Community engagement at CDL goes beyond charity and philanthropy. We embrace a synergistic strategy of collaborative ideas and resources, creating sustained and direct impact on the community so that the Company and the community can grow together.
Beyond our direct engagement and contribution through the employee volunteering platform since 1999, CDL has supported numerous awareness-raising events and community projects. The Company has encouraged, in particular, projects with clear developmental objectives, direct engagement with beneficiaries, dialogue with stakeholders and measurable as well as sustained outcomes.
KEY PROJECTS
Project: Eco-Office |
PIONEERING PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN 2002 |
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OVER 100 CERTIFIED OFFICES SINCE 2005 |
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TARGET OF ANOTHER 100 OFFICES IN 2012 |
Project: Eco-Office was first launched on 5 June 2002 by CDL and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), targeting the business community by providing a ‘‘starter kit’’ to cultivate environmental-consciousness in the workplace. The aim was to bring the environmental message to offices by making available posters and stickers with environmental messages to be displayed in the office.
Expanding on Project: Eco-Office further, an online self-rating system was launched in late 2003 for offices to determine how green they were. In 2005, offices that were rated well were encouraged to participate in a formal audit conducted by an independent auditor. Offices that met the standard were awarded the Eco- Office Label certification. More than 100 offices ranging from the property, banking, construction, pharmaceutical and electronic sectors, amongst many others, have received the Eco-Office certification since the programme was launched. CDL was one of four pioneering organisations that received the inaugural certification in 2005 and we have been re-certified three times since.
2012 marks the 10th Anniversary since the launch of the Initiative and both CDL and SEC unveiled the launch of a new logo as well as new collaterals which include thought provoking messages to provide office employees a constant reminder about the importance of saving our world’s natural resources while reflecting on simple everyday routines.
A new Project: Eco-Office Facebook page, www.facebook.com/projectecooffice was also launched. A daily green tip is posted on the Facebook page amongst other information like links to stories on environmental issues.
SEC, which administers the Eco-Office certification, has also set an ambitious target to add another 100 certified offices this year alone in the hope that it will contribute to Singapore’s commitment to reduce its carbon emissions in support of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.
CDL E-Generation Challenge
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RECORD 38 TEAMS FROM 22 IN 2010 |
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380 PARTICIPANTS IN 2012 |
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CHALLENGING CARBON FOOTPRINT THEME |
In 2010, CDL initiated the inaugural CDL E-Generation Challenge, an eco-themed “Amazing Race” style national competition targeted at youths, in celebration of Earth Day 2010. By utilising an eco-tainment platform in the form of a fun green rally, this competition aimed to help raise the level of eco-consciousness amongst the youths in Singapore.
Supported by NEA and Clean and Green Singapore, the inaugural competition saw some 260 youths in 22 teams taking on a series of eco-challenges in the form of brain teasers, physical tasks, quizzes and activities, that were not only fun but also showcased a range of environmental-related issues including resource conservation, climate change and action.
The Challenge has grown tremendously since then and in 2012 saw the participation of some 380 youths in 38 teams pounding the streets, driven by the “Carbon Footprint” theme. Participants were challenged to learn about their carbon shoe size, and how they may reduce their carbon footprints — and contribute meaningfully towards mitigating the effects of climate change — by leading a more sustainable lifestyle. They faced green challenges revolving around six key topics: Energy, Water, Shelter (Buildings), Biodiversity, Waste and Food, which form the building blocks of a sustainable lifestyle.
Other supporting organisations included BCA, Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore), Singapore Motor Sports Association as well as CDL’s own City Square Mall, Singapore’s first-eco mall.
Singapore Young Photographer Award (SYPA)
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NEW CATEGORIES IN 2012 TO CAST LARGER NET |
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INAUGURAL AWARD REACHED OUT TO 185 ORGANISATIONS |
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RECEIVED OVER 1,000 ENTRIES IN 2010 |
The Singapore Young Photographer Award was initiated by CDL in 2006, in partnership with five major photoclubs, the Singapore Art Museum and National Youth Achievement Award Council, to nurture young local photography talents. Besides managing this national-level initiative to promote photography amongst youths, CDL also introduced a sub-category award, "CDL Young Architectural Photographer Award" that aims to identify and groom young talents specialising in architectural photography, which complements CDL’s core business as a developer.
The inaugural competition reached out to 185 secondary schools, junior colleges, tertiary institutions, art schools, youth organisations, major photo clubs, libraries and community centres.
In 2010, the 3rd instalment of the biennial Award attracted some 1,000 submissions from schools, youth organisations, photography clubs and freelance photographers.
As a reflection of CDL’s continued commitment to sustaining and expanding the Award, the 4th SYPA was launched with a new Award title, CDL Singapore Young Photographer Award. SYPA 2012 offered new categories and exciting themes to cast a larger net to capture more young and budding photographic talents. They include: CDL Singapore Young Photographer Award, Young Architectural Photographer Award, Young Nature Photographer Award and "Themed Body of Work" Award, with a total of S$27,000 worth of cash prizes to be won.
SYPA 2012 is supported by the following organisations: 2902 Gallery, AVS Printing Pte Ltd, Ministry of Education, National Museum of Singapore, and Pico Art International Pte Ltd.
CDL also continued our support for youth-led developmental projects in Singapore and abroad in 2011. Some of these projects include:
