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SGFIN Director Professor Johan Sulaeman and Research Fellow Dr David Broadstock, together with two co-authors, contributed to this working paper, exploring the untapped potential of sustainability-linked finance (SLF) to address nature-related risks in Southeast Asia. As the region’s rich biodiversity faces increasing threats from deforestation, water stress, and land-use change, the paper presents the first …

Sustainability-linked finance: bridging nature disclosure gaps in Southeast Asia Read More »

In this article for East Asia Forum, Professor Johan Sulaeman (Director), Associate Professor Zhang Weina (Deputy Director) and Kim Seonghoon (Research Fellow) examine the Singapore–Asia Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (SAT). The SAT has set rigorous standards for green and transition financing, establishing important benchmarks for ASEAN countries interoperable with the EU Taxonomy. To further its …

Bolstering the Singapore–Asia Taxonomy as a regional sustainable finance benchmark Read More »

In two recent Business Times (BT) articles, Professor Johan Sulaeman, Director of SGFIN, commented on the effects of US punishing tariffs on Southeast Asian manufacturers in the renewable energy sector.  In a BT article titled “Greater ASEAN integration could prevent tariff-induced slowdown in energy transition: observers”, Professor Johan Sulaeman discussed the impact of U.S. tariffs …

Tariffs Test Southeast Asia’s Clean Energy Exports Read More »

We were honoured to host Professor Matthew Agarwala, Bennett Professor of Sustainable Finance at the University of Sussex, for an insightful lecture on the vital role of nature in shaping the future of finance and economic development. He advocated for a new economic model that moves beyond GDP to include natural, human, social, and institutional …

Who Will Pay For A Sustainable World, And Who Will Gain? Read More »

As the global demand for carbon credits continues to grow, so does the debate surrounding their actual impact. Questions remain over whether carbon credits truly deliver the environmental and economic benefits they promise—and how risk is effectively factored into their pricing remains a grey area for many stakeholders. Our opinion piece, published through The Business …

Incorporating Standard Disclosures into Carbon Credits Project Read More »

In a recent Business Times (BT) article, Singapore’s three major local banks—OCBC, UOB, and DBS—have been named in a report by environmental group Market Forces for financing Indonesia’s Harita Group, whose nickel smelting operations are powered primarily by coal. OCBC led with US$635 million in loans since 2018, followed by UOB (US$201 million) and DBS …

Singapore banks flagged for financing Harita’s coal-powered nickel smelters Read More »

A/Prof Zhang Weina was invited by the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) to present at the Regenerative City Forum workshop on 14 Mar 2025, which focused on “Enabling and Scaling Regenerative Design for Singapore.” She introduced SGFIN’s Integrated Return on Investment (IROI) framework, which measures Economic, Environmental, Social, and Governance (EESG) factors by considering interlinked …

Centre for Liveable Cities | Regenerative City Forum Read More »

Singapore’s 2035 climate targets are achievable but pose significant challenges amid geopolitical uncertainties, experts say. Meeting the emissions reduction goal will require strong government support, international cooperation, and advancements in emerging technologies such as green electricity imports and carbon capture. However, the transition may drive up energy costs, potentially sparking public resistance. Several experts, including …

Government backing and geopolitical stability key to achieving Singapore’s climate targets Read More »

On 17 Jan 2025, A/Prof Weina Zhang presented the findings on the impact valuation of energy transition projects in Asia at the Cross Border Electricity Trading Thematic Workshop. She shared the Integrated Return on Investment methodology, which assessed >350 green bond-financed projects based on economic, environmental, and social impacts. The findings revealed the pivotal roles …

CBET Thematic Workshop Read More »

Taking into account the sustained productivity growth, improved economic outlook, and expected moderation in inflation in 2024, the National Wages Council has recommended for fair and sustainable wage increments for workers. Prof Sumit Agarwal, Managing Director of SGFIN and Professor of Finance, Economics, and Real Estate at NUS Business School, shared his thoughts on this …

Recommendations by National Wages Council on Fair and Sustainable Wage Increase Read More »