Consolidating the expertise of over 130 environmental businesses under the RSK Group, the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence will provide practical solutions for industries and governments

RSK Group, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, today announces the official launch of the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence in Singapore. The centre will support the delivery of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, profiling Singapore as a global force in the sustainability arena while supporting businesses across the Asia-Pacific region in readdressing the balance of people, profit and planet.

The launch was officiated by Ms Grace Fu, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor and Minister of State Desmond Tan at the Singapore International Water Week 2022. Witnessing the launch were Her Excellency Kara Owen, British High Commissioner to Singapore; Peter Ng, Chief Executive Officer, PUB; Alan Ryder, Chief Executive Officer and founder, RSK Group; Lucy Thomas, RSK Group Chief Scientist and Managing Director of the Centre for Sustainability Excellence; William Yong, Managing Director, Binnies Singapore and Director of the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence; and Robert Charnock, Director, RSK Research Institute for Climate Strategy.

"I am delighted to launch the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence in Singapore and supporting governments and businesses as we all work together towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The world has woken up to the realities of climate change and biodiversity loss. It is imperative that we act now to mitigate and adapt to our changing planet. Through the centre, we will deliver services that bring tangible change and upskill the next generation of sustainability leaders," says Alan Ryder, Chief Executive Officer and founder, RSK Group.

According to Climate Action Tracker, the net zero goals put forth by leaders and governments the world over remain out of reach. Even with all the pledges announced at the 2021 United Nations climate change conference (COP26) in Glasgow, it is projected that in 2030, emissions will be roughly twice as high as the level needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It is imperative that industries and nations accelerate progress towards key targets to achieve the Paris objectives.

The RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence is built around four core themes covering fundamental aspects of sustainable development as set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The centre will also house the RSK Research Institute for Climate Strategy.

Climate and sustainability strategy

With a focus on decarbonisation, the centre will offer consulting services and strategic advice on climate strategy and disclosures, particularly on Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) reporting, green funding availability and carbon offset markets. Experts will also provide the measurement of natural capital; carbon accounting, water and biodiversity audits; and management plans.

Renewable energy

The centre will offer services to support the development of renewable technologies, including solar, wind and tidal energy projects, and will follow projects through their life cycle with construction and operation and maintenance services. For example, through "Ocean 30", a joint venture between RSK and Nova Innovation, we will design, install, operate and maintain tidal and floating solar projects. RSK's experience in global renewable projects along with its expertise in marine biodiversity conservation and enhancement will be vital to renewables projects across the Asia-Pacific region.

Digital water

To provide sustainable and robust water, wastewater and flood resilience solutions, the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence will provide infrastructure design using smart technology such as artificial intelligence to expedite the design process and reduce operating costs at water and wastewater treatment plants. An Innovation Factory will develop ideas, provide proofs of concept and conduct pilot tests on intelligent water and environmental solutions.

Sustainable agriculture

To improve resilience throughout the food and drink supply chain, the centre will provide insight into agricultural supply chain vulnerability and adaptation and renewable smart energy systems for crop production, lighting and cooling.

RSK Research Institute for Climate Strategy

An education hub, the RSK Research Institute for Climate Strategy, will bridge the gap between academic insights on climate strategy and the challenges faced by practitioners and policymakers. Researchers will provide timely insights into pressing issues, such as corporate climate scenario analysis; zero-carbon transition plans and measurement; and reporting and verification (MRV) for a decarbonised world. Collaborations with world-leading universities will drive the research institute's agenda and will impact across the areas of business, policy and education.

Located in western Singapore adjacent to the Binnies Singapore office, the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence will create around 75 new local jobs with support from RSK's global network of over 8500 experts, including those from Binnies Singapore. A company within the RSK Group, Binnies provides leading water and environmental solutions.

"RSK is a well-established and trusted service provider across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and through the Centre for Sustainability Excellence, we hope to bring this wealth of experience to the Asia-Pacific region. Our business is built on delivering practical solutions to very challenging problems, going well beyond consultancy to bring sustainability to life. Underpinned by real-world knowledge and the leading-edge climate research that will be delivered by the RSK Research Institute for Climate Strategy, the centre will help businesses move at pace towards a more sustainable future," said Lucy Thomas, RSK Group Chief Scientist and Managing Director of the RSK Centre for Sustainability Excellence.

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