UN Global Compact Network Singapore (UNGCNS) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the occasion of SIT Sustainability Day, which brings together industry professionals, partners and the SIT community for knowledge exchange and practical discussions on sustainability. The MoU sets out a shared intention to build sustainability capabilities among companies of all sizes in Singapore and across their supply chains.

The MoU was signed at the SIT Punggol Campus by David Fogarty, CEO and Executive Director of UNGCNS, and Ronnie Tay, Deputy President (Administration) and Chief Financial Officer of SIT and Chairman of SIT’s Sustainability Steering Committee.

As companies move from setting sustainability commitments to delivering them, responsibility is shifting into finance, procurement, operations and risk management. That creates demand for new skills across organisations and throughout their supply chains. The partnership aims to give companies practical support to address their sustainability challenges, strengthen in-house expertise and build the capabilities needed for implementation.

As the Local Network of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, UNGCNS brings together companies across its network to identify their sustainability priorities and capability gaps, so that programmes are shaped around real business needs. As Singapore’s University for Industry, SIT brings complementary capabilities in applied learning, continuing education and workforce development, and applied research. Its capabilities include the Energy Efficiency Technology Centre, developed in collaboration with the National Environment Agency, which supports SMEs through energy assessments while upskilling engineers in industrial energy efficiency.

Through jointly developed sustainability training and industry engagement, UNGCNS and SIT intend to help companies identify capability gaps, set priorities, build practical skills and explore technical solutions to real business challenges. The partners have identified five initial focus areas where capability gaps are most acute and existing training is most limited.

These are Scope 3 emissions and sustainable supply chains; measuring, tracking and reporting emissions and sustainability data across value chains; social sustainability, including people in the value chain; energy and resource efficiency; and sustainability strategy and leadership at management level. 

As a first step, UNGCNS and SIT plan to hold an industry workshop to better understand the sustainability priorities of Singapore’s businesses and professionals, and identify the skills, technology and process gaps that may be hindering progress. Insights from the workshop will help shape subsequent programmes and areas of collaboration around real industry needs, supporting companies in taking meaningful steps towards the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Through our work with companies across Singapore, we see the same gap again and again. Businesses know what they have committed to, and many lack the people and technical know-how to deliver it, particularly among their suppliers. UNGCNS brings a clear view of where companies are getting stuck, and SIT brings the applied expertise to help them move forward. Together, we can give businesses of every size a practical path from commitment to action,” said David Fogarty, CEO and Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Singapore.

“Sustainability is integral to SIT’s mission, from how we equip our learners to how we innovate and work with industry. As sustainability becomes increasingly embedded in business operations and decision-making, we see an important role for SIT in helping companies build the capabilities they need across their workforce. Through our partnership with UNGCNS, we can deepen our understanding of these needs and work with industry to develop relevant skills and practical solutions,” said Mr Ronnie Tay, Deputy President (Administration) and Chief Financial Officer, Singapore Institute of Technology.

Companies and professionals interested in taking part in the industry workshop or future programmes can register their interest at: training@unglobalcompact.sg. 

About the United Nations Global Compact 
As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals. With more than 25,000 companies and other participants based in over 160 countries, and Local Networks around the world, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.

About Global Compact Network Singapore 
Global Compact Network Singapore is the Singapore network of the United Nations Global Compact. It is the leading voice for corporate sustainability in Singapore, bringing together business, government and civil society to build a more sustainable future. Through its programmes and partnerships, Global Compact Network Singapore helps companies adopt sustainable business practices and supports Singapore’s goal of becoming a regional hub for sustainable business.

About the Singapore Institute of Technology 

As the university for industry and Singapore's first university of applied learning, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) offers industry-relevant degree programmes that prepare its graduates to be work- and future-ready professionals. Its mission is to maximise the potential of its learners and to innovate with industry, through an integrated applied learning and research approach, so as to contribute to the economy and society.  

The University’s unique pedagogy integrates work and study, embracing authentic learning in a real-world environment through collaborations with key strategic partners. Its focus on applied research with business impact is aimed at helping industry innovate and grow. SIT’s new centralised campus within the larger Punggol Digital District features a vibrant learning environment where academia and industry are tightly integrated with the community.  

For more information, visit www.SingaporeTech.edu.sg.