fund and RHB Asia Sustainable Leaders Fund, with about RM800 mil in combined assets under management (AUM). These funds allow investors to participate in long-term sustainability-focused investments centred on climate change, healthcare, empowerment and sustainable infrastructure.

Additionally, RHB also made notable strides in ESG within the area of investment banking by leading and arranging several key ESG/SRI sukuk/bond programmes, including Malaysia’s first sustainable sukuk on affordable housing via Cagamas’ inaugural Asean SRI Sukuk and SME Bank Sustainability Sukuk, in which RHB Investment Bank was appointed as sole lead and lead arranger. RHB has also played a key role in the establishment of various sustainable/SRI sukuk programmes with a combined value of RM1.65 bil since 2020.

“We believe it is important for us as a financial services provider to steer customers towards climate action and sustainable practices, creating actual impact and change in the real economy for sustainable development. These, in turn, contribute to financial inclusion and access, as well as sustainable investment.

“We strive to become a positive catalyst, leveraging our stewardship capabilities and strong value propositions in the ESG capital markets, advisory and investment spaces, as AUM for sustainable or ESG funds continue to grow rapidly, driven by investor interest,” says RHB GMD and CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli.

“We are mindful of the role we play in driving change across all our key stakeholders. For instance, investors have shown growing concern over climate change and environmental issues and, as such, we have embedded a comprehensive ESG Scorecard and an ongoing review process into our asset management business to enhance the way we assess companies. Our proactive approach towards the mainstreaming of ESG investing creates value for our investors by facilitating them in making better-informed investment decisions,” Khairussaleh adds.

The momentum for ESG investing remains strong, especially for investors with a focus on stable returns, and those who are more aware of the environmental risks impacting businesses in the long term. RHB continues to support meaningful collaborations and facilitate knowledge sharing between asset managers, investors and financial institutions in deploying investment capital for the future growth of ESG investing. This is also achieved through ESG-themed investment forums to increase awareness of sustainable investments and assets.

“Continuous engagement and creating awareness are important factors in driving change, and should cut across all market segments. As such, we have been actively organising various ESG-related events in 2021 for the benefit of the investing community. The RHB ESG Forum — Envisioning A Better Future, for example, focused on the importance of nurturing a better understanding of ESG and exposed participants to insights from various ESG concerns, issues and potential solutions,” says Khairussaleh.

In line with its holistic approach to ESG, RHB will continue to support economic activities that promote positive impact on the environment, job creation, and financial inclusion and literacy as it further enhances its position as a steward of ESG. The group’s efforts in this are widely far-sighted, including its increased focus on opportunities for clean energy and green financing exemplified by its commitment in not pursuing opportunities or providing financing for new coal mine or coal power plant projects from 2022 onwards, in line with the RHB Sustainability Framework, principles and core pillars.

Moving forward, ESG investments are expected to remain a key factor that influences investors’ decision-making with the potential to cut across multiple asset classes, including global and local currency equities and bonds. To meet investors’ growing appetite for profitable returns along with impactful investments, RHB will be introducing more ESG products and services in related investments.

Through effective stewardship and continuous engagement on ESG matters with various stakeholders, RHB Banking Group will continue to deliver sustainable outcomes in line with its aspirations towards ensuring a sustainable future for future generations.