PALO IT has been selected as a key partner for their Impact Tracker in the Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR), developed in collaboration with the Singapore Business Federation (SBF). The SEFR aims to provide localized emission factors that enable businesses to accurately report their greenhouse gas emissions. Using the integrated impact tracker, organizations can effectively monitor their decarbonization efforts and make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprints at both the business and national levels.
The Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR) is a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) in partnership with several key stakeholders, including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singtel, and PwC Singapore. This public-private collaboration aims to provide localized emission factors that enhance the accuracy of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting for businesses in Singapore, critical for organizations striving to meet regulatory requirements and achieve their sustainability goals.
The initiative is also supported by various government entities, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Enterprise Singapore, and the SBF Foundation. This collaboration underscores a collective commitment to advancing sustainability and supporting Singapore's transition to a low-carbon economy.
“We are excited to be part of a pioneering initiative that empowers Singapore businesses to take meaningful steps toward decarbonization. The SEFR is a critical resource, enhancing the accuracy of carbon reporting with localized emission factors and streamlined tools for emissions reduction. In alignment with UN SDG 13 on Climate Action, this initiative is central to Singapore’s efforts to combat climate change.
Ms. Jean Tan, CEO of SBF Foundation
NetZeroHub.SG is an industry-led digital platform specifically catered to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint. The platform consists of two components: the Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR) and the Resource Portal.
Why is Singapore Pushing for SEFR?
Singapore is committed to becoming a low-carbon economy and has set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions. The introduction of SEFR is part of this broader strategy, responding to concerns raised by local sustainability practitioners about the accuracy & reliability of GHG emissions calculations, particularly for Scope 3 emissions. The initiative seeks to address the inadequacies of foreign emission factors that do not accurately reflect Singapore's unique operational and environmental contexts. By providing a centralized resource for emission factors that reflect Singapore's unique context, SEFR aims to facilitate more reliable reporting and accountability among businesses. This would assist businesses with their climate- related disclosure regulatory requirements, such as the requirement by SGX RegCo to require all issuers to start reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions from financial year 2025.
How Does SEFR Work?
The SEFR aggregates over 200 emission factors relevant to various sectors and activities within Singapore. These factors cover eight categories, including building equipment, fuel, waste, and water usage. Organizations can access this data for free through the NetZeroHub.SG portal or partner digital solutions that incorporate these factors into their platforms. The registry will continuously evolve, with plans to introduce new emission factors for common business activities such as logistics and information technology starting in 2025. This ongoing development ensures that businesses have access to comprehensive data that supports accurate emissions accounting and reporting.
What Are Localized Factors?
Localized emission factors are specific data points that reflect the unique environmental conditions and operational realities of a particular region. In the case of Singapore, existing emission factors from other countries often do not accurately represent local practices or energy sources. For instance, the carbon intensity of electricity used by Singapore's public transport system differs significantly from that in countries like the UK or USA due to variations in grid composition and efficiency. By using localized factors, businesses can achieve more accurate GHG measurements that align with their actual operational impacts.
Resource Portal
In addition to SEFR, the NetZeroHub.SG platform features a comprehensive Resource Portal designed to support businesses in their decarbonization efforts. This portal serves as a repository of thought leadership articles, practical toolkits, case studies, and a directory of training programs and solution providers. Its unique features include:
- Plan: The Resource Portal offers step-by-step guidance to help these businesses navigate the existing ecosystem and develop practical plans for reducing emissions.
- Learn: The portal aggregates and curates content from various organizations into one accessible site tailored specifically for Singaporean businesses.
- Connect: It helps businesses identify suitable solutions based on criteria such as budget and company size, reducing the overwhelming choices they face when selecting tools.
The Resource Portal is a collaborative effort with the Sustainability Alliance (SA). This partnership reflects a commitment among various trade associations in Singapore to organize resources effectively and support businesses in their transition to net-zero emissions.
PALO IT’s Role with the Impact Tracker
PALO IT plays a crucial role in this initiative by providing an Impact Tracker that enables organizations to effectively monitor their emissions reduction efforts. This tool allows businesses to track their progress towards decarbonization goals and make informed decisions based on accurate data.
The impact tracker is designed to integrate seamlessly with SEFR data, offering users insights into their carbon footprint while simplifying compliance with climate-related disclosure requirements. By utilizing localized emission factors from SEFR alongside internal carbon pricing strategies or green procurement policies, businesses can enhance their decision-making processes regarding sustainability initiatives.
The Way Forward
New EFs for other activities, such as logistics, information and communications technology (ICT), cleaning services, and security services, are expected to be added to the SEFR from 2025. These are common activities across a large majority of Singapore businesses. Availability of these EFs is intended to allow businesses to account for their Scope 3 emissions more comprehensively and representatively.
“A*STAR's partnership with SBF, government agencies, and key industry players will enable new emission factors which are tailored to the specific needs of Singapore’s business landscape to be identified and developed. These newly developed EFs will help local companies better quantify their emissions. By working together, we strive to drive sustainability and support Singapore’s net-zero ambitions.”
Dr David Low, Executive Director, A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (A*STAR SIMTech)
Conclusion
The launch of the Singapore Emission Factors Registry marks a significant step towards achieving Singapore's net-zero ambitions. By providing localized emission factors and a robust resource portal through NetZeroHub.SG, SEFR empowers businesses to take meaningful action in their decarbonization journeys. With tools like PALO IT’s impact tracker at their disposal, organizations can navigate the complexities of emissions reporting and contribute to a sustainable future for Singapore.
As Singapore continues to drive these initiatives, tools like PALO IT's Impact Tracker play a crucial role on a national level, enabling businesses to enhance emissions reporting and accountability while facilitating effective data orchestration. Together, we can harness collective efforts to achieve remarkable outcomes in this forward-looking city. This innovative platform integrates diverse data sources, allowing organizations to clean, analyze, and visualize their environmental performance, resulting in informed decision-making and actionable insights. On a global scale, by fostering collaboration and inspiring collective action, stakeholders share knowledge and best practices through this tool, they collectively pave the way toward a greener future, both locally and globally.
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