On 10 February 2009, the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Environment Center (WEC). This landmark partnership between a Singaporean NGO and a well-established international environmental organisation will result in a series of roundtable discussions geared towards developing Green Business Sustainab ility.  The first roundtable session on the subject of Green Supply Chain will be conducted in August 2009.

Dr Yosie and Ms Loh after signing the memorandum of understanding,
which lets SMEs in Singapore tap the WEC's knowledge base to 'green'
their supply chains. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL

This unprecedented partnership is a key development to help facilitate the Council’s expanding role in driving sustainable business practices. It will broaden the scope of SEC’s influence and increase the effectiveness of programmes aimed across industry sectors.

This development comes at a time when there is a clear necessity for companies to shift to green business models as part of their strategy in addressing inherent long-term economic sustainability– an especially salient factor in these financially unstable times. From everyday cost-saving measures, like improved energy and water efficiency, to innovating new products with reduced environmental impacts, the economic benefits of switching to environmentally sound practices are clear.

SEC / WEC partnership programmes will educate, inspire, and facilitate corporations in turning Green into Gold. A function that is key to Singapore’s positioning as an economic hub, with global outreach, and increasing leadership focus on environmental sustainability. 

International expertise coupled with experience supplied by WEC will support local environmental efforts by providing corporate leaders with an in-depth understanding of the challenges in implementing sustainable development strategies, and equip corporate with the tools required to overcome them. This will also serve to raise the profile of the environmental movement in Singapore, through WEC’s extensive network. “Singapore has made great progress in improving its environmental quality, and leadership and innovation in sustainable development can provide a very large return,” stated Dr. Terry F. Yosie, President & CEO of the World Environment Center.  “Global companies affiliated with WEC benefit from the direct knowledge of applying sustainability to their business strategies and operations, reducing operating costs across their supply chains and differentiating themselves through unique partnerships.”

SEC’s chairman, Ms. Isabella Loh, expressed her confidence in the partnership. “Both organisations recognise that the importance of environmental sustainability goes beyond business ethics alone. Making environmentally sustainable decisions is a key means of staying ahead of the economic downturn; eco-friendly measures such as improving energy efficiency and reducing waste in operational processes are cost-saving in the long run. By integrating environmental considerations holistically into all business decision-making processes, businesses can gain a competitive edge, especially important now, and strategic in the post-economic crisis era. SEC/WEC programmes will facilitate this change, speaking clearly in the language of business, to our business leaders. By bringing together expertise on best environmental and business practices we will enhance Singapore’s position as a ‘green dot’ in the business world map”.