Debated in Parliament on 5 Oct 2022.
The following question stood in the name of Mr Leon Perera –
To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry will consider increasing the value of the $150 Climate-Friendly Households Programme e-voucher for energy-efficient refrigerators given the significantly higher cost of a three-tick refrigerator; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider covering more aspects of residents’ emission-emitting activities, such as through offering vouchers for bicycles.
Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment in view of the low take-up rate of the Climate-Friendly Households Programme, whether the Ministry has surveyed eligible households and conducted outreach to better understand the reasons for the low take-up rate.
Question No 16, please.
Mr Deputy Speaker, may I give a combined answer to Question Nos 16 and 17?
Please do.
The Climate-Friendly Households Programme aims to encourage 1-, 2- and 3-room HDB households to make the switch to resource-efficient and climate-friendly appliances – refrigerators, LED lighting and shower fittings. In this way, the HDB households can also enjoy savings in utilities costs. From NEA’s earlier market survey on refrigerators, a $150 voucher amount was sufficient to defray the average incremental cost of energy efficient models.
To improve the programme take-up rate, NEA and PUB have been working with community partners to conduct outreach activities to residents. Posters on the Programme have also been displayed at Community Clubs and digital display panels at some HDB blocks. We will continue to monitor the take-up rate of the vouchers and review the Programme at an appropriate juncture.
Assoc Prof Jamus Lim.
If I could just follow up. Part (b) of the question was about whether other activities might be considered to be covered by this and I do not think that was answered.
Could I clarify? Are you looking to other appliances or activities?
The actual Parliamentary Question mentioned the possibility of offering vouchers for bicycles.
The current programme is designed to help low-income HDB households to make the switch to more energy-efficient appliances while saving costs. This current phase of programme will end on 31 December 2023. NEA and PUB are currently conducting a review of the programme and will look at whether we could extend the programme to cover more appliances.
Ultimately, we are looking at electrical appliances, so whether the likes of bicycles can be covered, yes, it is an energy zero device for mobility, but we will look at it and announce further details when ready.
No further supplementary questions? Mr Murali Pillai.
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