S'pore must take sustainability reporting bull by the horns

SINGAPORE business will likely undertake social and environmental reporting - alongside the traditional financial bottom line - on an annual basis very soon. The Singapore Exchange's (SGX) public consultation on its proposed comply-or-explain ruling on sustainability reporting in January was the latest in a series of major initiatives the bourse has undertaken to put sustainability on board-level agendas.

While the hammer has not actually come down on whether this means mandatory reporting for Singapore-listed companies, it is clear that the rubber has hit the road - regulators in Singapore are getting serious on sustainability reporting.

The sustainability momentum in Singapore has picked up over the past few months, with various regulations and government initiatives being introduced. Many of these changes were accelerated by the prolonged haze pollution that shrouded South-east Asia last year.