SBF chief executive Kok Ping Soon on product-specific carbon emissions data

Key Concepts

• Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR)
• Emission Factors (EFs)
• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) computation
• Localized Emission Factors
• Digital Carbon Calculators
• Product Specific Carbon Emissions Data (PCF)
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
• PACT Methodology
• Net Zero by 2050
• B2C Marketplaces
• Three Ms: Manpower, Method, Money
• Netzero.sg

Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR) and its Benefits

The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) established the SEFR to assist businesses in calculating and managing their carbon footprint. The SEFR offers three primary advantages:

1. Single Source of Truth: It consolidates emission factors from various sources, eliminating the need for companies to gather data from multiple locations. Before SEFR, companies had to compile EFs from different sources to compute their greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Localized Emission Factors: The registry provides emission factors specific to Singapore, which are more accurate than relying on foreign indicators (e.g., US or UK). For example, Singapore's public train system has different grid intensity, average occupancy rate, and climatic conditions compared to the UK and US.
3. Pre-integrated with Digital Carbon Calculators: The SEFR is integrated with approximately 20 digital carbon calculators, simplifying the submission process for companies.

New Technical Specifications for Product Specific Emissions Data

The SEFR has been updated to include product-specific carbon emissions data, going beyond national averages. This enhancement, achieved through an agreement with the WBCSD, ensures that product-specific data is high-quality and standardized according to the PACT methodology. This allows companies to both find and publish product-specific emission factors, improving discoverability and accessibility.

Razer's Success with PCF Data

Tech company Razer has endorsed the SEFR, reporting increased revenue due to the production of PCF data. International B2C marketplaces are increasingly prioritizing companies with greener products and supporting data, incorporating this information into algorithms that determine product listing order. Razer's ability to demonstrate the environmental friendliness of its products has led to increased sales.

Singapore's Net Zero Target and the Importance of Business Involvement

Singapore aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, a challenging goal due to the country's small size and limited renewable energy resources. Businesses account for 70% of carbon emissions, making their participation crucial. Beyond compliance, measuring and reducing carbon footprint offers value creation opportunities, including cost savings through operational efficiency, cost avoidance through access to green loans, and increased customer base due to growing consumer demand for greener products.

Barriers to Carbon Footprint Measurement and Solutions

A survey conducted by SBF and Bain & Company identified three main reasons why SMEs are hesitant to measure their carbon footprint:

1. Manpower: Lack of in-house capability and capacity.
2. Method: Uncertainty about where to begin.
3. Money: Financial constraints.

Despite these challenges, resources such as training courses, grants, and the Netzero.sg resource portal are available. SMEs require integrated, end-to-end programs to guide them through the decarbonization journey.

Conclusion

The SEFR, with its new technical specifications for product-specific emissions data, is a valuable tool for Singaporean businesses seeking to measure and reduce their carbon footprint. While challenges remain, the potential benefits, including cost savings, access to green finance, and increased customer base, make it essential for businesses to engage in decarbonization efforts to support Singapore's net-zero target.