Singapore Member-Only Roundtable: ESG Fund Labelling Framework Industry Discussion

Singapore ESG

AIMA Singapore invites you to join an interactive member-only roundtable on 22 September 2022.
 
The ESG market has grown significantly both globally and in Asia Pacific amid the growing emphasis and demand for sustainable-related investments from investors, resulting in different types of ESG products. However, this has also led to an increase in demand for clarity and transparency of such products in line with the evolving ESG ecosystem.
 
Locally, regulatory impetus has been driving key initiatives to address existing gaps in the market and to prevent one of the biggest challenges associated with ESG – that of greenwashing. Recently, the MAS unveiled disclosure requirements for retail ESG funds in Singapore that will take effect on 1 January 2023, while the Green Finance Industry Taskforce (GFIT) published a second consultation paper on its proposed taxonomy for Singapore-based financial institutions which will set out a definitive criterion for greenness upon which financials products and services can be built.
 
The MAS-sponsored Singapore Funds Industry Group's (SFIG) Infrastructure & Industry Workgroup, co-chaired by Justin Ong, Partner at PwC and Ross Crawford, Chair of AIMA Singapore, is exploring the development of an ESG Fund Labelling Framework in Singapore. The aim being to provide further transparency for sustainable investments and drive capital towards a sustainable economy.
 
The framework will:
  • provide an independent view of the quality of sustainable financial management;
  • offer protection against greenwashing by ensuring that ESG measures and standards are applied and there is consistent, clear communication to market participants and;
  • endorse Singapore as APAC’s green financing and certification center.
Industry participants can leverage the platform to address market appetite and vision for the asset management industry. As such, we would like to gather your input to obtain a broader market perspective and sense check the vision. To facilitate discussion and interaction, we highly encourage attendees to turn on their webcams and mics.
 
The objective of the industry roundtable discussion is to:
  • Provide you with an overview of the research conducted to date
  • Explain our vision for Singapore and seek your feedback
  • Understand the market appetite for an ESG Funds Labelling Framework
  • Obtain feedback and perspective from you on potential elements of the framework such as scope, eligibility, interoperability, minimum requirements etc.
  • Identify and agree immediate areas of focus, considerations and next steps
 
Singapore Member Only Roundtable - ESG Fundlabelling Discussion.pdf
Replay is available here.
 
 
 
Speakers:
  • Kher Sheng Lee, Managing Director, Co-Head of APAC and Deputy Global Head of Government Affairs, AIMA
  • Christina Mason, Director, PwC Singapore Asset & Wealth Management ESG leader