As businesses look to operate more sustainably, there has been a growing movement to draw on the wealth of Indigenous knowledge that’s intimately connected with the natural world.

In Canada’s rapidly evolving environmental sector, Indigenous Peoples can benefit from the increase in environmentally oriented jobs. That’s the objective of ECO Canada’s BEAHR training program, which builds capacity among Indigenous youth and membership to engage in meaningful environmental careers. BEAHR provides customizable environmental training programs for Indigenous communities that braid Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with Western science.

Progress in the growing environmental sector is not possible without collaboration with Indigenous communities; their vast knowledge is crucial in informing business practices and decision-making throughout Canada. This is especially important for companies that operate in the natural resources sectors, where nearby Indigenous communities can provide a breadth of land knowledge as well as a workforce. As more businesses look to partner with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, it’s critical that Indigenous Peoples participate equitably in, and benefit from, the socioeconomic opportunities available.

“For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have had a sustainable way of living, understanding that they are an integral component of a healthy functioning ecosystem. They have a depth of knowledge on all issues, from biodiversity to traditional medicine and conservation. By using their knowledge, coupled with Western science, we can bring forward a strengthened approach to environmental practice, for enhanced harmony and sustainable growth,” says Yogendra Chaudhry, vice-president of professional services at ECO Canada.

The BEAHR program, which is partially funded by the Government of Canada, is available to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across Canada, helps communities develop local environmental champions to pursue green careers. Each program is developed with input from traditional Knowledge Holders and Elders, academic institutions and local industry and can be adapted to local community needs. Training is usually field-based, and students take away a renewed connection with their land, as well as technical skills suited for local environmental jobs or further education.

While current environmental work relies heavily on Western science, Chaudhry says BEAHR takes a different approach. “We try to make sure there is a good balance of Western science and Indigenous knowledge in every program.”

Employers looking to attract Indigenous environmental professionals must recognize that a relationship with Indigenous Peoples needs to be founded in respect for their distinct cultures and history. The BEAHR program, which has a nearly 80% employment rate for its 3,700 graduates, is committed to collaborating with Indigenous Peoples to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships based on values of honesty and inclusion. BEAHR graduates have been employed by various organizations in utilities, natural resources, engineering, and environmental consulting. Some choose to stay on as technicians or land guardians on their own traditional territories. Many of them have also attended higher forms of education at a post-secondary institution to further pursue a meaningful environmental career.

The program has also evolved with the growing needs of the environmental sector. Prior to COVID-19, all BEAHR programs were delivered in-person. ECO Canada has since shifted to a blended model where parts of the course are virtual-led, without compromising either the quality of the course or the interactions between students. The Tsuut’ina Nation is one of the partner communities where ECO Canada recently delivered a successful 17-week hybrid model program.

“The BEAHR program is a great initiative,” says Samantha Whitney, program coordinator with Tsuut’ina Nation Career & Employment Resource Centre. “The program is important for the youth to learn about the environment, take information they’ve learned, and translate it into working in the environmental sector.”

Whitney notes the importance of including Elders, as a way of bringing Indigenous youth closer to their culture and heritage: “It brings an awareness to the land, and Elders are able to share what they know, because they are shedding light on things that have happened, are happening, or will happen. The program teaches the youth to bring the two [Indigenous Knowledge and Western science] together so they can have a better life for themselves while also helping the country.”

Indigenous Knowledge and Western science have much to offer to the environmental sector. While both knowledge systems bring a unique approach to environmental practice, Indigenous youth trained in both can help guide Canadian companies on the path to operating in harmony with the land.

For more information on ECO Canada and the BEAHR program, visit eco.ca/beahr/ or email beahr@eco.ca.

ECO Canada is the steward for the Canadian environmental workforce. From job creation and wage funding to training and labour-market research, we champion the end-to-end career of an environmental professional. Our aim is to promote and drive responsible, sustainable economic growth within industry while ensuring that environmental care and best practice is a priority. Over the past 30 years, we have forged the academic partnerships, tools and research to not only train and certify environmental job-seekers, but to help fill the labour market.

The post Indigenous knowledge and Western science appeared first on Corporate Knights.

Key Highlights of ESG Performance in 2020

• Expanded CDL’s unique blended reporting frameworks with supplementary TCFD and SASB disclosures, in addition to GRI, IIRC and CDSB standards and framework
•  Pledged net zero operational carbon by 2030 through the signing of WorldGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment
• Secured over S$2.5 billion of sustainable financing since 2017
• Achieved 44% reduction in carbon emissions intensity against 2007 levels
• Over S$30 million in energy savings from energy-efficient retrofitting and initiatives across all its commercial buildings from 2012 to 2020

Mr Sherman Kwek, CDL Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “With heightened expectations for healthy green buildings, CDL is in a prime position to leverage our established credentials in ESG integration to effect positive change and resilience. Since publishing Singapore’s first dedicated corporate sustainability report in 2008, we have been steadfast in setting robust goals, tracking and reporting our ESG performance promptly and comprehensively. Believing in the concept of ‘what gets measured, gets managed’, ESG disclosure remains fundamental to CDL’s sustainability strategy to decarbonise our operations towards a low-carbon future, advancing our greater purpose to drive value creation beyond just profit.”

In the year under review (1 January to 31 December 2020), CDL achieved a 44% reduction in carbon emissions intensity from base-year 2007, meeting its interim 2020 target and is on track to achieve its Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-validated target of a 59% reduction by 2030. From 2012 to 2020, CDL reported energy savings of over S$30 million from energy-efficient retrofitting and initiatives across all its commercial buildings*.

Harmonised ESG Reporting Standards and Frameworks

Ms Esther An, CDL Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “As an early adopter of ESG reporting, CDL’s robust sustainability reporting has evolved into a unique model, harmonising various international reporting frameworks. These include the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards as its core (since 2008); International Integrated Reporting Council’s (IIRC) Integrated Reporting Framework (since 2015); SDG Reporting (since 2016); Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework (since 2017) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) (since 2020). We are fully supportive of global harmonisation efforts that are based on collaboration, for the benefit of businesses, investors, stakeholders and the planet.”

In response to the growing demand for climate-related financial disclosures from the investment community, CDL’s ISR 2021 stepped up on the comprehensiveness and the presentation of TCFD and SASB disclosures in a supplementary format for easy reference. The report is also assured against the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) framework, complementing CDL’s unique blended reporting framework that addresses the increasing and more diverse demands for corporate ESG disclosures by investors and stakeholders.

Steadfast Commitment to a Low-Carbon Future

In 2021, CDL was the first real estate developer in Singapore and the first major real estate conglomerate in Southeast Asia to sign WorldGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. By joining the Commitment, the company has dedicated itself to achieving net zero operational carbon by 2030 for its new and existing wholly-owned assets and developments under its direct operational and management control.

To achieve this, CDL will progressively reduce its carbon emissions, including retrofitting its managed buildings to further enhance energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Plans are underway to roll out BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE)-certified buildings in Singapore by 2023.

In line with its decarbonisation goals, CDL is currently reviewing its SBTi-validated carbon emissions intensity reduction targets and will set more ambitious targets in line with a 1.5°C temperature rise scenario.

Enhanced Social, Financial, Organisational and Natural Capitals

To help its Singapore and overseas tenants tide over operating challenges and cash flow constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CDL provided over S$40 million in property tax rebates and rental relief in 2020. This included passing on the full quantum of property tax rebates from the Singapore government to local tenants. The company also offered more flexibility in rental payments to tenants facing severe cash flow issues.

CDL’s strong ESG track record has helped the company and its joint venture (JV) partners gain access to fast-growing sustainable finance. Since issuing its first green bond in 2017, CDL has secured more than S$1.3 billion of sustainable financing in the form of a green bond, green loans and a sustainability-linked loan as of 31 December 2020. This includes a S$470 million green revolving credit facility obtained in December for the refinancing of Republic Plaza — CDL’s flagship commercial property — and on-lending to other eligible green projects. In April this year, in alignment with CDL’s sustainable finance framework, its JV South Beach Consortium secured a 5-year green loan totalling S$1.22 billion – one of Singapore’s largest green loans, bringing CDL’s total sustainable financing to over S$2.5 billion to date.

The company’s progressiveness in effective ESG integration is widely recognised by prominent global ratings, rankings and indexes. These include the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World by Corporate Knights, of which CDL was ranked the world’s top real estate company for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021. Amongst the distinguished accolades, CDL maintained double ‘A’s in the 2020 CDP Global A List for corporate climate action and water security. This makes CDL the only company in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong to score ‘A’ for corporate climate action for three consecutive years and water security for two consecutive years.

For its efforts in engaging its supplier network effectively to address climate change, CDL was the only real estate company in Southeast Asia and only Singapore company awarded the 2020 CDP Supplier Engagement Leader. This prestigious recognition places the company amongst the top 7% of companies assessed by CDP for supplier engagement on climate change.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, CDL’s ISR 2021 is independently assured by Ernst & Young in accordance with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised). Its greenhouse gas emissions disclosures are externally verified in line with ISO 14064.

The full report is available on www.cdlsustainability.com

For enquiries, please contact sustainability@cdl.com.sg

Read CDL’s 2022 Integrated Sustainability Report

The post CDL Integrated Sustainability Report 2021 spotlights its adaptable and resilient ESG strategy appeared first on Corporate Knights.