Building Capabilities for a more Sustainable Future (Webinar series schedule)

1) Topic: Climate Change, Risks and Sustainability

Date: 2nd February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Dr Stephen Chua, Earth Observatory of Singapore

Synopsis

Climate change is an existential threat to the future of civilisation. In the last decade, natural disasters resulted in more than a million deaths and almost US$3 trillion in economic losses. It is predicted that climate change would cost the world’s economy up to US$23 trillion by 2050 (NY Times, 22 April 2021). Global economies will be under increasing pressure, not merely from the rising cost but also the unpredictability of the risk it faces from climate change. Although the outlook seems bleak, much of the fear stems from a lack of knowledge of the science and nature of climate change. Understanding the science behind climate change can mitigate some risks and allow adaptation to others.

In this talk, you will learn about the earth’s climate, the impact our civilisation is having on it, and the resulting changes. You will be presented with the latest research on past climate change and how it relates to today’s conditions in the latest IPCC AR6 report, as well as the latest projections for future climate change and sea-level rise. In a nutshell, this talk will give you the knowledge and tools to consider aspects of climate change to inform your personal and professional decision-making.

Speaker

Dr Stephen Chua is a post-doctoral Research Fellow at the Earth Observatory of Singapore, where his research focuses on Holocene sea-level rise, climate and coastal change. He reconstructs past sea levels and environmental change in Singapore and Southeast Asia during the Quaternary (last 2.6 million years) period by applying sedimentological and geochemical methods on geological proxies (e.g., mangrove peat) from sediment cores.

Dr Stephen Chua was a Visiting Research Associate of the British Geological Survey in 2015-16. He was awarded the Endeavour Research Fellowship (Australian Government) in 2017 to conduct isotopic analysis of sediments at the Advanced Analytical Centre, James Cook University, Cairns. He is on the Singapore Stratigraphic Committee (2014 – present) and co-authored the landmark Singapore Geology Memoir (2021), which guides all future geoengineering projects. He also published Singapore’s longest sea-level record going back 10,000 years, providing critical information for guiding adaptation measures against future sea-level rise.

2) Topic: Introduction to Climate Risk Assessment

Date: 9th February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr James Wong, Willis Towers Watson

Synopsis

In this sharing session, we will provide a high-level overview covering:

Types of climate risks

Why is risk assessment important for organisations?

Techniques and challenges of Climate risk assessment

Speaker

Mr James Wong has 20 years of experience with professional accounting and risk management firms and is the regional leader for WTW’s Strategic Risk Consulting practice. Since joining WTW in 2017, James has led over 100 engagements, including assessing and quantifying complex and emerging risks (including climate) and optimising risk finance programs.

(Please note that the 9th of February session will be a pre-recorded session.)

3) Topic: Financing Sustainability in Asia

Date: 16th February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr See Sang Lye, DBS

Synopsis

In this session, Mr Sang Lye SEE will discuss the topic “Financing sustainability in Asia”, in conjunction with the Republic Polytechnic series of webinars on Sustainability. He will be sharing his experience and knowledge on the topics below:

1) Types and categories of sustainable financing products.

2) How should a company approach a bank for sustainability-linked banking facilities?

3) How would a bank evaluate, and structure sustainability-linked financing for a potential customer?

4) What are the carbon-intensive and sensitive industries and what is transition finance?

5) What are the trends and challenges ahead in sustainability finance?

Speaker

Sang Lye SEE, Executive Director, Institutional Banking Group Sustainability, has more than 20 years of corporate banking experience. During his decade-long stint with DBS, he has managed teams and served customers in different market segments, industry sectors and regions. He led a team that expanded the natural rubber segment and other commodities in DBS. He implemented the first batch of sustainability-linked loans, originated and led the completion of a block-chain ESG-related supply chain platform with a Singapore-based agriculture firm. He also led a team to invest in a sustainable rubber supply chain platform (Heveaconnect). He was part of the team that first set up the Responsible Financing Sector Guides in DBS. He was last assigned to DBSChina to grow sustainable finance in China which saw significant growth under his lead.

4) Topic: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Sustainability in SMRT

Date: 23rd February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr Tan Jianlong, SMRT

Synopsis

Trains are Singapore’s most environmentally friendly mode of public commute. Even then, SMRT continuously seeks improvements in sustainability. In support of Singapore Green Plan 2030, SMRT has been co-developing and deploying various technologies to make its systems and operations smarter and greener. In this sharing, Mr Tan Jianlong will share SMRT’s journey so far, using specific examples to highlight achievements and explain how challenges were overcome. He will also share the roadmap to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Speaker

In his primary portfolio, Mr Tan Jianlong heads SMRT Trains’ Strategy and Risk Management Department. The department develops and orchestrates SMRT Trains’ strategic plans to drive long-term value for its stakeholders. It also oversees the organisation’s risk management and governance processes, to assure compliance with applicable operational, regulatory and legal requirements, and to keep pace with best business practices.

He holds a secondary portfolio in leading environmental sustainability efforts for SMRT Trains. In this role, he works with different stakeholders to plan and implement efforts to reduce SMRT Trains’ carbon footprint, resource usage and waste generation.

Jianlong holds a Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering) and a Master of Engineering (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Institute of Engineers, Singapore.

5) Topic: Energy Transition towards a Sustainable World

Date: 2nd March 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr Nilesh Y. Jadhav, Qi Square Pte Ltd

Synopsis

Energy-related carbon emissions account for more than 70% of the world's total carbon emissions today. Hence, it is imperative for countries around the world to decarbonise the energy sector. This talk will highlight the key issues in targeting energy transition towards a sustainable world. It will touch upon the technologies and policies that are required to achieve this, along with the challenges and current global trends. However, it is a complex subject as energy generation, transmission, and energy end-use have all to be considered in the energy transition journey. Apart from the global energy perspective, the talk will also cover Singapore's plans to achieve its Net-Zero goals by 2050.

Speaker

Mr Nilesh Y. Jadhav is currently the co-founder and CEO of Qi Square Pte Ltd, a local Singapore start-up focusing on digitalising the built environment ecosystem. Nilesh is a passionate clean energy technopreneur with more than 20 years of industry experience. His experience spans across technology development, operations, management, R&D, and start-ups in the clean energy space. He has been actively involved in clean energy policy development through participation in government-led national and international projects such as the Energy Technology Primers and Roadmaps with the Singapore National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS). He is a published author, educator, executive trainer, coach, and facilitator in the sustainability and clean energy space. He has also served on the advisory board of government and semi-government institutions such as the Building Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore, the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC), the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), and International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN). Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering) and a Master of Engineering (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Institute of Engineers, Singapore.

6) Topic: Climate action and Decarbonisation Strategy

Date: 9th March 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Er. TAN Seng-Chuan, Tembusu Asia consulting Pte Ltd

Speaker

Er. Tan Seng-Chuan holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) in 1983 and a Master of Science (Building Science) in 1991 from the National University of Singapore. He is a Professional Engineer (Civil), Chartered Engineer (Environment & Water) registered in Singapore, GHG Accounting Lead Verifier and a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional.

His professional experiences cover Sustainability, Environmental, Engineering and Program management in the sectors of Sustainability, Climate Change, Environmental, Water and Wastewater, Energy & Power, Built Environment, Chemical and Petrochemical, Oil & Gas and other infrastructure projects in the Asia Pacific region.

Er. Tan held various positions early in his career and rose to Assistant General Manager at Jurong Engineering Ltd. In 2010, he was appointed Regional Director responsible for the operation and development of the environmental services business in the Asia Pacific Region. In 2015 he joined Ramboll Environ (Asia Pacific) as Regional Managing Director leading the development and implementation of company strategies across 12 offices in the Asia Pacific. Presently, he serves as Managing Director of TEMBUSU Asia Consulting Pte Ltd, a leading sustainability consultancy company in Asia focusing on developing and implementing United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.

Er. Tan is the Emeritus President of the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES), where he served as President from 2006 to 2008. He also served as President of the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP) from 2007 to 2011, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Engineers Coordinating Committee and member of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) Governing Board from 2015 to 2019.

He has been the Chairman of the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Professional Monitoring Committee since 2006, which strategies practice and training initiatives to improve water quality and mitigate the impact of climate change. Presently he serves as Executive Vice President of the World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO) and Chairman of the Chartered Engineering Board.

Building Capabilities for a more Sustainable Future (Webinar series schedule)

1) Topic: Climate Change, Risks and Sustainability

Date: 2nd February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Dr Stephen Chua, Earth Observatory of Singapore

Synopsis

S﻿peaker

2﻿) Topic: Introduction to Climate Risk Assessment

Date: 9th February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr James Wong, Willis Towers Watson

Synopsis

Speaker

3) Topic: Financing Sustainability in Asia

Date: 16th February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr See Sang Lye, DBS

S﻿ynopsis

Speaker

4﻿) Topic: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Sustainability in SMRT

Date: 23rd February 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr Tan Jianlong, SMRT

Synopsis

Speaker

5﻿) Topic: Energy Transition towards a Sustainable World

Date: 2nd March 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Mr Nilesh Y. Jadhav, Qi Square Pte Ltd

Synopsis

Speaker

6) Topic: Climate action and Decarbonisation Strategy

Date: 9th March 2023

Time: 7:00 pm

Speaker: Er. TAN Seng-Chuan, Tembusu Asia consulting Pte Ltd

Speaker

Speaker

2) Topic: Introduction to Climate Risk Assessment

Synopsis

4) Topic: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Sustainability in SMRT

5) Topic: Energy Transition towards a Sustainable World