MFEC, led by Chaidit Sittisunthornwat (Park), Digital Sustainability Specialist, was invited to speak at Chulalongkorn University on the topic “Sustainability: The Landscape of Sustainable Development and ESG, and Future Opportunities in the Engineering Profession.” The goal was to impart perspectives and understanding of sustainability and ESG to engineering students.
In this session, Park discussed the fundamental principles of “Sustainability” and “ESG,” two essential concepts that foster organizational sustainability and promote sustainable growth for society. He highlighted the contrasting views of Inside-Out and Outside-In approaches.
Sustainability involves a company considering its impact from the inside out (Inside-Out), meaning it undertakes activities to achieve business goals while also considering the impact on the environment and society beyond the organization, such as reducing energy usage or minimizing waste from production processes.
On the other hand, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reflects the Outside-In perspective, where investors and stakeholders evaluate the organization based on three dimensions:
E (Environmental): Attention to environmental conservation and reducing negative impacts on nature.
S (Social): Emphasis on community, employee welfare, and creating a better society.
G (Governance): Management with integrity and transparency.
Park also highlighted opportunities for applying engineering knowledge to enhance sustainability in the future, such as developing technologies that reduce resource consumption or creating eco-friendly innovations that meet the needs of both internal organizational goals and investor perspectives.
This exchange of ideas and first-hand experience not only deepened students’ understanding of the role of sustainability in engineering, but also inspired them to prepare for roles where they can make a positive impact on society and the environment in the future.
