How WHA uses practices to manage risk

The company utilises several levers in an effort to make its operations more sustainable, writes Lamonphet Apisitniran

- Lamonphet Apisitniran

While more foreign investment in Thailand drives up revenue for WHA Corporation Plc each year, its increased investment and spending on eco-friendly projects and inclusive workplace approaches are crucial for the company's business sustainability.

“Giving weight to ESG helps us strengthen our risk management,” said Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, chairman of the executive committee and group chief executive of WHA, which operates industrial estates, logistics, and utilities and power businesses, as well as providing digital platform services.

ESG, which stands for environmental, social and governance, provides guidelines for business plans as well as criteria used for assessing how a company operates in a responsible and sustainable manner.

WHA bases its midto long-term business direction on ESG, along with an annual business plan aimed at racking up revenue.

One goal is to support the company's risk management in terms of environmental and financial aspects, as well as its relationships with people, particularly staff members.

REDUCING CARBON

WHA is implementing a campaign to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, aiming to streamline financial management and become a green business operator.

One project promotes clean energy by offering eco-friendly transport and logistics to meet customers' needs in its industrial estates, said Ms Jareeporn.

WHA announced earlier this year it plans to offer 1,700 rental vehicles, primarily electric vehicles (EVs), this year.

In the first quarter, the company rented out more than 330 EVs to logistics operators after introducing them to electric mobility technology.

"EVs helped them save more than 600 million baht in transport expenses," she said.

By 2029, WHA wants to ramp up its rental fleet to 20,000 vehicles, which would help achieve a reduction of up to 280,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) a year.