My work and the Environment


I have a background in architecture with a concentration on organic architecture and sustainable design, which helps in my understanding of the reporting work I do daily. As you know, YTL is a leader in high-design, high concept architecture. So we are constantly looking for ways to push boundaries that drive design and society into the future, be it our Bird Island Project in Malaysia or our upcoming luxury villa developments in Sentosa Cove, Singapore.

I also work with many people who are older than me and have a wealth of experience, such as our senior engineers and architects. They have been my mentors ever since I joined the company.



I currently lead the environmental division at YTL, where I report on my organisation’s environmental activities through writing its Sustainability Reports, published yearly. This is already rewarding in itself as I learn a lot just by researching ways we can become better in terms of sustainability, but happily, in addition, the reports have won a number of awards. I also get to work on “Climate Change Week” every year, and have a wonderfully passionate team who work with me every year to brainstorm creative ideas and to make the Campaign work.


The environment is in my Genes



Through my father Tan Sri Francis Yeoh's example, I learnt the importance of protecting the environment even in business ventures. “My father has taken me on a lot of his business trips, and when he built his first island resort on Pangkor Laut, he built it sustainably. I remember planting seedlings and shrubs near the beach of Pangkor Laut with my father, before the island became the world-class destination it is today. Three-quarters of the island’s rainforests are preserved to this day.”  

Being an active environmentalist and serving as a Board Member of several environmental organisations, I am blessed to travel to beautifully biodiverse places, with my most recent conservation visit to the region of South America in November 2008.


"Being an active environmentalist and serving as a Board Member of several environmental organisations, I am blessed to travel to beautifully biodiverse places."

In 2008, I became the youngest member to be appointed to the Board of RARE Conservation, with responsibilities in the Governance Committee of this US-based conservation organisation. RARE is the leader in social marketing for biodiversity conservation - with a successful track record in more than 50 countries to date. The organisation trains and supports leaders from the world’s top environmental organisations, local grassroots groups, and governments - all of which are increasingly aware that failure to create support at the community level reduces the chance of conservation success. RARE has a proven model for changing awareness, attitudes, and behaviours toward conservation at the local level. It is called a “Pride” campaign, and it inspires people to take pride in the natural assets that make their communities valuable and take action to protect them. Pride campaigns are intensive two year-long marketing efforts that borrow private sector tactics and apply them to promoting more environmentally sustainable practices.


Many of the world’s largest conservation groups have requested RARE’s services to help build stronger local community support for their work. This includes The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Birdlife International, Audubon, the United Nations Environment Programme, the national governments of China, Mexico, Peru, and Indonesia, and many others. To date, RARE has trained 158 local leaders in the developing world, whose campaigns have influenced more than 6.8 Million People living in over 2,400 remote communities.


Environment Protection is my Personal Mission


I am also a Board Member at Reef Check Malaysia, dedicated to protecting reefs and coral life in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region. Founded in 1996, Reef Check is the world’s largest international coral reef monitoring organisation. They are a non-profit organisation that recruits volunteer marine scientists and divers to survey the reefs and collect data to help assess reef health. Having started data collection in 1997, Reef Check released its five-year report, The Global Coral Reef Crisis - Trends and Solutions, in August 2002. Based on data collected in over 80 countries, the report was the first scientific document that showed degradation in almost every reef in the world. This data also proved that reefs have declined at an alarming rate in just five years. Reef Check is now active in over 82 countries and territories throughout the world.


Ruth co-edited the book “Cut Carbon, Grow Profits: Business Strategies for Managing Climate Change and Sustainability” with Kenny Tang who is the head of the Environmental Advisory board for the IPWG.

Reef Check Malaysia has had a National Co-ordinator to carry out training and surveys and promote the organisation since 2001. Malaysia is part of the “Coral Triangle”, an area recognised by scientists as having the richest marine biodiversity in the world, making the case to protect them even more valid.


I believe in continuing my personal mission to strategise environmental protection and conservation work in Asia through strengthening partnerships with leaders and practitioners. Simply because I find the benefits of conservation work hugely rewarding.

My voice for the Environment


In 2007, I co-edit the book “Cut Carbon, Grow Profits: Business Strategies for Managing Climate Change and Sustainability” with Kenny Tang who is the head of the Environmental Advisory board for the IPWG. The book illustrate what every corporation needs to know in order to manage the carbon and sustainability challenges facing society, cities, individuals and businesses today. (The book is available from amazon.com)



The book shows the benefits of incorporating strategic aspects of carbon thinking into the business strategies of companies, their customers and suppliers. In so doing, businesses create sustainable shareholder value, cut costs, increase revenues, build powerful corporate reputations, develop new low-carbon products and services, engage employees, and create powerful brands. It also includes contributions from International experts and case studies from cutting edge businesses and organisations, including BT, Ford, Lloyds, Siemens, World Resources Institute and the Climate Group.

Remember, we can all do our part to protect our earth and the environment. It's the least we can do for ourselves and our future generations.

© EcoAsia 2009