ABOUT US

Leading impactful research on corporate sustainability and corporate governance, from a base in Singapore, with a pulse of Asia Pacific and ASEAN.

WHAT WE DO

Founded in 2010, the Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) is housed at the National University of Singapore Business School. Our research empowers leaders, organisations and regulators in making informed decisions related to corporate sustainability and corporate governance. We bridge knowledge with industry needs, enabling organisations in the Asia Pacific, including ASEAN and Singapore, to go further in their sustainability journeys.  

Our flagship initiatives include the Singapore Governance and Transparency Index, the Sustainability Reporting Review, and the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS). These initiatives assess corporate disclosures on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). For ACGS, CGS is appointed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to be the assessor for listed companies in Singapore.

Formerly known as the Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations, CGS has developed into a trusted hub for sustainability and governance insights. It has been commissioned by other organisations to research topics such as biodiversity and nature, climate change, digital economies, online marketing platforms and leadership diversity. In 2014, CGS embarked on sustainability reporting research of Singapore-listed companies. The scope was subsequently expanded to the ASEAN and Asia-Pacific regions. The year 2024 became a milestone, marking CGS’ 10 years in sustainability research.

As a knowledge partner for awards and competitions, CGS helps define criteria that recognise leading companies in sustainability and governance. One involvement is the Sustainability Impact Awards, a partnership with The Business Times and the United Overseas Bank. We also work with the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) and the Singapore Institute of Directors for certain categories under their Investors’ Choice Awards and the Singapore Corporate Awards respectively.

Supported by industry partners, we offer specialised programmes such as the “Tee Up Capital-NUS CGS Programme in Governance and Sustainability” and the “NKH-CGS Masterclasses in Governance and Sustainability”.

We continue to engage policymakers, companies and the public through conferences and workshops. In recent years, CGS has garnered over 500 media mentions annually, with coverage from prominent outlets such as AFP, AP, BBC, Bloomberg, China Daily, China Central Television, CNA, CNN, Nikkei Asia, The Straits Times, The Washington Post and Xinhua News.

Through industry-centric research, CGS aims to illuminate the path towards sustainable corporate practices and governance excellence.

“The Centre is doing world-changing work. Corporate sustainability and governance direct corporate strategy and resource allocation, attract investment, shape stakeholder views, and spur innovation for a sustainable future.”

Professor Lawrence Loh
Director
CGS, NUS Business School

Vision

To be the leading centre in Singapore and Asia, recognised globally for its research in institutional betterment of the world especially in corporate sustainability and corporate governance, straddling across businesses and organisations.

Mission

To stimulate thought leadership and contribute to the sustainable development of Asian corporations, economies and societies centred on a strong governance foundation.