Lighting Up the Future: A Spark of Inspiration with Peter Bakker
On the evening of 27 July 2023, the Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur was humming with more than just the usual chatter of a social gathering. The venue played host to ‘A Spark of Inspiration’, an event that forms a part of Sustainability Excellence Programme (SEP), organised by PETRONAS Leadership Centre (PLC). SEP is designed with the intention to fully integrate PETRONAS sustainability ethos into our strategic DNA. Top leaders, Senior General Managers, and General Managers of PETRONAS convened for an evening of inspiration and rich conversation, with a sprinkle of gastronomical delight, featuring Peter Bakker, President, and CEO of WBCSD.
Pn. Hazlina Harun, Head of PLC Academy, set the evening’s tone with a welcoming address that emphasised the event’s crux – envisioning a future where sustainability is integrated into enterprise-level strategies and business implementations. The dining tables were set, the atmosphere charged with anticipation, and the audience’s appetite for knowledge whetted.
As Peter Bakker took the stage, the room was thick with anticipation. This wasn’t merely another conference talk, it was a crucial conversation. Bakker, hailing from the Netherlands, carries a legacy of fostering sustainable transformation in businesses worldwide. Bakker’s narrative journey back to 2006 struck a chord, reminiscing about his daring promise of transforming TNT into the world’s first net-zero transport firm. “People thought I was crazy,” he confessed. Despite the ensuing skepticism and share prices plummeting, Bakker remained unyielding, “But we persisted. We saw the vision of a sustainable future and believed it was our responsibility to bring it to life.”
Bakker’s conviction resonated in his proclamation, “Business as usual is dead.” He unveiled a new paradigm where sustainability was not only a dire necessity but a treasure trove of opportunities. “Sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about securing the future of businesses,” he articulated. His vision – a world where profit meets purpose.
His emphasis on immediate action painted a vivid picture of the catastrophic consequences awaiting us if complacency was allowed to prevail. Bakker’s caution if sustainability measures were not implemented served as a stark wake-up call to the audience. The Q&A session saw a flurry of intense questioning and engagement. Questions ranged from the practicality of transforming traditional industries to sustainability, the role of technology in this transition, and how to balance profitability with ecological responsibility. Bakker tackled each question with insightful, direct responses, further sparking the audience’s thinking and challenging conventional wisdom.
He accentuated the need for specific transformational plans for each industry, citing instances of the automotive industry’s shift to electric vehicles and the oil and gas sector’s decarbonisation efforts. “These are profound transformations that touch every aspect of the business,” he emphasised. Echoing his holistic perspective, Bakker insisted that sustainability extends beyond merely tackling climate change. “While climate change is pressing, we cannot turn a blind eye to biodiversity loss and escalating inequality.” His references to the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 2030 pledge resonated deeply, emphasising the unclear path ahead.
As the main course was served, the room was further enlivened by the Traditional Jo’oh Dance, a performance by the Mah Meri tribe, an Orang Asli community native to Carey Island. The audience was captivated as a group of women clad in their tree bark dresses, palm leaves skirts, moved gracefully to the beat, complemented by two masked men with their energetic performance. The sounds of the traditional instruments brought the rich tapestry of Malaysian indigenous cultural heritage into the hall. Indeed, the intent behind featuring this dance was to inspire a broader awareness and appreciation of our role within the natural world. As we reflected on the rhythm and movements of the Jo’oh dance, it was clear that the message had resonated – our responsibility is not just to the preservation of these invaluable cultural and natural assets, but also their presence in our community and economy as minority.
In essence, ‘A Spark of Inspiration with Peter Bakker’ was a banquet for both the mind and palate. That evening transcended into a transformative experience, marking PETRONAS’ bold stride towards a sustainable future. The spark ignited by Peter Bakker promises to light up the path to a sustainable future, showing us that sustainability and profit can indeed walk hand in hand. His parting words lingered, “The journey to net-zero and sustainability demands a systemic transformation. Businesses today are custodians of our planet, driving sustainable change for a better tomorrow.” PETRONAS isn’t simply an energy company; we are a potential catalyst for sustainability within Asia. This event reverberated powerfully within the context of the concurrent Energy Asia Conference, further emphasising our crucial role in shaping the region’s sustainable energy future.
As the night winded down, the resonance of Bakker’s words fuelled conversations, a testament to his inspiring vision – when businesses prioritise sustainability, profit need not take the backseat. The evening left an indelible mark on the minds of the attendees, challenging them to reimagine the future of business, sustainability, and their roles within it.