- On 10 February 2009, the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Environment Center (WEC). This landmark partnership between a Singaporean NGO and a well-established international environmental organisation will result in a series of roundtable discussions geared towards developing Green Business Sustainability. The first roundtable session on the subject of Green Supply Chain will be conducted in August 2009.

This unprecedented partnership is a key development to help facilitate the Council’s expanding role in driving sustainable business practices. It will broaden the scope of SEC's influence and increase the effectiveness of programmes aimed across industry sectors.

This development comes at a time when there is a clear necessity for companies to shift to green business models as part of their strategy in addressing inherent long-term economic sustainability - an especially salient factor in these financially unstable times. From everyday cost-saving measures, like improved energy and water efficiency, to innovating new products with reduced environmental impacts, the economic benefits of switching to environmentally sound practices are clear.

SEC / WEC partnership programmes will educate, inspire, and facilitate corporations in turning Green into Gold. A function that is key to Singapore's positioning as an economic hub, with global outreach, and increasing leadership focus on environmental sustainability.  
International expertise coupled with experience supplied by WEC will support local environmental efforts by providing corporate leaders with an in-depth understanding of the challenges in implementing sustainable development strategies, and equip corporate with the tools required to overcome them. This will also serve to raise the profile of the environmental movement in Singapore, through WEC's extensive network.

"Singapore has made great progress in improving its environmental quality, and leadership and innovation in sustainable development can provide a very large return," stated Dr. Terry F. Yosie, President & CEO of the World Environment Center. "Global companies affiliated with WEC benefit from the direct knowledge of applying sustainability to their business strategies and operations, reducing operating costs across their supply chains and differentiating themselves through unique partnerships."

SEC's chairman, Ms. Isabella Loh, expressed her confidence in the partnership. "Both organisations recognise that the importance of environmental sustainability goes beyond business ethics alone. Making environmentally sustainable decisions is a key means of staying ahead of the economic downturn; eco-friendly measures such as improving energy efficiency and reducing waste in operational processes are cost-saving in the long run. By integrating environmental considerations holistically into all business decision-making processes, businesses can gain a competitive edge, especially important now, and strategic in the post-economic crisis era. SEC/WEC programmes will facilitate this change, speaking clearly in the language of business, to our business leaders. By bringing together expertise on best environmental and business practices we will enhance Singapore's position as a 'green dot' in the business world map."

About Singapore Environment Council
Established in 1995, the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) is an independently managed, non-government organisation that strives to nurture, facilitate and co-ordinate environmental causes in Singapore. SEC's work is founded on three pillars of action "“ firstly, partnership with the people, private and public sectors of Singaporean society, to nurture a culture aligned with sustainable development concepts. SEC also rewards environmental excellence through awards schemes and product endorsement programmes, such as the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme. Third, the Council, together with partners, develops and implements training and learning programmes to build competencies within companies, thus keeping our business leaders ahead of the curve.

About World Environment Center:
Founded in 1974, the World Environment Center is an independent, global non-profit, non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development through the business practices of member companies and in partnership with governments, multi-lateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders. WEC’s mission is to promote business and societal value by advancing solutions to sustainable development-related problems; foster leading edge ideas about economic development, environmental protection and social responsibility through roundtables and other forums that engage the leadership of a diverse number of organizations and recognize performance excellence by companies that advance sustainable development.

World Environment Center

World Environment Center

The World Environment Center advances sustainable development through corporate business practices. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Europe and Latin America, WEC creates business solutions through Executive Roundtables on key sustainability challenges, builds capacity of small enterprises in emerging markets, and honors industry excellence through its annual Gold Medal Award. WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. For more information, please visit www.wec.org.

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