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26 October 2021, Singapore – Speaking at UN Global Compact Network Singapore’s (GCNS) annual Summit on corporate sustainability, Ms. Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, announced the launch of LowCarbonSG.
LowCarbonSG is a capability-building programme to enable local businesses in Singapore to start monitoring and, where possible, reduce their carbon emissions.
The 18-month programme is helmed by Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) Singapore, the decarbonisation arm of GCNS and supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG).
In support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, LowCarbonSG intends to develop in businesses the habit of measuring, tracking and reducing their carbon footprints digitally through capability-building programmes.
There has been multi-sectoral support for the initiative, ranging from government agencies such as the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), to industry associations such as the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI), the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), and Innovate 360.
To date, CPLC Singapore has engaged 152 companies and upskilled 247 staff in emissions awareness and knowledge.
Dr Ryal Wun, Deputy Executive Director and Legal Director, UN Global Compact Network Singapore and Managing Director, CPLC Singapore said, ““Every decisive action taken for a better world begins with one small step by everyone. With climate change and the urgent transition to a low-carbon economy, we seek to demystify decarbonisation for businesses through LowCarbonSG, and realise Singapore’s climate ambitions. We are delighted to partner with NEA and ESG to help companies thrive in a low-carbon future.”
Mr Retna Vinod, Safety Manager of Vac-Tech Engineering Pte Ltd said, “LowCarbonSG provided us with tools and guidance to help us decarbonise more effectively. The Carbon & Emissions Recording Tool (CERT) was useful in helping us to track our emissions and identify areas to make our operations more energy- and resource-efficient. As a result, we have managed to cut our diesel consumption by 4.6%, electricity usage by 2.2%, and water usage by 7.9%, while reducing operating costs.
Throughout this process, the CPLC Singapore team was helpful in answering my queries and guiding me on how to use CERT most effectively to help my organisation. Vac-Tech Engineering is proud to be part of LowCarbonSG and contribute towards the Singapore Green Plan 2030.”
Held virtually from 26 – 27 October 2021, the Summit advanced conversations around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Themed ‘Designing Our Future: Powering the Decade for Decisive Action, the two-day Summit featured panel discussions and fireside chats led by thought leaders in corporate sustainability. Topics discussed included innovation in decarbonisation, empowering a resilient and thriving workforce, as well as mobilising sustainable finance to accelerate the SDGs.
At the Summit, Minister Grace Fu also announced the winners of the CDL-GCNS Young SDG Leaders Awards. In its eleventh year, the case-based competition aims to empower youths to champion sustainable development and SDG integration into business operations through business case proposals, practical work attachments and mentorship opportunities.
Of the 46 teams that applied this year, a team comprising students from Dunman High School emerged victorious. Having completed a practical work attachment at Armor Asia Imaging Supplies Pte Ltd, a local business specialising in thermal transfer printing, the winning team proposed turning noise pollution generated from Armor Asia’s manufacturing operations into electricity using acoustic power generators. This potentially allows Armor Asia to deploy alternative renewable sources of energy while reducing its carbon footprint.
The two-day virtual Summit received more than 650 registrations from Singapore and the region, comprising senior representatives from the business community, trade associations, unions, academia, and Local Networks of the United Nations Global Compact.
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About UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS)
UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) is the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As the leading voice on corporate sustainability, GCNS drives multi-stakeholder action to forge a more sustainable future, founded on the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information about GCNS, visit https://unglobalcompact.sg/
About CPLC Singapore
CPLC Singapore is the first official Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) chapter, jointly launched by UN Global Compact Network Singapore and the World Bank Group’s Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition.
It aims to help the private sector realise the carbon cost of their actions, and make conscious decisions to mitigate emissions.
CPLC Singapore facilitates dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaborations on carbon management and pricing, allowing businesses to raise concerns, share success stories, and overcome implementation challenges in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
For more information about CPLC Singapore, visit https://unglobalcompact.sg/cplc-singapore
For more information about LowCarbonSG, visit https://unglobalcompact.sg/lowcarbonsg
More About the GCNS Virtual Summit 2021
For more information on the GCNS Virtual Summit 2021, visit https://summit.unglobalcompact.sg/
For more information on the full list of speakers, visit: https://summit.unglobalcompact.sg/speakers/
Please find pictures of the Summit here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uXaympFL7L7WDviAy3C5OZYuxUUqkrOb?usp=sharing
Media Contact:
Kimberley Alyssa Kok
Manager, Communications and Lead, CPLC Singapore
UN Global Compact Network Singapore
Tel: (65) 9189 4648
Email: kimberley.kok@unglobalcompact.sg
ANNEX A: How LowCarbonSG Works: Mechanics and Timeline
Through the use of CPLC Singapore’s Carbon and Emissions Recording Tool (CERT), companies will determine a six-month baseline from historical data and monitor their emissions for a further six months in order to be issued the LowCarbonSG logo. During this period, they will also be encouraged to reduce their emissions from the baseline where possible.
Developed with input from NEA, CERT has inbuilt formulae allowing companies to easily derive emissions information from their energy consumption, waste and transportation data.
Companies that continue to measure their emissions for the following 12 months will be allowed to continue using the LowCarbonSG logo on an annual basis.
At the end of 18 months, companies that demonstrate emissions reduction will be issued an additional Record of Completion, which documents the emissions reduction achieved.
Upon successful completion of the LowCarbonSG programme, companies will be encouraged to progress to more advanced decarbonisation initiatives, such as setting Science-Based Targets.
ANNEX B: LowCarbonSG Logo Recipients To Date