Debated in Parliament on 13 Jul 2015.
Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Government will consider introducing more measures to conserve the environment like encouraging the use of more electric cars and less use of plastic bags.
Environmental sustainability has always been a focus in the development of Singapore. Last year, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and the Ministry of National Development (MND) released the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB) 2015. This sets out the Government’s strategies for a Liveable and Endearing Home, a Vibrant and Sustainable City, and an Active and Gracious Community. Over the next few years, the Government will implement the sustainability policies and schemes in the SSB 2015, including working towards a "Car-Lite" Singapore and a Zero Waste
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Nation.
The greenest transport system is one where most trips are on public transport instead of private cars. We aim for public transport to be the choice mode for Singaporeans – accessible, connected, comfortable and green. To this end, the Government is significantly enhancing the rail and bus networks and ramping up infrastructure to encourage more people to cycle and walk.
We are also doing more to make our vehicles greener and cleaner. From 2017, we will set higher emission standards for vehicles and will impose tighter and more comprehensive regulations on the quality of petrol and diesel fuel supplied in Singapore. We have also implemented the Early Turnover Scheme (ETS) and the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) to incentivise the use of vehicles with cleaner emissions and a lower carbon footprint.
To work towards a Zero Waste Nation, many initiatives are being introduced to conserve the environment through the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). For example, food waste recycling pilots are being implemented at two hawker centres and centralised recycling chutes will be installed for all new Build-To-Order flats to make recycling more convenient for residents.
MEWR and NEA are supportive of the efforts taken by various retailers and supermarkets to reduce the excessive use of plastic bags. For example, since 2007, NTUC’s FairPrice Green Rewards scheme has provided a 10-cent rebate for customers who bring their own bags and spend a minimum of $10. In 2014, more than nine million plastic bags were saved through this scheme. Another example is that of IKEA Singapore, which started charging for disposal plastic bags in 2007 and stopped providing them altogether in 2013. We also encourage households to re-use their plastic bags, such as in using them to bag their refuse to ensure good public hygiene.
Everyone has a part to play in taking stewardship of our environment and sustainable development. MEWR, MND and other agencies are working to bring about closer partnership between the public, private and people sectors for all Singaporeans to participate in caring for our common spaces and environment for a more Sustainable Singapore.
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