Singapore should take the lead in sustainable finance

THIS year's persistent haze, which continues to cast a heavy pall over Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, drives home an important message: when it comes to sustainability and environmental stewardship, business-as-usual is not acceptable.

The haze, arising from forest fires as a traditional means of clearing land in Indonesia, has been an annual occurence for well over a decade. Public infuriation typically dissipates once the rainy season begins to douse the fires. This year's prolonged blight, thanks partly to the El Nino weather phenomenon, has an obvious silver…