FEG companies received multiple AREA Awards 2024

The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2024 celebrated a cohort of 81 exemplary ESG champions dedicated to shaping a sustainable future for the region and beyond, setting new benchmarks for corporate responsibility. Presented by regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the AREA is widely regarded as the gold standard for ESG and sustainability practices across Asia.

Beholding over 5,000 ESG programs for more than a decade, the AREA serves as a platform to showcase and provide well-deserved recognition to businesses and organizations championing sustainability, ultimately inspiring more enterprises to integrate sustainable business practices into their business strategies. Over 1 million individuals’ lives throughout Asia have been touched by the award-winning initiatives of this year’s ESG champions.

Richard Tsang, President of Enterprise Asia, stated in his welcome speech, “The interconnected challenges of climate change and social inequity underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to sustainability. By adopting ESG principles, companies can innovate boldly, reduce operational risks, attract purpose-driven talent, and earn consumer loyalty through ethical practices. This holistic approach not only aligns with global sustainability goals, but also positions businesses as champions of lasting transformative change across borders and generations.”

Since 2011, the AREA has been recognizing businesses from various industries while honoring their achievements in the categories of Social Empowerment, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Green Leadership, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. This year, over 300 submissions across 19 countries and markets have undergone a grueling judging process based on three criteria: relevance, effectiveness and reach, and sustainability.

The recipients of the Responsible Business Leadership Category, which recognizes visionary leaders who champion responsible entrepreneurship and embed sustainable practices in their business strategy, include Taiwan’s John Yu, Group Chairman of CTCI Group; Philby Lee, Chairperson of Far Eastern Big City Shopping Malls Co., Ltd. (Photo Credit: Big City); Joseph Huang, Chairman of E.SUN Bank; and Shi-kuan, Chen, of SinoPac Holdings.

Other notable award recipients are Bank Of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Thailand’s Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited and the Philippines’ SM Store under the Social Empowerment Category; Taiwan’s Pacific SOGO Department Stores Co., Ltd., Cambodia’s Nagaworld Limited and Thailand’s Krungthai Bank PCL. under the Investment In People Category; Malaysia’s Sarawak Energy Berhad and Taiwan Life Insurance Co., Ltd. under the Health Promotion Category; Indonesia’s PT Pertamina Gas and Chugai Pharma Taiwan, and Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company under the Green Leadership Category; Taiwan’s Excellence Optoelectronics, Inc. and Thailand’s Government Housing Bank under the Corporate Governance Category; CPC Corp., Taiwan and Thailand’s Siam Kubota Corp. Co., Ltd. under the Circular Economy Leadership Category; and the Philippines’ Energy Development Corp. and Taiwan’s Qisda Corp. under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Category.

In addition to the eight categories, the AREA bestowed the Emblem of Sustainability to businesses with a longstanding commitment to sustainability. The Silver Emblem of Sustainability is awarded exclusively to companies that have received the AREA honor for four years or more, including Apex International Co., Ltd., Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, CPC Corp., Taiwan, E.SUN Bank, Far Eastern Big City Shopping Malls Co., Ltd., Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Provincial Electricity Authority, PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur, Sinopac Holdings, and Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corp. The Gold Emblem of Sustainability is reserved for businesses that have been honored by AREA for eight years or more, including IRPC Public Company Limited and Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited.

Prior to the AREA, the International CSR & Sustainability (ICS) Summit 2024 was held in the day. The summit convened with over 300 C-suite-level executives, business leaders, and CSR practitioners from 19 countries.

Themed “Embracing The Green Shift: Maximizing Business Opportunities In Sustainability,” the summit provided a regional platform for leading thought leaders and CSR practitioners to explore and implement sustainable practices. The summit equipped attendees with the necessary tools and insights to navigate the ever-evolving sustainability landscape while also leveraging and unlocking new opportunities for growth and expansion.

The Chairman of Enterprise Asia, Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, expressed at the summit’s opening that “Sustainability is no longer a mere option but a necessity, a driving force that shapes how we operate, innovate, and grow. Embracing this green shift means acknowledging that our environmental responsibilities go hand-in-hand with our economic goals. By integrating sustainable practices into our business models, we not only protect our environment but also enhance our competitiveness, resilience, and long-term success.”

SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT CATEGORY Winners of FEG companies
ORGANIZATION	WINNING CSR PROGRAM	COUNTRY
FAR EASTERN BIG CITY SHOPPING MALLS CO., LTD.	BIG CITY, BIG STAGE	TAIWAN
FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT STORES LTD.	SHARE FEDS’S LOVE BY CHRISTMAS CHARITY LIGHTING IN 2023	TAIWAN
PACIFIC SOGO DEPARTMENT STORES CO., LTD.	EMPOWERING SMALLHOLDERS AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AND CREATING A SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM	TAIWAN

 

INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE CATEGORY Winners of FEG companies
ORGANIZATION	WINNING CSR PROGRAM	COUNTRY
PACIFIC SOGO DEPARTMENT STORES CO., LTD.	FIVE-YEAR VISION PROJECT: FOSTERING A SUSTAINABILITY MINDSET AMONG ALL EMPLOYEES	TAIWAN

 

HEALTH PROMOTION CATEGORY Winners of FEG companies
ORGANIZATION	WINNING CSR PROGRAM	COUNTRY
ASIA CEMENT CORPORATION	PROMOTE THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM AND IMPLEMENT WORKPLACE WELL-BEING	TAIWAN

 

GREEN LEADERSHIP CATEGORY Winners of FEG companies
ORGANIZATION	WINNING CSR PROGRAM	COUNTRY
FAR EASTERN BIG CITY SHOPPING MALLS CO., LTD.	BIG CITY, BIG GREEN	TAIWAN
PACIFIC SOGO DEPARTMENT STORES CO., LTD.	SUSTAINABLE DEPARTMENT STORE 2.0: ALIGNING WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND STRENGTHENING CLIMATE RESILIENCE	TAIWAN

 

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING CATEGORY Winners of FEG companies
ORGANIZATION	WINNING CSR PROGRAM	COUNTRY
FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT STORES LTD.	SUSTAIN FOR A GOOD LIFE	TAIWAN