Visit from ACCA

CGS welcomed a visit from ACCA delegates.

With a changing regulatory landscape relating to sustainability, how could economies and companies adapt? How can policy research be used to advance decarbonisation and energy transition? What are ASEAN and Asia’s roles in the global climate picture? These were some of the topics discussed when delegates from ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) visited the Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School on 22 October 2024.

We welcomed Ms Ayla Majid, Deputy President, ACCA Global, Mr Daniel Leung, Country Manager, ACCA Singapore, Mr Chiew Chun Wee, Regional Lead Policy and Insights, Asia Pacific, ACCA, and Mr Gavin Goh, Education Relationships Lead, ACCA Singapore.

ACCA, a global professional accountancy body, has a long history dating back to 1904. Incidentally, NUS has its roots in a medical school founded a year later, in 1905. The similarities do not end there. CGS and ACCA have shared aims in promoting corporate sustainability and governance, and its people have had long-standing ties.

It was a morning of knowledge exchange as ACCA shared their priorities and CGS shared our areas of research focus. Current affairs developments were at the top of our minds. From the United States to Europe, from Asia Pacific to ASEAN, economies are at different states of energy transition and sustainability reporting. Their challenges vary. As Ms Majid said, “The starting points of different countries are different.” Carbon emissions are tied to economic growth. While higher carbon emissions are frowned upon, there needs to be recalibration in situations where energy access could help improve people’s quality of life.

ASEAN and Asia play important parts in the climate story. Professor Lawrence Loh, Director, CGS, pointed out Asia’s major role in the global supply chain. “It is the problem and also the solution.” Further research could be done on how economies manage energy transition and carbon management in response to emerging policies and regulations.

It is an evolving landscape, but dialogues and research collaborations will bring us further in the quest for informed and green societies.

Ms Ayla Majid, Deputy President, ACCA Global, voiced her views on energy transition, the role of boards in sustainability, and the intertwining of sustainability and finance.

The ACCA delegation also shared ACCA’s areas of focus in sustainability, AI and talent. From left: Mr Daniel Leung, Country Manager, ACCA Singapore, Ms Ayla Majid, Deputy President, ACCA Global, Mr Chiew Chun Wee, Regional Lead Policy and Insights, Asia Pacific, ACCA, and Mr Gavin Goh, Education Relationships Lead, ACCA Singapore.

Prof Lawrence Loh (foreground), Director, CGS, opined the necessity of setting baselines and benchmarks in corporate sustainability and governance. Doing so points out the gaps and areas where companies and policymakers could direct more efforts.

A morning of fruitful knowledge exchange. CGS is pleased to host ACCA delegates (group on left, starting from foreground): Mr Daniel Leung, Country Manager, ACCA Singapore, Ms Ayla Majid, Deputy President, ACCA Global, Mr Chiew Chun Wee, Regional Lead Policy and Insights, Asia Pacific, ACCA, and Mr Gavin Goh, Education Relationships Lead, ACCA Singapore. CGS attendees include (group on right, starting from foreground): Ms Ang Hui Min, Senior Manager (Research and Communications), Professor Lawrence Loh, Director, Ms Verity Thoi, Business Development Lead, and Mr Ivan Lim, Assistant Manager.