On November 26, 2024, the ATMA ESG Committee proudly hosted its final event of the year, bringing together sustainability advocates for an evening of inspiration and learning. Held at Mortar & Pestle in Singapore, the event featured Anne Langourieux, co-founder of The Matcha Initiative as the keynote speaker. With many years of experience living in Asia, Anne’s career journey—from the corporate sector to humanitarian NGOs—resonates with the shift towards a more conscious and sustainable global mobility industry.
The Matcha Initiative: Focused on Business Sustainability
During the pandemic, Anne co-founded The Matcha Initiative (TMI), a platform designed to help businesses in Singapore and globally advance sustainability practices. TMI's core mission is to equip companies with resources that help them comprehend sustainability challenges, identify practical solutions, and enable collaborative efforts for meaningful environmental impact.
Anne emphasized how individuals and organizations can embed sustainability into their daily work and broader organizational culture.
Several key strategies for promoting sustainability were highlighted:
- · Practical workplace actions: Individuals can drive change through simple yet impactful practices like recycling or reusing materials after events. Importantly, documenting and showcasing these efforts can help prove and promote sustainability initiatives within organisations.
- · Social influence: By demonstrating sustainable actions and sharing tangible results, people can motivate those around them to contribute to environmental conservation efforts.
Anne also underscored the urgent realities of climate change, using Singapore as a vivid example. She noted the increasing frequency of flash floods during torrential rains. She presented a stark projection: potentially 30% of Singapore's land could be submerged due to rising sea levels within 30 years. This sobering forecast illustrates the critical importance of sustainability and climate action.
Climate Insights: From the Wet-Bulb Effect to Singapore’s Challenges
Anne discussed pressing climate topics, including the wet-bulb effect—a critical measure of heat and humidity that reflects the body’s ability to cool itself. She explained the increasing risks of high wet-bulb temperatures and their implications for human health, building resilience, and long-term sustainability strategies. Highlighting Singapore’s unique position, Anne noted that the city-state’s temperatures are already 1.8°C above pre-industrial levels, underscoring the urgency of proactive climate action.
Lessons from AlterCOP
As a co-founder of AlterCOP, Anne also shared insights from this innovative platform. AlterCOP also took place in November and complemented the official COP29-Azerbaijan by providing a remote, accessible and more sustainable alternative here in Asia. AlterCOP 29’s rich agenda covered diverse topics such as waste management, decarbonization, green finance, and sustainable cities, all designed to inspire global and regional action without the need for extensive travel.
With over 2,100 attendees, 250 speakers, and a collaboration across five countries, AlterCOP embodies the essence of collective impact. Anne encouraged participants to explore its resources and integrate actionable ideas into their sustainability strategies.
Networking and Next Steps
Sponsored by Crown Worldwide, the evening concluded with engaging discussions and networking opportunities, where attendees shared their challenges and successes in embedding ESG principles into their roles. Anne’s practical insights inspired participants to take the next steps in building resilience and improving sustainability in global mobility.
