Biomimetics Sector The Way To Go?
FRIDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2011 07:40
AZIZ IDRIS
Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei places important emphasis on sustainable development by implementing regulations on various sectors, especially conservation of OM pristine forest, to develop the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.
On the other hand, with almost 90 per cent of the country’s economy heavily dependent on exportation of oil and fossil fuels, the community at present has out of habit, developed an expectation of how life needs to be.
In view of this, Steve McCoy, the Founder and Principal of Counterpoint, Malaysia, recommended that the community should now work together in realising this for the betterment of the future.
He said this during a half-day Brunei Business Forum hosted by Asia Inc Forum yesterday at the Radisson Hotel.
The event was held is in partnership with Alcoa, Butra HeidelbergCement, TOTAL and HSBC.
He suggested economic diversification of ‘downstream areas’ such as petrochemical.
“This is not the best place to, but, the obvious,” he said, adding that Brunei can use its advantage in the oil and gas industry to develop a “pro-active and innovative approach,”
With Brunei stilt covered in almost 70 per cent pristine forest, Steve also suggested the biomimetic sector.
He said the immense “nature” found here can be mimicked and applied to building constructions, cosmetics and glass or textile.
“Again, this is something stakeholders might want to get involved with various countries around the world have started the biomimetic sector to generate revenue from nature, without destroying it,” he added.
Steve McCoy is a prominent strategist in Malaysia and the Founder and Principal of Counterpoint, a boutique consultancy firm’ based in Kuala Lumpur which provides support services sustainability for the corporate, government and non-profit sectors.
“Sustainability is a mindset that perceives and understands the world as an interconnected system… which is very different from understanding the world in separate components,” he explained.
He noted that virtually every report on sustainability and the business world over the last few years has noted that the greening of mainstream business has continued to march on in spite of the global downturn, with more CEOs convinced that sustainability issues are critical to their future success.
Immediate benefits or opportunities that could be derived from shifts into more sustainable or responsible business approaches will also vary from business to business, he added, noting that generally, “immediate to mid-term opportunities would include cost savings from improved operational performance and efficiencies.”
– Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin