The Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) held a webinar on “The Green Alliance: Latest Developments”, on 26 February 2025.

Moderated by Michael Lim, Founder, Launch Hero Digital Marketing Agency and Member, Executive Committee of the Young Entrepreneurs Group of Asia-Pacific (YEGAP), the 60-minute webinar featured Clara Kwan, SMF Sustainability Officer, in a panel conversation with two other distinguished guests, Lennon Tan, SMF President and CACCI Vice President for Sustainability, and Stuart Thomson, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Good Business Foundation ad CACCI Vice President for Entrepreneurship.

 

Summary

 

Mr. Tan opened the session by sharing a personal anecdote from 2021, when he learned about Singapore’s high per capita waste generation during a panel discussion. This experience highlighted the urgent need for businesses, particularly SMEs, to adopt sustainability practices, he said.

He noted that multinational corporations (MNCs) in Singapore have begun enforcing ESG requirements within their supply chains, warning SMEs that do not comply could result in exclusion from global supply chains.

Recognizing the challenges SMEs face in meeting stringent Western ESG standards, Mr. Tan said he decided to create the Asia Pacific Green Alliance (APGA). Established to drive sustainable business practices, foster green innovation, and set a common benchmark for corporate sustainability, APGA was officially launched on November 12, 2024, by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Desmond Tan during th 38^th CACCI Conference held in the city-state.

Ms. Kwan provided an in-depth overview of the APGA, detailing its mission, structure, and the value it brings to businesses. She outlined APGA’s founding members, which include the SMF, the Singapore Business Federation, ISCA (The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants), GS1 Singapore, and the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, among others. She emphasized the alliance’s commitment to providing actionable sustainability tools and advocating for Asia Pacific priorities on the global stage.

During the discussion, the following points were highlighted:

 

(1) Key Objectives and Framework of APGA

 

APGA operates in four main areas:

1. Standards and Certification: Establishing a unified sustainability reporting standard for the region and a tiered certification system (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) to recognize corporate sustainability efforts.
2. Support and Guidance: Offering sustainability guidance, analysis, and consulting services to help companies develop ESG strategies tailored to their business models.
3. Education and Training: Providing international, regional, and localized training on ESG standards, certifications, and best practices.
4. Advocacy and Networking: Partnering with industry bodies, governments, and NGOs to amplify Asia Pacific’s voice in global sustainability discussions.

Ms. Kwan highlighted the increasing regulatory pressures and consumer demand for sustainable products. She presented a timeline illustrating how various Asia Pacific economies are progressively introducing ESG regulations. She stressed the importance of early adoption to avoid a last-minute scramble when sustainability compliance becomes mandatory.

 

(2) The APGA Certification System

 

The APGA certification system categorizes companies into three tiers based on their sustainability performance:

• Bronze: Recognizing companies that have initiated basic sustainability efforts.
• Silver: Awarded to companies integrating sustainability into their business operations with measurable goals.
• Gold: Reserved for companies demonstrating sustained leadership in ESG over several years.

The evaluation process considers factors across three key ESG pillars:

• Environment: Policies on environmental protection, sustainable design, and energy savings.
• Social: Diversity, employee education, and healthcare benefits.
• Governance: Accountability and transparency in management.

APGA also acknowledges existing ESG certifications (e.g., Green Mark, ISO standards) in its assessment, ensuring companies’ prior sustainability efforts are recognized.

 

(3) Case Study: Schneider Electric

 

To illustrate sustainability leadership, Ms. Kwan presented Schneider Electric’s achievements, including its ambitious carbon reduction targets and its “Zero Carbon Project,” which aims to cut emissions from its top 1,000 suppliers by 50%. These efforts earned Schneider Electric the title of “Most Sustainable Company in the World” in 2024, demonstrating the long-term value of sustainability in business.

 

(4) APGA Marketplace and Business Opportunities

 

Beyond certification, APGA provides a marketplace for sustainable products and services, facilitating cross-border trade among certified companies. By joining APGA, businesses gain visibility, credibility, and access to international markets seeking verified sustainable partners.

(5) Collaboration with Chambers of Commerce

 

APGA offers chambers of commerce a structured approach to support their members’ sustainability journeys. Through a three-step process, chambers can:

1. Access APGA’s sustainability tools, training workshops, and resources.
2. Implement local sustainability standards using APGA’s methodology.
3. Support member companies in obtaining APGA certification, enhancing their global competitiveness.

 

(6) Exclusive Membership Offer for Chambers

 

To encourage participation, APGA introduced a limited-time membership offer for chambers of commerce: a three-year membership at $10,000 (a 33% discount), including premium branding, early access to sustainability tools, and opportunities for policy engagement.

 

(7) Presentation’s conclusion

 

Ms. Kwan closed the session by emphasizing the importance of collective action in driving sustainable business transformation. She invited chambers and SMEs to join APGA, take advantage of its tools, and contribute to shaping the future of sustainability in the Asia Pacific region.

Ms. Kwan’s presentation was followed by a panel discussion that elaborated on some of the points explained during the main presentation. The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants raised practical questions.

 

(8) Moderated by Lim, the panel discussion section, featured three speakers, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Tan, and Ms. Kwan. The key issues discussed during their discussion are summarized as as follows:

 

(a) Mr. Thompson highlighted the following points

 

• Entrepreneurial Perspective on Sustainability: Entrepreneurs recognize the importance of sustainability, despite global uncertainties. Younger entrepreneurs, in particular, see sustainability as a long-term business opportunity.
• Challenges for SMEs: Identified a “missing middle” of SMEs that lack adequate support, incentives, and resources to transition towards sustainable business practices.
• Key Findings from CACCI’s Study:
  (a) SMEs need better policy support, funding, and tax incentives, (b) Some industries (e.g., high-energy and manufacturing) face greater sustainability challenges, and (c) businesses prefer peer networks over external consultants for sustainability guidance.
• Blended Finance Solutions: Businesses require structured financial support, such as tax incentives, certification benefits, and subsidized loans to transition to sustainable practices.

 

(b) Mr. Tan discussed the following points

 

• Sustainability as ROI, Not Just Cost
  Lennon emphasized a shift in perspective – sustainability is no longer just an expense but an investment with measurable returns. Companies that integrate sustainability can reduce costs and improve profitability.
• Case Studies Demonstrating Business Benefits
  He highlighted real-world examples, such as Apple reducing packaging waste, Unilever saving $1.2 billion through sustainability efforts, Tesla’s brand loyalty due to its green initiatives, and TSMC leading in sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.
• Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage
  Companies that prioritize sustainability position themselves better in the market. Firms like TSMC gain partnerships with top tech brands because of their strong ESG credentials.
• The Need for Clear Carbon Credit Frameworks
  In response to a question on carbon tokenization, Lennon pointed out that global carbon credit systems are still evolving, with different countries recognizing different standards. Businesses must align with accredited frameworks.
• Collaboration is Essential for Progress
  He stressed that organizations like APGA (Asia Pacific Green Alliance) are available to support businesses and chambers in taking meaningful sustainability steps. Partnering with associations can accelerate sustainability efforts.
• Call to Action for Chambers of Commerce
  Lennon concluded the discussion by urging chambers to take an active role in sustainability. He encouraged continued dialogue, collaboration, and leveraging APGA’s resources to make sustainability actionable and impactful.

 

(c) Ms. Kwan stressed the following

 

• Chambers of Commerce as Enablers: Chambers can play a crucial role in supporting businesses with sustainability initiatives but often lack resources and expertise.
• Collaboration with APGA: APGA is partnering with chambers in Singapore to provide sustainability solutions, including workshops on carbon tracking and regulatory compliance.
• Tailored Support: Encouraged chambers to poll members on their sustainability needs and offer targeted workshops and guidance based on their readiness and business size.
• Marketing Potential: Even large businesses can leverage chambers for sustainability credentials to enhance their market positioning and international expansion.

 

The webinar session ended with Mr. Tan’s Closing Remarks inviting CACCI members and individual companies, especially SMEs, to contact the Asia Pacific Green Alliance and join the sustainability movement.

The presentation file can be downloaded HERE.