Gprnt unveils Singapore-wide digital tool for emissions tracking

Gprnt has announced the launch of a nationwide digital utility that enables Singapore-based companies to automatically retrieve and compute their emissions output using government-sourced utilities data.

This digital platform, supported by seed funding of $4.62 million (SGD $6 million) from Ant International and MUFG Bank, represents the first such infrastructure in Singapore for facilitating sustainability reporting. The seed capital will be directed towards further strengthening the company's digital infrastructure, enhancing artificial intelligence capabilities, and accelerating the company's expansion throughout Singapore and the wider region.

Gprnt has worked with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN) to provide this platform, targeting companies of all sizes but particularly supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By integrating with the Government Technology Agency of Singapore's Myinfo business service, companies using their Corppass accounts can retrieve utilities data - including water, town gas, and electricity consumption - from national agencies such as PUB and the Energy Market Authority in a secure manner and at no cost.

This allows companies to automatically convert their utilities consumption information into baseline sustainability metrics, such as Scope 1 and 2 emissions, in a matter of minutes. The new facility is designed to ease the burden of sustainability reporting, which has traditionally been complicated and costly for many organisations, especially SMEs. Gprnt's approach supports national efforts, led by Enterprise Singapore and other government agencies, to encourage the adoption of carbon accounting and positions companies to access opportunities, such as eligibility for sustainability-linked finance or participation in green public procurement schemes.

Ravi Menon, Chairman of the GFTN Board of Directors and Singapore's Ambassador for Climate Action, commented, "Gprnt is a game-changer for Singapore companies' sustainability reporting. High-integrity sustainability data is critical for businesses to formulate effective transition plans for decarbonisation. Yet, harnessing such data is often costly and complex for SMEs, especially at a time when they are facing global trade headwinds and economic uncertainties. Gprnt will empower businesses to undertake sustainability reporting at lower cost and with less pain. It will help them better manage the tensions between dealing with heightened cost pressures while building strategic capabilities to thrive in the green economy of the future."

The use of government-source data enables all Singapore-registered companies to seamlessly fulfil some of their baseline sustainability disclosures, with minimal intervention and free of charge, addressing a key challenge for businesses aiming to meet local and international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting requirements.

Gprnt's seed round saw participation from Ant International and MUFG Bank, which will work with Gprnt to integrate the platform into their financial ecosystems. Both institutions are aiming to provide support to companies with their sustainability disclosures and to bridge supply chain data gaps, creating new possibilities for partnerships and financing in the sustainability sector.

Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ant International, said, "Digital innovation and industry collaborations are key to helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in their sustainability transformation journeys. Through Programme Sirius, Ant International collaborates with Gprnt and other industry leaders to explore ways to make the sustainability disclosure process easier and more robust for MSMEs, including aligning on sustainability metrics and leveraging the use of digital ecosystems which MSMEs already operate in. We congratulate Gprnt on this milestone and look forward to working with Gprnt to support more MSMEs with inclusive growth, enabling them to adapt and unlock new opportunities."

Taichi Murakami, Deputy Head, Global Corporate & Investment Banking, Asia Pacific, MUFG Bank, stated, "Gprnt's ability to re-imagine how companies can integrate sustainability data and reporting into their business operations is outstanding, and this first-of-its kind utilities data feature is just another example of how the digital platform continues to scale new heights through the pioneering of innovative and intelligent solutions in service of Asia's energy transition. MUFG's strategic partnership with Gprnt is driven by a shared purpose of harnessing digital transformation for empowerment and growth, and we look forward to enhancing collaboration in areas ranging from sustainable finance to supply chain business solutions for the betterment of the broader business community."

Lionel Wong, Executive Director, Gprnt, commented, "This marks a pivotal moment, not just for Gprnt, but for the future of sustainability reporting. With our investors and strategic partners, we've built a landmark solution that empowers companies of all sizes to transform ESG reporting and data from a burden to a bridge, at minimal cost and fuss. We're excited to put Gprnt into the hands of more governments, financial institutions, corporates, and SMEs, to jointly shape a world where sustainable business models and practices become the norm."

Looking ahead, Gprnt plans to further develop its services, including the launch of a proprietary sustainability marketplace, intelligent recommendation engines, and support for Scope 3 supply chain reporting. The roadmap also includes an affordable digital assurance service, an AI-powered virtual sustainability officer, and expanded ESG analytics tools.

Sopnendu Mohanty, Group Chief Executive Officer, GFTN, said, "We foresee Gprnt becoming a transformative force in sustainability reporting and financing across the globe. We are delighted to partner Ant International and MUFG Bank in deploying its industry-leading capabilities to more business communities worldwide."