The Climate Change Project is the advocacy arm of YTL, as part of the commitment and involvement for environment protection. Hosted from 2007 to 2010, Climate Change Week is the flagship initiative of the Climate Change Project developed with the objective of raising environmental consciousness amongst Malaysians and inspiring them to be part of the solution to the threat of climate change.
The event exemplified YTL’s holistic approach to sustainability, integrating environmental considerations into business practices and advocating for a greener future through education, community engagement and investments. YTL’s commitment to climate action is reflected in its continued effort to create a platform for collaboration, education, and positive change.
Key Activities
Free Public Screenings: One of the highlights of the event is our free screenings of influential environmental documentaries. In 2007, the Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth introduced Malaysian audiences to the critical issue of global warming through Al Gore’s compelling narrative. The following year, The 11th Hour was screened exclusively in Malaysia through Climate Change Week, offering an in-depth look at both the causes of climate change and practical, scalable solutions. In 2009, YTL partnered with National Geographic Channel for the screening of Strange Days on Planet Earth: Oceans, deepening public understanding of the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems and climate change.
Sustainability Conferences and Publications: For two years, Climate Change Week featured high-impact business conferences and the launch of influential publications. In 2007, we introduced Cut Carbon, Grow Profits, a book co-edited by Ruth Yeoh, Director of Investments at YTL and Dr. Kenny Tang, offering actionable strategies for sustainable business. The accompanying conference at The Ritz-Carlton Conference Centre brought together CEOs and business leaders to explore profitability in a low-carbon economy. In 2008, YTL hosted the Energy Security and Climate Change in the 21st Century conference, convening 14 international experts from institutions like IBM, the IPCC, and the University of Nottingham to discuss technological solutions for climate-related challenges. That year also saw the release of WASTEnomics: Turning Waste Liabilities into Assets, a forward-thinking publication on the economic value of waste management, co-edited by Dr Kenny Tang and Jacob Yeoh, Executive Director at YTL.
Youth Engagement: Recognising the importance of early education, YTL actively engaged young minds through workshops and creative learning. In 2008, we hosted the Climate Change Youth Workshop to inspire environmental thinking in schools. In 2010, YTL sponsored and supported the release of Billy the Plastic Bag, a children’s book designed to educate young readers about the dangers of plastic pollution. That same year, we organised the Kids for Earth Workshop at Lot 10, a free and interactive session led by the Tseng siblings for over 40 primary school children across the Klang Valley. YTL also curated the Eco Heaven Bazaar, featuring 20 eco-conscious vendors and artist Philip Wong, who showcased recycled material sculptures—demonstrating creative reuse and sustainable living.
Fundraising and Green Investments: YTL directly supported environmental organisations and green innovation through strategic fundraising and investment. In 2008, the company hosted the inaugural YTL Climate Change Gala, raising over RM700,000 for the Malaysian Nature Society, Reef Check Malaysia, and TrEES. YTL also established the Renewable Energy and Environment Fund (REEF), a pioneering Asia-Pacific green investment initiative supporting companies in clean tech, carbon trading, recycling, and alternative energy. In 2010, YTL announced the YTL Fellowship for a Rare Planet, committing USD 2 million over four years in partnership with conservation NGO Rare. This programme aimed to train over 100 local leaders across Asia in community-based conservation at some of the world’s most threatened ecological sites.
Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy: In 2010, we deepened our role as a sustainability advocate by opening a National Geographic retail store in Lot 10 — only the third of its kind globally back then. This initiative underscored YTL’s dedication to making environmental awareness a part of everyday consumer culture, offering a platform for education and engagement through a globally respected brand.
Key Contributors
Ruth Yeoh, YTL’s Director of Investments, has been a driving force behind the initiative, ensuring that the event remains impactful and aligned with global sustainability goals.
As a passionate advocate for sustainability, Ruth has been instrumental in shaping the event’s vision and guiding its evolution over the years. Her leadership ensures that the event goes beyond raising awareness, transforming it into a key driver of business strategy and sustainability practices.
Ruth’s dedication to integrating environmental considerations into business decisions is reflected in her active role in curating the event’s content and guiding YTL’s broader sustainability efforts. Her vision has been crucial in making YTL Climate Change Week a high-impact platform for global and local stakeholders to collaborate on climate action.