Prioritising sustainability

Aside from showcasing innovative solutions to achieve sustainable and climate-resilient cities, the fifth edition of CESG also walks the sustainability talk by making changes from the very beginning.

Event brief
Organised by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) since 2012, the biennial CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG) serves as a global networking platform for thought leaders, senior government officials, regulators, policymakers, and industry captains.

Organised as a hybrid event for the first time, CESG 2022’s theme – Towards Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Cities – focused on five key areas: Waste as Resource, Enhanced Hygiene Standards, Effective Pest Management, Sustainable Energy and Pollution Control.

Event highlights
According to an NEA spokesperson, CESG 2022 was significant for a number of reasons. First, it marked the resumption of face-to-face business meetings since the pandemic.

More importantly, following the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, CESG 2022 was a step forward for industry leaders, regulators and policymakers to reconnect and renew commitments to address sustainability and climate-related issues.

A new addition this year was the inaugural Youth Environment Leaders Immersion Programme, which brought together youth leaders to network and exchange ideas, and learn from industry captains in the environmental sustainability space.

Another new addition to CESG this year was the Start-Up Pavilion, which provided opportunities for start-ups to connect with buyers to advance the adoption and export of new environmental innovations.

There was also an Environment Expo, which featured thematic Pavilions, including the NEA’s Innovation Pavilion, Asia Climate Forum Pavilions and the Singapore Pavilions. About 30 per cent of exhibitors at the Environment Expo showcased digital solutions, among which robotics solutions featured prominently.

According to NEA, business opportunities and potential collaborations discussed this year have been valued at S$45 billion (US$32.6 billion) in the areas of waste management, cleaning robotics and climate risk mitigation.

CESG also walked the sustainability talk from the get-go. To reduce event waste and use fewer resources, NEA did away with event brochures and show dailies, and encouraged QR codes, websites, and collaterals a digital format. The venue’s temperature was also adjusted, which resulted in the waiving of business suit requirements to help participants stay comfortable, and only the main aisles were carpeted.

Event organisers also catered about 70 per cent of the estimated food needed for the event to help reduce excess food on the buffet line. NEA even went a step further and worked with sustainable food suppliers – where bread crusts and waste peels were converted into beer.

In total, CESG 2022 attracted more than 15,000 attendees from 65 countries and regions and featured 43 speakers and 63 exhibitors.

Challenges
The number of international participants for CESG 2022 was fewer than that of previous editions because of the pandemic and travel restrictions, which were only eased two weeks before the event.

However, CESG 2022 offered a virtual platform after the physical event so that participants could access on-demand conference recordings and opportunities to re-connect with all participating exhibitors and attendees (physical and virtual) even if they were unable to attend in-person. 
– Additional reporting by Rachel AJ Lee

Event CleanEnviro Summit 
Singapore 2022
Organisers National Environment Agency
Venue Sands Expo and 
Convention Centre
Date April 17-21, 2022
Attendance 15,000

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