Advancing sustainable development across emerging markets will require substantial capital. The UN estimates, for instance, that up to US$7 trillion in annual investment will be needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve funding at this scale will require significant flows of private capital...
By Chen Chen Lee and Lau Xinyi The fight against climate change has notably taken a hit during US President Donald Trump's first year in office. Besides rolling back domestic policies and regulations from the era of his predecessor Barack Obama, Mr Trump also announced plans to withdraw...
By Simon Tay and Cheryl Tan City-state seeks cooperation boost despite differences over Trump, China and Myanmar refugees Singapore is settling into its one-year rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a time when the region's economic growth is outperforming the world. But the...
SIIA chairman Simon Tay was in Yangon on 10-12 December 2017 as Vice-chair of the Asia Pacific Water Forum. The Forum held its Summit, co-hosted by the Myanmar government, with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi as the opening speaker. Other Myanmar speakers include Vice-President...
by Simon Tay, Cheryl Tan and Lau Xinyi There is growing interest for the “red dot” to become a green finance superstar. What might speed this transition? Singapore is a leading financial hub, fast to adapt to new trends and regulations. Its financial sector has been progressive,...
We launched our "Collaborative Initiative for Green Finance in Singapore: Singapore as a Green Finance Hub for ASEAN and East Asia" report on 15 Nov 2017, bringing together views from leading financial institutions and experts in Singapore, in collaboration with the UN Environment Inquiry and...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Singapore, 15 November 2017 – Singapore’s strengths as a financial centre, track record in environmental protection and connections to the region makes it well-positioned to move forward with Green Finance. This is not only for the better protection of the environment, but also...
by Simon Tay and Pek Shibao for The Straits Times Looking out of the window a fortnight ago, you could be forgiven for wondering if the seasonal haze had returned. Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings across the island exceeded the "Good" range for a full week....
Being more sustainable is good for a company’s bottom line and reputation. So why are companies, as seen in WWF’s recent Palm Oil Scorecard for Singapore and Malaysia, dragging their feet on sustainability? SIIA researchers discuss. By Fawziah Selamat and Pek Shibao For several years, the Singapore Institute of...
What can the palm oil industry do to “green” its supply chain? What are some of the obstacles to greater sustainability? The SIIA travels to Riau to see what one palm oil company is doing to ensure its products are sustainable, and how independent smallholders...