Dear reader, 

Near the end of an hour-long chat with journalists, Lim Tuang Liang, Singapore's newly-appointed government chief sustainability officer, said he hoped we were convinced that he is "not just a figurehead". 

Lim is four months into his job, of, in his own words, "directing mustangs" – government offices, businesses and individuals that are moving fast on sustainability but needs help in aligning efforts. He is to coordinate initiatives under Singapore's Green Plan 2030, which spans areas like energy, transport, nature and education as the city-state guns for net-zero emissions by 2050.

The appointment is right in line with Singapore's whole-of-government, whole-of-society mantra. There was scepticism online when his new posting was announced. Does a country need a chief sustainability officer? Lim took pains to explain his role, along with his views on private-sector sustainability chiefs, the challenges of decarbonisation and more.

Lim, formerly a military man and the environment ministry's chief science and technology officer, has his sights set on the mechanics of decarbonisation. In the past weeks, Eco-Business also spoke to local advocates who approach environmentalism from different perspectives. Hear about the challenges of walking the activism tightrope in Singapore, and why environmental education here needs to change.

Green practitioners need an open mind and a discerning gaze on how sustainability intersects with issues like class, culture and justice. If not, perhaps nothing would seem amiss in flying on private jets to seek out endangered Bengal tigers.

Central bank creates transition finance plan

The Monetary Authority of Singapore says it wants to help create credible decarbonisation pathways for the region with global partners. The central bank will expand its scope of green funding to support transition activities for heavy polluters, with safeguards against greenwashing. US$11.2 million of grants will be available through 2028 to promote sustainability disclosures.

Local scientist vie for UN climate panel chair

Singapore has nominated Winston Chow to co-head climate adaptation research at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a science body at the United Nations. Chow, aged 45, had contributed to a major report by the panel last year. Chow is associate professor at the Singapore Management University and specialises in studying cities. His application to the global panel is for a developing country seat.

Singapore eyes Cambodia carbon projects

The two countries signed an MOU to collaborate on carbon credits last week, with a binding deal expected by the end of the year. Singapore, a highly urbanised city-state, sees the need to buy carbon credits from overseas to reach its 2050 net-zero target. It has similar deals with countries such as Papua New Guinea, Ghana and Peru.

People moves

• Singapore lithium battery recycler NEU appoints chief of staff
  

• Former Temasek sustainability chief Robin Hu appointed Asia chair of Milken Institute