Centre profile

The Centre for Environmental Sustainability & Energy Efficiency (ESEE) supports enterprises in adopting energy-efficient solutions aligned with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. ESEE offers training, consultancy, and project-based services to help companies assess and improve the environmental sustainability of their operations, track carbon emissions, and develop sustainability reports to drive decarbonisation and achieve their net-zero goals.

Problem statement

In 2021, Singapore introduced its Green Plan 2030, aiming to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The plan seeks to cut projected peak emissions of 65 million tonnes in 2030 to 33 million tonnes by 2050, with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions thereafter.

For many businesses, adopting sustainability initiatives and energy-efficient practices is challenging due to the lack of expertise or a clear understanding of how to optimise operations to reduce electricity, water, and gas consumption.

Many also struggle with establishing benchmarks and tracking energy usage or greenhouse gas emissions.

_{Mr Chia conducting a test on the Extraction Column to check how energy efficient it is.}

Impact Achieved

One of the companies that ESEE worked with is Artisan Green, an indoor hydroponics farm specialising in growing baby leaves, herbs, and microgreens. The farm sought to better understand its energy consumption and identify the most power-intensive aspects of its operations.

From March to May 2024, ESEE conducted detailed energy assessments, gathering data from past utility documents and using sensors to monitor lighting, temperature control, humidity regulation, and nutrient systems.

By analysing usage patterns and equipment specifications, ESEE identified four key energy-saving solutions, including replacing existing lighting with smart lighting and installing high-efficiency dehumidifiers.

These recommendations could reduce energy consumption by up to 15%, helping to cut costs, said Anthony Ng, a staff at ESEE who spearheaded the assessment.

Ray Poh, Artisan Green’s founder and managing director, said he was glad they could “tap on this pool of expertise to aid us in our journey towards further greening our operations.” The project was sponsored by the Singapore Food Agency.

Shaping Sustainable Practices through Education

In addition to its work with businesses, ESEE also helps organisations enhance their sustainability efforts through tailored training programmes.

One such organisation is healthcare provider SATA CommHealth, whose team of 39 staff, including CEO Dr Kelvin Phua, attended two courses: Sustainability for Practitioners: Carbon Management and Strategies in Driving Net Zero, which explores the current climate regulatory landscape, and Sustainability for Practitioners: Sustainability Reporting Benchmarking Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Performance, which focuses on complying with international sustainability reporting standards.

Since October 2024, SATA CommHealth has been working with ESEE to publish its first sustainability report by 2026. The organisation has set an ambitious target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% by 2027. ESEE is helping them identify sources of emissions and develop effective decarbonisation strategies to achieve these goals.

Though SATA CommHealth is not a listed company and sustainability reporting is voluntary for charities, Dr Phua saw the importance of having his staff participate in the courses.

“We think that we can start on this journey and do our part for the planet. Singapore has more than 2,000 charities and if all of us do our part, that would have a big impact on the environment,” Dr Phua wrote on LinkedIn.

ESEE’s centre director Lam Kok Seng said he is proud of the work his team has done with industry partners. As both a consultant and training centre, ESEE plays a pivotal role in empowering organisations to drive meaningful change, guiding them towards a sustainable and energy-efficient future.

“Our commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency is not just about preserving the planet,” said Lam Kok Seng, who is also the deputy director for lifelong education and partnerships at SP’s School of Chemical & Life Sciences. ”It’s about leading the charge towards a sustainable future.”