UOB clinches Collaborative Partnership Award - Singapore at ESGBusiness Awards 2024

The bank was recognised for its partnership with Keppel Limited in supporting SMEs in their sustainability journey.

UOB brought home the Collaborative Partnership Award - Singapore accolade at the ESGBusiness Awards 2024.

The collaboration between UOB and Keppel Limited accelerates SMEs’ sustainability journeys through a multifaceted approach. By harnessing the synergies of UOB’s sustainable financing expertise and Keppel’s sustainability technologies in sustainable urban renewal, Energy as a Service (Essa) and digitalisation, they address immediate sustainability challenges whilst paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for businesses.  

Supporting ASEAN businesses in their sustainability and digitalisation journeys 

The 2024 UOB Business Outlook Study revealed that only four in ten businesses have adopted sustainability practices, citing key challenges such as increased costs, insufficient knowledge, and lack of manpower. SMEs also find it challenging to look for the right sustainability partners to help them. To address these challenges, UOB is partnering with Keppel, a leading provider of sustainability technologies, to leverage synergies and simplify sustainability for businesses by offering SMEs a comprehensive suite of sustainability solutions in sustainable urban renewal, energy as a service and digitalisation. 

Businesses that are looking to start their sustainability journeys can utilise the UOB Sustainability Compass to get a clear customised roadmap with actionable steps and attend the UOB Sustainability Compass Forum, which drives knowledge-sharing and connects businesses to sustainability experts. 

With their formulated sustainability strategy, they can leverage Keppel’s expertise in energy optimisation, sustainable asset enhancement solutions, connectivity, and digitalisation, implementing these initiatives with the sustainable financing support provided by UOB. 

For example, SMEs that need to track and report their carbon emissions can leverage the M1/Convene ESG platform, a subsidiary of Keppel, for greater accuracy and efficiency. Keppel’s Eaas model is subscription-based and allows businesses to enjoy substantial energy efficiency and cost savings without incurring upfront costs. These solutions can deliver substantial environmental benefits, optimising energy use, reducing costs, and extending asset lifespans, helping SMEs transition to more sustainable practices.

UOB’s innovative green, sustainability-linked and transition financing solutions are supported by seven proprietary frameworks that are aligned with global standards, empowering businesses to achieve their decarbonisation goals. Four key ecosystem solutions—U-Build, U-Drive, U-Energy and U-Solar—are designed to support businesses across different industries by simplifying the switch to more sustainable options. 

Transformative collaboration driving sustainable businesses

By combining expertise and solutions, the collaboration between UOB and Keppel addresses the sustainability challenges faced by businesses. 

Leveraging ASEAN’s most extensive trade network, UOB as the One Bank for ASEAN, helps businesses build sustainability and establish resilient supply chains. Find out more at www.uobgroup.com/sustainable-solutions.

The ESGBusiness Awards recognise companies that excel in sustainable practices, honouring businesses that show exceptional commitment to environmental, social, and governance standards.

The ESGBusiness Awards is presented by ESGBusiness. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].