By Dr. Syafrina Sharif, Global Head of ESG & Sustainability
By Dr. Syafrina Sharif, Global Head of ESG & Sustainability
By Dr. Syafrina Sharif, Global Head of ESG & Sustainability
In these past few months, I’ve been on an incredible adventure exploring new terrain, learning new parlance, and getting myself acquainted with the locals. No, I didn’t hike Peru’s Inca trail to Machu Picchu, nor did I immerse myself in the wonders of Japan’s pristine Oshino Hakkai. Instead, I joined Plaza Premium Group (PPG) earlier this year to lead ESG and Sustainability, and instantly delved into the world of airport hospitality – what I would describe as a hybrid between the travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation industries.
Airport hospitality is a completely new sector for me in my professional journey. On a more personal level, however, airports hold a special place in my heart. My mother, now a retired civil servant, is the main reason why the airport grew to become so deeply intertwined with my identity. Her career and educational ambitions opened opportunities for me to travel around the world from a young age, and so I grew up perceiving the airport as one of my playgrounds.
Never had I imagined that someday, I’d be pursuing my passion in sustainability within the airport ecosystem. Aviation remains one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise but it is imperative in order to achieve a net-zero future. Airports play a fundamental role in funding, constructing, and hosting the infrastructure for new technologies that airlines may adopt, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS). While airlines face increasing pressure from top and bottom to take urgent action, there is much that airports can do, together with their stakeholders, to support the wider cause and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices. By joining forces, knowledge can be exchanged and solutions can be formulated together.
Globally, airports accommodate billions of passengers each year. In 2023, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) reported its total passenger movements across its network of airports surpassed 100 million – the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon joining PPG, which was established 26 years ago with the opening of Plaza Premium Lounge (the world’s first independent airport lounge) at the Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong International Airports, I was given a chance to witness what really goes on behind the scenes. As a result, I’ve gained a newfound level of respect for all the people involved in composing and performing the music of this fast-paced and dynamic orchestra.
Yes, the people. To ensure that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies and policies are effectively implemented, it is crucial for people to be effectively engaged, informed, and given a seat at the table. As a sustainability professional, I’m often met with questions on environmental-related issues such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution. In fact, the deterioration of our environment, loss of biodiversity and growing list of endangered species were some of the key reasons why I pursued this field of study and career in the first place – I wanted to save the planet (I was young, naïve, and thought I could have it all!). However, we must remind ourselves that individuals, communities and the larger society are core to making our dreams of sustainable development a reality. They are, in essence, the star of the show. Even if the most advanced technologies were to be made available today, we would be hard-pressed to achieve the Global Goals by 2030 without a human-centred approach.
In the corporate context, the emphasis on people (the “S” in ESG) is sometimes forgotten during the pursuit of meeting local environmental standards and global climate goals. In reality, “people sustainability”, which includes providing employees with learning opportunities, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, upholding human rights, treating surrounding communities responsibly, and adopting a people-first approach can contribute to improving ESG metrics, enhancing customer confidence as well as propel business outcomes.
PPG is focused on developing three core pillars of its transformation efforts – people, sustainability and digitalisation. My experience so far at PPG and the wider airport hospitality industry has opened my eyes to the future of sustainable travel and tourism, especially from a “people sustainability” point of view. Providing rest, relaxation and care in the Plaza Premium Lounges, for example, goes a long way to preserving physical and mental wellbeing in what can be stressful journeys. Through its “Proudly Local” initiative and “Your Destination Before Departure” campaign, PPG supports local economies, cultural heritage and tourism by promoting home-grown products, cuisines, and artists. PPG also seeks to champion diversity as its employees are hired from every corner of the world and guests from all walks of life are served across its worldwide network of airport lounges, hotels, food and beverage outlets as well as meet-and-greet services.
I believe that the skills, tenacity, passion, and commitment of people – the ones who can make or break a business – can be activated and harnessed through sustainable approaches to help move the ESG needle. Humans stand to lose if nothing is done to change our “business-as-usual” course towards planetary destruction. However, equipped with the right information, incentives, tools and platforms, people can be not only the beneficiaries of sustainable development, but also the change agents who play a vital role in kick-starting initiatives, implementing measures and introducing solutions. I’m hopeful that when we prioritise people, planet and prosperity will follow.
In these past few months, I’ve been on an incredible adventure exploring new terrain, learning new parlance, and getting myself acquainted with the locals. No, I didn’t hike Peru’s Inca trail to Machu Picchu, nor did I immerse myself in the wonders of Japan’s pristine Oshino Hakkai. Instead, I joined Plaza Premium Group (PPG) earlier this year to lead ESG and Sustainability, and instantly delved into the world of airport hospitality – what I would describe as a hybrid between the travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation industries.
Airport hospitality is a completely new sector for me in my professional journey. On a more personal level, however, airports hold a special place in my heart. My mother, now a retired civil servant, is the main reason why the airport grew to become so deeply intertwined with my identity. Her career and educational ambitions opened opportunities for me to travel around the world from a young age, and so I grew up perceiving the airport as one of my playgrounds.
Never had I imagined that someday, I’d be pursuing my passion in sustainability within the airport ecosystem. Aviation remains one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise but it is imperative in order to achieve a net-zero future. Airports play a fundamental role in funding, constructing, and hosting the infrastructure for new technologies that airlines may adopt, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS). While airlines face increasing pressure from top and bottom to take urgent action, there is much that airports can do, together with their stakeholders, to support the wider cause and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices. By joining forces, knowledge can be exchanged and solutions can be formulated together.
Globally, airports accommodate billions of passengers each year. In 2023, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) reported its total passenger movements across its network of airports surpassed 100 million – the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon joining PPG, which was established 26 years ago with the opening of Plaza Premium Lounge (the world’s first independent airport lounge) at the Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong International Airports, I was given a chance to witness what really goes on behind the scenes. As a result, I’ve gained a newfound level of respect for all the people involved in composing and performing the music of this fast-paced and dynamic orchestra.
Yes, the people. To ensure that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies and policies are effectively implemented, it is crucial for people to be effectively engaged, informed, and given a seat at the table. As a sustainability professional, I’m often met with questions on environmental-related issues such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution. In fact, the deterioration of our environment, loss of biodiversity and growing list of endangered species were some of the key reasons why I pursued this field of study and career in the first place – I wanted to save the planet (I was young, naïve, and thought I could have it all!). However, we must remind ourselves that individuals, communities and the larger society are core to making our dreams of sustainable development a reality. They are, in essence, the star of the show. Even if the most advanced technologies were to be made available today, we would be hard-pressed to achieve the Global Goals by 2030 without a human-centred approach.
In the corporate context, the emphasis on people (the “S” in ESG) is sometimes forgotten during the pursuit of meeting local environmental standards and global climate goals. In reality, “people sustainability”, which includes providing employees with learning opportunities, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, upholding human rights, treating surrounding communities responsibly, and adopting a people-first approach can contribute to improving ESG metrics, enhancing customer confidence as well as propel business outcomes.
PPG is focused on developing three core pillars of its transformation efforts – people, sustainability and digitalisation. My experience so far at PPG and the wider airport hospitality industry has opened my eyes to the future of sustainable travel and tourism, especially from a “people sustainability” point of view. Providing rest, relaxation and care in the Plaza Premium Lounges, for example, goes a long way to preserving physical and mental wellbeing in what can be stressful journeys. Through its “Proudly Local” initiative and “Your Destination Before Departure” campaign, PPG supports local economies, cultural heritage and tourism by promoting home-grown products, cuisines, and artists. PPG also seeks to champion diversity as its employees are hired from every corner of the world and guests from all walks of life are served across its worldwide network of airport lounges, hotels, food and beverage outlets as well as meet-and-greet services.
I believe that the skills, tenacity, passion, and commitment of people – the ones who can make or break a business – can be activated and harnessed through sustainable approaches to help move the ESG needle. Humans stand to lose if nothing is done to change our “business-as-usual” course towards planetary destruction. However, equipped with the right information, incentives, tools and platforms, people can be not only the beneficiaries of sustainable development, but also the change agents who play a vital role in kick-starting initiatives, implementing measures and introducing solutions. I’m hopeful that when we prioritise people, planet and prosperity will follow.
In these past few months, I’ve been on an incredible adventure exploring new terrain, learning new parlance, and getting myself acquainted with the locals. No, I didn’t hike Peru’s Inca trail to Machu Picchu, nor did I immerse myself in the wonders of Japan’s pristine Oshino Hakkai. Instead, I joined Plaza Premium Group (PPG) earlier this year to lead ESG and Sustainability, and instantly delved into the world of airport hospitality – what I would describe as a hybrid between the travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation industries.
Airport hospitality is a completely new sector for me in my professional journey. On a more personal level, however, airports hold a special place in my heart. My mother, now a retired civil servant, is the main reason why the airport grew to become so deeply intertwined with my identity. Her career and educational ambitions opened opportunities for me to travel around the world from a young age, and so I grew up perceiving the airport as one of my playgrounds.
Never had I imagined that someday, I’d be pursuing my passion in sustainability within the airport ecosystem. Aviation remains one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise but it is imperative in order to achieve a net-zero future. Airports play a fundamental role in funding, constructing, and hosting the infrastructure for new technologies that airlines may adopt, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS). While airlines face increasing pressure from top and bottom to take urgent action, there is much that airports can do, together with their stakeholders, to support the wider cause and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices. By joining forces, knowledge can be exchanged and solutions can be formulated together.
Globally, airports accommodate billions of passengers each year. In 2023, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) reported its total passenger movements across its network of airports surpassed 100 million – the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon joining PPG, which was established 26 years ago with the opening of Plaza Premium Lounge (the world’s first independent airport lounge) at the Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong International Airports, I was given a chance to witness what really goes on behind the scenes. As a result, I’ve gained a newfound level of respect for all the people involved in composing and performing the music of this fast-paced and dynamic orchestra.
Yes, the people. To ensure that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies and policies are effectively implemented, it is crucial for people to be effectively engaged, informed, and given a seat at the table. As a sustainability professional, I’m often met with questions on environmental-related issues such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution. In fact, the deterioration of our environment, loss of biodiversity and growing list of endangered species were some of the key reasons why I pursued this field of study and career in the first place – I wanted to save the planet (I was young, naïve, and thought I could have it all!). However, we must remind ourselves that individuals, communities and the larger society are core to making our dreams of sustainable development a reality. They are, in essence, the star of the show. Even if the most advanced technologies were to be made available today, we would be hard-pressed to achieve the Global Goals by 2030 without a human-centred approach.
In the corporate context, the emphasis on people (the “S” in ESG) is sometimes forgotten during the pursuit of meeting local environmental standards and global climate goals. In reality, “people sustainability”, which includes providing employees with learning opportunities, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, upholding human rights, treating surrounding communities responsibly, and adopting a people-first approach can contribute to improving ESG metrics, enhancing customer confidence as well as propel business outcomes.
PPG is focused on developing three core pillars of its transformation efforts – people, sustainability and digitalisation. My experience so far at PPG and the wider airport hospitality industry has opened my eyes to the future of sustainable travel and tourism, especially from a “people sustainability” point of view. Providing rest, relaxation and care in the Plaza Premium Lounges, for example, goes a long way to preserving physical and mental wellbeing in what can be stressful journeys. Through its “Proudly Local” initiative and “Your Destination Before Departure” campaign, PPG supports local economies, cultural heritage and tourism by promoting home-grown products, cuisines, and artists. PPG also seeks to champion diversity as its employees are hired from every corner of the world and guests from all walks of life are served across its worldwide network of airport lounges, hotels, food and beverage outlets as well as meet-and-greet services.
I believe that the skills, tenacity, passion, and commitment of people – the ones who can make or break a business – can be activated and harnessed through sustainable approaches to help move the ESG needle. Humans stand to lose if nothing is done to change our “business-as-usual” course towards planetary destruction. However, equipped with the right information, incentives, tools and platforms, people can be not only the beneficiaries of sustainable development, but also the change agents who play a vital role in kick-starting initiatives, implementing measures and introducing solutions. I’m hopeful that when we prioritise people, planet and prosperity will follow.
