Large firms trail public conduct mandate by 19% margin

Large businesses scored 68%, falling 19% short of the expected 84%.

Small to medium businesses, large firms, and government agencies in Singapore were observed to show low levels of responsible business conduct in 2025, SEC Newgate’s Impact Monitor 2025 showed.

Performance of business conduct by small to medium entities during the period is rated at 57%, a 2% drop year-on-year (YoY), the survey added.

Survey respondents said that these entities should place 71% importance on this responsibility.

For large businesses, responsible business conduct was measured at 68%, a 1% decline YoY and 19.05% below the 84% that was expected.

The 84% expectation for large businesses represented a 2% increase from the previous year.

For government agencies and departments, responsible business conduct was measured at 77%, a 1% increase YoY but 10.47% below the 86% that was projected.

The Impact Monitor, which surveyed 1,029 people in Singapore, tracked global communities’ sentiment towards how corporates and governments are responding to environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related challenges.

The results reflected that Singapore’s businesses and governments are falling well below the public’s ESG-related expectations, the study said.

Enterprises’ ESG outlook

Nine in 10 large companies and eight in 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore considered social sustainability essential in 2025 to their long-term business success, according to the Singapore Business Federation (SBF).

Whilst 95% of respondents had adopted at least one social sustainability initiative in the past year, smaller firms cited limited resources and competing business priorities as key challenges to scaling impact.

Singapore law firms are seeing a surge in client demand for sustainability-related advice as companies scramble to meet tighter ESG rules.

Law firm Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP said more clients are seeking advice on carbon projects and international trade, where compliance with overseas rules is critical.

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