Marie Cheong

AIGCC Director of Investor Practice Monica B. will be speaking virtually at Moody's Ratings' Green Tech Innovation Summit 2024 on "Leveraging green tech innovation on Asia’s path to net zero". RSVP: https://bit.ly/45a58aW Date: Wednesday, 19 June Time: 2:00pm to 3.30pm HKT/SGT (GMT+8) Discussion topics include: ➡ What are the drivers of and hurdles for green tech innovation in APAC? ➡ Where will the financing for green tech come from? ➡ How can governments support economic development and carbon transition? ➡ How do we avoid unintended environmental and social consequences from decarbonisation? Joining her on the panel are: - Ben McQuhae, Co-Founder, Executive Committee Member and Special Advisor to the Chairman, Hong Kong Green Finance Association (HKGFA) - Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - John Wang, CFA, Vice President - Senior Analyst, ESG, Moody's Ratings - Ada Li, Vice President – Senior Credit Officer, Project & Infrastructure Finance, Moody's Ratings - Natasha Brereton-Fukui, Senior Vice President, Global ESG Research, Moody's Ratings . . . #greentech #netzero #decarbonisation #decarbonization #APAC #greentechnology #technology #techinnovation

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COP29 is positioned as the 'finance COP'. While Singapore is not obligated under the Paris Agreement to provide funds for climate action, Singapore has committed US$500 million as concessional capital to support a blended finance initiative to combat and adapt to climate change in lower-income countries. This US$500 million serves as a catalyst to raise funds in commercial capital and other sources of finance to accelerate capital flows to support Asia green transition. #cop29 #cop29sgpavilion

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Many founders I come across don’t have the full visibility/knowledge of the different sources of capital available for their solution type - VC still tends to be the default considered by early-stage startups. If you’re operating a startup (with a social and/or environmental impact angle) in Southeast Asia, I’d highly recommend joining the session below (hosted by funders themselves) to learn more about the spectrum of funding types available, from project financing to non-dilutive funding, and to understand which to best consider for the different stages and areas of your operations.

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The latest Singapore Governance and Transparency Index (SGTI) shows that only 67% of smaller firms have a designated board member or committee overseeing sustainability, compared to 90% of larger companies. While it's encouraging to see smaller companies making strides in sustainability reporting, there’s still a significant gap in sustainability governance. I help companies of all sizes integrate sustainability into their operations and governance, ensuring their ESG efforts are documented and actively driving positive change. Whether you're a small company looking to improve your sustainability governance or a more prominent firm aiming to refine your strategies, we can help you make a real impact. Click here to learn more about ConduitIMPACT and how we can help: https://lnkd.in/dFwhVDve & www.conduit.group

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Malaysian Investment Development Authority 's DIAF for ESG Adoption is set to be a game changer! And looking forward to an engaging session! #ESG #Adoption #Malaysia Control Union Malaysia GSES - Global Sustainable Enterprise System

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Did you know that your ESG investment could qualify you for tax reductions? The Singapore's Philanthropy Tax Incentive Scheme (PTIS) aims to boost charitable donations by single-family offices and supports the city-state's goal of becoming a hub for philanthropy. The PTIS offers tax reductions for local and overseas donations made by SFOs. Nine applications and indications of interest have been received since the scheme's launch. This initiative encourages greater philanthropic giving and strengthens Singapore's philanthropic ecosystem. To qualify for PTIS, SFOs must appoint a Philanthropy Professional who manages their philanthropic activities. This role can be filled by hiring a new professional, repurposing an existing employee, or engaging an external service provider. Additionally, SFOs must meet specific economic conditions, such as increased local business spending and hiring additional local professionals. ConduitIMPACT is well-positioned to help family offices navigate the PTIS and maximise their philanthropic impact. Our team provides strategic philanthropy advisory services and ensures donations align with the PTIS requirements. Click here to learn more about ConduitIMPACT: https://lnkd.in/dHCPUMuZ

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With some climate impacts irreversible, investing in climate resilience could pay off: Panel. SINGAPORE - Initiatives that protect communities from climate change impacts, such as building seawalls to keep out rising sea levels, are often funded by governments. But panellists at a sustainability conference on April 17 said there is a business case to be made for private sector involvement as well. Pointing to the latest assessment report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which had warned that certain climate impacts were now irreversible, Mr Jay Koh, co-founder and managing director of investment firm Lightsmith Group, said reports such as this should give investors certainty in putting money into solutions that will improve the resilience of communities. Compared with other assumptions, such as the path of interest rates, inflation and consumer behaviour, there is greater certainty around the near-term trajectory of climate change and the demand drivers for climate resilience. “These are things we can plan against and invest around,” he said. “There is a great growth investment opportunity... in the market for climate resilience and adaptation solutions,” said Mr Koh, who is also founder and chair of the Global Adaptation and Resilience Investment Working Group. The working group is a private investor- ed initiative that aims to galvanise the private sector to channel more investments into resilience.  Mr Koh was speaking at a panel discussion on how private sector finance can be channelled into climate adaptation during the third and final day of Ecosperity Week, a sustainability conference convened by Singapore’s investment company Temasek. Projects that help to cut emissions, such as solar or wind farms, tend to attract more funding than projects that aim to help communities adapt to climate change, like building seawalls or investing in agriculture. The UN estimates that the current adaptation finance gap is US$194 billion (S$264 billion) to US$366 billion per year. Ms Marisa Drew, chief sustainability officer at Standard Chartered Bank, said that defining the commercial opportunities involved in financing adaptation is key to getting the private sector involved. “Because we are private sector actors, we’re here to make a return,” she said. She added that case studies are valuable in helping firms grasp the opportunities involved in the space. “Often, we talk about these things in a very big-picture way. But if we have proof points, your investments that are proving out the return or the project that worked... (we can say) here’s a good one. Copy it. And... that’s when you start to see that scaling effect start to take hold,” said Ms Drew. https://lnkd.in/g9J3J2hh

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This Commnunity Project Helps Mangrove Regenerate Naturally – An ecological and community-based approach has been adopted in Thailand to encourage the natural regeneration of the carbon-storage powerhouse that is the mangrove, preserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and livelihoods. #Biodiversity #Carbon #ConservationEfforts #Hydrology #Mangrove #Regeneration #TreePlanting

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Just two weeks ago, I wrote about Malaysia's upcoming water crisis after attending the United Nations Global Compact's (UNGC) Future Leaders of Water Sustainability 2024 conference last month. And starting today, the Klang Valley region is already undergoing a 3-day water cut till June 7. Seems very much like a coincidence but conserving water is ever so important as water plays a vital role in our survival. But how many of us are mindful of our water footprint? Read the story to better understand why water is an issue of natural security for Malaysia. #UNGC #UnitedNations #SDGs #Malaysia #water #sustainability #FLOWS2024

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Choosing between Climate Action and Socio-Economic Development is a false choice for Asian countries. In simple terms we have to stop messing up our planet but while we do that we also need to ensure that these efforts converge with the investment needed to undo and adapt to the damage already done. The goal must be to integrate adaptation considerations into all efforts to secure the region’s climate transition and growth trajectory. To achieve this, potential funders need to understand how adaptation efforts link with socioeconomic development. Here is why investment in climate adaptation and resilience not only secures future growth but also safeguards current progress. 1. Minimising losses from climate-related extreme events, 2. Securing incomes and livelihoods, 3. Fortifying supply chains against climate risks, and 4. Unlocking new business opportunities. Read our opinion in the AVPN blog that has over 69,000 readers each year. For those of you following the efforts of the AVPN Climate Action platform you will know that we have been prioritizing holistic approaches that bring adaptation and co-benefits to the center of social and public investments to ensure the green transition is just and equitable. #AVPN2024 #OneAsiaOneFuture #AbuDhabi #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture #ResilientFuture Tristan Ace Patrick Chung-wing Yeung Naina Subberwal Batra Vikas Arora Moutushi Sengupta Elyas Tampubolon Hiral Sarvaiya Chauhan Kunal Walia Jagjeet Sareen Sarah Tam Laurence Lien

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Great to chat with the Straits Times Press Singapore about the Mandiri Investible Global Climate Tech Fund. The USD150M Fund, launched from our Singapore office in partnership with the extraordinary team at PT. Mandiri Capital Indonesia (MCI), is the second Climate Tech Fund launched by Investible and will invest in emerging climate tech companies solving for net zero with a global mandate and a SE Asia focus. https://lnkd.in/gaKdjEuB Here at Investible, we believe that bridging capital and innovation across Australia / NZ through SE Asia and globally will identify the best emerging businesses solving the biggest problems. Accessing the right expertise and deep capital pools across multiple geographies to help portfolio companies successfully scale is the key to delivering outsize investor returns in the process. If we can solve for net zero in SE Asia, we will make a large impact in solving for net zero globally. If you'd like to learn more about the Fund and our approach, please reach out to our Singapore and Sydney-based team for a chat Dr Darian McBain Christine Amour-Levar Dr Bill Foo Emilie Sydney-Smith Sam Gibson Charlie Ill Khairu Rejal Ben Lindsay Marie Garcia Trixie Chang #venturecapital #climatetech

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Let’s take a deep dive into climate tech investments in Southeast Asia 👀 The sector is seeing growing interest from investors, with the share of climate tech deals as a proportion of all venture funding explain from 3.2% in 2019 to 9.5% in 2023. Read this report by Shane Chesson and Jaclyn Seow, Openspace Ventures and Claudia Zeisberger, INSEAD as they delve into this further >> http://spr.ly/6044ssAUi #SuperReturn #emergingmarkets #climatetech #investments

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🌍 Assisting Singapore SMEs on Sustainability - 1 company at a time! 🌍 The evolution of Singapore’s sustainability landscape over recent years has been nothing short of remarkable! 🚀 From the 1st sustainability reporting guide introduced by SGX Group in August 2010 to the phased TCFD mandatory reporting that began this year—and now the transition to IFRS S1 and S2 reporting for all listed entities—Singaporean companies are proving their adaptability amidst increasingly rigorous reporting requirements. The The Straits Times (https://lnkd.in/gY9KNiMC) recently highlighted this journey, mirroring the experiences we at Grant Thornton Singapore have observed with our clients. Larger companies are seizing sustainability reporting as a chance to unlock growth and innovation, especially with the energy transition now a critical focus and a significant green premium on sustainable products. For smaller companies, however, the additional compliance burden can feel overwhelming due to limited capacity and resources. That's why, as growth market specialists, we’re thrilled to partner with like-minded organisations (National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), ESGpedia, CRIF) equipping SMEs with tools to make their sustainability journey both accessible and impactful: 💡 Free ESG Maturity Assessment – Get a clear starting point on your sustainability journey! 💼 Sustainability Starter Kit – A cost-effective package covering maturity assessments, GHG calculations, and sustainability reporting that competes with even post-subsidy options. Let’s empower every business—big or small—to thrive sustainably! Reach out to our team (Chetan Hans, Anne Liew, Benjamin Tan, Benjamin Soh, Terence Kam, Richard K.) to find out more. 🌱 #Sustainability #ESG #GrantThornton #Singapore #SustainableFuture

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Do you have experience scaling in Singapore? Do you love helping climate tech companies grow? Do you have an hour or two spare in the next couple of months? Then please send a DM my way, as we'd love to chat to you about becoming a mentor #mentors #scaling #singapore #climatetech

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Singapore's Green Plan isn't just ambitious—it's a blueprint for harmonizing economic growth with environmental stewardship. At its core? The voluntary carbon market. This powerful tool enables companies to offset emissions proactively, positioning Singapore as a pivotal carbon trading hub. The question is: How will this reshape our approach to sustainable business practices? #CarbonMarket #SustainableBusiness #ClimateAction #GreenEconomy #SingaporeInnovation What role do you see your organization playing in this evolving landscape?

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Singapore sets new national climate target for 2035, Govt invites public feedback SINGAPORE – A public consultation exercise on Singapore’s current decarbonisation plans was launched on Oct 8, with the Government seeking feedback ahead of submitting new climate targets for 2035 to the UN. The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) is asking the public about some key measures Singapore is taking to reduce its carbon emissions, such as its move to import clean electricity from its neighbours, and whether they agree that a low-carbon economy would provide good jobs for Singaporeans. The questionnaire can be found on the website of the Government’s feedback unit Reach. People are invited to share their views on the next phase of this “decarbonisation journey”. The NCCS said that Singapore’s decarbonisation journey involves three transitions: a carbon transition to reduce emissions across all sectors; an energy transition to achieve a resilient, net-zero electricity grid; and an economic transition to remain competitive in a low-carbon future. In the questionnaire, people are asked to rate their support for policies such as the use of solar in the energy transition, and whether they understand some of these policies, such as the need for importing low-carbon electricity, and how carbon credits can contribute to decarbonisation. They are also asked whether Singapore should put in place policies that would provide companies with stronger disincentives to emit carbon, such as a higher carbon tax, or impose regulations on emissions. Under the UN’s Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit their climate targets, which are reflective of their “highest possible ambition”, every five years. The next targets, which will be set for 2035, are due for submission by February 2025. Called nationally determined contributions (NDC), these targets should help the world get to net-zero emissions by 2050, and cap global warming at 1.5 deg C.  The world has already warmed by around 1.2 deg C compared with pre-industrial levels.  Singapore has so far already committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. In the interim, its latest NDC aim is to slash emissions to 60 million tonnes by 2030, after peaking emissions earlier. With domestic emissions still growing, Singapore’s emissions will likely grow to around 65 million tonnes between 2025 and 2028, before starting to fall towards the end of the decade, and reach net zero by 2050. In September, the Republic announced plans to import up to six gigawatts of low-carbon electricity from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam by 2035, up from 4GW previously. https://lnkd.in/gmVBX7sw

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Now is a Key Moment for Investors in Climate Tech💲 Despite a 20% drop in 2024, climate tech investment is gaining momentum—now representing 10% of global PE and VC investments. With over $80B of available funding and major players like BlackRock and Temasek announcing $1.4B fund for climate tech...now is the time to invest 🚀 Check out this article from Forbes to hear how venture capital firms are leveraging increasing investor interest and government funding to support groundbreaking startups. Read about Visionaries Tomorrow a VC firm, targets the industrial decarbonisation sector, partnering startups with industrial giants to accelerate growth. 👉 Read the article here to discover why now is a pivotal moment for investors and learn about the innovative companies Visionaries Tomorrow is backing... https://hubs.li/Q02Q4Jxd0 #decarbonisation #climatetech #investment #innovative #startups #venturecapital #visionariestomorrow #investors #funding #industry

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Bill Gates and Breakthrough Energy are setting their sights on Singapore as a hub for climate innovation. Here's why this matters: 🚀 Breakthrough Energy Fellows is establishing its first regional hub outside the US in Singapore, offering $500,000 in seed funding to promising start-ups. 🤝 A powerful partnership between Breakthrough Energy, Enterprise Singapore, and Temasek is set to nurture deep-tech climate solutions in Southeast Asia. 🎓 Singapore's world-class universities and long-term vision make it an ideal incubator for groundbreaking technologies. 💡 This move highlights Singapore's growing importance in the global fight against climate change. As we see more green innovations take root here, could we also witness a surge in eco-friendly real estate developments?

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SusRas Byte 8 SUS topic - Industry’s challenges with sustainability disclosures RAS emotion - Compassion (Karunya) URLs for further reading https://lnkd.in/gU9BfsRu Even as this byte was being recorded, there was some positivity in the air with the announcement by GRI and ISSB that they will deliver 'full' interoperability. Read here - https://lnkd.in/gnTYpjjn #AlphabetSoup #SustainabilityReporting #EU #USA #India #Singapore #ISSB #GRI #BRSR #CSRD #ESGRatings #CBAM #FinancialTimes #SusRas #SustainabilityNews #Navarasas #CorporateSustainability #ESG #Sustainability

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