A Greenprint for Singapore, Part 1: Going Far and Fast with the Ecosystem

 

Delivered at the Singapore FinTech Festival, Gprnt’s Head of Product, Simin, unveiled innovative solutions to address the global ESG data challenge and empower businesses to take meaningful action toward sustainability. 

Key Highlights 

1. The ESG Data Challenge 

Data as the Foundation for Transition: 
- Purpose: Bridging the ESG data gap to enable efficient capital allocation for businesses transitioning to sustainable practices. 
- Necessity: Financial institutions require reliable data to make informed financing decisions that support decarbonisation. 

Barriers Identified Through Ecosystem Engagement: 
- Many SMEs lack awareness or prioritisation of sustainability. 
- Even when SMEs measure emissions, actionable insights and solutions are often fragmented. 
- Financial and time constraints pose significant hurdles for SMEs adopting sustainability initiatives. 
 
2. Gprnt’s Innovative Solutions 

Launch of the ESG Disclosure Solution: 
- A streamlined platform enabling companies, regardless of size, to generate basic emissions data in just five clicks. 

Introducing the Gprnt Marketplace: 
- Vision: An integrated ecosystem that simplifies decarbonisation journeys for SMEs through: 
- Customized Dashboards: Tailored decarbonisation recommendations based on emissions intensity. 
- Solution Discovery: AI-driven matchmaking for sustainability solutions aligned with SME profiles. 
- Holistic Support: Guidance on financing options, grants, assurance, and ecosystem integration. 

Unique Features: 
- Action-Oriented Insights: Clear metrics showcasing ROI for decarbonisation investments. 
- Solution Pathways: Bundled solutions curated to address complex decarbonisation needs. 
- Accessibility: Tools and resources designed to minimize time and cost barriers for SMEs. 
 

3. Perspectives from Ecosystem Partners 

Assurance and Verification – TÜV SÜD 
- Challenges: Businesses are reactive, focusing on sustainability only when driven by regulations or competitive pressure. 
- Misaligned consultants and fragmented solutions often deter organisations. 
- Solution: Building trust through reliable assurance services and collaborative ecosystem partnerships. 

Carbon Accounting Platform – Persefoni  
- Challenges: Adoption rates are low, with many SMEs skipping the critical first step of measuring carbon emissions. 
- Cost and scalability are significant barriers, even with government incentives. 
- Solution: Scalable platforms that prioritise accessibility and education to help organisations start their sustainability journey. 

Trade Associations – Singapore Business Federation 
- Challenges: SMEs often lack dedicated ESG teams, with sustainability tasks falling on stretched resources like finance or operations heads. 
- Solution: 
- Advisory Support: Attaching sustainability advisors to SMEs to ease capacity constraints. 
- Neutral Facilitation: Creating trusted spaces to connect SMEs with vetted solution providers and resources. 
 

4. Opportunities and Future Directions 

Key Enablers for Accelerating Sustainability Action: 
- Trust Networks: Ensuring reliable and validated partnerships to build confidence in sustainability initiatives. 
- Government-Industry Collaboration: Scaling adoption through incentives, grants, and cohesive policy frameworks. 
- Education and Simplification: Demystifying sustainability to showcase tangible benefits like cost savings and revenue opportunities. 

Path Forward: 
- Gprnt aims to foster collaboration across ecosystem stakeholders, enabling seamless transitions for businesses through data-driven, actionable solutions. 
 

Conclusion 
Gprnt’s Marketplace and ESG initiatives underscore the importance of collective action in addressing sustainability challenges. By empowering SMEs and bridging gaps in data, solutions, and financing, Gprnt is paving the way for a cohesive and impactful decarbonisation journey. Together, the ecosystem can drive meaningful change and create a sustainable future for businesses and the planet. 

 

Speaker:

  • Cedric Chong, Senior Sales Director, APAC, Persefoni Hu Ching, Head, Net Zero Transition Programme Office, Singapore Business Federation
  • Zhi Xiang Wong, Head of Sustainability (ASEAN), TÜV SÜD

Moderator:

  • Simin Liu, Head of Product, Gprnt

 

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