Ten individuals and organisations were celebrated for their contributions to environmental and social well-being at the inaugural Sustainability Impact Awards presented by The Business Times and UOB, with the Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) at the National University of Singapore Business School as the knowledge partner.
The winners include Impact Enterprise of the Year winners Singtel (Large Enterprise) and The Social Kitchen (SME), as well as Impact Leader of the Year Mr Preston Wong.
UOB Deputy Chairman and CEO Mr Wee Ee Cheong started off the event with his opening address, while Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu, delivered a keynote speech.
A sustainable and inclusive event
In keeping with the key theme of the Sustainability Impact Awards, care was taken by The Business Times and UOB to ensure that the event itself was both sustainable and inclusive.
The trophy — which was conceptualised by UOB, The Business Times, and eco-friendly provider Brambe — took on an organic leaf form with three distinguished veins. This symbolises the sustainability aspect of the award while the venation represents the three tenets of environmental, social and corporate governance.
The trophies were consciously handcrafted with an eco-friendly material, Jesmonite, while upcycling used coffee grounds. Each piece is unique to every award recipient and embodies artisanal and environmentally friendly qualities.
The event also adhered to the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment’s (MSE) recommendations down to the selection of potted plants for door gifts. The 220-strong attendees also enjoyed a lunch menu that was prepared with locally and sustainably sourced ingredients.
International sand art virtuoso, Lawrence Koh, contributed a specially curated sand art interpretation of the Sustainability Impact Award.
The event was closed with a performance by the Inclusive Arts Movement, a group that aims to create social awareness for DIfferently-Abled Talents while providing them a sustainable income through music performances and the performing arts.
Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, said, “As a responsible financial steward, UOB is here for the long term, to drive positive actions and impact for communities and economies. While this transition will not be an easy journey for all, we are committed and will continue to catalyse change. We hope these awards will encourage more to step up and drive sustainable development.”
Ms Chen Huifen, Editor of BT, said, “As sustainability is not a new agenda, BT would like to recognise the various efforts that have had an impact on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters. We are seeking companies and individuals that have gone beyond treating ESG as a box-checking exercise. We would like to encourage everyone to continue their good work and positively impact the environment and society.”
Get to know the winners
- Singtel was named Impact Enterprise of the Year under the Large Enterprise category for its outstanding efforts in uplifting the community through digitalisation, innovation, capacity building and philanthropy programmes.
- The Social Kitchen also clinched the same award under the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) category. It provided tremendous on-ground community support through meal donations, and empowering the underprivileged and marginalised individuals through training and employment opportunities.
- Three other large enterprises – CapitaLand Group, City Developments Limited, and ENGIE South East Asia, and three other SMEs – Kaer, MINDSET and Speco – were also presented with the Impact Enterprise Excellence Awards for their various sustainability initiatives.
- Mr Preston Wong was named the Impact Leader of the Year under the Individual Category. As the CEO and co-founder of sustainability tech start-up treatsure, Mr Wong has been advocating the reduction of food waste in Singapore, and raising awareness of food sustainability issues. Another sustainability champion,
- Mr Clarence Chua, beekeeper and owner of the Sundowner, was also recognised under the Individual Excellence Awards. Mr Chua has been championing the cause of bees in Singapore by hosting educational experiences and rescuing bees.
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