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

• Sustainability Context and Business Importance 
• • Growing pressure from stakeholders, customers, and investors 
  • Competitive advantages of embedding sustainability 
  • Increasing sustainability reporting regulation and expectations 
• Key Sustainability Definitions 
• • Sustainability, ESG, CSR, and the triple bottom line 
  • Understanding how these concepts interrelate in practice 
• Key Standards and Frameworks 
• • UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
  • UN Global Compact (UNGC) 
  • GRI Standards 
  • SGX Sustainability Listing Rules 
  • TCFD and IFRS S1/S2 standards 
  • ESG ratings and rankings such as B Corp and EcoVadis 
  • Understanding the links between different standards, frameworks, and ratings 
• Sustainability Strategy for SMEs 
• • Why a sustainability strategy is important and who the main stakeholders are (e.g., investors, customers) 
  • Governance: establishing a sustainability committee or team covering all relevant business functions 
  • Conducting a materiality assessment to identify the most relevant ESG topics for your business and stakeholders 
  • For each material topic: 
  • • Identify the current ‘sustainability stock’ (existing initiatives and practices) 
    • Define an action plan with KPIs and targets 
  • Reporting sustainability progress at least annually (e.g., via website, brochure, or a sustainability report) 
  • How to avoid greenwashing 
  • Consider participating in ESG ratings and awards 
• Recap and Next Steps 
• • Key learnings and takeaways 
  • Immediate actions to advance your sustainability journey 
  • Q&A 

Key Takeaways

• A Clear Strategic Framework: Understand the core concepts of sustainability, ESG, and the triple bottom line, and how they apply specifically to an SME context.
• A Practical Action Plan: Learn how to conduct a materiality assessment and develop a structured, measurable sustainability plan with defined 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.