The survey, covering 7,200 medium to large enterprises (MLEs) in the countries involved, showed companies in the Philippines leading the way with a score of 410 out of a maximum 600, followed by Brazil (360), China (341), Malaysia (307), Germany (306) and Turkey (303).

In a statement here today, Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton managing partner, Datuk N.K. Jasani, said Malaysia’s position was commendable and reflected the keen awareness of the issue among MLEs.

Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton is the Malaysian member of Grant Thornton International.

The survey’s respondents were measured by whether they have undertaken six energy and environmental initiatives, and Malaysian companies rated the highest in putting measures in place to turn off electrical equipment, with a score of 85 percent.

Malaysia also ranked top five with 71 percent of the companies having undertaken an energy review to understand how they may be wasting energy.

Jasani said there was a simple clear message from the findings.

“Unless environmental factors such as energy and raw material costs become issues that significantly affect a company’s profitability there is no incentive for it to take action, and reduce its impact on the environment.

“It is time businesses recognized the fact that unless they take action to reduce their impact on the environment, it will harm their long-term competitiveness,“ he said.

PIN/ BERNAMA.COM