QI Group is building a group-wide sustainability strategy that integrates governance, supply chain practices and operational improvements, guided by a phased roadmap towards 2030.
| Key Takeaways • QI Group is a UN Global Compact signatory developing a five-year sustainability roadmap aligned with the SDGs and GRI reporting standards. • New governance frameworks, including (Project SEED and the Sustainable Merchandise and Event Guidelines (SMEG) embed sustainability screening prior to procurement and production. • The Group is piloting the RantaiX Supply Chain ESG Dashboard with UN Global Compact Malaysia and Brunei to strengthen supplier performance visibility. • The roadmap considers operational environmental impacts and progressively addresses value chain considerations over time. • QI Tower, the Group’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya holds BCA Green Mark Gold certification and continues to serve as a pilot site for operational sustainability improvements. |
QI Group, a multinational conglomerate with businesses spanning lifestyle and wellness, education, and travel, is advancing a coordinated sustainability approach that connects governance, supply chain practices and day-to-day operations. The Corporate Sustainability function is developing a five-year roadmap toward 2030, structured around the Group’s Sustainability Framework of People, Planet and Principles. The approach draws on the UN Global Compact,the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Reporting Initiative, while remaining grounded in operational practicality.
The roadmap adopts a phased approach, beginning with the establishment of governance structures and baselines, followed by progressive integration across business units.
QI Group Sustainability Framework at a Glance
| Dimension | Initiative | Framework Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Direction | Five-year 2030 Roadmap (People, Planet and Principles) | UN SDGs, GRI Standards |
| Environmental Impact | Operational environmental performance and value chain considerations | UNGC, GHG-informed approaches |
| Governance | Project SEED; Sustainable Merchandise & Event Guidelines (SMEG); Group-level SOPs | UNGC Ten Principles |
| Supply Chain | Supplier Code of Business Conduct; ESG onboarding framework; RantaiX ESG Dashboard pilot | UNGC Malaysia & Brunei |
| Operations | Modular/reusable materials; PVC reduction; ESG procurement screening | UN SDGs |
| Climate Leadership | Exploring engagement with Climate Governance Malaysia | WEF Climate Governance Initiative (exploratory stage) |
| Employee Engagement | Kita Refill zero-waste workplace collaboration, Ecosia initiative | UN SDGs (Goal 12) |
| Built Environment | QI Tower BCA Green Mark Gold certification | BCA Green Mark |
Building Toward 2030
QI Group’s sustainability roadmap reflects a structured and phased approach to managing environmental and social impacts across its operations and value chain. The Group is working across business entities to implement a coordinated and forward-looking approach that supports consistent and comparable sustainability practices over time. In this context, value chain impacts, often referred to as Scope 3, represents a significant area of focus for many organisations, particularly in relation to procurement and supplier engagement. QI Group’s approach is to progressively strengthen visibility and engagement in this area through supplier frameworks, onboarding tools and capacity-building initiatives. QI Group’s Governance Framework
QI Group has introduced two governance frameworks, Project SEED (Sustainable Events and Ethical Design) and the Sustainable Merchandise and Event Guidelines (SMEG), which embed sustainability considerations into decision-making processes. These frameworks ensure that sustainability is factored in prior to procurement, production, or project launch, rather than applied retrospectively. They are supported by a broader suite of policies and SOPs covering supplier conduct, responsible sourcing and governance practices. Supply Chain ESG and the RantaiX Pilot
QI Group’s supplier accountability framework now includes a Supplier Code of Business Conduct and an ESG onboarding process that evaluates vendors across environmental, social, and ethical criteria, aligned with international due diligence standards.
The Group is also piloting the RantaiX Supply Chain ESG Dashboard, developed with UN Global Compact Malaysia and Brunei, to enhance visibility of supplier ESG performance over time. This supports a shift from static compliance frameworks towards more dynamic monitoring and engagement.
Operational Change: Materials, Procurement, and People
Across event production, merchandise, and procurement, QI Group is moving towards modular and reusable materials, reducing reliance on PVC-based and single-use formats, and embedding ESG considerations into purchasing decisions.
The same principles extend to RYTHM Foundation, the Group’s philanthropic arm, where sustainability considerations are integrated into program design and delivery. To date, employees have collectively contributed over 125,000 volunteer hours across more than 750 environmental and social initiatives in over 10 countries.
At the workplace level, QI Group is exploring practical initiatives to support more sustainable daily practices, including collaboration with Kita Refill, a Malaysian zero-waste concept aimed at reducing single-use consumption within office environments.
In parallel, the Group has introduced Ecosia as a recommended search engine option, enabling employees to contribute to reforestation and renewable energy initiatives through their everyday work activities. Following an internal pilot in 2025, collective usage has already supported the planting of over 400 trees, demonstrating how small behavioural shifts can translate into measurable outcomes.
External Engagement: Climate Governance and the UN Global Compact
As a UN Global Compact signatory, QI Group aligns its sustainability efforts with the Ten Principles covering human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, supported by annual Communication on Progress reporting.The Group is also exploring potential engagement with Climate Governance Malaysia, the Malaysian chapter of the World Economic Forum’s Climate Governance Initiative, as part of its broader external engagement strategy. These efforts are complemented by ongoing exploration of partnerships in areas such as waste management and recycling, with the aim of strengthening circular practices, including improved waste segregation and responsible material recovery. QI Group’s sustainability strategy is defined not by a single initiative, but by the systems and structures established to support consistent implementation over time. From governance frameworks and supply chain tools to operational changes and employee engagement, the Group is embedding sustainability as an operational discipline across its businesses.
The roadmap towards 2030 provides a clear direction for this progression, with targets to be refined over time as baseline data and implementation maturity evolve.