Tap on QUEST Funding to Implement Standards for Energy Management or Greenhouse Gas Accounting

If your company is interested to implement standards for energy management or greenhouse gas accounting, you can tap on government funding from SPRING Singapore under the QUEST programme.

SPRING Singapore is the national standards body in Singapore, and has introduced the Quality for Enterprises through Standards (QUEST) programme last year.

QUEST provides grants for companies to implement standards in emerging areas, and encourages companies to use standards to enhance their productivity and competitiveness. Read more

A*STAR Ups Collaborative R&D in Green Technologies to Spur the Growth of Eco-friendly Industries [Press Releases]

To spur the growth in eco-friendly industries, A*STAR’s research institute, SIMTech, is spearheading a slew of R&D initiatives in green technologies in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and National University of Singapore (NUS). Three Joint-Labs with NTU to develop technologies relevant to Remanufacturing are set up and Remanufacturing and Green Packaging Initiatives for industry are rolled out.

SINGAPORE, 16 November 2011: The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), is taking on the challenge of green manufacturing by spurring R&D collaborations on remanufacturing technologies with NTU and NUS as well as launching initiatives to grow eco-friendly industries .

Investing in 10 New Projects in Remanufacturing Technologies

2. SIMTech is engaging with NUS and NTU on 10 new projects to jointly develop competitive remanufacturing technologies for Singapore’s manufacturing companies. This is the first such instance of significant investment in remanufacturing projects by the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of A*STAR. The projects were awarded by SERC in September 2011. Read more

BambooBee and Milaap among Top 6 in Grand Final of ideas.inc. Business Challenge 2011

The ideas.inc. Top15 Semi-Final and Start-Up Showcase was held last Friday, where the best 15 ideas from the business competition were pitched to a panel of 10 judges. The Top 6 startups – Avetics, BambooBee, Safe Marine, Tech Armory, Sorgen, and Milaap – were chosen for the Grand Final and received S$50,000 each. Green Business Times is glad that BambooBee and Milaap, startups with green business ideas, are in the Top 6.

The ideas.inc. Business Challenge is a business idea competition organised by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and SPRING Singapore, and is open to all students below the age of 26. The competition, which started in Nov 2010, provides support and guidance to help aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups transform their business ideas into real business models, through business workshops and experienced mentors. Read more

Green Business Ideas in Top 15 of the ideas.inc. Business Challenge 2011

The ideas.inc. Business Challenge is a business idea competition organised by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and SPRING Singapore, and is open to all students below the age of 26. The competition, which started in Nov 2010, provides support and guidance to help aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups transform their business ideas into real business models, through business workshops and experienced mentors.

During the Semi-Final Phase, 15 semi-finalists would receive S$15,000 each and given 3 months to complete their Proof of Concept, including feasibility studies, market research and development of their prototypes. During the Grand-Final Phase, 6 grand-finalists would receive S$50,000 each and given 2 months to begin early commercialisation and penetration into the market. The Grand-Final on 23 Sep 2011 would see 3 best start-ups winning a S$100,000 Incubation Grant each (made up of cash and services). Read more

Singapore Standard Developed to Improve Energy Efficiency at Data Centres and Support Environmental Sustainability [Press Releases]

Data Centres (DCs) in Singapore can now look forward to a set of standards to help them put in place the necessary policies, systems and processes to improve their energy efficiency and minimise environmental impact. Developed by the IT Standards Committee (ITSC) together with Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and SPRING Singapore, the Singapore Standard for Green Data Centres – Energy and Environmental Management Systems (SS564:2010) – is a certifiable management system that provides DCs with a framework and methodology to achieve energy efficiency. This is modeled after established international management system standards, and is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) continual improvement framework. Read more

Green Data Centre Forum 2011 [Events]

Date: March 31, 2011 (Thursday)

Time: 8:15 am – 5:30 pm

Venue: Singapore Management University, Conference Hall 1, Level 5, Administration Building, 81 Victoria Street, Singapore 188065

Data centres can no longer pay scant attention to the rising costs of energy prices as power typically takes up half the operating costs of a data centre. An energy efficient data centre, along with concerns for its environmental impact, should now be in the radar of CXOs.

Jointly organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and SPRING Singapore, the Green Data Centre Forum is a full day free event that brings together a host of distinguished speakers to share on various topics ranging from standards, best practices, energy assessment and innovations that will help the forum delegates embark on a journey to green or greener data centres.

The Keynote Speaker is Ray Pfeifer, Co-chair, Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Data Centre Efficiency Initiative. IDA and SPRING Singapore will also jointly unveil the Singapore Standard for Green Data Centres, which is developed to help organisations establish the necessary policies, systems and processes to improve the energy efficiency and minimise the environmental impact of their data centres (DCs) in Singapore.

Visit the event website for more info and registration.

Source: Green Data Centre Forum

Introducing ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social Responsibility

The latest International Standard ISO 26000:2010 – Guidance on Social Responsibility, was launched yesterday by SPRING Singapore at a seminar to introduce the new standard to the business community.

What is ISO 26000

ISO 26000 provides social responsibility guidance for all types of organisations, such as MNCs and big corporations, SMEs, non-governmental organisations and government agencies.

As the world moves towards an age of radical transparency, organisations and stakeholders become increasingly aware of the need for socially and environmentally responsible behaviour. ISO 26000 is thus a timely and relevant guide to help organisations understand what social responsibility is and what they need to do to operate in a socially responsible way. Read more

Grants and Call For Collaboration on ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Emission Projects

SPRING Singapore has a pilot project programme to encourage companies to adopt and implement the ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Emission standard. As part of the ISO 14064 implementation, companies can implement a Greenhouse Gas Emission project.

The ISO 14064 series of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) standards includes:

1) ISO 14064 Part 1:2006 – Greenhouse gases – Specification with guidance at the organisation level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals

2) ISO 14064 Part 2:2006 – Greenhouse gases – Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emission reductions or removal enhancements

3) ISO 14064 Part 3:2006 – Greenhouse gases – Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions

Implementing ISO 14064 is intended to achieve the following benefits:

• Promote consistency, transparency and credibility in GHG quantification, monitoring, reporting and verification;
• Enable organizations to identify and manage GHG-related liabilities, assets and risks;
• Facilitate the trade of GHG allowances or credits, and
• Support the design, development and implementation of comparable and consistent GHG schemes or programmes.

The pilot project programme is managed by the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa). Companies participating in this pilot project will be given grants for the following, on a reimbursement basis:

• Manpower related costs (up to 70%)
• Equipment, Software and Materials (up to 70%)
• Professional Services – Consultancy fees (up to 70%)
• Testing and Certification (up to 30%)

The company should generate a 10 times return on fundable amount, cumulatively over three years after the project (eg. increase in revenue or decrease in operational cost).

Interested companies can obtain the application form from SMa. For details about the programme, contact Ms Mitchelle Yong at tel: 6826 3059 or email: mitchelleyong@smafederation.org.sg.

Source: Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa)

Grants for Singapore Companies to Implement the ISO 14064 Standards on Greenhouse Gas Management

Under the Standards Implementation for Productivity (SIP) Project on Greenhouse Gas Management, SPRING Singapore is providing grants for Singapore registered companies and organisations to implement the ISO 14064 Standards on Greenhouse Gas Management. The SIP pilot projects are funded by SPRING to assist local industries in the implementation of standards for the manufacturing and services sectors. Read more

Leading Enterprises Consolidate Efforts to Champion Sustainable Manufacturing in Singapore

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