About Us
The Sustainable and Green Finance Institute (SGFIN) is a research institute established by the National University of Singapore (NUS). SGFIN provides deep research capabilities in sustainable and green finance with the focal point on Asia and contributes thought leadership to shape sustainability outcomes in policymaking across the financial sector and the economy at large.
Supported by exceptional domain experts across NUS, SGFIN equips businesses with critical knowledge across disciplines to better quantify the environmental and social impacts of their business developments, operations, products, and services. SGFIN also provides education, training, and toolkits to integrate sustainability dynamics into their business strategies and investment decisions. In essence, SGFIN facilitates companies and institutions in embedding sustainability as a core pillar in their business decisions.
Recent News
Counting Carbon in MICE
Associate Professor Zhang Weina (Department of Finance) explained how large-scale MICE events generate carbon emissions across areas such as travel, catering and booth construction. Using SGFIN’s carbon calculator, she demonstrated how emissions can accumulate, underscoring the importance of measuring carbon impact as a first step towards more responsible event planning. Similar posts were shared on …
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Best Practices in Non-Financial Services to Scale SME Sustainability in Asia-Pacific
As part of its mission to advance sustainable finance and support SME transition around the world, SGFIN contributed a case study to the “SME Best Practice Guide” published by International Finance Corporation (IFC) SME Finance Forum to share the insights on how non-financial services can unlock sustainable finance for SMEs. SGFIN’s Deputy Director, Associate Professor …
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Which Digital Habits Leave the Biggest Carbon Trail?
Associate Professor Zhang Weina (Department of Finance) highlighted the three platforms with the highest carbon footprints are Netflix, Zoom and TikTok, due to high-resolution video streaming and cloud data storage. She also noted that activities such as conferences, workshops and seminars can generate substantial carbon emissions. See similar posts on Facebook and TikTok. NUS Business …
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Commentary on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Levy on Singapore’s Air Cargo Sector
Associate Professor Zhang Weina, Deputy Director of SGFIN commented that the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy on outbound cargo will likely be passed on to end customers. This may negatively impact the price competitiveness of Singapore’s exports. However, as transit and inbound cargo will be exempt from this levy, the impact on companies using Singapore as a …
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Finance as a Catalyst for a Sustainable Future
In a compelling episode of the AIB Podcast, Professor Johan Sulaeman, Director of SGFIN, shared how green finance is reshaping the future of capital allocation. Moving beyond traditional profit-driven models, green finance is emerging as a strategic lever to drive long-term environmental and social value. Prof Johan highlighted the urgent need for clearer impact metrics, …
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Shaping Asia’s Net-Zero Future
With the closure of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, Prof Johan Sulaeman, Director of SGFIN, highlighted a pivotal moment for Asian banks and regulators. He emphasized that transparency, consistent climate disclosures, and stronger accountability are essential to maintain credible net-zero commitments. While the absence of a global oversight body creates challenges, it also presents a rare …
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Singapore’s multibillion-dollar events industry has a hidden cost
For too long, the environmental cost of major events have been discounted – invisible behind ticket sales and headline attendance. In the Straits Times, Associate Professor Zhang Weina and Yannis Yuan propose that Singapore’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry must measure and disclose its true carbon footprint to stay competitive on the global …
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Financing Climate Resilience: Farmers, Carbon Markets, and Capital Markets
Finance sits at the centre of climate resilience – a key insight from Professor Johan Sulaeman, Director of SGFIN, in his keynote address at the International Corporate Governance Conference 2025. Drawing on SGFIN’s research, he illustrated how financial systems connect three critical domains: local adaptation, carbon markets, and global capital markets. By expanding farmer financing, …
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Singapore’s green fuel levy: A step forward but harder work awaits
In a Business Times commentary, SGFIN’s Deputy Director Assoc Prof Zhang Weina, together with Michael Alexander, Fanny Xueqi Or, Jiaxin Zhang, and Feimo Zhang, discussed the challenges and opportunities of developing a sustainable biofuel industry. Using Singapore’s new sustainable aviation fuel levy as context, the article highlights that while the levy is an important first …
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Value Creation in Building Sustainable and Regenerative Cities
In this article published in Urban Solutions (Issue 27), a bi-annual publication by Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), Associate Professor Zhang Weina (Deputy Director of SGFIN), together with SGFIN researchers Fanny Xueqi Or, Feimo Zhang, and Jefferson, examines how cities can move beyond conventional financial metrics to capture the integrated value of green buildings and sustainable …
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