NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS)

Our very first batch of ‘Tee Up-CGS Programme in Governance and Sustainability’ emissary students attending the briefing on 3 July by Prof Lawrence Loh in the Tee Up sponsored programme. The briefing was conducted on the same day as the 2-day climate change executive programme that the students enrolled in. The participation in both programmes was made possible with funding from Tee Up Capital Pte Ltd / Tee Up Asset Management Pte Ltd . Prior to this briefing and participation in the climate change executive programme, the students have carried out research work in corporate governance and/or corporate sustainability research projects since March 2024. By enrolling the students in the climate change executive programme, students gained industry knowledge through this workshop. Students have the opportunity to interact with corporates who are also attending the course. Prof Patrick H M Loh, advisor to the programme, CGS’s advisory board member and Senior Fellow shared the importance of governance and sustainability and the importance experiences play in determining and shaping behaviours and outcome. Separately, Mr Kelvin Low, CEO of Tee Up Capital encourages the students to apply what they have learned, and he looks forward to the next phase of the project and the eventual graduation of the students. The students in this Tee Up-CGS programme gave very positive feedback about the climate change executive programme and we are preparing to engage our second batch of students for the next climate change executive programme in September 2024. #corporatesustainability #climatechange #leadership #sustainabilityimpact

Framing the perspectives and generating insights on the current climate change challenges was what more than 30 participants learned at the 2-day course organised by NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) and UN Global Compact Network Singapore. The 2-day climate change course took place at NUS Business School on 3 and 4 Jul. Special thanks to Ms Esther Chang, CFRE, Terence Tan, Claire Ong from GCNS and also to Prof Lawrence Loh and Prof Lutfey Siddiqi for their excellent presentations and to our valuable participants for a very successful run. Another run is planned for September 2024. This specially-curated programme is designed to help business leaders and executives to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of climate change, sustainable finance and ESG topics in the Asia context. Participants attained insights from the latest international trends in sustainability disclosures and carbon management through a specialist panel of distinguished industry leaders and ESG practitioners. The sessions on carbon policies, regulations and management, corporate sustainability and sustainable finance covered key topics and trends very useful for an oversight of the current landscape. Participants were asked to create a 1 min pitch to their companies as part of their learning journey. #climate change #corporate sustainability #carbon management #mitigation #decarbonisation

The NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape amidst the ongoing trade and political situations between China and the United States. The by-invitation only closed-door event on 1 July was organized by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) at their Octave Institute with Ker Gibbs, the immediate past president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai as the speaker. Mr Chavalit Frederick Tsao, Tsao Pao Chee (TPC) Chairman gave the opening address, with Mr Yuelin Yang, IMCPAA Chief Stewardship and Well-being Governance Officer, organising the event.   Ker is the editor and co-author of a new book, "Selling to China: Stories of Success, Failure, and Constant Change." (Palgrave Macmillan 2023, available on Amazon). Currently based in San Francisco and Shanghai, Mr. Gibbs is an advisor and independent board member working with foreign and Chinese companies.   As an Asian American who has resided in America and China, and with extensive work and research experience in both countries, Ker provides unique and fresh perspectives on the situation  He spoke about the current situation in China, covering the economy, foreign companies, and US-China relations. Mr. Gibbs recently participated in a trade delegation with companies from the US mid-west, meeting with large Chinese enterprises and government officials in Shanghai, Qingdao, and Beijing. #CentreforGovernanceandSustainability

Prof Lawrence Loh, Director of NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) presented at a CSR networking event ‘Making Sense of Social Impact in Sustainability Today’ organised by CapitaLand on 13 June 2024. Among the audience were philanthropists and foundations who participated in and contributed to a very lively discussion. The panel of speakers comprised Ms Moutushi Sengupta, Chief of Capital Mobilisation, AVPN (Moderator), Professor Lawrence Loh, Mr Vinamra Srivastava, Chief Sustainability & Sustainable Investments Officer, CapitaLand Investment, Ms Gillian Pearl, Founder and CEO, Pearl Consulting, Mr Chia Boon Chong, Director, Group Sustainability, Singtel. Mr Tan Seng Chai, Senior Executive Director and member of Senior Leadership Council, CapitaLand, gave the welcome address. The panellists shared their respective experiences and challenges in their organisations’ social outreach and impact efforts. There were plenty of illustrations and case studies in the panel discussions. Prof Loh surmised that in the focus and pursuit of social impact, companies must be economically viable to be able to do good, a sentiment echoed by the panel of experts and audience. While there is a consensus that businesses must survive to do good, there remains a challenge to measure how much ‘impact’ each social initiative delivers. Perhaps impact could be measured by a change of attitudes. A member of the audience shared after the event about the conversion from a sustainability sceptic to a believer in ‘sustainability’ after attending one of Prof Loh’s talks. Perhaps the measurement of impact is less about outcome, and more about planting seeds, and trusting that when we take care of the seeds, nature will take its course and bear fruits. A special shout out to Ms Lydia Ang Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for organising such a successful event. To read more about Prof Loh’s commentary on ‘What’s missing from ESG? Economics, of course’, click here: https://lnkd.in/gFk3kC7Q #CSR #SocialImpact #Sustainability

Marie-Claire Daveu Speaks Up On Why Kering Partnered NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) in a 3-Year Research Collaboration In an interview with Vogue Singapore, the Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs officer also elaborates on what makes a truly sustainable brand. Read all about her remarks here: https://lnkd.in/gRmrnr_p #CGS #Kering #ResearchCollaboration #Nature #Biodiversity #Sustainability

Congratulations to Prof Lawrence Loh on Winning the NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Award The NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) congratulates its Director Prof Lawrence Loh for winning the coveted NUS’s ‘Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA)’. Having obtained this university-level award third time in a row, Prof Loh has been placed on the ATEA Honour Roll which signifies sustained excellence in teaching. The ATEA recognises achievements in teaching, instruction, educational design, assessment and feedback as well as the wider adoption of good practices in these areas of leadership and support of other colleagues. It cherishes those whose teaching and use of technology in innovative ways have contributed to learning and a culture that values teaching. “I am deeply honoured to have received an award that celebrates excellence in teaching and high levels of positive educational impact. It acknowledges the hard work put in to make lessons engaging and relevant to the contemporary real world context. I will always strive to push students beyond what they think they are capable of, challenge their critical thinking and enhance the learning experience that leads to their growth,” said Prof Loh. Let’s all congratulate Prof Loh for this momentous feat! To find out more about the ATEA, click here: https://lnkd.in/gCPerfJ5 #educationexcellence

NKH and CGS Ink Deal to Train Up Future Leaders in Governance and Sustainability Passing the baton to the next generation, was how Prof Lawrence Loh, Director, NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) described a new joint education initiative between NKH BUILDING SERVICES PTE. LTD. and CGS which would train aspiring student leaders in corporate governance and sustainability. To this end, an MOU was signed on 16 May 2024 between NKH and CGS for NKH to sponsor masterclasses for NUS students to the tune of $109,000. The Dean of NUS Business School and Distinguished Professor Andrew Rose and Mr Johnny Ng, Executive Chairman, NKH inked the MOU. Prof Professor Patrick H.M. LOH, CGS Advisory Board Member also graced the occasion. “We are not only aligned with CGS to train and develop future business leaders. Our company has an interest in sustainability due to our trade and we hope our business will continue to push through this sustainability. NKH Services’ sponsorship of the masterclasses underscores our commitment to these goals,” said Mr Johnny Ng, Executive Chairman, NKH Building Services. “The Governance and Sustainability Masterclass is important to raise up a generation of future leaders who are competent in corporate governance and sustainability. This is because governance and sustainability will be the hallmark of all future business practices. Such training will become increasingly indispensable as the job market increasingly demands these skills. CGS is certainly raising the flag of education up high,” said Prof @Patrick Loh, CGS Advisory Board member, CGS Senior Fellow and Chairman and Co-Founder, Singapore Sciences and SINOAGRO Group. “This MOU signing launches the training of future generations of aspiring student leaders to take the lead in corporate governance and sustainability in their future workplaces. The Governance and Sustainability Masterclass features interactive workshops, peer learning, diverse case studies and peer learning. It will be a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. Students will be provided invaluable insights, skills and the knowledge and tools needed to drive change in a complex and interconnected world,” said Prof Loh. Through a series of 4 masterclasses, students will be taught principles of effective governance, leadership, social, economic and environmental stewardship. Themes include policy analysis and development, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, corporate social responsibility and ethics.    #Sustainability #CorporateGovernance #SustainabilityEducation #CGS #Masterclass

Kering and NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) Announce 3-Year Research Collaboration In a press release issued on 13 May 2024, Kering and CGS unveiled their 3 year research partnership that will develop measurable benchmarks for corporate climate and nature-related strategies in the Asia-Pacific. This represents a first-of-its-kind baseline for measuring transition strategies adopted by corporations across the Asia-Pacific. The partnership will feature 3 research studies focusing on nature-related reporting and climate transition plans. The studies will examine strategies of the top 50 listed companies in 14 Asia Pacific jurisdictions, and, provide insights into the state of nature and climate practices, establish baselines for strategies, highlight industry trends and identify areas for improvements. The first of the three studies was launched at the ‘Nature in City’ forum, jointly organised by the French embassy, Alliance Française de Singapour and the National Museum of National History. Prof @Lawrence Loh presented the “Nature-related Practices and Strategies in the Asia-Pacific” research findings. The study found that compared to nature-related disclosures, climate related disclosures are at a more mature stage. To close the gap, companies need to tap on nature-reporting frameworks and encourage greater investment. “The sustainability challenges we face today are complex, and by partnering with an outstanding university renowned for its expertise in sustainability topics, we are exemplifying the Group’s commitment to collaborate with partners on the Asia-Pacific region’s sustainability journey” said Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer, Kering. Prof Loh said, “The disclosure of nature-related practices and strategies is crucial to provide transparency and accountability for a company’s environmental impact and sustainability practices. Through the partnership with Kering, we are poised to drive meaningful change by developing a baseline for measuring biodiversity tracking and examining climate transition strategies across diverse industries. This is a significant step in encouraging the integration of nature-centric approaches into corporate strategies, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for all.” Please click the link below to download the "Nature-Related Practices and Strategies in Asia-Pacific": https://lnkd.in/eXBXB4vk #Sustainability #ClimateChange #CentreforGovernanceandSustainabiliy #Kering #biodiversity #nature

https://lnkd.in/dZq2yTYb In this crisp commentary published in The Straits Times on Sun, 5 May, NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) Director, Prof Lawrence Loh puts the ‘E’ or economy squarely back in the ESG formula for a sustainable future. Read more to find out his insightful take on a much-needed balanced approach to addressing current challenges. #esg #sustainability #climatechange

New Course! Climate Change For Leaders: Risks, Opportunities and Sustainable Finance 3 & 4 July 2024 Take climate action for a sustainable future Specially-curated by UN Global Compact Network Singapore and NUS Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) , this face-to-face course is designed to help business leaders and executives to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of climate change, sustainable finance and ESG topics in the Asia context. It is important for corporate leaders to anticipate and plan for the business impacts arising from changing climate policies and regulations, dynamics of international climate politics, calls for greener investments and increasing pressure from stakeholders and consumers. Sign up now to: - Deepen your knowledge and understanding of climate change from different perspectives - Learn the basics of carbon measurement and management - Enhance capabilities in sustainable finance leadership - Understand the business case of sustainability and carbon management in the Asia context Register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/gk9iHDCz #Climatechange #Sustainablefinance #ESG