OCBC builds sustainable future through ‘ABC’ approach
Its sustainability framework has paved the way for the launch of its Sustainability Programme for Leaders and Relationship Managers.
As a leading financial institution in ASEAN, OCBC’s purpose is to enable people and communities to realise their aspirations. OCBC recognises that integrating sustainability into every aspect of the organisation is not just a responsible choice but a strategic imperative. By embedding sustainability practices and principles into their operations, they can proactively manage risks, drive innovative financial solutions, build trust amongst stakeholders, and contribute to a sustainable future.
In 2023, OCBC refreshed their sustainability framework to sharpen sustainability priorities and leverage synergies across operations. OCBC’s core values (Lasting Value, Integrity, Forward-looking, Respect, and Responsibility) form the foundation of its Sustainability Framework. These core values guide the bank’s approach to sustainability, emphasising long-term climate actions and community development efforts to deliver positive environmental and societal impacts responsibly.
The OCBC Sustainability Framework underscores the company’s “ABC” sustainability imperatives: “Accelerating the Transition to a Net-Zero Future,” “Bringing Impact to Communities,” and “Conducting Our Business Responsibly”. It also highlights the 10 material ESG factors prioritised to drive employee performance and client as well as community impact.
With the “ABC” sustainability imperatives as the foundation, OCBC’s approach encompasses a learning suite that is carefully curated for all ranks, leading to the launch of its Sustainability Programme for Leaders and Relationship Managers – uniquely integrating sustainability into leadership development and emphasising the role of leaders as stewards in driving sustainability.
OCBC’s Sustainability Programme for Leaders and Relationship Managers consists of a plethora of courses that are underpinned by the “ABC” sustainability imperatives. Within this are various other programmes such as the Eco-Versity Programme, LEAD Programme, and Green Wednesday webinars that offer leaders and relationship managers the latest sustainability trends and insights, including skills and knowledge on gauging opportunities and overcoming challenges in the pursuit of sustainability.
Since its inception, a considerable array of leaders and relationship managers have been educated through the various programmes offered. The LEAD Programme, which equips learners with skills and knowledge to thrive in the increasingly complex world, gives learners the opportunity to complete capstone projects that address real-world sustainability issues, showing tangible outcomes from their learning journey.
Amongst the impactful projects from the programme are the initiative to upcycle 120 corporate laptops for underprivileged children in partnership with a leading charity organisation in Singapore, and the availment of internship opportunities to youth who are not as academically inclined, are on the autism spectrum, or have learning difficulties and intellectual disabilities.
Meanwhile, OCBC’s Green Wednesday webinars equip the bank’s relationship managers with industry knowledge on sustainability, enabling them to engage clients on sustainability more effectively. OCBC has devised a comprehensive training plan for relationship managers to have meaningful conversations with their clients to support their net-zero journey, covering more topics on key sectors across OCBC’s key markets.
Illustrating OCBC’s dedication to upskilling its workforce with sustainability knowledge and skillsets through its Eco-Versity initiative, OCBC Campus sponsors employees to attend sustainability programmes by renowned institutes of higher learning in Singapore and overseas, and get certified at the same time.
The programmes are regularly updated based on evolving sustainability challenges and feedback from participants, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness. This is evidenced by the bank’s findings that its Eco-Versity Programme has achieved a yearly improvement of its intended outcomes, with increased programme effectiveness and learning gains for its learners.
Having learnt the importance of sustainability through the bank’s sustainability programmes, leaders from OCBC’s Property Management division have also gone on to partner with renowned conservation organisations to analyse waste at OCBC buildings across Singapore. Their findings and partnership have led to the curation of programmes for OCBC employees to raise awareness on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle commonly disposed items, as well as understand the impact of improper waste management on ecosystems.
OCBC believes that in order to cultivate a culture deeply rooted in sustainability, it is essential to embed sustainable practices into every aspect of operations, foster a sense of collective responsibility, and continuously adapt and improve sustainability efforts based on evolving best practices. This includes creating more sustainability awareness in the organisation and educating leaders at all levels to become advocates, champions, and ambassadors for sustainability.
OCBC’s remarkable strategy of uplifting the capability of the workforce and supporting clients and communities towards the transition to a greener future, as paved through its Sustainability Framework, has earned them the recognition from the coveted ESGBusiness Awards 2024, with the company clinching the Initiative Award - Singapore for Education & Employee Engagement category. The acclaimed awards programme celebrates companies that are leading the way in building a sustainable future. It also highlights businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance practices.
The ESGBusiness Awards is presented by ESGBusiness. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].
