The Singapore Environmental Achievement Award was launched by Mr. Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for the Environment, in November 1997.
The development of the Award started in late 1996. The scheme was initiated by the SEC Industry Committee, a standing committee of the SEC, with the specific objective of promoting a higher level of environmental awareness among industries.
The advent of corporate environmentalism locally and internationally, coupled with the growth of the environmental technology industry, and the introduction of the Environmental Management Systems (EMS), such as ISO14001, have prompted the Committee to believe in the worth of a national award that would encourage local enterprises to rise up to such challenges.
The Award seeks to increase environmental awareness among local companies, as well as to encourage industries to adopt a more proactive approach towards environmental management. By identifying positive examples through the respective SEAA winners, the Award hopes to encourage others to take similar action.
Since its inauguration companies that have benefited from the Award include Crusade Cleaning Services, Changi General Hospital, Neo Corporation, Eagle Services Asia, Alexandra Hospital, City Developments Limited, STMicroelectronics, Schering-Plough, Nanyang Polytechnic and CapitaLand Limited. All have reported an increase in business and public interest, as a direct result of winning the Award.
