Retail investors across the world, stuck at home during the throes of the pandemic, took to the financial markets some years ago, armed with online brokerage accounts that offered fractionalised share trading and an arsenal of free gifts for new users.
For many, these removed a significant barrier to entry, and newly-minted investors of all ages quickly caught on to the sustainability theme, which then crossed paths with activist investors and a crackdown against greenwashing, particularly among financial institutions (Issue 1045: “Is your financing really green?”).
These investors sped through their adolescence in a matter of years, and so did the world of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing.
The Edge Singapore has been keeping abreast of trends and developments in ESG investing as it matures, informing our readers about the “alphabet soup” of reporting frameworks, international discussions at the annual COP and what they mean for Singapore’s businesses.
Last year’s inaugural edition of Planet Edge featured six stories over 12 pages, including deep-dives into sustainable aviation fuel in Singapore and the potential that ammonia holds in maritime decarbonisation. While important, these stories took a global perspective on issues.
See also: JPMorgan pursues deals to finance shutdown of coal-fired power
This year’s edition of Planet Edge gets closer to the ground, with 11 stories and four special features. This 16-page supplement — also available online — begins with a tour of two new developments in Singapore’s Central Business District, along with a closer look at whether green buildings make economic sense for owners, landlords and tenants.
Another feature story debunks three myths investors may have when considering ESG investing, with views from sustainable finance bankers and analysts.
Within these pages are stories describing real-world struggles with the effects of climate change. A youth activist behind Singapore’s first-ever climate protest at Hong Lim Park insists climate change is a bread-and-butter issue. Swiss Re discusses the “protection gap” in insuring against the effects of extreme weather. A more light-hearted story asks homeowners about how they have spent their $300 climate vouchers from the government.
See also: Indonesia’s ‘ambitious’ net zero, coal phase-out plans ‘challenging’ in reality: BMI
In line with The Edge Singapore’s focus on businesses, this issue also features stories exploring how organisations are adapting to new sustainability considerations. A professor at a local university teaches an online course on sustainable finance. WWF-Singapore’s new chief lists avenues where local firms can seek help when charting their sustainability journeys. A greentech start-up backed by Singtel’s venture fund helps organisations like Thunes and FedEx take on nature projects and even improve their return on investment.
We hope this package of 15 stories helps investors, executives and environmentally-conscious citizens in their own net-zero journeys.
- IOI Central Boulevard Towers: Building a greener future
- Do green buildings really enjoy higher rents and lower costs?
- GuocoLand imbues sustainability into ‘twin growth engines’
- Making the most of the $300 climate vouchers
- Mitsubishi Power charts a path for Asia's hydrogen revolution
- Extreme weather, high premiums: Is insurance necessary to tackle climate change?
- Unlocking public-private-philanthropic partnerships to turbocharge climate finance
- Debunking three myths of ESG investing
- Look for ‘green windows’ before ‘green doors’ close: WWF-SG chief
- Musicians strike a chord with green pledges – but is it enough?
- Sustainable sukuk poised for further growth
- Climate change is a bread-and-butter issue: SG Climate Rally organiser
- How nature projects can help companies raise ROI
- SGFC co-director hopes new sustainable finance courses can deter ‘competence-washing’
- Navigating complexity on the path to green shipping
At theedgesingapore.com, stories about ESG with an investing angle are sorted under “Environmental, Social and Governance”, while stories about sustainability initiatives by organisations or governments are labelled “Sustainability”.
