Singapore’s top trade associations unite to build new alliance aimed at accelerating sustainable practices and technologies
Group photo of the signing ceremony of the Sustainability Alliance.
Seated, left to right are representatives: Ms Kavita Gandhi, Executive Director, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS); Ms Yean Cheong, Executive Director, SGTech; and Mr Mark Lee, Chairman, Youth Business & Sustainability Committee (YBSC), SCCCI and Chief Executive Officer of Sing Lun Holdings Pte Ltd.
Standing left to right are witnesses: Er. Edwin Khew, Chairman, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS); Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry; Mr Wong Wai Meng, Chairman, SGTech & Chief Executive Officer, Keppel Data Centres Holding Pte Ltd; and Mr Kho Choon Keng, President, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Singapore, October 27 2022
Top trade associations in Singapore namely the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), and the premier trade association for the technology industries in Singapore, SGTech, through a Memorandum of Understanding, launched a new sustainability alliance during the Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) 2022 as part of the Singapore Energy Week (SIEW) on 26 October 2022 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands. The memorandum signing ceremony was witnessed by ACES guest of honour Singapore Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr. Tan See Leng.
The alliance is geared towards the adoption of industry-wide enabling initiatives on reducing waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through adopting clean energy matrices, technologies, and practices, as well as policy and finance, to facilitate businesses particularly small and medium businesses (SMEs) in achieving measurable transformations towards meeting Singapore Green Plan targets.
The alliance will be focused on creating programmes that: 1 – guide and support Singapore businesses in particular SMEs in adopting sustainable technologies and practices that reduce waste and GHG emissions; 2 – grow local demand for and supply of sustainability professionals familiar with technology-enabled sustainable solutions; 3 – drive research and thought leadership in waste and emissions reduction by producing studies and insights to solve problems together with the Singapore government; and 4 – collaborate with the Singapore government policymakers in developing policy and regulations that further the Singapore Green Plan and position Singapore as a regional leader in sustainability.
As founding members of the alliance, the trade organisations aspire to grow by enjoining other trade associations and chambers that shall benefit from the initiatives led by the alliance.
Chair of the Sustainability Alliance and Business CEO of EDPR Sunseap, Frank Phuan, emphasised: “It is my pleasure, and an honour, to chair the Sustainability Alliance, a one-of-a-kind collaboration to build a better future for Singapore. The alliance will serve as a voice representing SMEs in providing feedback to policymakers. It will also help companies identify sustainability as a business opportunity to grow their businesses long term and drive the green transition.”
SCCCI President, Kho Choon Keng, said: “Sustainability is a megatrend to be reckoned with. TACs play an important role to partner with government agencies to onboard more SMEs and accelerate the pace of SMEs’ pursuit of sustainability to build new capabilities and reap new opportunities arising from the green economy. TACs are also well-placed to aggregate the common needs of SMEs in their pursuit of sustainability. In this regard, we are pleased to partner with SEAS and SGTech, and more TACs in due course, in collaboration to develop programs to support SMEs to adopt technology that enables sustainability improvements and make the transition to sustainable energy solutions.”
SEAS Chairman Edwin Khew added: “As Singapore aims to position itself as Asia’s clean energy hub and strengthen its commitment to combat climate change, leveraging renewable energy to meet our energy demand becomes even more essential. We hope that this alliance will be the platform to enable the drive towards the adoption of sustainable energy practices and technologies by SMEs and large companies alike.”
SGTech Chair Wong Wai Meng, said: “SGTech believes that technology must be and will be the enabler for sustainability. To achieve this, businesses need to recognise and embrace the challenges presented by striving for environmentally sustainable business practices and create products and services that solve these problems. Singapore’s thriving ecosystem of technology companies can work together to transform Singapore into a green and circular economy. Through this Alliance, we hope that this will be the platform to drive the adoption of technologies and technology-enabled sustainability solutions among businesses.”
Enterprise SG’s Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Urban Solutions, Sustainability & Enterprise Finance, Geoffrey Yeo said: “Embracing sustainability will help SMEs become more competitive and capture new opportunities from the growing demand in sustainable products and services. The alliance is a good ground-up initiative to create a platform to connect Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) and enterprises to technology and energy solutions. We look forward to working with the Alliance to drive the implementation of sustainability practices among enterprises.”
The Memorandum of Understanding is signed by SGTech Executive Director Yean Cheong, SEAS Executive Director Kavita Gandhi, and SCCCI Youth Business and Sustainability Committee Chairman Mark Lee.
About SCCCI
Established in 1906, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) is an internationally renowned business organisation and the apex body of the Chinese business community in Singapore. It is the founder of the biennial World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, a global business convention. It plays a key and proactive role in representing the interests of the local business community.
The SCCCI has a membership network comprising 5,000 corporate members and has more than 160 trade association members, representing over 40,000 companies including large financial and business organisations, multinational corporations, government-linked companies, and small and medium enterprises from a wide spectrum of trades and industries. These members together provide vast resources and opportunities which enable the SCCCI to develop an influential global Chinese business network for business, education, culture and community development. In return, they share a strong sense of pride and identity together and benefit immensely from the SCCCI’s membership services, facilities and activities.
For more information, please visit www.sccci.org.sg.
About SEAS
The Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) represents the interests and provides a common platform for companies in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Financial Institutions to meet, discuss, collaborate and undertake viable projects together. The Association is a non-profit, non-government business association, and its mission is to assist its members in achieving sustainable growth locally and regionally through business development, market development, as well as training and learning platforms. SEAS plays a strategic role in aiding the realisation of Singapore’s vision; to be a global centre for sustainable energy, where products and solutions are developed and exported.
For more information about what the Association does and its services, please visit www.seas.org.sg.
About SGTech
SGTech, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022, is the leading trade association for Singapore's tech industry. Representing over 1,000 member companies ranging from top multinational corporations, large local enterprises, vibrant small and medium-sized enterprises, and innovative start-ups, it is the largest community in Singapore where companies converge to advocate for change and drive what enables tech innovation and accelerate tech adoption to spur greater sustainability in the sector. SGTech's mission is to catalyse a thriving ecosystem that powers Singapore as a global tech Powerhouse.
For more information please visit www.sgtech.org.sg.
About EDPR Sunseap
EDPR Sunseap is headquartered in Singapore and is present across 9 markets currently with more than 700 MWac of installed and under construction solar capacity and a pipeline of more than 6 GW. EDPR Sunseap is part of EDP Renewables (Euronext: EDPR), a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the fourth largest wind producer worldwide with 14.3 GW installed and present in 28 markets.
Energias de Portugal (Euronext: EDP) is EDPR's main shareholder with a 75% stake operating across energy generation, networks and supply, including a total installed capacity of 28 GW, networks of 376 thousand km and over 9 million clients.
Media Contacts
EDPR Sunseap
Rob Khoo
Email: corpcomms@sunseap.edp.com