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Business Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
BT's new Sustainability Impact Dialogue seeks to spark change for good
[SINGAPORE] As sustainability grows more urgent, so does the need for deeper, action-oriented conversations. The inaugural Sustainability Impact Dialogue aims to help fill that gap. Held at SPH Media's Studio+65, the four-part series is a new extension of the Sustainability Impact Awards (SI Awards), now in its third edition and jointly organised by The Business Times and UOB. The first session, themed 'Navigating Sustainability Forward', will take place on Jul 22 and will feature Dr Amy Khor, former senior minister of state for sustainability and the environment, and Eric Lim, UOB's chief sustainability officer. Moderated by BT editor Chen Huifen, the dialogue will explore how businesses are moving beyond compliance and positioning sustainability as a driver of innovation, resilience, and brand value. While the first session is a closed-door event with a small audience, which includes C-suite leaders from corporates, a post-event coverage will be published in BT for those interested in the key insights and discussions. The goal of the dialogue, said Lim, is to 'turn conversations into changes for a better future' by spotlighting emerging trends, encouraging the exchange of best practices, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 12.30 PM ESG Insights An exclusive weekly report on the latest environmental, social and governance issues. Sign Up We have other newsletters you might enjoy. Take a look. 'Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and progress happens when we work together with our partners with purpose,' he said. Both BT and UOB hope to catalyse real action by convening sustainability experts, business leaders, policymakers and community advocates. The dialogue series complements the SI Awards, which was launched in 2023 to recognise individuals and businesses in Singapore that have made significant contributions to the country's environmental and social sustainability. The Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the NUS Business School is knowledge partner of the awards. Dr Khor, known for spearheading policies such as the Zero Waste Masterplan, the charge on single-use bags, and improvements to hawker centres, will chair this year's judging panel. Awards will be presented at the SI Awards 2025 Dinner in late September across three main categories: large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and individuals. Following the first session in July, the dialogue will continue with a second event on Aug 21, with the final two scheduled for September and November. Further details will be announced in due course. Those who are interested in attending future sessions of the dialogue may register their interest by sending an e-mail to smlin@ More information on the SI Awards is available at
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Amy Khor to head judging panel for BT's 2025 Sustainability Impact Awards
Dr Amy Khor hopes for awards will guide companies towards responsible growth, helping to reinforce Singapore's role in green finance and sustainable development. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE SINGAPORE - The Sustainability Impact Awards (SI Awards) welcomes a new chief judge to oversee its judging panel in its third run: Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Dr Amy Khor. The awards, which is jointly organised by The Business Times and UOB, recognise individuals and businesses based in Singapore that have made significant positive contributions to the country's social and environmental sustainability. The Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) at the National University of Singapore Business School is its knowledge partner. 'The awards remind us that sustainability is not a peripheral issue, but a central pillar of long-term economic resilience and societal well being,' said Dr Khor. The current geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties have led to some rollbacks in sustainability climate actions. 'The BT SI Awards play an even more important role in spotlighting the tireless efforts of individuals and enterprises leading the charge in sustainability,' she added. Dr Khor also hopes for the awards to 'serve as a beacon' to guide companies towards responsible growth, helping to reinforce Singapore's role in green finance and sustainable development alongside being an international financial and business hub. BT editor Chen Hui Fen said: 'It is a privilege to have Dr Khor on board as chief judge for the SI Awards. She brings with her a wealth of experience and will add depth to our discussions on how to shape the awards and recognise winners. UOB chief sustainability officer Eric Lim, in welcoming Dr Khor, said her deep expertise and strong commitment to advancing sustainable development will help elevate the impact of the awards and the recognition it brings to the winners. The SI Awards specifically looks out for positive and significant environmental and social impact from initiatives introduced by winners. There are three main categories: large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals. Under each category, contestants stand to win either of two awards. Individuals stand to win awards for either Impact Leader of the Year or Impact Leader Excellence. Enterprises – both large and small – are recognised as either Impact Enterprise of the Year or Impact Enterprise Excellence. Dr Khor, who announced her retirement from politics in April this year, is known for driving policies related to the circular economy, the Zero Waste Masterplan, single-use bag charge and hawker centres, among others. She led Singapore's Zero Waste Masterplan in 2019, which aimed to send one-third less waste to the Semakau Landfill, in a bid to help it last longer than the projected 2035. Dr Khor also spearheaded the push for diners at hawker centres, food courts and coffee shops to clear their own dirty trays and litter in 2021. Since 2020, she has also served as Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Transport, with a focus on improving the taxi and private-hire car industry. Her prior roles in the Singapore government include that of Senior Parliamentary Secretary and Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. She was also Senior Minister of State for Health from 2013 to 2020, and Senior Minister of State for Manpower from 2013 to 2015. Nominations for this year's award close on May 16. Those keen to participate can visit the awards website to submit their applications. THE BUSINESS TIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
