KPMG in Singapore Introduces Strategic Guide to Boost Digital Talent and Inspire Green Innovation
- Written by Media Outreach
From Left to Right: Mr Francis Lee, SCS Executive Director Mr Benjamin Soh, Sustainable Tech SIG, Committee Member Ms Ang Guat Ling, Sustainable Tech SIG, Committee Member Mr Kenneth Ng, Vice-Chairman, Sustainable Tech SIG, Committee Joey Tan, Chairman, Sustainable Tech SIG, Committee Lim Bee Kwan, Vice-President, SCS Executive Council Sam Liew, President, SCS Executive Council Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information of Singapore Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore Lyon Poh, Partner, Head of Corporate Transformation, KPMG in Singapore James Wilson, Partner, Technology Consulting Nicki Doble, Principal Advisor, Corporate Transformation, KPMG in Singapore Dr. Deven Chhaya, Partner, Infrastructure Advisory, KPMG in Singapore
The guide highlights how many businesses already possess essential digital talent – such as AI specialists, software developers, and network engineers – and offers actionable strategies to upskill them for evolving technological demands. It also advocates for businesses to adopt 'Green by Design' principles, where sustainability is built into core operations and workforce strategies from the start, rather than being treated as an afterthought.This guide seeks to equip businesses with insights to plan ahead, offering observations of the current landscape, guidance on incorporating sustainability into business strategies, and actionable recommendations to address digital and green priorities. It supports Singapore's vision of fostering a skilled workforce ready to leverage AI to drive sustainable innovation and long-term economic resilience.
Lyon Poh, Partner and Head of Corporate Transformation at KPMG in Singapore, remarked, "The green transition is a strategic inflection point for Singapore businesses. To succeed, companies must embed sustainability into their core strategies, not as an afterthought, but as a foundation for innovation and growth. By remapping the mindsets and skillsets oftheir existing workforce, leveraging digital talent to drive green innovation, and aligning with national frameworks such as the Green Plan 2030, businesses can transform challenges into opportunities. Practical steps include investing in energy-efficient technologies, redesigning operations for circularity, and collaborating across sectors to scale impactful solutions. Singapore's strong policy environment and tech-capable workforce uniquely position it to lead in this space, creating economic value while ensuring long-term resilience. Businesses that act decisively now will not only secure a competitive edge but also contribute meaningfully to Singapore's sustainable growth story."
Joey Tan, Chairman, SCS Sustainable Tech SIG, said: "For a successful sustainability transformation, practitioners need to combine specialised knowledge with multidisciplinary skill sets. Green skills, including those related to green software, are essential for building a sustainable future and supporting Singapore's transition to a resource-efficient society."
Strategic Guide Overview – Driving Green Transformation The guide outlines four key focus areas to help businesses succeed in integrating digital and green priorities:
1. Landscape Analysis Examines Singapore's digital and green initiatives while addressing global commitments like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Identifies workforce gaps and proposes tailored solutions to improve alignment between talent development and sustainability strategies.
2. "Green by Design" Principles Inspired by Singapore's "Secure by Design" framework, these principles advocate embedding eco-conscious practices early in procurement, systems development, and operations, ensuring sustainability underpins all processes.
3. Digital Talent Roadmap Offers a clear framework for businesses to upskill existing digital roles with emerging green competencies. For example, software engineers can optimise algorithms for energy efficiency, while network specialists can architect sustainable systems. This roadmap is designed to support Singapore's Skills Frameworks.
4. Recommendations for Businesses Practical steps include fostering a culture of green innovation to seek competitive advantage, advancing cross-sector collaborations to scale sustainable solutions and aligning processes with national initiatives like the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Strategic Imperatives for Businesses To seize the opportunities presented by the green economy and AI, Singapore businesses must act boldly. Key imperatives include:
- Embedding Sustainability Across Functions
- Investing in Green Innovation
- Uplifting and Leveraging Talent
A Wider Economic and Social Vision The green economy has far-reaching implications. Its benefits include:
Industries such as renewable energy, green logistics, and low-carbon technologies are expected to expand, creating opportunities for market growth and adaptation. Nations and businesses adopting innovative sustainability practices will lead in setting benchmarks for global operations. A green transition opens up new pathways of inclusivity, enabling diverse talents to play a role in shaping the global economy.A Call to Action The guide emphasises that the challenges posed by the green transition offer unprecedented opportunities for growth and leadership. By upskilling workforces, embedding Green by Design methodologies, and leveraging existing digital capabilities, businesses can remain competitive and contribute meaningfully to national and global sustainability goals.
KPMG's strategic guide provides a roadmap to help enterprises lead in the green transition by making sustainability a core pillar of their operations and talent strategies. Download the guide here to take the first step in driving innovation while building a sustainable future.
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