Podcast introduction (0:07)
Sustainable cities with Syed Mubarak – Natasha introduces Syed Mubarak, CEO of Sustainable Futures Asia and expert trainer at Global Green Connect, to explore the evolving sustainability landscape.
A trailblazer in sustainable tech (0:30)
30+ years of innovation – Syed’s expertise in technology, sustainability, and innovation takes centre stage.
Inspiration for sustainability (0:59)
From childhood lessons to industry impact – Syed shares how early resource constraints and later observations of industrial waste shaped his sustainability journey.
The evolution of sustainability (2:46)
From energy efficiency to ESG – Syed explains how the focus has expanded beyond energy to water, waste, materials, and ESG, driven by regulations and market shifts.
Navigating ESG challenges & opportunities (4:16)
Balancing cost & ROI – While ESG transitions pose cost challenges, Syed highlights the role of IoT, green financing, and emerging technologies in unlocking ROI.
Singapore’s green building master plan (6:32)
Decoding the 80-80-80 goals – Syed explains how Singapore is pushing for greener new builds and retrofits through ambitious sustainability targets.
The business case for green buildings (9:54)
Short-term savings, long-term gains – Natasha and Syed discuss the financial benefits, from lower energy costs to increased asset value and better indoor air quality.
Key trends in the built environment (12:11)
Carbon taxes & regulatory shifts – With stricter regulations and rising carbon prices, decarbonisation is becoming a necessity, not an option.
Implementing sustainable changes (13:45)
Tech, finance & people – Syed outlines how technology, green financing, and upskilling can drive meaningful change.
SMEs & sustainability (16:31)
Grants & partnerships for green growth – Syed discusses government incentives, digital tools, and how MNC collaborations help SMEs reduce Scope 3 emissions.
Successful SME partnerships (18:29)
Case studies: hospitality & the Queen Bee project – Syed shares real-world examples of training, funding, and sustainability-driven business transformation.
Greener retrofitting & materials (20:38)
Tackling embodied carbon – From incentives to material choices, Syed highlights strategies for making existing buildings more sustainable.
Sustainable sourcing & urban mining (23:40)
Rethinking raw materials – The conversation shifts to how urban mining and responsible sourcing can minimise environmental impact.
Regulations driving retrofitting (25:51)
Why it pays to go green – From tax breaks to brand reputation, Syed discusses the business case for sustainable retrofitting.
Careers in green building (27:38)
Emerging roles & opportunities – Natasha and Syed explore the demand for CSOs, energy analysts, and EPD specialists in the green economy.
Pivoting to green careers (30:29)
Translating skills into sustainability – How professionals from various industries can integrate ESG knowledge into their expertise.
Acquiring green skills (31:55)
Education, courses & hands-on learning – Syed shares where to build sustainability expertise, from formal education to webinars and writing.
Podcast conclusion (33:48)
Next steps in your sustainability journey – Natasha wraps up with a warm thank-you to Syed and highlights GGC’s courses and consulting services for deeper learning.