At the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, world leaders agreed to work together to maintain global warming to no more than 1.5° C. Two targets were set in the Paris Agreement - achieving 45% reduction in emissions by 2030, and reaching net zero by 2050. Fast forward to the present,  the reality is that very few nations are on track to reaching these targets. Amid other global challenges, climate change remains an issue that requires urgent attention by all stakeholders, especially businesses. 

As more and more organisations incorporate sustainability goals into their business strategies, the question of efficacy comes to the fore. How can organisations develop a holistic framework and approach to sustainability that leads to real and measurable improvements? 

For the Singapore Management University (SMU), for example, attention to sustainability has been embedded in its core curriculum, co-curricular activities, faculty research and day-to-day-administration. In 2021, a Sustainability Task Force chaired by Professor Lily Kong, the fifth President of SMU was set up to develop the direction and plans for the University in contributing to Sustainable Living. The University is now taking its commitment to sustainability even further and deeper, by launching the SMU Sustainability Blueprint.  

The Sustainability Blueprint 

At the 2022 President’s State of the University Address (PSOUA) held on 9 September, Prof Kong explained that the Sustainability Blueprint was created to provide SMU with a framework for achieving its goal of becoming an “exemplar of sustainable city living by embedding sustainability in the way its community works, learns, lives and plays”. The blueprint incorporates 13 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is used to chart the university’s actions forward in concerted ways across four key strategies: Cultivating a Greener University, Developing Change Agents, Driving Impactful Research and Fostering Resilient Communities. 

The Four Strategies of the SMU Sustainability Blueprint  

The first key strategy is cultivating a greener university. SMU is committed to developing a clean, green and healthy environment for every stakeholder by: 

• Using state-of-the-art technologies for green buildings which contribute to sustainability. Employing innovative engineering methods and technologies to shorten construction time, improve buildability and reduce carbon emissions 
• Increasing solar harvesting, obtaining low energy theatres across campus and reducing air travel by faculty and staff with the goal to be a carbon neutral campus by 2030  
• Reducing waste generated per capita by implementing waste food recycling across campus and phasing out single use plastics, non-eco friendly utensils and packaging with the goal of becoming a zero-waste campus 
• Focusing attention to sustainable investments to establish the university's baseline carbon footprint by 2023 and evaluating the obligations and commitments for the University to be a signatory of the UN Principles of Responsible Investment 
• Ensuring sustainable water management by implementing water harvesting and SMART water meters on campus 
• Implementing a sustainable procurement policy that protects the environment and ensuring suppliers are aligned to SMU’s core sustainability principles   

The next key strategy is developing change agents. SMU is set to address the gap in expertise and skill sets around sustainability by: 

• Preparing students to be change agents and future sustainability leaders by ensuring every undergraduate student has a foundational understanding of sustainability (as encapsulated in the relevant UN SDGs)  
• Putting a spotlight on sustainability in the undergraduate curriculum and co-curriculum,which are designed to result in transformational impact on knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. 
• Building on existing sustainability education offerings so that all SMU students will be equipped with baseline sustainability mastery, and emphasising the understanding of sustainability issues as being instrumental to becoming engaged and responsible global citizens.

To drive impactful research, SMU will expand its research on an extensive range of sustainability issues with an emphasis on management and social sciences (Social, legal, policy and governance),  by: 

• Developing high quality research on sustainability, developing global and local partnerships, and putting sustainability research into practice on campus. 

Finally, to foster resilient communities, SMU aims develop greater social sustainability, where people can lead fulfilling and satisfying lives by: 

• Adopting a holistic approach towards community wellbeing through education initiatives, targeted programmes, support systems and external partnerships. 
• Building a resilient sustainable community by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. 

7 lessons: Adapting the Blueprint to other organisations 

How can leaders learn and apply SMU’s Blueprint in their respective contexts? While organisations differ in their strengths, resources and challenges, the Blueprint provides useful principles that companies can apply to their own sustainability frameworks:

1. Take stock of your organisation’s carbon footprint and waste production and take measured steps to reduce it.
2. Create a long-term plan, with achievable targets, milestones and a timeline for making the organisation a greener and cleaner institution. 
3. Educate team members and even customers about sustainability practices through courses, programmes, or marketing and communication initiatives.
4. Encourage staff to put their knowledge of sustainability into use in their daily lives to achieve greater collective impact on the community.
5. Conduct research to find innovative ways to improve products, and create a more sustainable work environment
6. Adopt a holistic approach to looking after the team’s physical, social and emotional health by examining the current work environment and implementing changes to office culture. This could include incorporating a Mental Health Day, offering remote work options and implementing blackout periods for meetings to prevent burnout. 
7. Create a diverse and inclusive community. A good starting point would be to re-examine and re-evaluate hiring and unconscious biases, re-assessing company policies, and promoting equal pay. 

The establishment and commitment to sustainability practices in organisations lies in the hands of its leaders. While the road to true sustainability is a long and challenging one, organisations can start by taking small steps towards building a strong, effective and efficient sustainability framework. They should also benchmark themselves against companies which have successful sustainability policies and practices, and make adjustments along the way.  

In the words of Prof Kong, “As the world continues to face immense volatility with new challenges and opportunities, not least those presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, it needs a coordinated and coherent approach in responding and refocusing resources and energy.”​​