Singapore Institute of Directors to launch ‘advanced’ sustainability course for board directors

Jovi Ho
2-min read

The Advanced Programme on Sustainability for Listed Entity Directors is developed in collaboration with KPMG in Singapore.

The Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) will launch a course on sustainability for board directors of listed companies later this year with support from Singapore Exchange S68 Regulation (SGX RegCo).

Unveiled at the inaugural Climate Governance Singapore Forum on July 31, the Advanced Programme on Sustainability for Listed Entity Directors is developed in collaboration with KPMG in Singapore.

The course will cover sustainability governance at the board level, sustainability reporting, steward leadership and scenario planning, sustainable financing, diversity, equity and inclusion and well-being.

According to SID, the national association for company directors, the course prepares board directors to meet the requirements and demands of regulatory requirements, and equips them with advanced knowledge, strategies and skills to further integrate sustainability into business.

In 2022, SGX RegCo announced eight one-time sustainability training courses that directors of listed companies can attend to equip themselves with basic knowledge on sustainability matters. That series, which included SID’s “ESG Essentials” course, has been completed. SID says its upcoming course builds on the previous offering.

“As the adoption of ESG practices mature in Singapore, we’ve heard requests from board directors for ‘next-level’ training on ESG to expand their knowledge and prepare their companies for the next stage of their ESG journey,” says Michael Tang, head of sustainable development office, SGX RegCo. “We congratulate the SID for launching this advanced programme to meet these demands.”

Shai Ganu, SID council member and ESG chapter chair, says the urgency of the climate crisis compels leaders to integrate environmental considerations into decision-making processes. “As stewards of our companies, board directors have a pivotal role in steering our organisations toward sustainable practices. By embracing responsible governance, we can ensure that our businesses not only thrive but also contribute positively to the planet.”

Climate Governance Singapore, the Singapore chapter of the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI), was launched in 2021 to raise awareness of board directors on the impact of climate change. CGI is a non-profit developed in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.

In 2023, SID took on the role of Climate Governance Singapore secretariat. It disseminates resources of CGI and the World Economic Forum to board directors.

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