Harita Nickel, an integrated nickel mining and processing company, underscored its commitment to sustainable practices at the International Battery Summit (IBS), held from August 5-6 in Jakarta. The summit, themed "Embedding ESG Across the Battery Value Chain - From Mining to Recycling," brought together industry leaders, academics, and government representatives to discuss the application of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles throughout the battery supply chain.
Representing Harita Nickel in a panel discussion, Zahedi Zakaria, ESG Transformation Manager, highlighted that the success of ESG practices is not solely determined by regulations or technology but also by the active involvement of local communities.
"We ensure that a community grievance mechanism is in place within our operational areas. ESG is a synergy of technological innovation, clear policy, and the voice of the surrounding community,” Zahedi stated.
Zahedi also outlined a number of Harita Nickel's initiatives, ranging from carbon emission monitoring and the implementation of clean production processes to the installation of solar panels in operational areas to reduce the company's carbon footprint. "Our focus is not only on technical targets but also on fostering a harmonious relationship with local communities," he stated.
The panel discussion also featured Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad, CEO of Nano Malaysia Berhad, who shared insights on Malaysia's innovation strategy for building an ESG-based economy. From academia, Indra Perdana of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) emphasized the role of education, citing renewable energy research that UGM has been developing since 2015.
In his concluding remarks, Zahedi urged policymakers to establish clear, stable, and measurable national regulations. "The industry requires regulatory certainty to maintain its ESG commitments. Without consistency, it will be difficult for us to achieve global targets," he asserted.
Harita Nickel's participation in IBS 2025, under the theme "Powering the Future: Advancing the Global Energy Transition with Battery Technology," reaffirms the company's position at the forefront of sustainable business practices and its active contribution to a low-carbon future.