RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
EVENT REPORT
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3 - 4 NOVEMBER, 2015
MARINA BAY SANDS
CONVENTION CENTRE &
GARDENS BY THE BAY
SINGAPORE
SUSTAINABILITY 2015:
DELIVERING CLIMATE ACTION AND
GOALS FOR A BETTER FUTURE
EVENT REPORT

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“ Sustainable development
is not an optional luxury.”
Vivian Balakrishnan
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Programme Office

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With a new climate treaty about to be agreed by global leaders in Paris, coupled with
the recent launch of the Sustainable Development Goals, 2015 will be a historic year
for the world in ensuring prosperity and environmental protection for future generations.
Innovation and mindset shifts are critical for the systemic change we need to achieve
these goals. While there may have been a gradual move from business-as-usual to
change-as-usual, some organizations have embraced transformational changes such
as new closed-loop and circular business models. At the same time, banks and asset
managers are increasing their focus on sustainable finance. Are we at the tipping point
for meaningful change?
The 4th Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development, held in Singapore
from 2 – 4 November, convened more than 400 business leaders, investors, NGOs
and policy-makers from over 25 countries around the world. They gathered to share
innovations and agree on practical solutions for climate action and delivering the
sustainable development goals.
Collaboration, commitment and bold actions were called for, as multilateral action from
governments, businesses, communities and individuals are needed to address climate
change and sustainable development issues. It is critical that state and non-state
actors create wide-ranging partnerships and move “beyond competition and engage in
co-opetition”.
Event Summary
Delivering climate
action and goals for
a better future

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151
Moving towards zero emissions in transport and logistics
234
Innovation in waste & recycling
209
Reducing emissions through sustainable forestry and agriculture
214
Smart, sustainable cities and climate change solutions
211
Creating real change through innovation, technology, and global consumer networks
178
Opportunities in sustainable finance
Attendance Profile
Attendance Profile by
Designation
CEOs/Heads/Presidents/Managing Directors 110
Directors/Heads of Depts 180
Managers 108
Consultants 65
Advisors 35
Others 106
TOTAL 604
Attendance Profile by
Parallel Sessions
Attendance Profile by
Sector
Academic 42
Business 242
Consultancy 72
Charity/ Social Enterprise 11
Government 60
NGO 98
Media 34
Financial 45
TOTAL 604
Session 1
Session 2

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Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan delivered the opening
speech to the forum with a strong message on the importance of sustainable
development in business on a global level.
The prolonged and recurring transboundary haze was a strong theme in the minister’s
speech due to its detrimental consequences. He made a bold statement declaring the
haze a “man-made tragedy and a crime”, providing a timely allegory for the ubiquitous
need for responsible business practices. He also called for more transparency and
accountability in the supply chains, referring to the haze as “a classic example of
privatizing the gain and socializing the pain”.
Acknowledging the fact that climate change affects everyone, Minister Balakrishnan
drew particular attention to SIDS (small island developing states) and their enhanced
vulnerability. Singapore as a land-scarce city-state is especially exposed to the
effects of climate change. He emphasized Singapore’s approach to view sustainable
development “not as an ideology but as a matter of practical consideration”.
Pragmatism and effective partnerships are the defining features behind the forward
thinking policy.
Opening plenary address Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Programme Office

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“There is no shortage of innovations that could provide solutions to both
climate and wider sustainable development challenges. What we must do
is harness market levers to scale these solutions as a matter of urgency.”
Sally Uren
Chief Executive Officer, Forum for the Future
Speaker Highlights
“Sustainable development is not an optional luxury.”
Vivian Balakrishnan
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore
Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Programme Office
“Community comes first, then country, then company.”
Tony Wenas
Managing Director, APRIL Indonesia Operations & President Director,
PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper
“Sustainability is good for business, we prove it and we measure it.”
Roelof Westerbeek
Executive Vice President, DSM
“By 2050, there will be a 5 billion middle class and 2/3 of it
will be in Asia.”
Jake Layes
Global Director, Cleantech & Entrepreneur Impact, Autodesk
“Dignity is to be able to make your own choices in life.”
Pia Bruce
Executive Director
UN Women Singapore Committee

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“The SDGs targets are ambitious but clear. We know we can put the
solutions in place for water.”
Inge Wallage
Communications and Engagement Director, International Water Association
Speaker Highlights
“Reducing emissions through sustainable forestry:
Prevention is cheaper than suppression.”
Goh Lin Piao
Managing Director, APRIL Group
“Every disaster offers a big opportunity to make things right.”
Satya Tripathi
Director & Executive Head, UN Office for REDD+ and Coordination, Indonesia
“Any investment is based on risk, return and scalability.”
Renat Heuberger
Chief Executive Officer, South Pole Group
“One of the most important things in this whole (stakeholder
engagement) process is transparency.”
Jeremy Goon,
Chief Sustainability Officer, Wilmar
“We need to create a global climate and sustainability campaign like the
Olympics.”
Liz Courtney
Producer and Director, The Tipping Points / Co-founder, Youth4Planet

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“We don’t want the government to set the carbon price, we want a
government to set the agenda for the prices to emerge”
Mathew Nelson
Asia Pacific Managing Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY
“We don’t believe in subsidies, we don’t believe in charity, we believe in
innovation, in doing well and doing good.”
Ashok Khosla
Founder & Chairman, Development Alternatives Group
Speaker Highlights
“Inclusive business is a great way for the private sector to reach
equitable prosperity.”
Jeanne Finestone
Senior Communications, Marketing & Advocacy Lead, BCtA
“We recognise sustainable business is better business”.
Leonie Schreve
Global Head, Sustainable Finance, ING Bank
“We can’t separate the social & the environmental system that
we rely on.”
Johan Kuylenstierna
Policy Director, Stockholm Environment Institute
“10% of our annual revenue goes to innovation.”
Holy Ranaivozanany
Head, Corporate Social Responsibility, Huawei Technologies

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Social Media
80,399
TWEETS IMPRESSIONS
246
TWEETS
580,847
EARNED IMPRESSIONS
#RBFSingapore:
N°1 Trending Hashtag in Singapore
(3 Nov 2015)
462
FAVOURITES
683
RE-TWEETS
123
NEW FOLLOWERS
309
LIKES ON INSTAGRAM
Top Tweets
2,905
IMPRESSIONS
2,577
IMPRESSIONS
10,004
IMPRESSIONS
Instagram
33
PICTURES
309
LIKES

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Audience
Engagement
and Networking
Question:
Which group has the largest role to play in implementing climate
change action and the sustainable development goals?
POLL
50
VOTES
Option Votes %
Business 7 14.0%
Government 6 12.0%
NGOs 1 2.0%
Other 2 4.0%
All of the above, in collaboration 34 68.0%
Total 50
VOTE SUMMARY
Event Content, Format, Speakers and Technology
Excellent.
as Good, Very Good or Excellent.
partner with to facilitate greater change
Event Outcomes
Agreed nor Disagreed.
my understanding of the opportunities presented by taking action around climate
change and the SDGs.
Responses in Pigeonhole: Finally, do you have any overall comments or
suggestions?
exceptional. Thank you.
panellists. - encourage all attendees to remain for all sessions . - next year report
back on the impact or individual / corporate action that resulted from the 2015
forum. - keep up the sterling work!
sustainable business conference.

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