SMS Low (fifth from left), CDL’s Group CEO Mr Sherman Kwek (centre), CDL’s Group COO Mr Kwek Eik Sheng (fifth from right), CDL’s Group General Manager Mr Chia Ngiang Hong (fourth from left) and CDL’s Group CFO Ms Yiong Yim Ming (fourth from right). (Picture: CDL)
A pioneering batch of 42 SMEs graduated from the SME Supplier Decarbonisation Queen Bee Programme on Oct 7. The programme is led by City Developments (CDL).
The programme aims to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with knowledge, tools and digital platforms to measure, manage and reduce their carbon emissions. CDL is the first real estate company in Singapore to lead this type of programme for SMEs.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Singapore Sustainability Academy in City Square Mall. It was officiated by Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth. Also in attendance was Sherman Kwek, Group CEO of CDL.
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The SME Supplier Decarbonisation Queen Bee Programme was launched last May with the support of Enterprise Singapore. Other partners include sustainability consultant Global Green Connect, carbon accounting IT solution providers, with DBS as the programme financier partner.
CDL celebrated the graduation of 42 SMEs from the pioneering batch of its SME Supplier Decarbonisation Queen Bee programme. (Picture: CDL)
Some of the companies that successfully passed through this inaugural course include:
The success of this programme demonstrates how businesses in Singapore, from large real estate groups like CDL, SMEs and other industry stakeholders, can work together to advance Singapore’s decarbonisation journey, says Low.
The launch of this programme coincides with Singapore's rollout of mandatory sustainability reporting standards, which will require the largest listed companies to report on Scope 3 value chain emissions starting from FY2026. Meanwhile, the timeline for large non-listed companies to implement Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been deferred to FY2030.
“This adjustment, especially our SMEs and micro-enterprises, needs more time to build up their capabilities for accurate and credible disclosures. We want climate reporting to be meaningful to all stakeholders and not just to tick the boxes,” says Low.
The event also saw the launch of the CDL MicroFarm on the sixth floor of City Square Mall. (Picture: Albert Chua/The Edge Singapore)
In Singapore, SMEs make up 99% of local enterprises, hire 70% of the local workforce and contribute 40% of the country’s GDP. Their involvement throughout the supply chain means that it is crucial to strengthen their sustainability capabilities for Singapore to achieve its net-zero ambition under the national Green Plan 2030.
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For example, SAS M&E pointed out that it recognised significant downstream emissions from its after-sales support, which accounted for over 30% of its total GHG emissions. It has since invested in technologies to recover and recycle these fugitive gases.
However, SMEs still face challenges in navigating decarbonisation due to their limited resources, manpower, and expertise. Donald Ng, director of Kai Xiang Huat, says that as a small business with limited resources and no owned property, implementing green solutions was a challenge.
Some of the SMEs from the programmeshowcased their companies during the event. (Picture: Albert Chua/The Edge Singapore)
Through financial subsidies, expert coaching, and innovative digital platforms, this programme makes decarbonisation practical and achievable for SMEs, says Kwek. He adds that the CDL-led programme will continue to strengthen supply chain resilience by enabling SMEs to adopt carbon accounting, develop decarbonisation roadmaps, and better align themselves with global sustainability reporting standards.
“In today’s highly competitive economy, SMEs who show capacity for carbon reporting will stand out as preferred suppliers,” he says.
To be eligible for the programme, companies must be:
CDL also announced that it would launch an abridged version of the programme — the CDL Queen Bee Compact: Accelerating SME readiness for a low-carbon future. This condensed course aims to kickstart sustainability leadership and equip SMEs with essential capabilities, such as developing climate-related reports to stay ahead of growing client procurement requirements.
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