Nothing measured, nothing gained: How Singapore’s sustainability disclosures benefit businesses

Nothing measured, nothing gained: How Singapore’s sustainability disclosures benefit businesses

February 2026

A recent study commissioned by Schneider Electric Singapore and supported by the Singapore Exchange indicates that roughly half of Singapore’s business leaders believe better sustainability disclosures will help them attract investors.

This suggests a still-sizeable pool of business leaders who remain unconvinced. For some of these leaders, perhaps, attracting investors is not a priority. For others, the cost of disclosures may outweigh the benefits.

Among both of these groups, sustainability disclosures in Singapore may be understood as a compliance exercise that consists of compiling data and checking boxes. Yet sustainability disclosures can be a catalyst for so much value.

Measuring electricity consumption can reveal cost-cutting opportunities. Quantifying carbon emissions can open doors to new customers. And anticipating climate impact can unveil untapped business ideas.

Business leaders who embrace the challenge of improving their sustainability reporting are certain to discover these benefits along their journeys.

The intersection of climate and value creation

Schneider Electric’s report shows evidence of such positive impact. For instance, 61% of the business leaders who were surveyed for the report have identified new business opportunities in response to climate change.

The top opportunity areas companies see are in renewable energy, sustainable products and services, and climate technology and related digital solutions.

One of the companies featured in the report, a manufacturer of electrical switchgear and switchboard components called Cantal United, testified that building a carbon reporting programme allowed it to win new work. After conducting a carbon assessment, Cantal was able to qualify for inclusion in a list of suppliers for green buildings.

Another company, LHN, found that the installation of automatic meter readers across certain properties in its real estate business allowed it to make better operational decisions. It was able to identify assets with high resource consumption, optimise its property portfolio and enhance investor confidence.

Staying ahead of the curve

As climate-related risks intensify, the absence of credible disclosures may become a competitive disadvantage. In this context, climate reporting is less about regulatory compliance and more about maintaining trust and relevance in increasingly volatile markets.

Companies that aim to lead the pack with quality sustainability disclosures, meanwhile, will likely find themselves ahead of their competition on many other fronts too.

At a panel discussion following the report’s launch, Dr Mark Watson, Director of Sustainability and Impact at Banyan Group, noted that climate risk has become very real for hospitality companies.

Flooding, for instance, can significantly affect operations for a resort property. Assessing climate risks helps companies deal with such disruptions and prepare for them before they happen.

He noted also that the incorporation of environmental sustainability has become a requirement among the travellers Banyan Group courts. These guests are seeking sustainable experiences, often intertwined with nature. By sidelining sustainability discussions, Watson said, many companies are leaving value on the table.

Communication beyond compliance

If companies have implemented systems to collect and disseminate sustainability data but have yet to reap results, it may be time to change how that data is communicated.

At Sandpiper, we have seen companies swing between two extremes: wordy storytelling and dry data. Melding the two is difficult, especially because corporate sustainability teams are often under-resourced.

What should companies do to credibly tell (or sell) their sustainability stories? Here are three simple questions to ask at the start:

1. Where are you getting the best data? Disclosure standards require companies to compile a large amount of data, which tends to result in an overwhelming number of messages competing for attention. Decision paralysis may set in, and companies may end up putting data points out without setting the context or trying to tell too many stories and diluting their main messages. One way to cut through the noise is to zoom in on the highest-quality data points and figure out what stories can be told with that data.
2. How does my story relate to current trends? Investors, customers and any other stakeholders will only pay attention to your storytelling if it makes an impact. It can, however, be difficult to figure out which segment your audience is interested in. Linking your storytelling to a trending topic will help you catch your stakeholders’ attention and make your disclosures relevant to the current conversation.
3.  What storytelling element can I bring in? Hardly anyone remembers the height of Taiwan’s tallest building (508m, for those who are curious), but the building’s name (Taipei 101) and its structure have been etched into the minds of many after it was successfully scaled by climber Alex Honnold without any safety gear. Storytelling in any genre – whether it’s financial or sustainable or regulatory – works best with elements of imagery, expression and exceptionalism. Aim for at least one and you will have a winning story each time.

The introduction and adoption of sustainability disclosures are meant to improve the world we live in. Measurement should be seen as a means of progression, and telling that story can encourage others too.

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