How Benjamin Soh is building a repository and the future of ESG practices

“How They See It” is where we delve into the minds of those steering the ships of today’s most dynamic companies. In this instalment, we ask Benjamin Soh, co-founder and Managing Director of digital repository of ESG data, ESGpedia, about his vision for transforming ESG practices across industries. He shares about the need for a repository of ESG data, how their services can tackle real life problems faced by businesses, and how integrating ESG practices into company and personal ethos is no longer optional. Click here for more interviews with business leaders.

I see my work at ESGpedia as a chance to build something transformative, a kind of “Wikipedia for ESG”. Our vision is to create a comprehensive repository of environmental, social, and governance data that companies can use to build their own ESG profiles, something especially critical as many businesses are only beginning to understand what ESG means for them.

Given this prioritisation of ESG is a recent one, we know that at our current track, the world will not be able to hit the climate targets that we set at the Paris Agreement in 2016. The consequences are that we will face adverse climate impacts which will severely affect the lives of most living beings in our near future. I believe that by enabling sustainability to be a part of everyday business decisions, we can change that trajectory and influence real, positive change across industries, which ultimately benefits communities and the planet.  

What we do

What I aim to do is provide businesses with a clearer path to operating responsibly. However, when people hear about ESG, they usually think that our work is purely compliance-driven or that it is about checking off boxes to meet regulatory requirements. 

In reality, what we’re aiming for is something much more fundamental. We help businesses understand the broader impact of their decisions on society around them, and how they can make better decisions based on science and data. It’s about embedding sustainability and transparency into their core operations and business strategy to build long-term resilience.

To succeed in this journey, companies need three things: genuine commitment, adaptability, and reliable data. Commitment goes beyond buzzwords or marketing; as mentioned, it requires businesses to make ESG an instrumental part of their strategy. Adaptability is essential because ESG standards and expectations are constantly evolving. Finally, access to reliable data is crucial for businesses to track their progress and make informed decisions. At ESGpedia, we provide that data, helping companies turn aspirations into measurable action.

In and out of ESGpedia

What this means is that on any given day, my work involves me having active oversight of everything related to our company. This includes the external component, where I talk to client companies about calculating their carbon emissions, producing sustainability reports, and how to use data analytics to make better decisions in terms of sustainability. Internally, I work with our different teams in leading the product roadmap, business development, marketing and operations of ESGpedia.

Success in my work thus means seeing businesses not only meet but exceed ESG standards, making sustainability an integral part of who they are. It’s about seeing tangible improvements in the environmental and social outcomes of the businesses we work with, ultimately driving meaningful change within industries. And, of course, us being ESGpedia, the companies’ ability to easily generate and publish their ESG profiles using our tool, would mean that we’ve fulfilled our goal of creating an ESG repository.

To make progress and get to that stage, we need more collaboration across the value chain. Stakeholders such as suppliers and financial institutions to enterprises and consumers are all interlinked, so increased cooperation allows key objectives in sustainability to be achieved faster. 

Furthermore, greater technological advancements, especially in data collection and analysis — IoT, AI, and geospatial tech — will allow us to gather more accurate, real-time information to add to our existing database. And of course, consistent and transparent regulations across regions would also simplify the ESG journey, making it easier for businesses to know what’s required of them. 

Real world applications

One of the most complex industries ESGpedia supports is real estate. Currently, Singapore and Hong Kong’s real estate industries contribute over 20% of local greenhouse gas emissions. As demand grows for buildings with strong ESG credentials, supply remains limited, creating a green premium for environmentally friendly properties.

However, achieving such environmental goals is hard, due to the complicated supply chains of the industry. Often, only operational energy use is considered, despite significant carbon impact arising during construction, from factors such as materials and logistics. This volume of regulations and expectations can overwhelm a developer — especially if they operate multinationally — not to mention the difficulty in maintaining profitability throughout.

ESGpedia’s tools simplify this by compiling data from developers, contractors, and other providers, creating an aggregated report of a building’s life cycle impact from construction to operation. This enables businesses to take targeted steps to comply and improve. Our tool also allows companies to input a single set of data to output compliance documents applying to various regional standards, helping businesses navigate overseas operations more easily.

The point of ESGpedia

I believe we can fulfil this goal of integrating ESG goals into our clients ethos, largely because of the rising demand from younger generations for accountability and transparency. In our team, I see younger colleagues making conscious choices around sustainability, from their investments to their daily habits. 

These are the people who will soon be leading the economy and society, and their values are already driving greater adoption of sustainable practices in businesses. This generational shift makes me optimistic that sustainability isn’t just a passing trend but will inevitably be etched into our values.

In the end, my goal is simple: to ensure that the work we’re doing today at ESGpedia leaves a lasting, positive impact. Sustainability isn’t optional anymore; it’s a necessity. And I’m confident that we can create a future where businesses thrive by doing what’s right for both people and the planet.