Singapore Manufacturing Federation and Mandai Wildlife Group launch Green Excellence Programme to drive decarbonisation across local value chains

Mr. Lennon Tan, President, Singapore Manufacturing Federation, said: “The Green Excellence Programme was prompted by the urgent need to address looming global deadlines for sustainability compliance. For SMEs, the stakes are particularly high. Although they may not be directly required to report their carbon footprint, many serve as suppliers to larger companies obligated to comply with sustainability regulations. Without proactive measures, SMEs risk losing business opportunities both locally and internationally.”

Designed to support businesses in their green transitions, the Green Excellence Programme offers actionable guidance to Mandai Wildlife Group’s extensive network of local SME suppliers. It focuses on assessing, reducing, and reporting carbon emissions, providing a framework to address knowledge or resource gaps. The programme sits under the Singapore Manufacturing Federation’s Chief Sustainability Officer-as-a-Service (CSOaaS) initiative, introduced in January 2024 to support local SMEs in navigating the complex landscape of sustainability compliance.

Mr. Mike Barclay, Group CEO, Mandai Wildlife Group, said: “All businesses must proactively manage their transition to a net-zero emissions future. For us, 98% of our attributable greenhouse gas emissions come from our supply chain, so it is a key priority for us to work with our local suppliers to help them reduce their own carbon footprint. The Green Excellence Programme allows us to extend our influence across our value chain, creating a multiplier effect that drives measurable change for a healthier planet.”

The partnership was formalised today at Singapore Zoo with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) presided by Guest-of-Honour (GOH) Mr. Lim Tuang Liang, Government Chief Sustainability Officer, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

SMEs make up over 90 percent of all enterprises in Singapore, playing a crucial role in the nation's economy. As Singapore moves towards its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions, SMEs are essential in driving this transition. Yet, a 2023 survey conducted by Singapore Manufacturing Federation of 115 manufacturing companies, revealed that while 82% are SMEs, only 21% currently report on sustainability. Moreover, 45% have no plans to implement sustainability reporting within the next one to three years.

To support this shift, programmes like CSOaaS and the Green Excellence Programme aim to close this gap by equipping companies with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to enhance their environmental impact, encouraging their active participation in Singapore’s green sustainability agenda. The Green Excellence Programme is set to expand its reach, empowering more SMEs to transition to sustainable operations.

The programme has been piloted with three of Mandai Wildlife Group’s suppliers, Tong Tar Transport Service, Being Kids, and BNL Services, which provide transport, retail, and waste management services, in December 2024.