Written by Iman Abdul Aziz, edited by Shahirah Anuar

Another successful collaboration with Bumi Armada Berhad to be a part of their initiative, focusing on Environmental Day. Two days of engagement activities related to environmental sustainability were arranged in conjunction with Bumi Armada Berhad HSSEQ Week Campaign 2022. The first day of the programme began on November 10th with virtual engagement activities — a curated film screening session and panel discussion — involving nearly 100 enthusiastic Bumi Armada employees worldwide. Nabila Shohimi, Sustainability Program Manager, curated four short documentaries to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability and inspire everyone to be a part of the solution. The films that were screened:

1. Blue Tomorrow
2. Education on the Boat
3. Southeast Asia’s Environmental Activists Malaysia, Indonesia & Thailand
4. VAKA

The outcome of the films was thoroughly discussed in a panel discussion with Amlir Ayat, Vice President of EcoKnights, and Emily Oi, a corporate sustainability consultant from Energy Transition at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Employees were also educated on the importance of corporate sustainability, Environmental Sustainability Governance (ESG) and individual efforts. This discussion expands on current environmental issues that align with SDG 13, which calls for climate action and awareness in Malaysia to mitigate climate change.

The second day of the engagement activities included two hands-on workshops in which nearly 15 employees were taught how to make biodegradable soap using cooking oil in the Good Oil Project: In the Garbage to Garden (G2G): Composting Workshop, participants learned how to create a self-sufficient compost system using kitchen scraps. The goal of these workshops was to encourage participants to be more conscious of their environmental choices while also providing them with affordable options for reducing their carbon footprint.

Employees not only got to actively engage in hands-on activities, but they also got to have solid ideas about upcycling products made from recyclable plastics. Employees were able to witness Precious Plastic Malaysia’s demonstration of repurposing recyclable plastic waste into usable items — coasters, mini-flower pots, and keychains.

These successful activities familiarised Bumi Armada staff with sustainable living practices in order to reduce personal and societal environmental impact. Sustainable living encourages people to reduce their daily waste to reduce environmental damage. Employees can then take individual action to begin to recognise that every small step toward sustainability goals matters. We are enthusiastic and confident that the participants will understand how our lifestyle choices affect the world around us and will be inspired to find a better solution for everyone to live a better life.

If you would like to help the environment or learn about more empowering projects, please contact us at info@ecoknights.org.my or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (@EcoKnights).