Khong Guan Limited
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2018, 2020-08 to 2021-07, 2021-08 to 2022-07, 2022-08 to 2023-07, 2023-08 to 2024-07)
Reporting Period: 2018
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental
- Social
- Governance
Social Achievements
- Maintained a loyal workforce with many employees having long tenures.
- FOM (subsidiary) donated over 50,000 Ringgit Malaysia to the National Heart Institute and provided free oatmeal products.
Governance Achievements
- Continued compliance with the Code of Corporate Governance.
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Legacy imbalances in workforce diversity.
Mitigation Strategies
- Continuing monitoring of workforce diversity imbalances.
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI (Core level)
Reporting Period: 2020-08 to 2021-07
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Energy
- Environmental
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- KGVO implemented solar energy, reducing reliance on Tenaga Nasional power.
Social Achievements
- Maintained a loyal workforce with many long-term employees.
- Implemented COVID-19 safety protocols to safeguard employee health.
Governance Achievements
- Maintained near 100% compliance with laws and regulations (with one minor incident at UMF).
Climate Goals & Targets
- Minimize carbon footprint by replacing traditional energy with sustainable sources.
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and supply chain.
- Need to find sustainable energy sources for energy-intensive entities.
Mitigation Strategies
- Implemented COVID-19 safety protocols.
- Initiated a measured approach to adopting sustainable energy sources, starting with a trial at KGVO.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Zero tolerance for child labor and corruption; expectation of same from business partners.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI (Core option)
Third-party Assurance: None
Reporting Period: 2021-08 to 2022-07
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Energy Management
- Water Management
- Employment and Labour Practices
- Diversity and Equal Opportunities
- Training and Development
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Economic Performance
- Procurement Practices
- Product Quality
- Local Communities
- Ethical Business Practices
- Corporate Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Commissioned solar panels at KGVO, resulting in a reduction of grid electricity usage from 79% to 54% between FY2021 and FY2022. Plans to install solar panels at other facilities.
- Zero environmental fines or penalties in FY2022.
Social Achievements
- Zero fatalities in work-related injuries or ill health from FY2020 to FY2022.
- Implementation of an Emergency Response Team (ERT) at FOM and UMF, certified by BOMBA.
- Various employee engagement activities including virtual town halls, induction programs, and yoga classes.
- Significant increase in training hours from 95 in FY2021 to 1063 in FY2022.
Governance Achievements
- Adoption of adequate procedures to defend against corporate liabilities for corruption offences under Section 17A of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (MACC Act) by TGF, SHC, and UMF Group.
- Establishment of UMF Group Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy and Whistleblowing Policy.
- No reports of bribery or corruption in FY2022.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Develop a more comprehensive climate action strategy aligned with TCFD recommendations.
- Install solar panels at SHC and FOM to replace part of purchased electricity consumption.
- Improve overall electricity consumption
- Increase awareness on water conservation initiatives
- Strengthen existing policies on Diversity and Equal Opportunities, and Human Rights and other labour practices in line with international standards
- Organise and increase the number of internal training programmes
- Maintain customers’ complaints at acceptable levels
- Strengthen procurement practices with responsible sustainable practices in conducting business with third parties
- Screen, evaluate and assess suppliers based on ESG criteria
- Increase number of training or campaigns to create awareness on health and safety and to maintain high safety standards
- Maintain zero fatalities track record
- Strengthen corporate social responsibility framework with targeted programmes and focus areas to adopt and support
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic
- Increased supply chain and logistics costs due to geopolitical tensions
- Container shortages, port congestion, and other logistics issues
Mitigation Strategies
- Continued efforts to be resilient and create value for stakeholders.
- Internal review of sustainability practices for a more systematic approach.
- Diversification of supplier pool for raw materials (UMF).
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier assessment
- Integrity Pledge
- Due diligence on company’s reputation and financial standing
- Sourcing of raw materials from ISCC Plus certified supplier (FOM)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Use of renewable energy sources (solar panels)
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, UN SDGs, TCFD
Certifications: ISO 22000:2018, MS1480:2019, Halal, SIRIM, MeSTI, FSSC 22000, SGS Non-GMO
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
KGL's initiatives contribute to these goals through energy management, employment practices, and ethical business conduct.
Reporting Period: 2022-08 to 2023-07
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved substantial energy savings for two consecutive financial years at KGVO through solar power expansion.
- Initiated solar panel installations at KGVO, expanding to FOM and SHC in FY2024.
- Replaced some diesel forklifts with electric ones, evaluating full conversion feasibility.
Social Achievements
- Maintained zero fatalities across the Group for another year.
- Successfully filled a crucial leadership position at TGF to address succession planning challenges.
- Increased Board diversity by appointing a new female Board member and establishing a Board Diversity Policy.
Governance Achievements
- Strengthened governance efforts to combat anti-corruption and bribery.
- All Board members attended mandated ESG training.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Reduce GHG emissions
- Set baseline targets and short and long-term goals on GHG emissions
- Implement climate-related disclosures based on TCFD recommendations
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle waste
- Increase awareness on water conservation initiatives
Environmental Challenges
- Inflationary pressures, geopolitical events, growing environmental concerns, supply chain disruptions, technological changes, and increased competition.
- Succession planning challenges at TGF.
- Manpower shortage, supply chain disruptions, and health risks related to food safety hazards.
- Irregular billing practices from utility providers in Sabah (TGF) and Penang (KGVO).
- Faulty water tank float and pipe leaks at UMF.
- Weevil infestation in flour products at FOM.
Mitigation Strategies
- Progressive approach to establish mechanisms to measure and monitor ESG data.
- Broadened access to diverse perspectives and resources to embed sustainability across operations.
- Fostering closer cross-functional collaboration within teams.
- Implementing energy-saving measures (LED lights, electric forklifts).
- Exploring alternative renewable energy sources (solar power).
- Improved water consumption monitoring methodology at TGF.
- Rectification of faulty float and aging pipes at UMF.
- Addressing weevil infestation through sanitation and pest control initiatives at FOM.
- Appointing a new senior manager at TGF.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Due diligence on supplier’s reputation and financial standing
- Integrity Pledge from suppliers
- Annual audits at suppliers' sites (FOM)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Expansion of renewable energy sources
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Universal Standards 2021, SGX ESG Core Metrics
Certifications: ISO 22000:2018, MS1480:2019, Halal, SGS Non-GMO, FSSC 22000, ISCC Plus, MeSTI
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7
- Goal 8
- Goal 13
Energy management, employment and labour practices, and climate change initiatives.
Reporting Period: 2023-08 to 2024-07
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Social
- Governance
Environmental Achievements
- 5% Reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG Emissions from FY2023 Baseline
- 22% Reduction in Water Consumption
- 47% Waste Diverted from Landfill
- Installation of on-site solar projects at two additional sites (580kWp)
Social Achievements
- 29% Reduction in Customer Complaints
- Zero Violations of Labour Practices and Standards
- Zero Cases of Work-related fatalities
- Zero Cases of Reported Whistleblowing, Bribery and Corruption
- 90% of Suppliers Signed Integrity Pledge
- 80% of Employees Trained on Anti-Bribery and Corruption Risk
Governance Achievements
- 100% of Entities Assessed for Anti-Bribery and Corruption Risk
Climate Goals & Targets
- Expand climate-related disclosures progressively based on the TCFD recommendations, in alignment with the IFRS S2
- Explore ways to reduce GHG emissions
- Set baseline targets and short and long-term goals on GHG emissions
Environmental Challenges
- Volatility in foreign exchange rates
- Diesel subsidy adjustments
- Increased compliance requirements (climate change)
- Waste disposal rate hikes in Penang
- Amendments to the Malaysian Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994
- Complex global ESG disclosure requirements (ISSB)
Mitigation Strategies
- Updates to operating protocols to balance operational needs with compliance obligations
- Intensified sustainability efforts to streamline ESG practices
- More frequent engagements via the Joint Sustainability Working Group
- Employees seeking cost-effective ways to manage risks and ensure compliance
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Annual audits at suppliers' sites (UMF and FOM)
Responsible Procurement
- Integrity Pledge from suppliers
- Due diligence on supplier's reputation and financial standing
- ESG assessment for suppliers (future plan)
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather (flood, drought, storm)
- Increasing temperature
Transition Risks
- Policy and legal risks (high level of policy and regulatory reforms)
- Market risk (low carbon preference)
- Technology risk (decarbonisation technology's maturity and cost-effectiveness)
Opportunities
- Waste reduction and management
- Adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Usage of sustainable packaging
- Potential market expansion to capture low carbon trend
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, TCFD
Third-party Assurance: Internal audit
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
- Goal 12 (Responsible consumption and production)
- Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation)
- Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth)
- Goal 13 (Climate action)
- Goal 17 (Partnerships for the goals)
Details in report
Awards & Recognition
- Committed Badge from EcoVadis (FOM)