On 10 December 2020, City Developments Limited (CDL) held its 7th Annual Sustainability Forum for CDL and the Hong Leong Group of companies at Distrii Singapore Auditorium at Republic Plaza. Themed “ESG Integration: A Pathway to Business Resilience”, the forum proved to be timely and important as the world prepares for a greener and more sustainable recovery from COVID-19. As climate and health crises continue to cause devastating disruptions globally, there is a greater need for corporates to review their business model to achieve long-term sustainability and resilience.

Around 85 directors, senior management and staff of the Hong Leong and CDL Group of Companies attended the forum, which was held in a hybrid format physically and virtually. The forum served as a dynamic platform for various ESG and sustainable finance experts to share their insights on how environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration can enhance business resilience and sustain long-term growth in the new normal.

The distinguished panel of speakers included keynote speaker National University of Singapore Business School Centre for Governance and Sustainability Director Dr Lawrence Loh; BlackRock Director of Investment Stewardship Mr Shinbo Won; MSCI Head of APAC ESG Client Coverage Ms Chitra Hepburn; and DBS Head of Sustainability Ms Yulanda Chung.

The forum kicked off with an opening presentation by CDL Chief Sustainability Officer Ms Esther An, who set the scene by underscoring the climate emergency and discussing the impact of COVID-19 on global ESG trends. She also shared CDL’s sustainability journey since 1995 and how it helped the company build resilience, create stakeholder value and adapt to new global challenges.

Dr Loh then delivered his keynote address, focusing on how ESG integration and reporting raises the brand value of businesses. Citing his own academic research that establish the positive relation between sustainability disclosure and brand value, he shared the intricacies of his study and highlighted CDL as a strong business case for sustainability.

The presentations were followed by a lively and insightful panel discussion that comprised all the invited speakers, moderated by Ms An. The audience sought strategic and practical advice from the esteemed panel, who shared their unique perspectives from their diverse industries and sectors on the global sustainability trends and provided a holistic view of the topic. The discussion reinforced the message that ESG issues have indeed become key considerations in business, investment and financing decision making process.

In the closing remarks by CDL Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Sherman Kwek, he emphasised the importance of adopting innovative sustainability strategies for a more resilient future, as ESG integration and investing have become mainstream in the fast-changing and challenging business environment.

An annual event co-organised by the Group Corporate Secretariat Services and CDL’s Sustainability department since 2014, the Annual Sustainability Forum aims to keep the Group’s directors and senior management abreast of the latest sustainability trends and best practices.

This event adhered to safe distancing measures.