Our Approach
Sustainability Framework
We developed the UOL Sustainability Framework to guide us in creating value and shaping the future for our stakeholders in a responsible and structured manner.
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United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals
UOL’s sustainability efforts align with 13 SDGs. In 2024, ‘SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities’ was added, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to uplifting and empowering individuals and families in need. In addition to staff volunteerism and monetary contributions, we launched two flagship CSR programmes, UOL-PPHG Community Uplift Programme for children from ComLink+ families living in rental housing and the biennial UOL X ART:DIS Art Prize for artists with disabilities in 2023.
The table below shows how the SDGs drive positive impact across key material topics and targets. We monitor our performance against set targets and regularly review them to ensure they remain robust, feasible and aligned with Singapore’s net-zero ambition by 2050. Click on each goal to find out about UOL’s targets and progress.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
What This Means to UOL
As a provider of living, working, and leisure spaces, promoting the good health and well-being of our workforce, customers and guests is our primary responsibility. Across our business, we have a strong focus on occupational health and safety.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Health and Safety
- Require all main contractors engaged in our development projects to be ISO 45001-certified.
- Implemented a Workplace Safety and Health Management system that is aligned with ISO 45001 standards for Occupational Health and Safety across all our properties.
- Established an Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Committee to raise awareness and create accountability.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| All main contractors for development projects are to be ISO 45001-certified. | Target Met |
| All Singapore properties to achieve ISO 45001 certification in 2024. | Target Met |
Goal 4: Quality Education
What This Means to UOL
We are committed to developing our people and uplifting our communities by providing access to quality education and training opportunities.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Employee Development and Well-being
- Offer flexible working arrangements as appropriate, in consideration of operational needs.
- Invest in the development and upskilling of our people, so that they can adapt and respond to new business challenges.
- Provide training opportunities focused on upscaling roles, job redesign and career progression, as well as introduce incentive-based and employee recognition schemes to create a more conducive workplace that motivates employees.
- Collaborate with the Singapore Tourism Board and Workforce Singapore on the Lighthouse Transformation Pilot Project to redesign job roles across different functions to enhance career opportunities for employees in our hospitality business.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| Property Business | |
| Average 25 training hours per employee annually. | Target Met |
| Hospitality Business | |
| Average 56 training hours per employee in 2024. | Target Not Met* |
| Average 48 training hours per employee in 2025. | Ongoing; target reduced in 2025 compared to 2024 to prioritise critical skills training and enhance knowledge retention |
*Our hospitality business achieved an average of 52 training hours per employee, slightly below our target of 56 hours. This shortfall was due to the performance of our non-hospitality properties entities namely the PPHG Corporate Office, Shared Services Centre, Central Reservations Office & Si Chuan Dou Hua at UOB Plaza. All eight of our hospitality properties collectively exceeded the 56 hours per employee training target in 2024.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
What This Means to UOL
Gender diversity is important to us in attracting and retaining talent. We recognise our shared responsibility in fostering a more productive and equal society.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Implement fair recruitment practices and reward employees based on their merit.
- Support inclusive hiring with most of the persons with disabilities (PWDs) working in our hospitality properties.
- Integrate accessibility into our operations and have wheelchair-friendly as well as elderly-friendly rooms across our hospitality properties.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| We are committed to nurturing a diverse workforce and building an inclusive culture, so as to provide equal opportunities to all current and prospective employees. |
|
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
What This Means to UOL
We are committed to fighting climate change and its impact by regulating our GHG emissions through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy usage. Additionally, we practise responsible resource stewardship to conserve energy and water, while minimising waste generation.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Climate Change (GHG Emissions, Energy, Water, Waste)
- First quantitative climate scenario analysis to evaluate the potential financial implications of climate-related risks and opportunities. The outputs enable us to incorporate climate considerations into our decision-making process.
- Explore opportunities to expand our Scope 3 inventory in alignment with the GHG Protocol.
- Installation of solar panels in six of our commercial and hospitality properties across Singapore.
- Implementation of a programme to encourage guests to reuse linen and towel across all hotels, and installed rainwater harvesting systems in three hospitality properties.
- Reuse water for washing bays and dust control in our development projects to reduce water consumption.
- Installation of food waste digesters in all our commercial properties and hotels across Singapore.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| GHG Emissions (Scope 1 & 2) Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 46% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| 6% reduction in GHG emissions by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Energy Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 6% reduction in energy consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in energy consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Water Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Not Met* |
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Waste Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| Install e-waste recycling bins by 2024 | Target Met |
| Replace single-use bathroom amenities packaging with recyclable packaging in all Singapore hospitality properties by 2025 | Ongoing |
*The target was not met due to the addition of Pan Pacific Orchard and Odeon 333 to our portfolio of properties in 2024. These two properties were not operational in 2019, the target baseline year. With the exclusion of these two properties, our target was achieved.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
What This Means to UOL
We are committed to fighting climate change and its impact by regulating our GHG emissions through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy usage. Additionally, we practise responsible resource stewardship to conserve energy and water, while minimising waste generation.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Climate Change (GHG Emissions, Energy, Water, Waste)
- First quantitative climate scenario analysis to evaluate the potential financial implications of climate-related risks and opportunities. The outputs enable us to incorporate climate considerations into our decision-making process.
- Explore opportunities to expand our Scope 3 inventory in alignment with the GHG Protocol.
- Installation of solar panels in six of our commercial and hospitality properties across Singapore.
- Implementation of a programme to encourage guests to reuse linen and towel across all hotels, and installed rainwater harvesting systems in three hospitality properties.
- Reuse water for washing bays and dust control in our development projects to reduce water consumption.
- Installation of food waste digesters in all our commercial properties and hotels across Singapore.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| GHG Emissions (Scope 1 & 2) Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 46% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| 6% reduction in GHG emissions by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Energy Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 6% reduction in energy consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in energy consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Water Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Not Met* |
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Waste Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| Install e-waste recycling bins by 2024 | Target Met |
| Replace single-use bathroom amenities packaging with recyclable packaging in all Singapore hospitality properties by 2025 | Ongoing |
*This is due to higher occupancy rates in our hospitality properties as part of the post-COVID recovery, the opening of Odeon 333 which obtained Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in May 2024, and Pan Pacific Orchard becoming fully operational in 2024 after its June 2023 opening.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
What This Means to UOL
We recognise that people are our leading asset. Developing our employees’ capabilities ensures that we maintain our competitive advantage.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Local Communities
- About 89% of senior management positions in our property and hospitality businesses are filled by local staff.
- Commitment to delivering high-quality services by prioritising our customers and providing excellent customer service.
Product and Service Quality
- Focus on the development of our human capital to ensure the provision of service excellence in our hospitality business.
Economic Performance
- Commitment to creating value for all stakeholders to achieve sustainable business growth.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| Local Communities | |
| 50% or more of Senior Management positions are to be filled by locals. | Target Met |
| Product and Service Quality | |
| Maintain Guest Satisfaction Scores of 80% and above across all hotels annually. | Target Met |
| Economic Performance | |
| We sustain profitable growth to create shared value for our various stakeholders and contribute to wider society. | Refer to financial performance on on this page |
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
What This Means to UOL
We are dedicated to incorporating innovative design and quality excellence in the buildings we develop. We promote sustainable practices across our businesses.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Product and Service Quality; Climate Change
- Create high-quality products by using innovative technologies in our development projects.
- Support the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to achieve at least 80% of all buildings in Singapore to be Green Mark certified by 2030.
- Support knowledge sharing on innovation in building technologies.
- Incorporate energy efficiency measures, green features and biophilic design elements in our development projects where possible.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| We aim to attain Green Mark GoldPlus or higher from Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for all future redevelopments and new commercial properties in Singapore. | Target Met |
| All main contractors are to be certified to ISO 14001 and Green and Gracious Builder Scheme. | Target Met |
| All development projects are to be CONQUAS-certified. | Target Met |
| We aim to deploy renewable energy across all commercial and hospitality properties in Singapore progressively where feasible. | We have installed solar panels in six properties in Singapore. In 2024, we completed the solar panel installations at Odeon and plan to install solar panels at Pan Pacific Singapore in 2025. |
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
What This Means to UOL
We are committed to supporting underprivileged groups in the communities where we operate. In addition to monetary donations, we leverage our people, assets, and partnerships to implement community initiatives that focus on causes related to children, youth, education, sports, and the arts.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Local Communities
- Organise CSR activities to support children, youth, education, sports and the arts, while making donations to uplift the communities in need.
- Introduce cross-engagement CSR programmes to encourage meaningful interactions between different beneficiary groups, staff volunteers and their families.
- Launched the UOL-PPHG Community Uplift Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to provide enrichment and learning opportunities for children from ComLink+ families living in rental housing.
- Provide a platform for artists with disabilities to showcase their talents and creativity through the biennial UOL X ART:DIS Art Prize.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| We will continue collaborating with relevant government agencies and beneficiary groups to develop initiatives and programmes to provide equitable opportunities, bridge social gaps and empower underprivileged individuals and foster a more inclusive and resilient society. | Ongoing |
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
What This Means to UOL
We engage our key stakeholders on sustainable consumption and production to positively impact the value chains in our business.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Climate Change (GHG Emissions, Energy, Water, Waste)
- First quantitative climate scenario analysis to evaluate the potential financial implications of climate-related risks and opportunities. The outputs enable us to incorporate climate considerations into our decision-making process.
- Explore opportunities to expand our Scope 3 inventory in alignment with the GHG Protocol.
- Installation of solar panels in six of our commercial and hospitality properties across Singapore.
- Implementation of a programme to encourage guests to reuse linen and towel across all hotels, and installed rainwater harvesting systems in three hospitality properties.
- Reuse water for washing bays and dust control in our development projects to reduce water consumption.
- Installation of food waste digesters in all our commercial properties and hotels across Singapore.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| GHG Emissions (Scope 1 & 2) Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 46% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| 6% reduction in GHG emissions by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Energy Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 6% reduction in energy consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in energy consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Water Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Not Met* |
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Waste Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| Install e-waste recycling bins by 2024 | Target Met |
| Replace single-use bathroom amenities packaging with recyclable packaging in all Singapore hospitality properties by 2025 | Ongoing |
*The target was not met due to the addition of Pan Pacific Orchard and Odeon 333 to our portfolio of properties in 2024. These two properties were not operational in 2019, the target baseline year. With the exclusion of these two properties, our target was achieved.
Goal 13: Climate Action
What This Means to UOL
We are committed to fighting climate change and its impact by regulating our GHG emissions through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy usage. Additionally, we practise responsible resource stewardship to conserve energy and water, while minimising waste generation.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Climate Change (GHG Emissions, Energy, Water, Waste)
- First quantitative climate scenario analysis to evaluate the potential financial implications of climate-related risks and opportunities. The outputs enable us to incorporate climate considerations into our decision-making process.
- Explore opportunities to expand our Scope 3 inventory in alignment with the GHG Protocol.
- Installation of solar panels in six of our commercial and hospitality properties across Singapore.
- Implementation of a programme to encourage guests to reuse linen and towel across all hotels, and installed rainwater harvesting systems in three hospitality properties.
- Reuse water for washing bays and dust control in our development projects to reduce water consumption.
- Installation of food waste digesters in all our commercial properties and hotels across Singapore.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| GHG Emissions (Scope 1 & 2) Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 46% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| 6% reduction in GHG emissions by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Energy Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 6% reduction in energy consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Met |
| 8% reduction in energy consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Water Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2024 (base year: 2019) | Target Not Met* |
| 5% reduction in water consumption by 2025 (base year: 2019) | Ongoing |
| Waste Commercial and Hospitality Properties |
|
| Install e-waste recycling bins by 2024 | Target Met |
| Replace single-use bathroom amenities packaging with recyclable packaging in all Singapore hospitality properties by 2025 | Ongoing |
*The target was not met due to the addition of Pan Pacific Orchard and Odeon 333 to our portfolio of properties in 2024. These two properties were not operational in 2019, the target baseline year. With the exclusion of these two properties, our target was achieved.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
What This Means to UOL
We are committed to conducting our business with integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Anti-corruption and Ethical Business Practices; Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
- Comply with all national and industry regulations.
- Brief all employees on our Code of Business Conduct, which strictly sets our stance against corruption and bribery.
- Adopt a defence-in-depth strategy that leverages multiple layers of security defence for holistic cybersecurity protection.
- Protect the personal data of our stakeholders through our Data Protection Policy and security procedures.
- Whistleblowing policy for employees and third parties to report concerns about possible breaches and improprieties, including any labour-related abuses.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| UOL adopts a zero-tolerance stance towards fraud and corruption. | Ongoing |
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
What This Means to UOL
Partnerships are necessary to achieve the SDGs and are relevant to all of our material topics.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Responsible Sourcing and Supply Chain
- Engage external stakeholders such as the real estate and hospitality industries, government, regulators and our suppliers, including main contractors to promote sustainable practices.
- Introduction of Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets clear expectations for ethical and sustainable practices among our suppliers.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| We actively seek to form long-lasting and strong partnerships, built on respect, trust and mutual benefit, with our stakeholders. | We are a member of both REDAS and the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC). |
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
What This Means to UOL
We consider sustainable design in our development projects, commercial and hospitality properties. We explore ways to preserve the environment’s inherent character and cultural heritage wherever we operate.
UOL’s Material Topics and Initiatives
Product and Service Quality; Climate Change
- Create high-quality products by using innovative technologies in our development projects.
- Support the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to achieve at least 80% of all buildings in Singapore to be Green Mark certified by 2030.
- Support knowledge sharing on innovation in building technologies.
- Incorporate energy efficiency measures, green features and biophilic design elements in our development projects where possible.
| Ongoing Targets and Commitments | 2024 Progress |
|---|---|
| We aim to attain Green Mark GoldPlus or higher from Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for all future redevelopments and new commercial properties in Singapore. | Target Met |
| All main contractors are to be certified to ISO 14001 and Green and Gracious Builder Scheme. | Target Met |
| All development projects are to be CONQUAS-certified. | Target Met |
| We aim to deploy renewable energy across all commercial and hospitality properties in Singapore progressively where feasible. | We have installed solar panels in six properties in Singapore. In 2024, we completed the solar panel installations at Odeon and plan to install solar panels at Pan Pacific Singapore in 2025. |
Sustainability Governance Structure
The Group’s sustainability governance structure permeates functions and seniority, ensuring that sustainability is integrated both at the strategic and operational levels.
The Board of Directors oversees ESG matters and considers them in UOL’s strategic business plans. The Board is supported by the Audit, Risk Management and Sustainability Committee (ARMSC), which reviews and advises the Board on the Group’s overall sustainability strategy.
Board of Directors
Audit, Risk Management
and Sustainability Committee
Chaired by an Independent & Non-Executive Director
Sustainability Steering Committee
Chaired by Group Chief Executive and
Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer/Company Secretary
Sustainability Working Committee
Chaired by General Manager, Corporate Communications,
Investor Relations & Sustainability and supported by
business units across the Group
The ARMSC is chaired by an independent, non-executive Director and comprises three other independent, non-executive Directors. The ARMSC provides strategic direction to the Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC), which drives the Group's sustainability efforts. The SSC is chaired by both the Group Chief Executive and Chief Legal and Sustainability Officer/Company Secretary, and comprises members of the Senior Management team. The Sustainability Working Committee (SWC), chaired by the General Manager of Corporate Communications, Investor Relations & Sustainability, supports the SSC in sustainability strategies and initiatives, reporting and materiality assessment. The SWC comprises representatives across departments, including Commercial and Group Marketing (Commercial), Corporate Engineering and Development (Commercial & Hospitality), Finance, Human Resource, Legal & Secretariat, Management Office, Project Development and PPHG. In 2024, all directors attended workshops on climate scenario analysis and updates on the Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo) sustainability reporting requirements, conducted by the Group’s third-party sustainability consultant. To enhance the decision-making process of the Board, UOL has a Board Diversity Policy that sets out the policy and framework for promoting diversity among the Board. Please refer to pages 49 to 50 of the UOL Annual Report 2024 for more details on UOL’s Board Diversity Policy.