SGTech hosted its first-ever “CXO-In-Conversation” event to provide a platform for tech firms of all sizes to discuss the challenges of meeting emissions that occur in value chains, ahead of the 2026 compliance deadline.
Based on the theme “Tech Enabling Sustainability”, and with over 120 CXOs from various sectors in attendance, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, Dr. Amy Khor highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between businesses and the government in addressing climate change.
SGTech has been operating the SGTech Sustainability Guided Programme (SGTech SGP) for the past year.
The tech association’s aim is to help over 20 smaller privately-owned companies publish their first customised sustainability reports that meet value chain client requirements.
Pioneer adopters J&S Telecoms International, Inspire-Tech, i-Sprint Innovations, Smart Tradtz, and Websparks have all completed the program and are now using these reports in tenders.
“Climate change is an issue that must be tackled with concerted effort across sectors with businesses and corporations doing their part alongside the government and communities,” said Ms Khor.
“I am heartened to have met SMEs who have taken the important step to commit to sustainability reporting with the assistance provided by SGTech Sustainability Guided Programme,” she added.
Key initiatives around sustainabilty
The event highlights include a ministerial meet-and-greet where privately-owned, sustainability-compliant tech firms, engage with value chain partners, sharing their environmental, social, and governance practices.
A fireside chat with Khor discussed the impact of sustainability developments on smaller enterprises and provides advice for future growth.
Discussions between large and small tech firms took place in a plenary panel focused on resolving Scope 3 issues.
SGTech Sustainability Steering Committee’s co-chair and Elixir Technology’s CEO, Lau Shih Hor, said, “We are at a crucial juncture where collaboration between large and small tech firms is essential to address the complexities of reducing value chain emissions.”
As smaller enterprises are the backbone of the Singapore economy, SGTech is taking steps to foster inclusive and sustainable value chain ecosystems in Singapore, beginning with local and global tech firms, Hor added.
The SGTech Scope 3 Pledge launch rallies more companies, including global brands like Equinix Singapore and Razer, to collaborate on Scope 3 compliance.
The event concludes with a panel providing practical insights into sustainability reporting for smaller companies, with contributions from Singapore Exchange Regulation, TalentKraft, and SGTech.
Post-event, SGTech will be implementing a series of Focus Group Discussions between large value chains and smaller enterprises. The aim is to distill the sustainability criteria acceptable to all stakeholders of a value chain.
The Pledgees will participate in the discussions under Chatham House rules over the next few months until the end of this year.
SGTech is also working on sustainability-focused initiatives across Singapore’s sectors.
One such initiative is its Budget 2024 recommendations that the Singapore Government more proactively rally smaller private enterprises with clearer guidance on the commercial benefits of sustainability compliance.