SMU and DBS partner to launch ‘Sustainable Finance in Action’ to equip leaders with tools to tackle Asia’s green finance challenges
Singapore.26 Nov 2024
Singapore, 26 Nov 2024 - To address Asia's urgent demand for green finance expertise, Singapore Management University, in partnership with DBS, has launched Sustainable Finance in Action. The intensive four-day programme aims to equip senior executives with an in-depth understanding of sustainable finance concepts and be able to apply these learnings in their respective professions. This is the first sustainable finance course by the SMU Executive Development Office.
By using a combination of academic and applied learning methods, participants will learn about risk management and sustainability strategies in four key areas, namely green, transition, blended and biodiversity financing.
Regional economies and businesses face growing pressure to implement sustainable practices that meet global climate targets. Research by the Monetary Authority of Singapore[1] projects that the sustainable finance market in ASEAN will amount to SGD 4 to 5 trillion over the next decade. In addition to building the talent pipeline for sustainable finance expertise, upskilling the existing executive workforce will be essential to maintain Singapore’s competitive edge in the green economy.
To help meet the growing demand to equip business executives, this programme combines academic insights with practical applications, which include delving into the intricate concepts, challenges, opportunities and best practices of financing projects and businesses aligned with environmental and social objectives.
“With today’s pressing environmental and social challenges, we are thrilled to empower leaders to navigate this landscape of disruption. This programme is designed to equip participants with the insights and tools they need to drive meaningful change within their organisations. We invite all interested leaders to join us in this transformative programme, where they will deepen their knowledge of green finance and contribute to a more sustainable future,” said Dr Flocy Joseph, Senior Deputy Director, SMU Executive Development.
Helge Muenkel, Chief Sustainability Officer of DBS, said: “Business executives face many competing priorities to build resilient businesses. A fast-growing number of actors globally across governments, the private and financial sector as well as society at large are embracing the need to address sustainability challenges. This has profound impact on the risks and opportunities businesses are exposed to. Against this backdrop, it is critical to equip senior executives with a deeper understanding of this, to help them see how sustainable financing strategies can support them in driving meaningful action within their organisations and across the broader economy. We are very pleased to be working with SMU to build sustainability-related skills to enable the transition towards a more sustainable future.”
Actionable solutions in sustainable finance
Running from 25-28 November 2024 at SMU’s city campus, Sustainable Finance in Action serves to equip Asia’s future finance leaders with the frameworks and field experience necessary to drive economic growth aligned with environmental sustainability.
In line with SMU ExD’s vision to "Transform leaders through impactful learning", the programme has been designed to spotlight creative initiatives that have yielded significant results in the sphere of sustainable finance. Drawing on the breadth and depth of multi-disciplinary knowledge from SMU academics who bring firsthand insights of innovative finance strategies that support sustainability goals, the programme will allow participants to engage with regional and global experts, including thought leaders and practitioners who have integrated sustainable finance into their core business strategies.
Through compelling real-world case studies and curated field visits, participants will have opportunities beyond classroom learning to experience green finance’s relevance and applications. Highlights include a deep dive into the Monsoon Project at Lao, a pioneering example of transition financing that demonstrates how capital can drive ecological change while delivering economic benefits. Additionally, a guided visit to Singapore’s mangrove ecosystems will give participants immersive exposure to biodiversity financing, spotlighting the value of natural capital in sustainable development.
Sustainable Finance in Action underscores SMU’s strategic priority area of Sustainable Living. Through this area of focus, the University seeks to drive solutions in managing climate change and sustainable city living as well as enhancing quality of life.
Sustainable Finance in Action is the first sustainable finance course by the SMU Executive Development Office, which specialises in providing tailored education and development solutions for individuals, organisations, and executives, with the aim of empowering leaders, enhancing organisational capabilities, and offering immersive learning experiences, bridging the theory-practice gap for success in a dynamic business world.
For more information on the Sustainable Finance in Action programme, please click https://exd.smu.edu.sg/short-courses/sustainable-finance-in-action
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About Singapore Management University
Established in 2000, Singapore Management University (SMU) is recognised for its disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that addresses issues of global relevance, impacting business, government, and society. Its distinctive education, incorporating innovative experiential learning, aims to nurture global citizens, entrepreneurs and change agents. With more than 13,000 students, SMU offers a wide range of bachelors, masters and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with six of its eight schools - Accountancy, Business, Computing, Economics, Law and Social Sciences. Its seventh school, the SMU College of Integrative Studies, offers degree programmes in deep, integrative interdisciplinary education. The College of Graduate Research Studies, SMU’s eighth school, enhances integration and interdisciplinarity across the various SMU postgraduate research programmes that will enable students to gain a holistic learning experience and well-grounded approach to their research. SMU also offers a growing number of executive development and continuing education programmes. Through its city campus, SMU focuses on making meaningful impact on Singapore and beyond through its partnerships with industry, policy makers and academic institutions. https://www.smu.edu.sg/
By using a combination of academic and applied learning methods, participants will learn about risk management and sustainability strategies in four key areas, namely green, transition, blended and biodiversity financing.
Regional economies and businesses face growing pressure to implement sustainable practices that meet global climate targets. Research by the Monetary Authority of Singapore[1] projects that the sustainable finance market in ASEAN will amount to SGD 4 to 5 trillion over the next decade. In addition to building the talent pipeline for sustainable finance expertise, upskilling the existing executive workforce will be essential to maintain Singapore’s competitive edge in the green economy.
To help meet the growing demand to equip business executives, this programme combines academic insights with practical applications, which include delving into the intricate concepts, challenges, opportunities and best practices of financing projects and businesses aligned with environmental and social objectives.
“With today’s pressing environmental and social challenges, we are thrilled to empower leaders to navigate this landscape of disruption. This programme is designed to equip participants with the insights and tools they need to drive meaningful change within their organisations. We invite all interested leaders to join us in this transformative programme, where they will deepen their knowledge of green finance and contribute to a more sustainable future,” said Dr Flocy Joseph, Senior Deputy Director, SMU Executive Development.
Helge Muenkel, Chief Sustainability Officer of DBS, said: “Business executives face many competing priorities to build resilient businesses. A fast-growing number of actors globally across governments, the private and financial sector as well as society at large are embracing the need to address sustainability challenges. This has profound impact on the risks and opportunities businesses are exposed to. Against this backdrop, it is critical to equip senior executives with a deeper understanding of this, to help them see how sustainable financing strategies can support them in driving meaningful action within their organisations and across the broader economy. We are very pleased to be working with SMU to build sustainability-related skills to enable the transition towards a more sustainable future.”
Actionable solutions in sustainable finance
Running from 25-28 November 2024 at SMU’s city campus, Sustainable Finance in Action serves to equip Asia’s future finance leaders with the frameworks and field experience necessary to drive economic growth aligned with environmental sustainability.
In line with SMU ExD’s vision to "Transform leaders through impactful learning", the programme has been designed to spotlight creative initiatives that have yielded significant results in the sphere of sustainable finance. Drawing on the breadth and depth of multi-disciplinary knowledge from SMU academics who bring firsthand insights of innovative finance strategies that support sustainability goals, the programme will allow participants to engage with regional and global experts, including thought leaders and practitioners who have integrated sustainable finance into their core business strategies.
Through compelling real-world case studies and curated field visits, participants will have opportunities beyond classroom learning to experience green finance’s relevance and applications. Highlights include a deep dive into the Monsoon Project at Lao, a pioneering example of transition financing that demonstrates how capital can drive ecological change while delivering economic benefits. Additionally, a guided visit to Singapore’s mangrove ecosystems will give participants immersive exposure to biodiversity financing, spotlighting the value of natural capital in sustainable development.
Sustainable Finance in Action underscores SMU’s strategic priority area of Sustainable Living. Through this area of focus, the University seeks to drive solutions in managing climate change and sustainable city living as well as enhancing quality of life.
Sustainable Finance in Action is the first sustainable finance course by the SMU Executive Development Office, which specialises in providing tailored education and development solutions for individuals, organisations, and executives, with the aim of empowering leaders, enhancing organisational capabilities, and offering immersive learning experiences, bridging the theory-practice gap for success in a dynamic business world.
For more information on the Sustainable Finance in Action programme, please click https://exd.smu.edu.sg/short-courses/sustainable-finance-in-action
[END]
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About Singapore Management University
Established in 2000, Singapore Management University (SMU) is recognised for its disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that addresses issues of global relevance, impacting business, government, and society. Its distinctive education, incorporating innovative experiential learning, aims to nurture global citizens, entrepreneurs and change agents. With more than 13,000 students, SMU offers a wide range of bachelors, masters and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with six of its eight schools - Accountancy, Business, Computing, Economics, Law and Social Sciences. Its seventh school, the SMU College of Integrative Studies, offers degree programmes in deep, integrative interdisciplinary education. The College of Graduate Research Studies, SMU’s eighth school, enhances integration and interdisciplinarity across the various SMU postgraduate research programmes that will enable students to gain a holistic learning experience and well-grounded approach to their research. SMU also offers a growing number of executive development and continuing education programmes. Through its city campus, SMU focuses on making meaningful impact on Singapore and beyond through its partnerships with industry, policy makers and academic institutions. https://www.smu.edu.sg/
