CDL and GGC Launch Sustainability Connect to Address Strong Demand for ESG Training

  • New platform leverages a global network of experts and partners to connect and scale up skills for sustainability professionals

Singapore, 12 January 2022 –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. A 2021 report by SkillsFuture Singapore also covered the strong demand for ESG roles, highlighting the rising job opportunities in the green economy and the skills required for them across different sectors.[1]

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.”

CDL’s Singapore Sustainability Academy (SSA) is Singapore’s first ground-up initiative and zero-energy facility dedicated to advocacy, thought leadership, collaboration, and capacity building for climate action. Designed and built by CDL in 2017, the SSA involves an extensive partnership with six government agencies and 15 founding industry and NGO partners. Located at level 6 of City Square Mall, the SSA houses classrooms and facilities for various non-profit organisations to conduct sustainability-related workshops, talks and trainings.

Since its opening on 5 June 2017 till the end of 2020, the SSA has hosted more than 450 sustainability-related training programmes and advocacy events, involving over 18,000 attendees. In 2020, despite restrictions posed by COVID-19, the SSA has continued promoting sustainable lifestyle practices through various virtual workshops. Under the new Virtual SSA (VSSA) platform, CDL hosted a series of sustainability-related talks and sessions that were free and open to the public. In 2020, the VSSA sessions attracted over 1,200 participants from over 25 countries, including Malaysia, Nigeria, Switzerland, Thailand, the USA, and more.

[1] https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/skillsreport

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Issued by City Developments Limited (Co. Regn. No. 196300316Z)

For media enquiries, please contact CDL Sustainability:

Stephanie Chua
Manager
T:  + 6877 8400
E:  [email protected]

Zachary Soh
Senior Executive
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E:   [email protected]

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