Sustainability and the Reality of Driving Change with Dr Renard Siew | Leaders with Ambition Asia

Season 2 Episode 5 In this episode of Leaders with Ambition Asia, Matthew Cooper speaks with Dr Renard, a sustainability and climate change specialist shaping the future of ESG across Asia. From growing up in a coastal village impacted by flooding to leading sustainability initiatives in major corporates, Dr Renard shares a journey grounded in purpose and driven by responsibility. Today, he serves as Head of Sustainability at Yinson and is the first President of the Malaysia Carbon Market Association. The conversation explores how sustainability has evolved from a niche function into a strategic business imperative. Dr Renard reflects on working across industries such as banking, infrastructure and energy, and explains how capital allocation, policy alignment and corporate leadership all play a role in shaping outcomes. He also offers an honest view on the realities of the role, from resistance within organisations to the tension between long-term climate goals and short-term business priorities. Key themes include: • The business case for sustainability • ESG talent trends in Malaysia and across Asia • The risks of greenwashing and greenhushing • AI’s growing role in sustainability • Leadership traits required to drive change A grounded and candid perspective on building a career with purpose, and why the work is far from finished. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Dr Renard Siew 01:23 – Early Life & The Moment That Sparked His Climate Mission 05:05 – From Engineering to ESG Leadership 11:38 – Building Sustainability in Corporates 13:35 – The Reality of ESG: Resistance, Budgets & Business Cases 16:02 – Defining Success & Driving Real Impact in Sustainability 21:32 – Where Companies Get Sustainability Wrong 26:22 – Malaysia’s ESG Progress & The Rise of Carbon Markets 34:09 – The Future: AI, Data Centres & Climate Challenges 46:23 – Careers, Leadership & The Future of ESG