SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS ANNUAL REPORT 2019 45 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Sustainability Strategy and Governance [GRI 102-14] As the leading media company The Board has assigned the Board A reassessment of material in Asia, Singapore Press Holdings Risk Committee (BRC) to monitor factors was conducted for this Ltd (SPH) strives to be the credible and oversee the management report. The selected ESG factors and trusted source for providing of environmental, social and were subsequently validated by accurate and timely news in governance (ESG) factors. The BRC the BRC. The policies, practices Singapore and the world. We bring is supported by the Sustainability and performance relating to stories for the community, the Steering Committee (SSC) chaired these selected ESG factors, as world and for future generations. by the Chief Executive Officer, well as their targets are detailed Through our stories – available in and the Sustainability Working in this report, which has been four languages and on multiple Committee (SWC) chaired by prepared in accordance with the platforms – on economic the Group Company Secretary. sustainability reporting regulatory and financial sustainability, Both committees comprise the requirements set out in the environmental protection, social SPH Group’s senior management Singapore Exchange Securities responsibility, corporate governance and key executives from various Trading Limited Listing Manual and awareness of sustainable business functions. Collectively, (SGX-ST Listing Manual): Listing practices worldwide, SPH plays they oversee the identification Rules 711A and 711B, and the a crucial role in the push for and management of risks and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainable living and development. opportunities relating to ESG issues Standards: Core option. that are material to SPH Group. This report presents and discusses To emphasise our commitment to SPH’s strategy, policies and In this Sustainability Report for sustainability, SPH has chosen to performance for sustainability in Financial Year 2019 (FY2019), align our sustainability efforts with its governance, environmental, SPH, whose businesses now the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable human resources, health and include aged care and student Development, which has been safety, social, community and accommodation, has expanded adopted by the 193 member states economic practices. the reporting scope to include of the United Nations in 2015. Orange Valley, one of Singapore’s The Board has overall largest private nursing home responsibility for sustainability for operators, and our portfolio Board of Directors the SPH Group and aims to ensure of Purpose-Built Student Singapore Press Holdings Ltd that our growth is sustainable in Accommodation (PBSA) in the the long term. United Kingdom (UK). SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS 46 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 One minute read The ripple impact SPH, as a leading media organisation, is a strong advocate of sustainability. Apart from our internal structure to achieve sustainability amid a changing media landscape, we also tap our vast network to bring you the key sustainability issues in a fast-changing world through multiple media platforms in four languages. We have also partnered with over 250 media firms in a week-long Covering Climate Now initiative to boost coverage of the climate story. Engaging audiences with This graphic presentation features some of sustainability conversations our media coverage and showcases the ripple impact of all our efforts to achieve a better and that matter most more sustainable future for all. Promoting national and international sustainable development agendas Lianhe Zaobao: Five ways the The Straits Times: “IPCC Paris Agreement will affect (Intergovernmental Panel on you and me Climate Change) report on the effects of climate change: A look The Straits Times: at the key findings” “National Day Rally 2019: Land reclamation, polders Berita Harian: SATS invests $25m among ways S’pore looks to to reduce food waste deal with sea-level rise“ Media responsibility in a changing world The story of climate change The Straits Times: Climate of Change series looks at the impact of climate Remain a credible and trusted change on people and places around the world as well as the solutions. source of news in Singapore ST Green Pulse Podcast: Series analyses the beat of the changing environment Make information and through discussions with experts knowledge accessible to Lianhe Zaobao: A feature on how public through multiple Build ethical corporations and individuals take platforms in four & transparent actions to address climate change languages businesses ST Asia Report – A cover story highlighting the climate crisis Adopt Promote workplace environment- wellness and ensure friendly practices safety of our staff and customers SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS ANNUAL REPORT 2019 47 Contribution to global sustainable agenda through UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Engaging audiences with sustainability conversations that matter most Highlighting critical environmental issues and community initiatives Lianhe Zaobao: ST School Pocket Money Fund: Award-winning special “$7 million disbursed by ST School report on water Pocket Money Fund so far this year” Berita Harian: 96.3 Hao FM broadcast on Story of initiatives to water saving initiatives on raise awareness in World Water Day environmental issues in the Muslim community Media responsibility in a changing world Narratives on the importance of sustainable living and development Lianhe Zaobao: The Inequality Sketch Remain a credible and trusted is an illustrated interactive feature that tackles the subject of inequality through source of news in Singapore real life stories Tamil Murasu: Article explores the use Promote media of plastic bags in Little India and raises literacy and contribute awareness for recycling to public education Berita Harian: A feature on two individuals Develop our talent on fake news and a family’s efforts to reduce waste The Straits Times: “Few young Singaporeans polled recycle e-waste, or do it right” Promote workplace Care for our wellness and ensure community safety of our staff and customers SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS 48 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT Five minute read OUR CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interconnected ambitions representing the biggest challenges and knowledge gaps on the planet today. Veteran media professional Geoffrey Pereira conducting The Straits Times Media Analysis Course at News Centre on 31 July 2019. We play our role to keep In the wake of fake news, SPH In FY2019, our sustainability-related our readers informed and has stepped up its media literacy news coverage includes: engaged on critical issues. efforts to create public awareness about the pitfalls. Readers can 1. Promoting national and write to the askST platform about international sustainable reports, videos or photos they find development agendas dubious and our reporters will look International sustainability OUR MEDIA into these claims. Readers can also agreements and frameworks RESPONSIBILITY IN A flag content they have found to be promote a long-term approach CHANGING WORLD false; and The Straits Times (ST) may to addressing global challenges consider publishing their findings. that require joint action. We Accessible content from cover news related to significant trustworthy source On 31 July, ST conducted The Straits sustainability milestones such Times Media Analysis Course to as the Paris Agreement and We are a credible and trusted teach the public on how to deal with Sustainability Agenda 2030, source of accurate and timely inaccurate information. Participants and Singapore’s national news. Our diverse content comes at the one-day masterclass picked commitments and contributions to you on multiple platforms and up tips on how to critically analyse to fulfil these pledges. in four languages. The news tablet news reports and identify fake news. app which we introduced in March 2. Highlighting critical 2019 for our Chinese news dailies Protecting the planet environmental issues and to provide readers with a seamless community initiatives no-login and auto update digital Sustainability challenges such as Everyone has a role to play to experience prove to be an instant hit, climate change, water scarcity, make sustainable development garnering over 1,000 subscriptions waste management, gender happen. Our special features within the first three days of its inequality and modern slavery of relevant local environmental launch. The app encourages elderly require global solutions. By issues, such as single-use plastic, readers who do not read English increasing our coverage on these food waste, pollution to water to go digital as well. In September issues, we raise awareness and call sources and green consumption, 2019, the news tablet app was communities to action in keeping aim to empower individuals introduced for Berita Harian. the planet sustainable for human life. to make positive changes and underscore the importance of collective efforts towards sustainable development. SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS ANNUAL REPORT 2019 49 3. The story of climate change Sunday Times and on The Straits ST embarked on one of its Times website, driving home the biggest journalistic efforts ever, multifaceted impact of climate to tell the important story of change and the solutions. climate change. Over six months, our journalists traversed 20 4. Narratives on the importance hot spots