Applications open for the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2023
Applications for the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2023 are now open, and this year sees the introduction of a brand new category recognizing companies making progress in reducing their carbon emissions.
Now in its eighth year and taking place on November 3, 2023, the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards is the Singapore benchmark of excellence in corporate sustainability. Organised by UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, it recognises businesses whose operations or solutions have demonstrated excellence in
embodying the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact, in the areas of environment, human rights, labour and anti-corruption, as well as companies who have attained the triple bottom line.
The new invite-only LowCarbonSG awards category is helmed by the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) Singapore, jointly launched by GCNS and World Bank’s CPLC in 2018. This awards category recognizes businesses that have made outstanding improvements in their carbon emissions (at least 5% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions) over a 24-month period through a commendable
level of effort and / or investment.
The launch of the new award coincides with the fifth anniversary of CPLC Singapore, which is spearheading the nationwide capability-building LowCarbonSG Programme. The programme is supported by the National Environment Agency and Enterprise Singapore, and helps local companies mitigate their climate impact while reducing operational costs and risks via its industry-leading Carbon
and Emissions Recording Tool (CERT).
“We are delighted to open applications for this year’s Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards, with the addition of our new LowCarbonSG awards category, providing a prestigious new green credential for companies making real impact when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint, said Esther Chang, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Singapore. “At a time when the need for climate action grows in urgency globally, and Singapore continues to
toughen its climate targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the LowCarbonSG award cuts through the noise, providing an independently validated confirmation of a company’s progress in reducing their carbon emissions and playing their part in securing a greener and more sustainable future for all.”
Based on data collected via its CERT tool, shortlisted candidates from the LowCarbonSG Programme, who qualify for the LowCarbonSG award, will be invited to apply. After an on-site validation process, three winners will be selected by CPLC Singapore and the LowCarbonSG Award knowledge partner,
The Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education, to receive the prestigious accolade, which will be awarded by the GCNS Guest of Honour during the Apex Awards Gala. Other Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards categories include Sustainable Business – companies that demonstrate excellence in implementing sustainable business practices within the core operations, and Sustainable Solutions – companies that excel in developing products or services that address the sustainability needs of other businesses.
Apex Awards entries for the Sustainable Business and Sustainable Solutions categories are shortlisted by the awards’ knowledge partners ENGIE Impact and Frost & Sullivan respectively. Following this, site visits will be carried out with the shortlisted companies, who will present their case to a panel of industry experts to decide the final winners via a unanimous vote. Companies who excel in each sustainability category of the awards stand a chance of winning the coveted Apex Award. Last year, Sodexo Singapore was awarded this top honor, thanks to the
company’s holistic approach to sustainability, spanning food waste management, its inclusive workplace and impactful youth programmes.
Other 2022 Apex Award winners included urban space solutions provider Keppel Land Limited; pulp and paper manufacturer APRIL Group, and Singapore telco StarHub in the Sustainable Business category, and in the Sustainable Solutions category, Environmental Solutions Asia for its innovative circular economy approach to waste management; Hydroball Technics (SEA) for its energy
conservation solution; and N&E Innovations for its eco-friendly disinfectant ‘C2plus’.
Applications for this year’s Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards will close on June 9, 2023. To find out more information and apply, please visit https://apexawards.unglobalcompact.sg/
Ed. While some critics of awards ceremonies cite their subjectivity, self-promotion and focus on promoting and rewarding commercial success, there are also benefits to these type of events. By highlighting successful sustainability initiatives, sustainability awards create role models and showcase best practices that can be replicated in other contexts. This helps to drive innovation and promote sustainability as a core value in business, government, and society at large.
Sustainability awards also provide an opportunity to raise public awareness and encourage public participation in sustainable initiatives. They can help to promote the importance of sustainability and inspire individuals to take action in their personal and professional lives.
Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash.
The UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) is the local chapter of the United Nations Global Compact. As the leading voice on corporate sustainability, GCNS drives multi-stakeholder action to forge a more sustainable future, founded on the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through various platforms and partnerships, GCNS advances the stewardship of sustainable business practices and Singapore’s national agenda of becoming a regional sustainable business hub.
