Event Outline

 This one-day intensive workshop demystifies the world of sustainability for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Moving beyond theory, the programme focuses on the practical "why" and "how" of building a robust sustainability strategy. Participants will explore the critical business case for sustainability, navigate the complex landscape of global standards and frameworks (including GRI, TCFD, and the UN SDGs), and learn how to meet growing demands from investors, regulators, and customers. The day is designed to translate high-level concepts into tangible actions, ensuring your business remains competitive, compliant, and resilient in a rapidly evolving market.

The core of the training is a hands-on guide to building your own tailored sustainability plan. Attendees will learn how to establish effective governance, conduct a materiality assessment to pinpoint their most impactful Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, and develop a clear action plan with measurable KPIs and targets. The session will also cover best practices for transparent communication to avoid greenwashing and explore the benefits of participating in recognised ratings like B Corp and EcoVadis. By the end of the day, participants will leave with a structured roadmap and immediate next steps to advance their sustainability journey.

 Training Outline

 1. Sustainability Context and Business Importance

• Why Sustainability Matters
• Growing expectations from customers, investors, employees, regulators, and business partners
• Business benefits of sustainability, including risk management, cost savings, resilience, and competitive advantage
• Understanding the Sustainability Landscape
• Global initiatives and commitments: UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Global Compact (UNGC), Paris Agreement
• Sustainability reporting standards and regulations: GRI Standards, IFRS S1 and S2, SGX sustainability reporting requirements
• Sustainability ratings and recognition programmes: EcoVadis, B Corp, and sustainability awards
• How standards, frameworks, ratings, and regulations fit together

 2. Building a Sustainability Strategy for SMEs

• Establishing the Foundations
• Why a sustainability strategy is important
• Identifying key stakeholders and understanding their expectations
• Setting up governance structures and assigning responsibilities
• Identifying Priorities
• Conducting a materiality assessment
• Determining the ESG topics most relevant to the business and its stakeholders
• Developing an Action Plan

For each material topic:

• Assess the current state ("sustainability stock") and existing initiatives
• Identify gaps and opportunities
• Define actions, KPIs, and targets
• Implementation and Communication
• Monitoring progress and integrating sustainability into business operations
• Reporting sustainability performance through appropriate channels (website, brochure, sustainability report, etc.)
• Avoiding greenwashing and ensuring credible communications
• Leveraging ratings, certifications, and awards to demonstrate progress
• Recap and Next Steps
• Key Takeaways
• Q&A and discussion

 Key Takeaways

• Sustainability Strategy: Learn how sustainability can support business growth and competitiveness in an SME environment..
• Practical Roadmap: Learn how to conduct a materiality assessment and translate priorities into measurable actions, KPIs, and targets.
• Navigational Confidence: Gain clarity on the relationships between major standards (GRI, TCFD, IFRS), frameworks (SDGs), and ratings (EcoVadis, B Corp).
• Implementation Tools: Acquire the knowledge to establish internal governance, report progress transparently, and avoid the pitfalls of greenwashing.

Who Should Attend

• Sustainability and ESG Managers in SMEs responsible for developing and implementing strategy.
• Finance and Operations Leads tasked with integrating new regulatory requirements and efficiency measures.
• Marketing and Communications Professionals who need to accurately report on progress and engage stakeholders.
• Business Owners and Founders looking to build long-term resilience, enhance brand reputation, and meet investor expectations.
• Any team member from an SME who has been tasked with shaping, driving, or reporting on their company's sustainability initiatives.