Eco-Business

Eco-Business was founded in 2009 by Jessica Cheam, a journalist formerly with The Straits Times. While reporting on energy issues for the Singapore daily newspaper,{{Cite web |date=2012-05-02 |title=Singapore-Based Eco-Business to Relaunch with Focus on Giving Green-Friendly Businesses a Publishing Platform |url=https://techwireasia.com/2012/05/singapore-based-ecobusiness-to-relaunch-with-focus-on-giving-green-friendly-businesses-a-publishing-platform/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=TechWire Asia |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2018-11-05 |title=The Peak Power List 2018: The Panellists |url=https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/people/power-list-2018-the-panellists |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=PEAK Singapore |language=en-SG}}{{Cite web |title=Jessica Cheam |url=https://www.meaningful.business/team-member/jessica-cheam/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Meaningful Business Community |language=en-US}} Cheam observed that issues related to climate change and sustainable development received limited coverage in mainstream media, despite their growing importance.{{Cite web |title=Jessica Cheam. 36 Founder of and Managing Editor at Eco-Business |url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/sg/people/40-under-40/interview-change-maker-jessica-cheam-founder-managing-editor-eco-business/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.prestigeonline.com}}

Eco-Business was established{{Cite web |date=2020-12-04 |title=The Peak Power List 2020: Eco-Business, represented by Jessica Cheam |url=https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/people/the-peak-power-list-2020-jessica-cheam |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=PEAK Singapore |language=en-SG}}{{Cite web |title=Bridge+ |url=https://www.capitaland.com/content/dam/sites/bridgeplus/sg/news-eco-business.html |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.capitaland.com}} to provide a platform for discussing sustainability issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

It became Asia's first sustainability news desk and has expanded in size, reach and readership, establishing representatives across the region and globally.{{Cite web |last=Rich |date=2018-07-18 |title=There is No Replacement for Quality {{!}} Jessica Cheam, Eco-Business |url=https://richbrubaker.com/no-replacement-quality-jessica-cheam-eco-business/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Richard Brubaker |language=en-US}}

Originally launched as a digital news organization through the online site [http://eco-business.com/ eco-business.com], Eco-Business later expanded its activities to include consulting and advisory services, white paper publishing, sustainability training and capacity building.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-09 |title=Redefining Motherhood |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/redefining-motherhood-0 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=The Business Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The future of sustainability: Asia’s climate change imperative |url=https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-asia/future-of-asia-podcasts/the-future-of-sustainability-asias-climate-change-imperative |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=McKinsey}} Within a few years of their initial launch, Eco-Business expanded its services to include the publication of job and event listings, press releases, research and business intelligence.

Over the years, Eco-Business has won regional and international recognition for its work. In 2013, it was awarded the Lee Foundation Excellence in Environmental Reporting by a Media Organisation Merit Award at the Asian Environmental Journalism Awards.{{Cite web |title=Jessica Cheam |url=https://www.meaningful.business/team-member/jessica-cheam/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Meaningful Business Community |language=en-US}} The company became carbon neutral in 2017.{{Cite web |title=Eco-Business is now carbon neutral |url=https://www.southpole.com/news/eco-business-is-now-carbon-neutral |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=South Pole |language=en}} In 2018, it received a Jackson Wild Media Award for its documentary From Asia to Antarctica.{{Cite web |title=2019 Media Awards |url=https://www.jacksonwild.org/2019-media-awards.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115074000/https://www.jacksonwild.org/2019-media-awards.html |archive-date=2019-11-15 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Jackson Wild: Nature. Media. Impact. |language=en}} The following year, in 2019, Eco-Business won the Best Site / Mobile Site award at the Asian Digital Media Awards, organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).{{Cite web |title=Asian Digital Media Awards 2019 |url=https://wan-ifra.org/asian-digital-media-awards-2019/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=WAN-IFRA |language=en-US}}

In 2020, it received recognition from WAN-IFRA in categories such as Best Native Advertising/Branded Content, Best Use of Online Video, and Best Project for News Literacy. Its editorial work has been acknowledged by the Society for Publishers in Asia (SOPA).{{Cite web |title=SOPA 2023 Awards Finalists Revealed! |url=https://2023.sopawards.com/the-sopa-awards/awards-finalists/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=2023 SOPAwards |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Asian Digital Media Awards 2020 |url=https://wan-ifra.org/asian-digital-media-awards-2020/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=WAN-IFRA |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Peyrègne |first=Vincent |date=2020-10-19 |title=Singapore Press Holdings sweeps Asian Digital Media Awards 2020 with five wins |url=https://wan-ifra.org/2020/10/singapore-press-holdings-sweeps-asian-digital-media-awards-2020-with-five-wins/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=WAN-IFRA |language=en-US}}

In 2016 and 2017, Eco-Business collaborated with City Developments Limited to launch EcoBank, an annual initiative involving a marketplace and silent auction of second-hand items, aimed at encouraging responsible consumption through collaboration between the private and public sectors.{{Cite news |title=ECOBANK - CDL Sustainability |url=https://cdlsustainability.com/sdg-stakeholder-partnerships/ecobank/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609053709/https://cdlsustainability.com/sdg-stakeholder-partnerships/ecobank/ |archive-date=2023-06-09 |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=CDL Sustainability |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=EcoBank 2018 returns for third year to ‘save our stuff’! |url=https://www.cdl.com.sg/newsroom/ecobank-2018-returns-for-third-year-to-save-our-stuff |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=CDL |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Be a zero-waste hero: the return of EcoBank |url=https://www.cdl.com.sg/newsroom/be-a-zero-waste-hero-the-return-of-ecobank |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=CDL |language=en}}

Eco-Business also partnered with OCBC Bank in the development of the OCBC Climate Index, a measure of environmental sustainability awareness and climate action among Singaporeans.{{Cite news |date=2021-08-17 |title=S'poreans highly aware of environmental issues but adoption of green practices lags: OCBC climate index |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/sporeans-highly-aware-of-environmental-issues-but-adoption-of-green-practices |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}} The index designed as a tool to inform policymakers and support efforts toward more sustainable behaviour.{{Cite news |date=2022-08-16 |title=More must be done to help Singaporeans make sustainable choices: OCBC climate index |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/more-must-be-done-to-help-singaporeans-make-sustainable-choices-ocbc-climate-index |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

In 2018, it launched an annual flagship thought leadership platform with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) focused on sustainable finance and business, called [https://www.unlockingcapitalforsustainability.com/ Unlocking capital for sustainability],{{Cite web |title=Unlocking capital for sustainability |url=https://www.unep.org/events/conference/unlocking-capital-sustainability |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.unep.org |language=en}} convening high-level decision makers across business, finance, civil society and government to discuss and support initiatives that mobilise capital for sustainable development projects.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=RGE attends Eco-Business ‘Unlocking Capital for Sustainability 2023’ Summit – Enabling an equitable transition |url=https://www.inside-rge.com/sustainable-operations/rge-attends-eco-business-unlocking-capital-for-sustainability-2023-summit-enabling-an-equitable-transition/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Inside RGE |language=en-US}}

Eco-Business collaborates with organisations to provide capital to sustainability projects.{{Cite web |title=The Liveability Challenge 2024: Cricket Protein and Jet Fuel Innovations Emerge Winners |url=https://www.temasektrust.org.sg/what-we-do/impact-hub/article-details/the-liveability-challenge-2024--cricket-protein-and-jet-fuel-innovations-emerge-winners |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Temasek Trust |language=en}}

Since 2018, Eco-Business has organised the annual [https://www.theliveabilitychallenge.org/ "The Liveability Challenge" (TLC)] in partnership with Singapore-based non-profit organisation, Temasek Foundation, Asia's largest platform for companies with sustainable technologies aiming to improve the liveability of urban environments.{{Cite news |date=2019-06-07 |title=Sophie's Kitchen wins $1m green challenge with food-grade protein using microalgae |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sophies-kitchen-wins-1-million-liveability-challenge-with-food-grade-protein-using |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}} It provides catalytic funding for projects{{Cite web |title=GAFT, Cricket One emerge as top winners in The Liveability Challenge |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/gaft-cricket-one-emerge-top-winners-liveability-challenge-4272786 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.channelnewsasia.com}} that address climate change, food resilience and circular urban agriculture, and decarbonisation. The initiative provides grant funding and investments from venture capital firms to start-ups to enable them to take their solutions.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-29 |title=Crickets for protein and CO2 for jet fuel: How these innovators are tapping unlikely sources for sustainable solutions |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/cricketone-cricket-protein-gaft-carbon-dioxide-aviation-fuel-sustainable-innovations-the-liveability-challenge-temasek-foundation |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}} Past winners include RWDC Industries,{{Cite news |date=2018-10-10 |title=Singapore maker of biodegradable straws secures US$13m funding |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/singapore-maker-of-biodegradable-straws-secures-us13m-funding |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}} Turtletree Labs,{{Cite web |date=2020-07-02 |title=Cow-free milk wins The Liveability Challenge 2020 |url=https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/singapore/blog/cow-free-milk-wins-liveability-challenge-2020 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=undp.org}}{{Cite news |date=2020-07-08 |title=Local biotech start-up TurtleTree Labs wins $1m green challenge with cell-based milk |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/local-biotech-start-up-turtletree-labs-wins-1m-green-challenge-with-cell-based-milk |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}{{Cite web |last=Mridul |first=Anay |date=2025-05-21 |title=TurtleTree Earns First US FDA Approval for Cow-Free Lactoferrin Protein |url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/turtletree-lactoferrin-fda-gras-precision-fermentation/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Green Queen |language=en-US}} Equatic (previously known as SeaChange Inc),{{Cite web |last=Marquez |first=Consuelo |date=2023-08-02 |title=How Temasek Foundation funds sustainability innovations and startups {{!}} Singapore Business Review |url=https://sbr.com.sg/economy/exclusive/how-temasek-foundation-funds-sustainability-innovations-and-startups |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=sbr.com.sg |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-02-27 |title=PUB to build world’s largest facility to help remove CO2 from ocean |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pub-to-build-world-s-largest-facility-to-help-remove-co2-from-ocean |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-29 |title=PUB and partners to construct world's largest ocean-based CO2 removal plant in Singapore |url=https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/pub-singapores-national-water-agency/pub-and-partners-construct-worlds-largest-ocean-based-co2 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Smart Water Magazine |language=en}} Fairventures Social Forestry,{{Cite web |title=The Liveability Challenge 2022 |url=https://temasekfoundation.org.sg/work/the-liveability-challenge-2022 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Temasek Foundation |language=en}} Susteon,{{Cite news |date=2023-08-29 |title=Tapping the oceans for CO2 removal to producing renewable fuel: How innovations are tackling climate change |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/tapping-oceans-co2-removal-to-producing-renewable-fuel-innovations-tackling-climate-change-temasek-foundation |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}} TeOra,{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=How TeOra and one leader’s vision could save millions of farmers from ruin |url=https://www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/people/rishita-changede-teora-interview |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=PEAK Singapore |language=en-SG}} CricketOne, GAFT, Krosslinker and Ayrton Energy.{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Jack |date=2025-06-17 |title=Hydrogen Storage and Thermal Insulation Start-ups Win Asia Liveability Challenge |url=https://www.cleantech.com/hydrogen-storage-and-thermal-insulation-start-ups-win-asia-liveability-challenge/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Cleantech Group |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-22 |title=Cool paint, clean power: These are the sustainable innovations that Temasek Foundation is backing for $2m |url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/temasek-foundation-liveability-challenge-2025 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=AsiaOne}}{{Cite news |date=2025-06-20 |title=Meet the start-ups turning climate solutions into reality |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/temasek-foundation-climate-solutions-passive-cooling-decarbonisation-the-liveability-challenge-2025 |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-07 |title=2 start-ups secure S$1m funding each in The Liveability Challenge |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/2-start-ups-secure-s1m-funding-each-liveability-challenge-5115156 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.channelnewsasia.com}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=8 startups vie for 8th TLC title |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2025/05/04/8-startups-vie-for-8th-tlc-title |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Daily Tribune |language=en}}

Past winners include Equatic, an Amercian-based start-up which went on to partner with Singapore's national water agency, PUB, to construct the world's largest ocean-based CO2 removal plant in 2025.

Eco-Business' ESG Intelligence unit partners with organisations to conduct ESG Intelligence training with sustainability issues, key concepts and trends, and strategies on long-term sustainability stewardship for businesses.{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=Elmich Pte |date=2024-02-08 |title=Elmich Empowers Workforce with “ESG Skills for Business Performance” by Eco-Business |url=https://elmich.com/asia/elmich-empowers-workforce-with-esg-skills-for-business-performance/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Elmich Pte Ltd |language=en}}

In 2022, ESG Intelligence was selected as an official partner by government agency Enterprise Singapore for the Enterprise Sustainability Programme, which provides critical training for SMEs in the country.{{Cite web |last=Tay |first=Vivienne |date=2023-03-23 |title=EnterpriseSG to launch decarbonisation, sustainable finance courses for businesses |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/esg/enterprisesg-launch-decarbonisation-sustainable-finance-courses-businesses |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=The Business Times |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-07-06 |title=Programme launched to help S’pore firms disclose environmental data, focus on sustainability |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/programme-launched-to-help-s-pore-firms-disclose-environmental-data-focus-on-sustainability |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

In 2019, Eco-Business launched a non-profit sister organisation, EB Impact, which is a Singapore-registered charity that delivers youth and education programmes to underserved communities in Singapore and Asia.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Lindsay |date=2025-06-02 |title=EB Impact to launch initiatives to raise awareness of sustainability among seniors, youth |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/eb-impact-launch-initiatives-raise-awareness-sustainability-among-seniors-youth |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=The Business Times |language=en}}

It launched the first youth-mentorship programme for Singapore called Sustainability Exchange with Meta in 2020.{{Cite news |date=2020-11-20 |title=Singapore youth to take the lead in sustainability innovations |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-youth-to-take-the-lead-in-sustainable-innovations |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}} In 2021, OCBC Bank joined the programme to offer funding to the top youth innovations from the programme.{{Cite web |title=OCBC to back youth projects supporting Singapore Green Plan |url=https://www.ocbc.com/group/media/release/2021/supporting-singapore-green-plan.page? |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250618170004/https://www.ocbc.com/group/media/release/2021/supporting-singapore-green-plan.page? |archive-date=2025-06-18 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.ocbc.com}} EB Impact also launched the region's first Sustainability Media Academy in 2021 to support media practitioners in the Asia Pacific region to raise the quality of coverage of sustainable development-related news through a series of workshops and masterclasses.{{Cite web |title=Arthaland backs sustainable journalism with Media Academy sponsorship |url=https://www.asiaeducationreview.com/engineering/news/arthaland-backs-sustainable-journalism-with-media-academy-sponsorship-nwid-1296.html |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=www.asiaeducationreview.com |language=en}}

In 2018, Eco-Business founder, Jessica Cheam, was selected to participate in Climate Force: Antarctica 2018, leading to the production of From Asia to Antarctica a short film about climate change and its impact on Antarctica from an Asian perspective. The film was screened as part of the "Changing Course" exhibition held at the Singapore Botanic Gardens aimed at raising awareness about climate change and the need to shift to more sustainable ways of living.{{Cite web |date=2018-02-26 |title=From Asia to Antarctica: Eco-Business launches new climate change campaign |url=https://www.asiapacificsecuritymagazine.com/from-asia-to-antarctica-eco-business-launches-new-climate-change-campaign/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Asia Pacific Security Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=From Asia to Antarctica |url=https://adventureuncovered.com/film-festival/past-highlights/2018-films/from-asia-to-antarctica/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=adventureuncovered.com}}{{Cite web |title=2018-2019 {{!}} Project Education |url=https://www.climateactionsg.org/initiatives-1/2018-2019-project-education |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Climate Action SG Alliance |language=en-US}}

Documentary Wasted was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in 2023. Produced and written by Jessica Cheam and Fraser Morton, the film investigates the issue of waste management across an Asian landscape. The film has since been screened across Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and international film festivals.{{Cite news |date=2023-12-08 |title=Wasted: An Eco-Business Documentary Series Review |url=https://blog.science.edu.sg/2023/12/08/wasted-an-eco-business-documentary-series-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209062258/https://blog.science.edu.sg/2023/12/08/wasted-an-eco-business-documentary-series-review/ |archive-date=2023-12-09 |access-date=2025-07-11 |work=ISawTheScience |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Leong |first=Adeline |date=2024-07-24 |title=“Wasted” Documentary Sheds Light On Greenwashing & Mounting Pile Of Trash Despite Recycling Efforts [Review] |url=https://www.therakyatpost.com/living/2024/07/24/wasted-documentary-sheds-light-on-greenwashing-mounting-pile-of-trash-despite-recycling-efforts-review/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=therakyatpost.com |language=en-US}}

In 2025, an updated version of the film was released featuring Thailand as a new location and featured the United Nations negotiations on a global plastics treaty — an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.{{Cite web |title=Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution |url=https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=UNEP - UN Environment Programme |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bryce |first=Emma |date=2024-11-04 |title=INC-5: What to look out for at plastics treaty talks in Busan |url=https://dialogue.earth/en/pollution/inc-5-what-to-look-out-for-at-plastics-treaty-talks-in-busan/ |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Dialogue Earth |language=en}} It was featured as part of the Sustainable Futures Film Festival 2025 held at the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.{{Cite web |title=Sustainable Futures Film Festival |url=https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/events/sustainable-futures-film-festival.html |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=marinabaysands.com}}

Category:2009 establishments in Singapore

Category:Non-profit organisations based in Singapore

Category:Business intelligence companies

• {{Official website|https://www.eco-business.com/}}