Over 5,000 manufacturers in Singapore can now refer to a new decarbonisation playbook to begin and further their net-zero journeys, launched on May 28.
Developed by DBS Bank, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Ernst & Young (EY) and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), it is Singapore’s first decarbonisation playbook designed for the manufacturing sector.
Supported by Enterprise Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore, the 62-page “Decarbonisation Playbook: A Practical Guide for Manufacturers to a Low-Carbon Future” is created with insights from over 70 manufacturers across seven sub-sectors, says SMF CEO Dennis Mark in his opening remarks at a May 28 launch event.
Singapore’s manufacturing sector is a major economic driver and one of the largest sources of carbon emissions. Based on data from the National Climate Change Secretariat, the industry sector accounted for 49% of Singapore’s primary greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.
Unlike traditional frameworks, the playbook combines perspectives of manufacturing players with insights of ecosystem players who are familiar with decarbonisation, says Praveen Tekchandani, Singapore Leader and Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services at EY.
“It breaks down complex requirements and policies like Singapore’s carbon tax and sustainability reporting standards while integrating science-based strategies, sector-specific pathways and readily applicable solutions, providing tangible and industry-tested tools to help companies take their first step in sustainability,” adds Tekchandani in an announcement.
See also: DBS, Singapore Manufacturing Federation sign MOU to help sector decarbonise
At the heart of the playbook is the “Decarb” framework, an acronym for its six objectives for manufacturers: discover emissions sources, evaluate opportunities, create business cases, adopt low-carbon solutions, refine internal skills and build long-term decarbonisation roadmaps.
The playbook builds upon a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between DBS and SMF in February. The MOU — SMF’s first with a financial institution — kickstarted a collaboration that aims to support 500 small- and mid-sized manufacturers over the next two years, providing targeted expertise, resources and financial solutions to lower emissions and raise competitiveness in the green economy.
In today’s uncertain business climate, building financial resilience is as critical as sustainability initiatives, says Chen Ze Ling, DBS’s group head of corporate and SME banking. “Striking the right balance between the two empowers businesses to reduce their carbon footprint while effectively navigating ongoing challenges.”
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A recent poll by the Singapore Business Federation across nearly 300 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) revealed that 80% are negatively impacted by the current tariff landscape under the Trump administration. Meanwhile, 75% expect revenue declines and 50% foresee rising costs.
“While these challenges are real, they also point to an urgent need for adaptation and an opportunity to rethink how we build for the future,” says Chen in opening remarks on May 28.
Teaching Singapore’s future workers
In addition to manufacturers in the market, some 1,600 students and adult learners from NYP’s full-time and continuing education programmes will also use the playbook in their lessons and training.
NYP will integrate its contents into both pre-employment training (PET) and continuing education and training (CET) curricula. The playbook will also be shared with corporate partners under NYP’s Alliance for Sustainability Innovation (ASI), a sustainability-focused platform for business leaders.
"The playbook enables industry partners to develop greater awareness about incorporating sustainability practices in their workplace," says Graham Ng, director of NYP’s School of Engineering. "By integrating it across our programmes and platforms, we're creating a powerful ripple effect to equip our learners and industry partners with the ability to identify and tackle sustainability challenges to enhance their business operations.”
In total, NYP expects that the playbook’s content will reach 1,000 PET students across 10 diploma courses, 220 CET adult learners in part-time specialist and advanced diploma courses and work-study programmes, and 438 ASI member companies.
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Industry workshops
As part of its rollout, the playbook will be introduced via half-day industry workshops co-organised by DBS, SMF, EY and NYP.
The Edge Singapore understands the first iteration of this workshop will start in 3Q2025.
These sessions will onboard manufacturers and practitioners through hands-on walkthroughs and implementation guidance
The playbook is the latest in a suite of solutions designed to connect manufacturers to a broader ecosystem of sustainability support, including DBS’s ESG Ready Programme, which provides a structured framework to build sustainability capabilities, develop tailored transition plans and access green financing solutions.
This is complemented by SMF’s Chief Sustainability Officer-as-a-Service (CSOaaS), launched in January 2024, which offers on-the-ground expertise to help companies turn strategy into action.
