Ecosperity Conversations
The Business Case for Carbon Pricing in Singapore
The effects of climate change are real and wide-reaching. Beyond environmental implications, climate change also results in societal, economic and geopolitical implications. Governments, businesses and societies are taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Increasingly, jurisdictions have begun introducing carbon pricing policies such as carbon tax and emissions trading schemes to nudge businesses towards becoming more carbon-efficient and sustainable.
Many businesses are also proactively managing climate risks and adjusting their operations in preparation for a carbon-constrained future. According to the Carbon Disclosure Project, more than 1,200 companies worldwide have or are putting in place internal carbon pricing to guide their investments. The largest increase is seen in emerging economies, including India, Brazil, Mexico and China, which are most at risk from the effects of climate change.
Mr Benedict Chia will provide a global overview of carbon pricing, with a focus on business opportunities and the climate risks that carbon pricing averts. He will also discuss how a carbon tax fits into Singapore’s climate action strategy. Ms Goh Swee Chen will share how the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) Singapore can help businesses set internal carbon prices and perform risk assessments.
Programme
Benedict Chia
Director (Strategic Issues), National Climate Change Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore
Goh Swee Chen
President, Global Compact Network Singapore; Commissioner, High-level Commission on Carbon Pricing and Competitiveness, Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition
About the speakers
Benedict Chia
Director (Strategic Issues), National Climate Change Secretariat
Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore
Benedict Chia is Director (Strategic Issues) from the National Climate Change Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore. He is responsible for economic research, the development of low carbon technologies and futures work. Prior to that, he has served in the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
Goh Swee Chen
President, Global Compact Network Singapore
Commissioner, High-level Commission on Carbon Pricing and Competitiveness, Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition
Swee Chen joined Shell in 2003 and retired as Chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore in January 2019. She was previously with Procter & Gamble and IBM. A global leader, she has lived and worked in Singapore, Malaysia, Netherlands, Australia, USA, Japan and China. Swee Chen has a diverse professional background, having led significant businesses in oil & gas, consumer goods and IT sectors.
Swee Chen is on the boards of CapitaLand and Singapore Airlines. She chairs the Institute of HR Professionals and Global Compact Network Singapore. She also sits on public service boards including Legal Service Commission and National Arts Council.
Swee Chen had previously chaired/sat on the boards of Shell Joint Ventures in China, Korea and Saudi Arabia.
Swee Chen graduated with B.Sc. - Victoria University and MBA - Chicago Booth, University of Chicago. She was named Distinguished Alumni, Chicago Booth, in 2018. She is married with three children.
Attendance to Ecosperity Conversations is by invitation. For more information, contact us at ecosperity.convo@temasek.com.sg.
