Photo 1: The hybrid launch event was held on 11 January 2022 at CDL’s Singapore Sustainability Academy. It included a dynamic plenary session hosted by CDL Chief Sustainability Officer Ms Esther An (extreme left, in green) and GGC Founder and CEO Ms Christina Lee (extreme right, in white). It featured the following speakers: (from left to right) UOB Chief Sustainability Officer Mr Eric Lim, AIA Group Head of Sustainability Ms Amita Chaudhury and PALO IT Managing Director Mr Vincent Desclaux. Willis Towers Watson Managing Director, Global Leader - Executive Compensation Mr Shai Ganu, joined via Zoom from Amsterdam.

Photo 2: Attended by 50 in-person guests and close to 200 virtual attendees, the event was held in line with prevailing safe distancing measures.

Singapore – City Developments Limited (CDL) and Global Green Connect (GGC) have launched Sustainability Connect, a platform to connect and empower sustainability professionals amidst growing demand for ESG training. Leveraging CDL’s and GGC’s global network of experienced sustainability professionals from diverse sectors and industries, it aims to equip practitioners with the necessary skills to transform and future-proof businesses for long-term success.

The platform will organise workshops, panels, and other training initiatives on a wide range of key sustainability issues, including green finance, sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement, impact investing and innovation. It has secured strong support from global and local knowledge partners, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Sustainability Connect aligns with local goals to support sustainability-related jobs, which is part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030’s Green Economy pillar.

Ms Esther An, CDL Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “As sustainability is now mainstream on global, national, and business agendas, the demand for skilled and experienced ESG practitioners has risen dramatically. Sustainability Connect will address this urgent need, grooming the next generation of sustainability leaders to tackle the ever-changing ESG landscape. Leveraging the Singapore Sustainability Academy’s extensive network of experts, this partnership with GGC Academy will see a rapid expansion of our global ecosystem of partnerships, contributing to professional capacity building, for the good of the planet and people.”