If you've ever wondered whether CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) are the same thing, you're not alone. Many Malaysian businesses use the terms interchangeably — but they mean very different things.
And understanding the difference could decide whether your company is simply 'doing good' or actually gaining a competitive edge in one of the most profitable business opportunities in Malaysia.
What is CSR?
CSR refers to a company's voluntary efforts to give back to society or the environment. It is about a company's conscience — how it chooses to positively impact the community around it.
Examples of CSR
CSR is about responsibility, but it's not always regulated or measured. Some CSR is structured and ongoing, while others are one-off charity gestures. Both are valuable but not all CSR is recognised beyond public goodwill.
What is ESG?
ESG goes beyond responsibility — it's a framework that investors, regulators, and stakeholders use to measure a company's sustainability performance. It looks at:
Examples of ESG in action:
CSR vs ESG key differences
How They Work Together
Think of CSR as the heart (values) and ESG as the system (measurement). A company might run ongoing CSR programs (scholarships, volunteering). To turn that into ESG, the company must measure, report, and align those efforts with recognised standards (e.g., GRI, Bursa Malaysia, SBTi).
When CSR becomes structured, consistent, and reportable, it supports ESG performance and positions your company among the best companies in malaysia that investors and customers look to as ESG leaders — in Malaysia, and globally.
Why This Matters for Malaysian Businesses
With stricter regulations, rising investor expectations, and Bursa Malaysia's mandatory sustainability reporting for public listed companies (PLCs), ESG is no longer optional. Even Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SMEs) are facing growing pressure from banks, clients, and global supply chains — making ESG a requirement for any business that wants to grow and stay competitive. CSR alone is not enough.
Ultimately, CSR and ESG are not the same — but they complement each other. CSR is where the goodwill begins, ESG is how you prove it; and both are essential if you want to stay relevant in Malaysia's fast-evolving business landscape.
CSR makes you liked. ESG makes you trusted.
Together, they make your business competitve, future-ready, and one of the best investments you can make.
Where to Begin
If you're already running CSR programs, you're on the right track. But to unlock real business value and profitability, those efforts need to be aligned, measured, and reported under ESG.
That's where SHIFT by Sunview comes in.
As part of Sunview Group — a trusted leader in soalr and renewavle energy since 2013 — SHIFT provides expert ESG advisory services to help Malaysian Businesses move from 'doing good' to leading with impact.
Whether it's navigating compliance, strengthening your ESG strategy or securing green financing in Malaysia, SHIFT helps you turn responsibility into measurable results. With SHIFT, your company is positioned for corporate awards, sustainable business growth in Malaysia, and stronger ROI.
CSR is the start. ESG is the standard. SHIFT is your partner to get there.