#BeyondProfit: How Temasek Holdings is Building Value Beyond Financial Returns

In an era where the bar for corporate performance is no longer just about quarterly earnings and asset growth, a new benchmark has emerged: the ability to generate sustainable impact– socially, environmentally and economically. Organizations that embed purpose into their business models are not only aligning with stakeholder expectations, but also unlocking a more resilient form of value. Singapore is a vivid example of this shift, and at the forefront stands Temasek Holdings (Temasek) – a global investment firm that explicitly reframes its role to be “by generations, for generations.”

Temasek enters this conversation not just as an investor, but as a steward of long-term ecosystems, capable of leveraging capital, partnerships and innovation to advance collective good. Its approach goes #BeyondProfit by deploying resources into ventures that aim to uplift communities, foster sustainable lifestyles, catalyse climate action and support emerging sectors. Here are six key initiatives that exemplify Temasek’s commitment to generating enduring impact. Let’s dive in.

1. Ecosperity Week

Each year, Temasek hosts its signature event, Ecosperity Week, which brings together policymakers, investors, corporates and technologists to address the grand challenge of sustainable living. The forum keeps front and centre Temasek’s conviction that sustainable living is not a niche concern but a core investment theme, supported by a portfolio of about S$44 billion (as of 2024) labelled “sustainable living”.

Through Ecosperity, Temasek uses thought leadership, cross-sector dialogue and investor engagement to de-risk and scale solutions like clean energy, circular economy models, alternative proteins and biodiversity-focused enterprises. This initiative plays a dual role: it serves as a platform for ecosystem building and it signals to the investment community that sustainability is integral to long-term value creation. Importantly, it also shows how Temasek is shifting the lens from risk mitigation to opportunity capture under the environmental, social and governance (ESG) frame.

2. Catalysing Decarbonization Through GenZero

In 2024, Temasek launched GenZero– its wholly-owned climate investment platform dedicated to accelerating decarbonization globally. The initiative is anchored in Temasek’s recognition that combating climate change requires patient capital, strong partnerships and a clear route to scalable solutions.

GenZero invests in three core areas: nature-based solutions (for example afforestation, blue carbon ecosystems), technology-based solutions (carbon capture, low-carbon materials) and carbon ecosystem enablers (e.g. monitoring, reporting and verification frameworks). By carving out this platform, Temasek bridges the gap between investment discipline and climate urgency– emphasising that decarbonization is not simply a risk to manage but a frontier for systemic change and value generation.

3. Decarbonising Rice Project

Under its research ecosystem, Temasek (via its non-profit arm Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory) has launched the “Decarbonising Rice Project.” This innovation-led venture targets the reduction of methane emissions from rice farming, along with improved water-use efficiency and higher yields.

Initial field trials span countries including Singapore, India, and Laos. This work underscores Temasek’s view that sustainability must combine investment with rigorous research and innovation. It also reflects a broader shift: leveraging core competencies (here, biological research) to generate positive climate and social outcomes, rather than relying solely on capital deployment.

4. Supporting Autistic Adults

Within Singapore, Temasek’s social impact arm, Temasek Foundation, has introduced a life-skills training programme for adults with autism, co-created with the Autism Resource Centre and The Purple Parade.

This initiative addresses a critical gap: when students with special education needs graduate, many face a drop in support services. Hence, the programme moves beyond philanthropy to systemic inclusion. It aligns with Temasek’s belief that sustainable impact must be inclusive and tailored to latent societal needs– even when such needs may not promise immediate commercial returns.

5. Scaling Healthcare Across Borders

Temasek’s global footprint also manifests via Temasek Foundation’s healthcare programmes beyond Singapore. In partnership with the local government of Taguig City (Philippines), the foundation supports enhanced primary healthcare access and maternal-child health for underserved communities.

This cross-border initiative underscores how Temasek views social impact as global in scope– not just local. The approach highlights how strategic investment in health outcomes overseas can be aligned with long-term global stability, human capital development and inclusive growth.

6. Co-Axis: Catalytic Capital Marketplace

As part of its “people, planet, progress” agenda, Temasek Trust (Temasek’s philanthropic arm) launched Co‑Axis– a digital platform designed to unlock risk capital and match donors or impact-seekers with social innovations at scale.

Co-Axis embodies the belief that sustainable impact often requires catalytic capital– funding that accepts higher risk to generate systemic change. By creating this marketplace, Temasek moves beyond traditional grant-making into building infrastructure for impact finance. It demonstrates how capital markets and purpose can converge– enabling scalable solutions rather than one-off projects.

Bottom Line

Temasek Holdings exemplifies how a large-scale investment organization can thoughtfully recalibrate itself to serve future generations– not just its present shareholders. Through its various initiatives mentioned above, Temasek is demonstrating that value creation and social purpose are not mutually exclusive. These efforts show that financial returns, societal benefit and environmental stewardship can be aligned under a strategic vision.

In embracing complexity, forging partnerships and deploying capital with intent, Temasek is going well #BeyondProfit.