Progress on Enhancement of Environmental Impact Assessment Framework

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development whether an update can be provided on the further steps to be taken to enhance the Environmental Impact Assessment framework.

We continually review and update the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework to ensure that it remains relevant and robust. For example, the National Parks Board (NParks) published a set of Biodiversity Impact Assessment guidelines in 2020 to provide developers and industry professionals greater clarity on how to assess the impact of development works on biodiversity. The guidelines were enhanced in May 2024 to provide clarity on how to apply the revised survey methods, manage lighting in night works and implement wildlife management measures. These were made in consultation with environmental consultants, nature groups and academics.

Agencies are studying ways to further strengthen the framework. For example, there is an ongoing pilot on centralisation of EIA consultancy services management under NParks to standardise survey methodologies and develop industry best practices. NParks is also consolidating biodiversity information from various EIAs into a centralised database to support long-term monitoring and research. We will continue to review the EIA framework to ensure its relevance.