OREANDA-NEWS. October 26, 2015. Asia’s best environmental journalists were honoured in Singapore today at the 2015 Asian Environmental Journalism Awards (AEJA). As sponsor of the SEC-Toyota Young Environmental Journalist of the Year Award, Toyota presented the award to Syed Muhammad Abubakar, a freelance journalist from Pakistan for his outstanding track record reporting important environmental issues.

“It is a great honour and encouragement to receive the SEC-Toyota Young Environmental Journalist of the Year Award. I believe that it is important to spread the message of environmental awareness through fair and accurate journalism,” said winner Syed Muhammad Abubakar.

“Although environmental journalism is quite low in Pakistan, I strongly believe that this award will serve as a beacon of hope to promote environmental journalism in future. I am heartened to know that Toyota and the SEC give weight to these issues that are too often overlooked in favour of other pressing economic issues,” he added.

“Toyota is pleased to present the SEC-Toyota Young Environmental Journalist of the Year Award to Syed Muhammad Abubakar. His submissions cast light onto pertinent environmental issues in both Pakistan and globally, and align strongly with our vision in advocating the continuity of environmental journalism to bring about greater awareness of these issues in the Asia Pacific,” said Kaye Lim, General Manager, Public Affairs Department, Toyota. “Toyota values educating the youth on environmental issues and remains committed to this cause, as demonstrated through the various CSR programmes in the region, including the Toyota Eco Youth Programme.”

The winner, Syed Muhammad Abubakar, was selected over several other compelling nominees because of the creativity and flair he showed in his writing on various important issues such as climate change, water storage and the effects of flooding, and the challenges facing the planet’s ecosystem—including those concerning Pakistan in particular. Aside from receiving the award trophy, he will also receive SGD \\$3000 prize money. Kumar Sambhav, a journalist with Hindustan Times from India was presented with the Merit honour.

“Several notable submissions were received this year and our panel of judges had a challenging time in evaluating each submission before deciding on the winner. In line with raising awareness and educating society, we also hope to nurture a culture that is aligned with sustainable development concepts. We hope that more globally well-known and environmentally conscious companies such as Toyota will come on-board to partner us for our various environmental programmes,” said Mr Edwin Seah, Executive Director, SEC.

Toyota’s CSR programs in Asia cover education, environment, road safety, arts and culture, community services, health, and sports. In Pakistan, Toyota has forged a strong partnership with WWF-Pakistan in launching campaigns such as a nationwide tree plantation exercise “Tree-A-Thon,” the “Say No to Plastic Bags” awareness campaign, and the Toyota School Environment Program which aims to raise awareness among youth in Pakistan on environmental issues and concerns.

In India, where water sanitation continues to be a long-standing issue in rural communities, Toyota has set up water purification units at Bidadi, Machanayakanahalli to provide safe drinking water for the benefit of the local community.

For over 50 years, Toyota has been partnering with local communities and their governments as they have achieved economic progress. Some of the environmental initiatives undertaken by Toyota recently include the Toyota Adopt-A-Forest Project, Stop Global Warming Project, and the Toyota School Environment Program.