One RHT, an ecosystem of legal and professional services, consisting of RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies, unveiled its plan to achieve net zero carbon by 2030, marking the culmination of a multi-year effort to position itself as a sustainability champion in Singapore’s green economy.
The plan involves realigning One RHT’s corporate strategy with environment, social and governance (“ESG”) factors linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development goals while embedding sustainability into its day-to-day operations. This will positively impact policies and processes across procurement, human resources, information technology, supply chain, partnerships and alliances, and other corporate affairs.
Mr Azman Jaafar, Managing Partner of RHTLaw Asia, said, “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2021 Climate Report states that we are on course to reach 1.5 degrees C of warming within the next two decades. We cannot afford to wait; we are leading the change with our own race towards net zero built on science-based targets to respond to the challenge of climate change.”
“Transitioning to a low carbon economy is not without challenges, but with rigorous processes, holistic reviews and trusted global standards, we believe that we can reach net zero carbon by 2030 and help our clients make the same transition along the way,” he added.
The Race to Net Zero Plan is powered by sustainability consultancy RHT Green, a member of the RHT Group of Companies. Mr Wee Boon Siong, Chief Executive Officer of RHT Green, said, “We are simply walking the talk by applying our in-house expertise to realise our own net zero goals as we continue to advise our clients on sustainable value creation strategies and advocate for a transition towards a greener economy.”
One RHT will aim for quantifiable and measurable outcomes, setting science-based carbon reduction targets aligned with the globally accepted Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”). One RHT’s own team of sustainability consultants will implement a full accounting process for its carbon footprint using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a widely used greenhouse gas accounting standard, supported by digital monitoring and reporting systems.
One RHT’s Race to Net Zero Plan is available at https://bit.ly/3sABnNc
One RHT has appointed Ms Tan Bee Lay as its first Chief Sustainability Officer to drive its sustainability strategy. Ms Tan will work with a multidisciplinary project team to implement One RHT’s net zero plans and mobilise the entire organisation towards its net zero goals.
Ms Tan said, “We have a well-defined purpose and executable plan to place sustainability at the core of One RHT’s business and accelerate positive change, this involves emissions reduction, supply chain and resource innovation, and sustainable product developments across our ecosystem.”
Ms Tan is a sustainability specialist in carbon accounting and certified member of International Society of Sustainability Professionals. With 30 years of management consulting experience, Ms Tan has supported clients with her expertise in decarbonisation strategies, sustainability policies and procedures, as well as value chain management.
By the end of 2021, RHTLaw Asia will publish its inaugural sustainability report for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020 to track and report the progress of its multi-year mission to achieve its net zero goals. The report will define clear goals and quantifiable outcomes while upholding data integrity and good governance in line with the Global Reporting Initiative.
Ms Tan said, “RHTLaw Asia’s voluntary annual sustainability reporting is driven by our ethos of transparency and accountability as we continuously measure, monitor and improve our sustainability programmes for positive environmental and social impact.”
“By sharing what’s working and what’s not in our reports, we hope to lead by example and inspire our clients, employees, partners and suppliers to do business sustainably. Big or small, corporate or individual, everyone can play a part in responding to the challenges of climate change,” she added.
In the next phase of One RHT’s net zero plans, sustainability reporting will also be extended across the RHT Group of Companies.
About One RHT
One RHT is an ecosystem of legal and professional services, respectively provided by RHTLaw Asia LLP and RHT Group of Companies. One RHT seeks to be a beacon of growth for its clients, stakeholders and communities, empowering them to achieve purposeful growth in Asia.
RHTLaw Asia offers a different perspective on client experience and commercial thinking. As a leading regional law firm headquartered in Singapore, clients can expect intelligent and innovative solutions from a team that is attuned to the nuances of doing business in Asia and beyond.
RHT Group of Companies offers multidisciplinary professional services with teams across digital financial services, corporate finance and sponsorship, governance risk and compliance, consulting and advisory, sustainability, wealth and asset management, real estate advisory, as well as events, training and development.
RHT Group of Companies is not an affiliate, branch or subsidiary of RHTLaw Asia LLP nor a Singapore law practice, and is not authorised to provide legal advice. RHTLaw Asia LLP is a Singapore law practice separately registered as a limited liability law partnership in Singapore.
About One RHT’s Green Initiatives
One RHT’s philanthropic organisation, RHT Rajan Menon Foundation (“Foundation”), has raised more than S$3 million since its inception in 2015 to support beneficiaries involved in the environment and sustainability, education, disadvantaged groups as well as the arts and sports.
In 2018, the Foundation commissioned its Greening ASEAN: Initiatives and Leadership (GAIL) programme, launching its inaugural sustainability forum and gala awards the following year.
In 2019, One RHT invested in AirCarbon Exchange, the world’s first fully digital exchange for voluntary carbon offsets.
In 2020, the Foundation launched a social enterprise, RHT G.R.A.C.E. Institute, which promotes leadership anchored on ESG principles. Meanwhile, One RHT relocated its offices to Paya Lebar Quarter, a BCA Green Mark Platinum building.
In 2021, RHTLaw Asia launched its ESG practice while the RHT Group of Companies launched its sustainability and consulting offering, collaborating with partners to co-create and invest in ESG digital assets solutions for decarbonisation. In addition, One RHT announced its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
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