The Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented global crisis that affected every aspect of our lives. It has also shown us how interconnected our world is and how our actions can have a profound impact on the environment, society and economy. The pandemic has also provided an opportunity to reshape our economic recovery in a more sustainable manner. To this end, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles have emerged as a critical framework for building a more sustainable and inclusive future. In Malaysia, greater emphasis has been put on integrating ESG principles into the investment decision process of both private and public sectors. However, ESG integration extends beyond the private sector, as it also involves embedding ESG principles into government policies as demonstrated by the ‘Budget 2023’, which has significant focus on inclusive and sustainable growth initiatives. Such initiatives are crucial to meet the government’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Agenda.

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