Singapore, 26 September 2019 – Singtel has won Singapore’s highest environmental accolade, the President’s Award for the Environment 2019. Presented by President Halimah Yacob at a ceremony held at the Istana this evening, the award recognises Singtel for its dedication to climate action, carbon emissions reduction and in engaging the wider community on sustainability.
“Singtel is honoured to be recognised for our sustainability efforts which is made possible by the hard work and active participation of our employees,” says Ms Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group CEO. “Tackling climate change has become the defining issue for society today and it is incumbent on businesses to lead the way. We see sustainability as vital to our long-term growth as it creates opportunities for new ways of working that will drive greater efficiency. We strive to leave the smallest environmental footprint possible and we’re determined to work towards a better and more sustainable future together with our partners.”
Singtel’s environmental sustainability strategy is centred on addressing climate change and improving product stewardship to achieve the smallest carbon footprint even as its business continues to grow. Its environmental roadmap focuses on making progress in areas where it has a significant impact, and which its employees and stakeholders care most about.
Singtel was the first company in Asia outside of Japan to have its carbon reduction goals for 2030 approved by the Science Based Targets initiative in 2017. In July this year, Singtel was one of only 28 global companies to commit to a more aggressive target of achieving net zero carbon by 2050. To improve operational efficiency, Singtel is working on a number of programmes across its network infrastructure, operating systems and supply chains. Singtel is also exploring the wider use of renewable energy resources in more economically viable ways. Besides addressing climate change, Singtel is committed to waste reduction through collaboration with partners and suppliers as well as stakeholder education on the impact of e-waste on the environment. Singtel runs ReCYCLE, Singapore’s largest e-waste recycling programme by reach, with SingPost to encourage consumers to dispose of their old mobile or internet-related devices. The programme has collected more than 24,000 kg of e-waste since its launch in 2017.
Singtel has also engaged its employees in going green by reducing waste, reusing and recycling through Project LESS, an environmental campaign that has run annually since 2011. This year, Singtel launched ‘The Last Straw’ campaign which aims to reduce, and eventually eliminate, all single-plastic and styrofoam in its staff cafeterias.
The President’s Award for the Environment is a biennial award organised by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It recognises and honours individuals, educational institutions and organisations that have made outstanding contributions towards environmental sustainability in Singapore.
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