{"id":304005,"date":"2021-12-08T17:36:56","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T20:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=304005"},"modified":"2021-12-09T09:08:42","modified_gmt":"2021-12-09T12:08:42","slug":"the-convergence-between-esg-and-halal-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/the-convergence-between-esg-and-halal-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"The convergence between ESG and halal practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 \u201cHalal and ESG<\/strong> in companies are not only complementary but convergent.\u201d So said Azuddin Rahman, director of consulting firm Inno Bioceutical Sdn Bhd, that works with sustainable development in Malaysia, and Vietnam Halal Center Company Limited, said during the panel \u201cESG, Sustainability and Halal \u2013 Complementarity\u201d on the last day of the Global Halal Brazil business forum on Wednesday (8).<\/p>\n

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Rahman on the screen (L), Vaz, and Zoghbi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cESG is a system that brings together the sustainability <\/strong>of a company and the investments in three aspects: Environmental, social and governance. In these three specific segments there\u2019re criteria covering mission, leadership, expectations, internal controls, and even human resources aspects like salary,\u201d Rahman explained.<\/p>\n

ESG quantifies or calculates across all activities what\u2019s being done in these segments, he said. \u201cAnd halal basically prevents you from being involved in pollution, requires that you treat part of residues, and ensures social responsibility by making sure the employees are paid enough. It also forbids child labor, and you must follow internal governance processes and meet global requirements,\u201d Rahman said.<\/p>\n

In this regard, he says, ESG<\/strong> and halal<\/strong> not only complement each other but converge. \u201cI believe this is a huge convergence. We must look not only at the finished product \u2013 if we are talking poultry, for example, we can\u2019t look just \u00a0at the slaughter but the entire process from breeding and feeding the animal to the finished product,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The difference of this convergence, Rahaman says, is that all governance<\/strong>, social<\/strong> and environmental<\/strong> processes must be well documented and communicated to stakeholders. \u201cEverything must be transparent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Moderating the panel, O.N.E. Sustentabilidade managing partner Marcos Vaz stressed that the operations and practices of the company must be based on leadership, progress, and strategy setting. \u201cMore than complementarity between halal and ESG, a convergence has to be sought after, turning intention into results,\u201d Vaz said.<\/p>\n

Federation of Muslim Associations of Brazil (FAMBRAS) vice chair Ali Zoghbi also participated in the panel. He talked about the positive impact of the work done by FAMBRAS with social and humanitarian projects like Islam Solid\u00e1rio that features over 17 healthcare services besides the social work; Islam <\/strong>contra a Fome; \u00c1gua, Saude e Vida; and others.<\/p>\n

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Vaz (L) and Zoghbi during panel on ESG and halal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He also mentioned comic book Khalil<\/strong>, an initiative to show the children what the Islam is about and put down prejudices by bringing stories that raise awareness on other topics, too, like recycling and food waste. \u201cIt\u2019s a work funded by resources from halal to raise awareness at the educational level, and companies can be involved, for example we\u2019ve made an edition in partnership with BRF. Sustainability is not just about the future, it\u2019s about the present,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Vaz stressed that the Islamic concept of preservation of life connects with all socio-environmental aspects of operations and praised the comic book as a communication tool. \u201cOne of the biggest obstacles is how we as producers and trading players can communicate what is good not only in our products but in our positive impact,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

BRF <\/strong>Sustainability director Mariana Modesto participated in the panel and said that consumers are more and more aware and demanding more and more information on the production and the origin of the products. \u201cThe ESG agenda brings positive impacts and adds value to the company.\u201d She believes sustainability and transparency are necessary for business. \u201cSustainable practices require an ongoing work and constant development \u2013 it\u2019s a journey,\u201d she said. Modesto said BRF plans on ensuring the traceability of 100% of its suppliers by 2025.<\/p>\n

The Global Halal Brazil forum was held by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> and FAMBRAS Halal with the support of Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), BRF, Pantanal Trading, Portonave, and Iceport.<\/p>\n

Follow the complete forum coverage:<\/em><\/p>\n