This 4-hour course equips participants to identify, assess and mitigate greenwashing risk arising from sustainability-related product claims, advice and client communication. Participants learn to distinguish sustainable-investment approaches, navigate Singapore legal and supervisory expectations, interpret global labels and ESG ratings with appropriate qualification, and apply practical controls for evidence, disclosure, suitability, documentation and escalation.

Assistant Relationship Manager, Relationship Manager, Team Leader, Product Specialist, Investment Counsellor

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Explain greenwashing as a claim-reality gap and distinguish entity-level, product-level and RM advice-level risk.
• Identify inconsistency, exaggeration and omission or unsubstantiated claims in product materials and client communications.
• Assess how misleading sustainability claims may create client harm, conduct risk, reputational damage and legal or regulatory exposure.
• Apply relevant Singapore legal, regulatory, supervisory and complaint-handling frameworks to sustainability-related claims.
• Interpret ESG ratings, labels, benchmarks, methodologies and data limitations without treating them as proof of sustainability or impact.
• Apply the A.V.O.I.D. framework to verify claims, disclose limitations, communicate impact responsibly and record suitability.
• Document client sustainability preferences and escalate unsupported, outdated, inconsistent or potentially misleading claims appropriately.

Section 1: Introduction to Greenwashing

• Define greenwashing as a sustainability claim–reality gap.
• Distinguish entity, product and RM advice-level greenwashing risk.
• Identify inconsistency, exaggeration and omission or unsubstantiated claims.
• Explain the consequences for clients, RMs and private banks.

Section 2: Legal Frameworks in Singapore

• Explain private-law and consumer routes, including misrepresentation and CPFTA concepts.
• Apply SFA and FAA requirements relevant to false, misleading or incomplete claims and recommendations.
• Differentiate internal complaint handling, MAS reporting, FIDReC, arbitration and mediation.

Section 3: Guidelines Addressing Greenwashing

• Apply ABS Sustainable Private Banking and Wealth Management Guidelines and MAS Fair Dealing outcomes.
• Explain MAS disclosure, digital advertising, ESG ratings/data and retail ESG-fund expectations.
• Use CCS and SCAP principles to assess clarity, substantiation, balance and material omissions.

Section 4: Global Frameworks Addressing Greenwashing

• Compare selected EU, UK, US, Canadian, APAC and ASEAN approaches.
• Explain that SFDR categories and overseas labels are disclosure/strategy tools, not sustainability ratings.
• Translate labels into the actual product strategy, evidence, limitations and client fit.

Section 5: How to A.V.O.I.D. the Risk of Greenwashing

• Apply a precise sustainable-investment approach and verify claims against current approved evidence.
• Openly disclose limitations, exposures, thresholds, data limitations and trade-offs.
• Use evidence-based impact claims and document preferences, suitability, advice and escalation.
• Practise with RM cases covering exclusions, outdated information, ESG ratings, transition claims and client preferences.

Assessment - MCQ

A pioneer in sustainability education, our trainer holds graduate degrees in finance and financial economics, and delivers workshops for multinational banks and government bodies. Her expertise spans climate risk, sustainable finance, and ESG regulatory frameworks. As a recognised speaker on the critical intersection of sustainability and financial practice, she holds multiple international certifications in climate risk, GHG verification, and assurance.

Our trainer is a chartered accountant and chartered management accountant with senior finance and sustainability leadership experience across global corporations. He has led major digital transformation programmes for a multinational bank and shaped global sustainability strategy for a leading consumer goods company. With multiple sustainability certifications, he brings a cross‑disciplinary perspective to ESG and sustainable finance education.