SINGAPORE – A new initiative aims to help the smaller firms that supply Singapore Post (SingPost) transition to more sustainable business models.
SingPost chief sustainability officer Michelle Lee said the programme is needed as many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may want to go green but are not sure how to start.
It aims to bridge the gap between growing expectations of larger companies and the lack of expertise among their suppliers to deliver accurate carbon emissions data, which is necessary for climate reporting.
“We recognise that SMEs juggle numerous pressing concerns in their daily operations,” said Ms Lee.
The Queen Bee Enabled Sustainability Transition (Quest) programme, as it is called, involves suppliers undergoing in-depth training workshops focused on environmental, social, and governance sustainability indicators.
Suppliers will also learn how to measure their baseline greenhouse gas emissions and apply key decarbonisation strategies to reduce their carbon footprint.
The programme – a partnership between the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), SingPost, EY and OCBC – will also allow workshop participants to explore various resources, including government grants and schemes centred on sustainability.
After the workshops, the SMEs can tap expert guidance from SBF’s sustainability advisers, benefit from EY’s digital and technology expertise and access OCBC financing options to better meet SingPost’s enhanced procurement criteria.
Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry, told a launch event on Oct 18: “While the Government is committed to supporting businesses as Singapore transitions to a low-carbon economy, we need businesses to play an active role in this shift.”
Large enterprises, in particular, play an essential role in leading and driving sustainability efforts, said Ms Low, who is also Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.
All listed companies in Singapore must make climate-related disclosures from Jan 1,
