Singapore International Water Week 2009
May 28, 2009 by Eugene Tay
Filed under Events
The Singapore International Water Week 2009 will be held from 22 to 26 June at Suntec Singapore, with the theme: Sustainable Cities – Infrastructure and Technologies for Water. This global platform for water solutions aims to bring together leaders, experts and practitioners to address water challenges, technologies and opportunities.
The event programmes include:
- Water Leaders Summit
- Water Convention
- Water Expo
- Business Forums
- Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize
During the Water Week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will also open the Changi Water Reclamation Plant, Singapore’s largest and most advanced used water treatment facility.
For more information on the Singapore International Water Week, visit www.siww.com.sg.
Standard Chartered @ Changi Awarded Environmental Platinum Green Mark Certification
May 27, 2009 by Eugene Tay
Filed under Operations and Culture
This is a press release from Standard Chartered Bank.
Standard Chartered @ Changi awarded Environmental Platinum Green Mark Certification
Features first-of-its-kind endangered species educational garden in commercial buildings
27 May 2009, Singapore – Standard Chartered announced today that its new office building, Standard Chartered @ Changi at Changi Business Park, has been awarded the Platinum Green Mark Certification by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (“BCA”).
The built-to-suit office building integrates energy and water efficient features and is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 36 percent compared to conventional buildings in Singapore. The building will also incorporate an endangered species educational garden as part of its comprehensive range of eco-friendly features.
First-of-its-kind in office buildings, the garden is designed to be a recreational space as well as to raise awareness of environmental conservation among employees and the community. Located on the ground level, the garden will feature a range of plants which are extinct or at risk of extinction in the wild due to over-collecting or de-forestation. Read more
Smart Green: How to Implement Sustainable Business Practices in Any Industry – and Make Money
May 18, 2009 by Eugene Tay
Filed under Operations and Culture
Author: Jonathan Estes
ISBN: 978-0-470-38779-5
Hardcover: 224 pages
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Recommended Retail Price: SGD 52.38 (including GST)
Available at all major bookstores
Book Review
Smart Green is a green resource guide for entrepreneurs and business leaders interested in creating sustainable businesses. There is no single definition of a green company or what sustainability means for every company, but the author managed to describe the steps for a company to become Smart Green, which includes the following:
Smart Green companies must first reflect on what it takes to be green and be aware of sustainability issues. They should become green-aware; bio-aware; socially-aware; energy-aware and regionally-aware.
Smart Green companies conduct a needs analysis through footprint analysis, product life cycle analysis, business relationship analysis, and cash flow analysis. The outcomes help in the preparing of a green mission statement, which includes goals and objectives, desired outcomes, and involving stakeholders.
When Smart Green companies work on their strategic planning, they understand the seven tiers of Smart Green growth:
- Awareness of the Need for Change
- Recognition of Implications
- Analysis of Current State
- Applying a Systems View Approach
- Planning and Implementing a Strategy
- Analysis of and Reflection on Outcomes and Impacts
- Innovation, Creativity, Growth, and Meaning
Smart Green companies also measure sustainability outcomes based on the analytics approach that looks at financial outcomes, long-term strategies, return on investment, continuous growth and best practices.
Smart Green companies are led by leaders who are aware of environmental, social and economic indicators, and measure success on profit and the extended footprint of the company.
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Promotion for Green Business Times Readers
Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 18 May 09 to 18 June 09.
- Place your order to this email address: csd_ord@wiley.com or call: +65 6463 4604
- Quote the ISBN of the book title
- Quote the 4 digit promotion code to be entitled to the 20% discount – Promo Code 2402
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Eco Action Day
May 6, 2009 by Eugene Tay
Filed under Events
Ever thought of the number of hours you spend in the office and the amount of resources used per day?
Simple actions such as the flick of a switch can make a world of difference. Try going green in your office for a day on Eco Action Day with us and see how easy it is!
Eco Action Day is a collaboration between Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and Ricoh to reach out to organizations to join us in saving energy on 5th June, in conjunction with the United Nations’ World Environment Day.
By taking part, organizations pledge conservation activities that they will undertake on this day. The scope of activities is not limited and can be as easy as turning off all the lights in the office during lunch time. Total energy saved is then calculated after this day as evidence that real improvements are possible if companies will make the commitment.
As we spend a large amount of time in the office everyday, the commitment needed by companies and organizations cannot be ignored.
Help fight against climate change. Participate today at www.ecoaction.sg
Source: SEC.
Leading Enterprises Consolidate Efforts to Champion Sustainable Manufacturing in Singapore
May 5, 2009 by Eugene Tay
Filed under Design and Tech
This is a joint media release by: SPRING Singapore, Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa), Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and Singapore Environment Council (SEC).
Launch of Sustainable Manufacturing Programme converges the efforts of SMa, SPRING, SEC and SIMTech to help Singapore manufacturers adopt sustainable manufacturing technologies and processes.
With industrial development rapidly expanding to support our burgeoning global population, SMa envisioned that the development of a conducive environment for the adoption of environmentally-friendly processes is crucial in ensuring sustainability of manufacturing in Singapore.
In pursuant of a clear goal towards sustainable manufacturing, SMa signed separate Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with two prominent partners – SEC and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR); leveraging on their fields of expertise and professional skills and technology to identify, develop and promote the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices among local manufacturers. This MOU ceremony was witnessed by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, Mr S. Iswaran, as well as SPRING Singapore’s Deputy Chief Executive Mr Ted Tan at the Intercontinental Hotel. Read more
Green Business Practices for Dummies
May 4, 2009 by Eugene Tay
Filed under Operations and Culture
Author: Lisa Swallow
ISBN: 978-0-470-39339-0
Paperback; 384 pages
Recommended Retail Price: SGD 38.47 (including GST)
Available at all major bookstores
Book Review
Green Business Practices for Dummies is a practical and hands-on guide to help your company implement green practices throughout your organisation. It covers the creation of a sustainability vision and plan, the implementation of sustainability practices, involving stakeholders in your efforts, and measuring and reporting the results.
First, you will learn about the business case for sustainability, and understand the opportunities and challenges in going green. The book also helps you develop a sustainability plan for your company, including conducting a SWOT analysis, creating green goals, and planning initiatives to reach them.
Second, the book shows you what is needed to start implementing the green practices in your company. It includes greening your daily office practices, product development, production processes, building and facilities, and accounting and investment practices.
Third, you will learn about involving relevant stakeholders in your sustainability efforts, how to market to green consumers and promote your green products or services, working with non-profit organisations, and engaging your employees with green HR practices.
The last part of the book discusses the relevant standards and certifications available in the green market, shows you how to gather data and measure your organisation’s progress, and prepares you to create a sustainability report for your stakeholders.
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Promotion for Green Business Times Readers
Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 4 May 09 to 4 June 09.
- Place your order to this email address: csd_ord@wiley.com or call: +65 6463 4604
- Quote the ISBN of the book title
- Quote the 4 digit promotion code to be entitled to the 20% discount – Promo Code 2401
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Alila Hotels and Resorts Head Office is Carbon Neutral
May 4, 2009 by Eugene Tay
Filed under Strategy and Leaders
This is a press release from The GreenAsia Group.
(Singapore, April 2009) Since announcing its commitment to become carbon neutral last October, Alila Hotels and Resorts has achieved carbon neutrality for its head office in Singapore for the year 2008, after calculating its carbon footprint and offsetting its emissions with a cogeneration project in India.
In October 2008, Alila Hotels and Resorts commissioned The GreenAsia Group, a specialist in carbon management in Asia, to conduct a comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment of its management operations based in Singapore. This was compiled by an international third party expert in GHG calculations. Read more
