responsible business 2015 event report

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTEVENT REPORT

1

3 - 4 NOVEMBER, 2015 MARINA BAY SANDS CONVENTION CENTRE &GARDENS BY THE BAYSINGAPORE

SUSTAINABILITY 2015:DELIVERING CLIMATE ACTION AND GOALS FOR A BETTER FUTURE

EVENT REPORT


2

“ Sustainable development is not an optional luxury.”

Vivian BalakrishnanMinister for Foreign Affairs, SingaporeMinister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Programme Office


3

With a new climate treaty about to be agreed by global leaders in Paris, coupled with the recent launch of the Sustainable Development Goals, 2015 will be a historic year for the world in ensuring prosperity and environmental protection for future generations.

Innovation and mindset shifts are critical for the systemic change we need to achieve these goals. While there may have been a gradual move from business-as-usual to change-as-usual, some organizations have embraced transformational changes such as new closed-loop and circular business models. At the same time, banks and asset managers are increasing their focus on sustainable finance. Are we at the tipping point for meaningful change?

The 4th Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Singapore from 2 – 4 November, convened more than 400 business leaders, investors, NGOs and policy-makers from over 25 countries around the world. They gathered to share innovations and agree on practical solutions for climate action and delivering the sustainable development goals.

Collaboration, commitment and bold actions were called for, as multilateral action from governments, businesses, communities and individuals are needed to address climate change and sustainable development issues. It is critical that state and non-state actors create wide-ranging partnerships and move “beyond competition and engage in co-opetition”.

Event Summary

Delivering climate

action and goals for

a better future


4

151Moving towards zero emissions in transport and logistics 234Innovation in waste & recycling

209Reducing emissions through sustainable forestry and agriculture

214Smart, sustainable cities and climate change solutions 211 Creating real change through innovation, technology, and global consumer networks 178 Opportunities in sustainable finance

Attendance Profile

Attendance Profile by

Designation

CEOs/Heads/Presidents/Managing Directors 110

Directors/Heads of Depts 180

Managers 108

Consultants 65

Advisors 35

Others 106

TOTAL 604

Attendance Profile byParallel Sessions

Attendance Profile by

Sector

Academic 42

Business 242

Consultancy 72

Charity/ Social Enterprise 11

Government 60

NGO 98

Media 34

Financial 45

TOTAL 604

Session 1

Session 2


5

Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan delivered the opening speech to the forum with a strong message on the importance of sustainable development in business on a global level.

The prolonged and recurring transboundary haze was a strong theme in the minister’s speech due to its detrimental consequences. He made a bold statement declaring the haze a “man-made tragedy and a crime”, providing a timely allegory for the ubiquitous need for responsible business practices. He also called for more transparency and accountability in the supply chains, referring to the haze as “a classic example of privatizing the gain and socializing the pain”.

Acknowledging the fact that climate change affects everyone, Minister Balakrishnan drew particular attention to SIDS (small island developing states) and their enhanced vulnerability. Singapore as a land-scarce city-state is especially exposed to the effects of climate change. He emphasized Singapore’s approach to view sustainable development “not as an ideology but as a matter of practical consideration”. Pragmatism and effective partnerships are the defining features behind the forward thinking policy.

Opening plenary address Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Programme Office


6

“There is no shortage of innovations that could provide solutions to both climate and wider sustainable development challenges. What we must do is harness market levers to scale these solutions as a matter of urgency.”Sally UrenChief Executive Officer, Forum for the Future

Speaker Highlights

“Sustainable development is not an optional luxury.”Vivian Balakrishnan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Programme Office

“Community comes first, then country, then company.”Tony Wenas Managing Director, APRIL Indonesia Operations & President Director, PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper

“Sustainability is good for business, we prove it and we measure it.”Roelof Westerbeek Executive Vice President, DSM

“By 2050, there will be a 5 billion middle class and 2/3 of it will be in Asia.”Jake Layes Global Director, Cleantech & Entrepreneur Impact, Autodesk

“Dignity is to be able to make your own choices in life.”Pia BruceExecutive DirectorUN Women Singapore Committee


7

“The SDGs targets are ambitious but clear. We know we can put the solutions in place for water.”Inge WallageCommunications and Engagement Director, International Water Association

Speaker Highlights

“Reducing emissions through sustainable forestry: Prevention is cheaper than suppression.”Goh Lin Piao Managing Director, APRIL Group

“Every disaster offers a big opportunity to make things right.”Satya Tripathi Director & Executive Head, UN Office for REDD+ and Coordination, Indonesia

“Any investment is based on risk, return and scalability.”Renat Heuberger Chief Executive Officer, South Pole Group

“One of the most important things in this whole (stakeholder engagement) process is transparency.”Jeremy Goon, Chief Sustainability Officer, Wilmar

“We need to create a global climate and sustainability campaign like the Olympics.”Liz CourtneyProducer and Director, The Tipping Points / Co-founder, Youth4Planet


8

“We don’t want the government to set the carbon price, we want a government to set the agenda for the prices to emerge”Mathew Nelson Asia Pacific Managing Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY

“We don’t believe in subsidies, we don’t believe in charity, we believe in innovation, in doing well and doing good.”Ashok Khosla Founder & Chairman, Development Alternatives Group

Speaker Highlights

“Inclusive business is a great way for the private sector to reach equitable prosperity.”Jeanne FinestoneSenior Communications, Marketing & Advocacy Lead, BCtA

“We recognise sustainable business is better business”.Leonie SchreveGlobal Head, Sustainable Finance, ING Bank

“We can’t separate the social & the environmental system that we rely on.”Johan Kuylenstierna Policy Director, Stockholm Environment Institute

“10% of our annual revenue goes to innovation.”Holy RanaivozananyHead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Huawei Technologies


9

Social Media

80,399TWEETS IMPRESSIONS

246 TWEETS

580,847 EARNED IMPRESSIONS

#RBFSingapore: N°1 Trending Hashtag in Singapore

(3 Nov 2015)

462 FAVOURITES

683 RE-TWEETS

123 NEW FOLLOWERS

309LIKES ON INSTAGRAM

Top Tweets

2,905IMPRESSIONS

2,577 IMPRESSIONS

10,004IMPRESSIONS

Instagram

33 PICTURES

309 LIKES


10

Audience

Engagement

and Networking

Question: Which group has the largest role to play in implementing climate change action and the sustainable development goals?

POLL

50VOTES

Option Votes %

Business 7 14.0%Government 6 12.0%NGOs 1 2.0%Other 2 4.0%All of the above, in collaboration 34 68.0%Total 50

VOTE SUMMARY

Event Content, Format, Speakers and Technology

Excellent.

as Good, Very Good or Excellent.

partner with to facilitate greater change

Event Outcomes

Agreed nor Disagreed.

my understanding of the opportunities presented by taking action around climate change and the SDGs.

Responses in Pigeonhole: Finally, do you have any overall comments orsuggestions?

exceptional. Thank you.

panellists. - encourage all attendees to remain for all sessions . - next year report back on the impact or individual / corporate action that resulted from the 2015 forum. - keep up the sterling work!

sustainable business conference.


11

Connect with uswww.responsiblebusiness.com

ORGANISER HOST SUSTAINABILITY PARTNER

Advancing Partnership Solutions to Global Challenges

SUSTAINABLE EVENT PARTNER CONVERSATIONS POWERED BY

CORPORATE PARTNER

EVENT PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS PUBLIC RELATIONS PARTNER