Singapore, 7 October 2025 – City Developments Limited (CDL) marked a major milestone today in its SME Supplier Decarbonisation Queen Bee Programme (the Programme), celebrating the graduation of the first 42 local SMEs. The ceremony was officiated by Guest-of-Honour, Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth, who also launched the CDL MicroFarm at the Singapore Sustainability Academy (SSA), located on Level 6 of City Square Mall, Singapore’s first eco-mall.
CDL is the first real estate company in Singapore to lead such a programme dedicated to equipping SME suppliers with the knowledge, tools, and digital platforms to measure, manage, and reduce their carbon emissions. Launched in 2024 with the support of Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), the Programme is a collaboration with a certified B Corporation sustainability consultant, Global Green Connect (GGC), alongside carbon accounting IT solution providers, and DBS Bank as the financier partner. In Singapore, SMEs form over 99% of local enterprises, contribute more than 40% of GDP, and employ 70% of the workforce. As they also account for a significant share of national emissions through supply chains, strengthening SME capabilities is critical to achieving Singapore’s net-zero ambition under the Green Plan 2030.
By empowering SMEs to adopt carbon accounting, develop decarbonisation roadmaps, and align with global reporting frameworks, the Programme not only strengthens supply chain resilience but also ensures that smaller businesses remain competitive in a rapidly evolving low-carbon economy. The graduation of the first 42 SMEs underscores CDL’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem where public agencies, large corporates and SMEs work hand-in-hand to advance Singapore’s decarbonisation, innovation, and sustainability goals.
Developed in collaboration with V-Plus Agritech, a local agritech SME and proud graduate of the Programme, and CDL’s facilities management subsidiary, CBM Pte Ltd, the CDL MicroFarm exemplifies how CDL supports SME graduates in applying sustainability solutions beyond the classroom. V-Plus Agritech provided the farming technology and expertise, while CBM contributed facilities management knowledge, including electrical works, irrigation and flooring systems. Plants harvested from the MicroFarm will be distributed to staff at SSA and SSAA, contributing to Singapore’s Green Plan “30 by 30” target of enhancing local food resilience.
Highlights of the CDL MicroFarm:
- Up to 90% Water Savings: Closed-loop design recycles water and nutrients with minimal loss.
- Land-Saving Vertical Model: Multi-tiered structure achieves up to 10 times more yield per square foot.
- Low Chemical Footprint: Soil-free system reduces pesticide use and soil-borne pests.
- Accelerated Plant Growth: Controlled nutrient delivery enables up to 30% faster cycles.
The event also marked the launch of an abridged version of the Programme – CDL Queen Bee Compact: Accelerating SME Readiness for a Low-Carbon Future. This new, condensed version of the original programme is tailored to SMEs that require a shorter but impactful learning journey. It aims to kickstart their sustainability leadership and equip them with essential capabilities, such as developing climate-related reports to stay ahead of growing client procurement requirements.
Mr Sherman Kwek, CDL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “To achieve Singapore’s net zero goals, SMEs play a critical role. With large corporates striving to meet stringent carbon reporting requirements, there is a stronger business case for SMEs to embrace carbon reduction. In today’s highly competitive economy, SMEs who show capacity for carbon reporting will stand out as preferred suppliers. Today, we celebrate the successful collaboration involving public agencies, private sector trainers, financiers, mid-sized companies and SBF. The 42 pioneering SMEs that have completed the SME Supplier Decarbonisation Queen Bee Programme reflect the vital role SMEs play in advancing Singapore’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Ms Cindy Khoo, Enterprise Singapore’s Managing Director, said, "We are heartened by the success of the programme with CDL, which encourages more SME suppliers to kickstart their decarbonisation journey. Beyond improving operational efficiency, SME suppliers that embrace sustainable practices will enhance their competitiveness to better clinch business opportunities in a low-carbon future. We look forward to partnering more large corporates taking on a Queen Bee role to drive sustainability at scale among enterprises."
