42 Local Smes Graduate Cdl Led Supplier Decarbonisation Programme
in 2020
On the 7th of October, City Developments (CDL) celebrated the graduation of 42 SMEs from the first batch of its SME Supplier Decarbonisation Queen Bee Programme. This programme, which is led by CDL, aims to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with knowledge, tools and digital platforms to measure, manage and reduce their carbon emissions. It is the first programme of its kind to be led by a real estate company in Singapore.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Singapore Sustainability Academy in City Square Mall and was officiated by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth, Low Yen Ling. Sherman Kwek, Group CEO of CDL, was also in attendance.
The SME Supplier Decarbonisation Queen Bee Programme was launched last May with the support of Enterprise Singapore. Other partners include sustainability consultant Global Green Connect, carbon accounting IT solution providers, and DBS as the programme financier partner.
Some of the companies that successfully completed this inaugural course include: V-Plus Agritech, a Singapore-based agriculture-technology company; Gush, a firm producing sustainable paints; GasHub, United Utility, a local energy provider business; Kai Xiang Huat, a B2B fruit wholesaler; Meta Fusion, a design agency; and SAS M&E, a turnkey contractor in air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation.
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According to Low, the success of this programme demonstrates how businesses in Singapore, from large real estate groups like CDL, SMEs and other industry stakeholders, can work together to advance the country’s decarbonisation journey.
The launch of this programme coincides with Singapore’s rollout of mandatory sustainability reporting standards, which will require the largest listed companies to report on Scope 3 value chain emissions starting from FY2026. Meanwhile, the timeline for large non-listed companies to implement Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been deferred to FY2030.
“This adjustment is especially important for our SMEs and micro-enterprises, which need more time to build up their capabilities for accurate and credible disclosures. We want climate reporting to be meaningful to all stakeholders and not just to tick the boxes,” says Low.
The event also saw the launch of the CDL MicroFarm on the sixth floor of City Square Mall. In Singapore, SMEs make up 99% of local enterprises, hire 70% of the local workforce and contribute 40% of the country’s GDP. Their involvement throughout the supply chain means that it is crucial to strengthen their sustainability capabilities for Singapore to achieve its net-zero ambition under the national Green Plan 2030.
For example, SAS M&E pointed out that it recognised significant downstream emissions from its after-sales support, which accounted for over 30% of its total GHG emissions. It has since invested in technologies to recover and recycle these fugitive gases.
However, SMEs still face challenges in navigating decarbonisation due to their limited resources, manpower, and expertise. Donald Ng, director of Kai Xiang Huat, says that as a small business with limited resources and no owned property, implementing green solutions was a challenge.
Some of the SMEs from the programme showcased their companies during the event. Through financial subsidies, expert coaching, and innovative digital platforms, this programme makes decarbonisation practical and achievable for SMEs, says Kwek. He adds that the CDL-led programme will continue to strengthen supply chain resilience by enabling SMEs to adopt carbon accounting, develop decarbonisation roadmaps, and better align themselves with global sustainability reporting standards.
“In today’s highly competitive economy, SMEs who show capacity for carbon reporting will stand out as preferred suppliers,” he says.
To be eligible for the programme, companies must be: Business entities registered and operating in Singapore, have a minimum of 30% ownership by Singapore citizens or PRs, be a local SME and existing or potential supplier to CDL, have a strong commitment to decarbonisation, and be open to building capabilities in carbon accounting, emissions tracking, and reporting.
CDL also announced that it would launch an abridged version of the programme — the CDL Queen Bee Compact: Accelerating SME readiness for a low-carbon future. This condensed course aims to kickstart sustainability leadership and equip SMEs with essential capabilities, such as developing climate-related reports to stay ahead of growing client procurement requirements.