How Corporate Secretaries Support ESG Reporting in Singapore
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
14 October 2025
Editor: ET
In recent years, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting has shifted from being a voluntary effort to a vital business practice in Singapore’s corporate landscape. With regulators, investors, and customers increasingly focused on sustainability, accurate ESG disclosures are now essential for trust, transparency, and long-term success.
But who ensures that these ESG commitments are properly documented, aligned with governance principles, and compliant with national frameworks?The answer lies in the pivotal role of corporate secretaries — the unsung heroes ensuring structure and accountability in every reporting process.
The Evolving ESG Landscape in Singapore
Singapore has become a regional leader in sustainability governance. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) requires all listed companies to issue sustainability reports annually, aligned with global standards such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
For private companies, ESG adoption is also accelerating — driven by supply chain expectations, financing requirements, and Singapore’s Green Plan 2030.
However, implementing robust ESG frameworks goes beyond environmental policies. It demands strong governance structures, accurate documentation, and alignment between board strategies and sustainability outcomes — and that’s where corporate secretaries step in.
The Role of Corporate Secretaries in ESG Reporting
Corporate secretaries serve as the backbone of corporate governance, and their responsibilities now extend to ESG compliance and reporting. Their involvement ensures that sustainability initiatives are not just marketing claims but are backed by verified governance standards.
Here’s how they support ESG reporting in Singaporean businesses:
1. Governance Alignment and Compliance
Corporate secretaries ensure that ESG policies align with Singapore’s Companies Act, ACRA’s compliance framework, and SGX’s sustainability reporting guide. They act as a bridge between management and regulators, ensuring that every disclosure meets statutory and ethical standards.
By coordinating with sustainability teams and auditors, they help companies submit clear, compliant, and credible ESG reports — avoiding regulatory lapses and reputational risks.
2. Facilitating Board Oversight and Strategy
The board of directors holds ultimate responsibility for ESG performance. Corporate secretaries organize and document board discussions on ESG risks, opportunities, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
They ensure ESG remains a standing agenda item, helping directors make informed decisions on sustainability strategies — from carbon neutrality goals to ethical supply chain management.
3. Enhancing Transparency and Disclosure Quality
Transparent reporting builds stakeholder confidence. Corporate secretaries oversee the accuracy, structure, and clarityof ESG disclosures — ensuring they reflect not only environmental progress but also social impact and governance integrity.
They verify that sustainability claims are evidence-based, backed by measurable data, and aligned with frameworks such as GRI Standards and SASB.
4. Coordinating Multi-Department Collaboration
ESG reporting involves multiple functions — HR, finance, operations, and compliance. Corporate secretaries facilitate communication between departments, ensuring consistent information flow and timely reporting.
By streamlining internal workflows and using technology-driven governance tools (like those provided by Expede Tech Pte Ltd), secretaries reduce reporting errors and enhance efficiency.
5. Leveraging Technology for ESG Governance
Digital transformation plays a huge role in modern ESG reporting. Many Singaporean firms now rely on digital governance platforms to track compliance deadlines, automate board minutes, and consolidate ESG data.
Expede Tech, for instance, helps businesses adopt cloud-based governance systems that simplify compliance tracking and sustainability reporting, ensuring accuracy and accountability across all corporate levels.
Why ESG Reporting Matters More Than Ever
ESG reporting isn’t merely about compliance — it’s about shaping the future of responsible business in Singapore.Companies that embed ESG principles enjoy advantages such as:
Greater investor confidence and funding opportunities
Stronger brand reputation among consumers and partners
Enhanced resilience against environmental and regulatory risks
By working closely with corporate secretaries, businesses can ensure their ESG narratives are not just aspirational but authentic, auditable, and actionable.
Further Reading: Top Tax Strategies for Singapore Entrepreneurs in 2025
Expede Tech’s Perspective on ESG and Governance
According to Expede Tech Pte Ltd, a leading corporate services provider in Singapore, the integration of ESG principles with sound governance practices will soon become the norm rather than the exception.
Corporate secretaries, with their deep understanding of compliance, documentation, and board management, are perfectly positioned to lead this transition.
Expede Tech continues to guide businesses in implementing governance solutions that enhance transparency, compliance, and sustainability — aligning corporate strategies with Singapore’s ESG vision for 2030 and beyond.
As ESG reporting becomes a fundamental part of corporate accountability, corporate secretaries play an indispensable role in ensuring Singaporean businesses stay transparent, compliant, and future-ready.
Their work bridges governance and sustainability, helping companies meet both regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations. With professional support and the right technological tools from firms like Expede Tech Pte Ltd, businesses can not only comply with ESG standards but also lead the way toward a greener, more ethical economy.
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