On sustainable practices

Read our thoughts and perspectives on climate change, sustainability and best practices from companies in APAC.

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taiwan flood

What are the Main Environmental Issues Facing Taiwan?

Taiwan, the 8th largest economy in Asia based on purchasing power parity (PPP), is a jurisdiction on the move and yearning for faster growth. Its GDP per capita has risen rapidly from 3,446.2 in 1980 to 62,696.1 in 2022. Even COVID-19 which started in 2020, could not impact its positive per capita growth significantly; it remained on an uptrend as others faltered. However, the jurisdiction is faced with serious environmental issues that are threatening to tear it apart unless urgent actions are taken. As the world quickly embraces sustainability, Taiwan is reeling from serious challenges that could rapidly undo its years of steady growth. Unlike in the past, more stakeholders want to be associated with companies committed to responsible and ethical operations, with cutting down carbon footprint coming at the top of the list. Let’s dig in and take a closer look at these challenges facing Taiwan.

Shelley
Shelley
December 7, 2022
taiwan

How Sustainable is Taiwan?

The demand for sustainability is gaining momentum in all sectors, building up faster than at any other time in the past, as more people discover the associated benefits. However, there is still a long way to go as the threats of global warming and other environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks intensify. To improve ESG rating and make the planet a better place for all, every country has to take extra measures. This post takes a closer look at Taiwan to determine its sustainability. Keep reading to learn more about Taiwan’s sustainability efforts, including its carbon footprint. We will also outline the main steps that should be used to improve sustainability in Taiwan.

Shelley
Shelley
December 5, 2022
singapore

What is the Highest Carbon Intensive Activity in Singapore?

Singapore ranks #13 in a global survey of 2022 Best Countries for Green Living. But like other countries across the globe, it is also facing the threat of global warming, one of the greatest risks of our times. Global warming is the rapid rise in surface temperatures, which is associated with all sorts of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dangers. Ice caps are thawing fast, coastal cities are sinking, and droughts are becoming more severe, to mention a few. To address this problem, we have to counter the sources of greenhouse gases, and this starts with evaluating and cutting down carbon footprints. In Singapore, "what is the highest carbon intensive activity?" Keep reading as we dig deeper into the problem of global warming to identify not only the largest greenhouse gas emitters but also highlight solutions that should be adopted to counter the threat.

Shelley
Shelley
December 2, 2022
green building

What are the Characteristics of an Environmentally Friendly Real Estate Development?

Climate change affects all aspects of life, from the diet to the capability to survive the natural disasters that come our way from time to time. However, the real estate industry has been pretty slow in addressing the concerns of sustainability, including climate change. This trend is now changing as more stakeholders, including investors, local authorities, the international community, and neighbors demand responsible operations. If you are a real estate developer, owner, or manager, people have discovered that their actions can help to save the planet. The capital markets are also demanding actions and delisting firms that do not provide accurate and verifiable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports. This is why you should target making your property more environmentally friendly. Keep reading to learn more about environmentally friendly real estate, including benefits and the main characteristics.

Shelley
Shelley
December 1, 2022
buildings

What is the Future of the Commercial Real Estate Industry?

The last two years have hard-pressed most industries, and real estate is no exception! When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the planet in 2020, businesses were forced to close down, people had to work from home, and the real estate industry nearly came to a screeching halt. Now that we are overcoming the pandemic, every sector is quickly getting on its feet. So, if you are new to the property market or a veteran who wants to consider options, you must ask the big question, "What is the future of the real estate industry?" This post takes a closer look at the industry to identify the common problems facing it and the emerging trends shaping its future. Keep reading to learn more and orient your company in the right direction for success.

Shelley
Shelley
November 30, 2022
Singapore buildings

How Does Inefficient Maintenance of Air-Conditioning Affect Big Multinational Companies (MNCs) in Singapore?

Do you run a multinational company (MNC) or a large organization in Singapore? If you do, we're sure you are always on the lookout to find ways how to be efficient in running your company/business, including the management of direct expenses such as the energy use for your entire building. HVAC/air conditioning systems account for approx. 30-50% of a building's energy consumption. So it is very important to adopt ways how to cut down this expense source. Also, one of the things that you must get right is a good working environment for your staff. The Singapore laws indicate that all workers are entitled to work in environments where all risks to their safety and health are appropriately controlled. To deliver this conducive working environment, one huge factor is to have a good air-conditioning (AC) system. The AC system helps to control not only the temperature and humidity but also clears harmful particles from the indoor environment. Therefore, it is prudent to ensure that it is running optimally all the time. However, it is not uncommon to find some malfunctioning systems in some companies. In this post, we take a closer look at the air conditioning for multinationals in Singapore and demonstrate the negative effects of inefficient maintenance. We will also highlight the best methods that you can use to maintain the AC in top-notch condition.

Shelley
Shelley
November 29, 2022
ghg

What is the Average GHG Emissions of Singapore Schools and Ways to Reduce It?

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has compared the planet to a vehicle on the “highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator” during the recent COP27 summit in Egypt. This warning is coming hot on the heels of another warning from the Paris Climate Conference of 2015 that called on governments to use every means to pull down global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. With the dangers facing us becoming clearer than at any other time in the past, we must act fast to avert the looming catastrophes. Schools are some of the big greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, and they have to get involved in helping to wrestle down the ballooning problem of global warming. So, how can they cut down their carbon footprints? Keep reading to learn more about sustainability in schools and the efforts they have adopted to reduce their carbon footprints.

Shelley
Shelley
November 25, 2022
CO2

How to Calculate the Carbon Footprint for Your School

The earth is heating and burning up really fast! According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) the global average temperatures have risen at a rate of 1.7 degrees Celsius per century since 1970 compared to the decline reported in the past 7000 years. The effects, from extensive draughts to the sinking of coastal lowlands, are catastrophic. Between 2030 and 2050, global warming and climate change are expected to result in 250,000 more deaths per year. Remember that global warming is cross-boundary, and if you are yet to notice the threats, they are about to come knocking. This calls for urgent action to address the problem. In Singapore, schools form one of the largest emitters of greenhouse (GHG) gases, which are the primary causes of global warming. So, if you are a school manager, owner, or leader, it is time to reduce emissions, which has to start with carbon footprint calculation. Keep reading to learn more about carbon footprint in schools, including what it is, and the best way to calculate it. We will also highlight the best strategies to help you cut down emissions and run a more sustainable school.

Shelley
Shelley
November 23, 2022