2015 CSR Trends in Thailand
1. The Promise of ESG
Enterprises to embrace Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) for achieving sustainability
In 2015, corporations whose focus is not just on business value and growth, but also shared value and sustainability, will upgrade their Corporate Governance (CG) to ESG. In their efforts to transform themselves into sustainable enterprises, they will review their CG performance and make sure its scope cover the ESG. This trend is also in response to investors’ growing attention to non-financial information of corporations.
2. The Index of Things
More Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) indexes for capital markets
Last year, the number of Thai listed companies on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) turned into a two-digit figure for the first time. Now, the FTSE from Europe is also in the process of rating Thai listed companies on a similar ground. Many ESG-based ratings of Thai companies indeed will come out in 2015. Thai listed companies, meanwhile, have already started publishing their ESG information for investors, triggering the demand on Thai listed companies’ sustainability reports and non-financial disclosures.
3. Shared Value Movement
Private Sector leads to create shared value
From this year onward, organizations with strong CSR-in-process will very likely start creating shared value (CSV). Not only that they prevent any negative impacts from their operations, but they will also deliver positive impacts and benefits to the society. Their CSV efforts will rely on their expertise and aptitude in achieving high efficiency and high effectiveness. The CSV is tipped to become a mainstream trend in the future.
4. Supply Chain Engagement
Enterprises to drive CSR efforts with increased supply chain engagement
In 2015, corporations with adequate anti-corruption mechanisms, proper internal control and procedures look set to promote anti-graft culture among their circles through increased supply chain engagement. Engagement in the supply chain also applies to other aspects that are considered to be material in the industry. This trend will shape CSR direction of each enterprise.
5. Waste Side Story
Enterprises’ growing attention to waste management through the entire value chain
The current Thai government has treated waste issue as a serious agenda. So, it has approved the roadmap for the management of waste/hazardous waste. While its Digital Economy policies will significantly increase digital equipments/devices as well as e-waste/hazardous waste, a specific law on e-waste management will be introduced to deal with such impacts. Enterprises, as a result, will have to go greener. They will have to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and increase the recycling of their products in response to the sustainability trend and the upcoming law.
6. The Birth of SDGs
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to shape the world’s development direction over the next 15 years
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have laid down the framework for sustainable development by the economic, social and environmental pillars in the last 15 years will conclude its implementation period this year. The United Nations is going to announce the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with increasingly integrated economic, social and environmental dimensions. As the SDGs will be in effect from this year till 2030, the business sector should embrace and find the way to align the SDGs to its CSR strategies; keeping pace with the global sustainable development trend.
