One of the many challenges that businesses and countries face today is that of sustainable development. Encompassing three dimensions - economic, social and environmental, ensuring a sustainable development entails achieving high rates of economic growth, enhancing the quality of life of all people while preserving and enhancing our natural resources. In his keynote speech at the Distinguished Alumni Business Leaders Forum held on 22 January 2008 at the NUS Business School's Hon Sui Sen Auditorium, Dr Kenny Tang, Founder and CEO of Oxbridge Climate Capital underscored the importance of seeking solutions to sustainable development. "If we carry on business as usual for the world, we would need three planets worth of resources," observed Dr Tang. Companies should therefore seek alternative ways to treat their waste liabilities, such as turning these into assets. (Read more about this in Dr Tang's book, WASTEnomic - Turning Liabilities into Assets here) Evaluating the readiness of Singapore in sustainable development, Mr Viswa Sadasvisan, CEO of Strategic Moves Pte Ltd and also a member of the NUS Alumni Advisory Board, shared with the 100-strong crowd the various key initiatives Singapore has taken economically and socially in an effort towards sustainable development. Mr Sadavisan however, highlighted three key challenges Singapore faces in striving towards sustainable development: The low use of public transport; The need for the people to be conditioned to do something ("Pavlovian" mindset); The resistance from the ground to make changes (because "lobbying" is considered taboo). Despite these, Mr C K Chang, Director of Asia Pacific Petroleum Associates and Senior Technical and Strategic Advisor of San Technology Global observed that "Singapore is poised to attract a lot of alternative energy investments." Added Mr Oh Wee Khoon (MBA 1991), Managing Director of Sobono Energy Pte Ltd, "A lot of banks are prepared to finance clean energy and green energy projects." Commenting on going green and developing sustainably, "It is only the start of a broad base direction. Hopefully, Singaporeans can take advantage of the area, especially at the grassroots level," aspires Mr Patrick Chan (MBA 2000). He was moderator for the panel discussion during the forum. Finding the discussion for the forum insightful, Mr Prashant Pundrik (MBA 2007) was thankful of such forums that "allow us to come together so we can get an insight on the views of business leaders." Where NUS Business School Hon Sui Sen Auditorium When 22 January 2008, 3.00pm View E-Flyer Back to e-Newsletter