ACRA Launches Body of Knowledge to Guide Training Providers in Designing Programmes for Sustainability Reporting

Singapore, 19 May 2025 – ACRA today launched the Sustainability Reporting Body of Knowledge (SR BOK), coinciding with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Preparer Readiness Training. The SR BOK provides a comprehensive framework of essential knowledge areas to guide training providers in developing quality programmes for professionals involved in sustainability reporting.

Building Capabilities in Sustainability Reporting 

2 Advancing sustainable development is one of the key objectives under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. As we journey towards a sustainable, lower-carbon economy, Singaporeans pursuing careers in the rapidly growing field of sustainability and seeking upskilling opportunities will find it helpful to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainability-related roles. 

3 With an increasing number of companies progressively disclosing climate-related information to meet stakeholder expectations, Singapore will need to build a talent pipeline to meet the growing demand for professionals who can take on sustainability reporting-related roles.   

4 To equip professionals with the requisite sustainability reporting skillsets, ACRA has therefore developed the SR BOK, which outlines the essential knowledge areas needed in this field. Training providers should refer to the SR BOK to design specialised courses. This will help ensure consistency in the depth of training programmes across different training providers. ACRA is also working with SkillsFuture Singapore to provide funding support for BOK-aligned programmes.

5 This initiative is part of the broader national efforts under the Green Skills Committee (GSC) to equip the workforce with green skills¹. Through the GSC's Sustainability Reporting and Assurance (SRA) Sub-Workgroup, which ACRA co-chairs with Enterprise Singapore and City Developments Limited, we have identified key skills and training needed to prepare climate and sustainability reports aligned with international standards and translated them into the SR BOK. 

6 The launch of the SR BOK marks a significant milestone in Singapore's efforts to build a robust sustainability reporting ecosystem and prepare professionals for upcoming regulatory requirements. 

7 "ACRA is fully committed to helping companies build capabilities in sustainability reporting. With the Sustainability Reporting Body of Knowledge, training providers would be able to develop high quality programmes that not only prepare professionals for sustainability reporting but also meet the increasing market demands", said Mrs Chia-Tern Huey Min, Chief Executive of ACRA, in her welcome address at the ISSB Preparer Readiness Training.

Structure of the SR BOK

8 The SR BOK is designed to equip professionals with technical skills and competencies in greenhouse gas accounting and sustainability / climate reporting, enabling them to take on roles as specialists in preparing sustainability reports.  

9 It has been validated by more than 50 key industry stakeholders including the GSC SRA sub-workgroup, company preparers, assurance providers, professional bodies and training providers through focus group discussions to ensure that it is aligned to industry needs. 

10 It covers essential topics in accordance with key global standards, such as the application of the ISSB’s IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures, and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol for specialists preparing sustainability reports for their organisations. Please see Annex A for the detailed topics covered in the SR BOK. 

11 The SR BOK will serve as the foundation for training programme curricula, while giving training providers the flexibility to restructure the content and incorporate relevant topics to address specific learning needs. Case studies to demonstrate applications of key concepts will also be made available to training providers.

12 The SR BOK is located at go.gov.sg/acra-srbok

Support from Stakeholders

13 The ISSB has expressed its support for this capacity building initiative, acknowledging its potential to strengthen the sustainability reporting ecosystem.

“We recognise that capacity building is an essential pillar in the high-quality application of our sustainability standards and share ACRA’s ambition to support the quality of sustainability disclosures and increase the availability of decision-useful information for investors. We commend ACRA on this important initiative to support Singapore’s sustainability reporting ecosystem,” said Ms Sue Lloyd, Vice-Chair of the ISSB. 

14 Training providers such as the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and several Institutes of Higher Learning have expressed their commitment and support to align their training programmes with the SR BOK. This alignment will strengthen the development of comprehensive training programmes to build capacity in sustainability reporting, creating a strong pipeline of professionals who can prepare climate-related disclosures and bolster Singapore’s sustainability reporting ecosystem. 

15 “ISCA welcomes the introduction of the SR BOK, which marks a pivotal step in advancing the quality of professional training in sustainability reporting in Singapore. As a leading global business hub, Singapore must prioritise sustainability reporting to enhance transparency and accountability in overall corporate disclosures, thereby attracting responsible long-term investment and fostering continuous innovation. By equipping professionals with the necessary competencies aligned with global standards, the SR BOK will uplift the quality and consistency of sustainability information through the development of future-ready talent capable of driving meaningful impact. ISCA is fully committed to aligning our professional certification programmes with the SR BOK, empowering professionals to deliver robust and reliable sustainability reporting”, said Ms Fann Kor, Chief Executive Officer of ISCA.

16 “The Nanyang Business School (NBS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) fully supports ACRA’s efforts in developing the SR BOK, which marks a significant milestone in strengthening Singapore’s sustainability reporting capabilities. It establishes a clear and consistent foundation of knowledge that will help equip professionals to meet the growing demands of climate-related disclosures and sustainable business practices. We look forward to working closely with ACRA and SkillsFuture Singapore to ensure that our existing and future sustainability reporting-related programmes are closely aligned with the SR BOK”, said Professor Jun Yang, Dean of College of Business, President’s Chair in Finance, NTU.

17 “Temasek Polytechnic (TP) is pleased to support the introduction of the SR BOK. This initiative is well aligned with our institutional goals of preparing future-ready learners and advancing Singapore’s national agenda in sustainability and workforce development. The SR BOK offers a clear and structured framework that will further strengthen the quality of our courses, including TP’s Specialist Diploma in Sustainability Reporting course. It ensures curriculum relevance, supports trainer development, and equips learners with in-demand sustainability knowledge and skills”, said Ms Tan Siew Kim, Director of School of Business, TP.

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¹The GSC was established in 2023 by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore.

Annex A

Sustainability Reporting BOK