Innovative financing to boost Singapore’s lead in climate finance, says KPMG

Robust policy and leveraging technology can also help fast-track green goals.

Singapore could reinforce its position as the regional leader in climate financing by mobilising funds worth up to S$100b to support green projects and technologies, according to KPMG. 

The Lion City can tap public, private, and philanthropic capital to raise an additional S$100b in climate financing over the next seven years, Sharad Somani, partner and head of KPMG ESG in the city, said on Friday as he dives deep into their joint budget proposal with the Singapore Business Federation.

Somani said that the city-state should focus on innovative finance as one of the three aspects it should focus on to cement its position as a climate leader in the region.

To support its green transition further, he said there is a need to establish a robust policy framework that will help create and promote more green projects. 

He added that leveraging technology will also motivate players to support the country’s climate change agenda.

“We believe that certain use cases will have to be demonstrated whether it's in the storage space or carbon capture, utilisation and storage space or green hydrogen space,” he explained.

READ MORE: KPMG and SBF outline Budget 2024 wish list

For the private sector, businesses need to strengthen their ability to attract and retain talent and build a green workforce to fast-track their sustainability goals, according to Cherine Fok, partner and head of Our Impact Plan, KPMG in Singapore.

Fok said improving the existing climate reporting systems will further strengthen the leadership role that Singapore regulators and trade associations play in the region in terms of adopting sustainability reporting standards.

“The next step is really around the adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards which are meant for capital markets… this forms a strong basis for capital attraction,” she said.