Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Locally Produced and Imported Food

Ms See Jinli Jean asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) since 2014, what is the annual total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for locally produced and imported food in Singapore; (b) what is the change in GHG emissions per person over this period; (c) whether Singapore is on-track to meeting its milestone targets leading to the 2050 target of net zero GHG emissions; and (d) what are the local and multilateral economic and social measures that have been or will be introduced to reduce the per person GHG emissions.

In 2022, Singapore announced our commitment to reduce emissions to around 60 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2030 after peaking emissions earlier and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. As stated in our first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November 2024, Singapore is on track to meet our 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution and remains committed to achieving our 2050 net zero target, despite our limited potential for alternative energy sources. From 2014 to 2022, Singapore's per capita emissions increased by around 1% per annum. However, our carbon intensity, that is, carbon dioxide emissions per dollar gross domestic product (GDP) purchasing power parity (PPP) remains among the lowest globally1.

Our BTR provides information on our greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, including emissions from the agriculture sector. Since 2000, the GHG emissions for local agricultural activities has contributed around 0.01% of Singapore's annual GHG inventory. In the latest reporting year of 2022, this translates to 0.008 MtCO2e. Singapore does not track emissions from imported goods, including imported food products, as such emissions occur outside of Singapore's national territories and are excluded from our national GHG inventory in accordance with UNFCCC reporting requirements.

Singapore takes a comprehensive approach towards climate action, to enable us to meet our international climate commitments while achieving sustainable growth. We are advancing mitigation efforts across all sectors of the economy, with particular focus on major sources of emissions, such as industry, power generation and land transport. For example, to decarbonise our power grid, we are moving forward with ambitious solar deployment plans and are also working with partner countries to import six gigawatt of low-carbon electricity by 2035. Incentives, such as the Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions and legislation such as the Energy Conservation Act have been introduced to improve energy efficiency across the economy. We have also implemented a carbon tax since 2019 to provide an economy-wide signal for businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint in line with our national climate goals.

For Singapore to achieve our climate goals, it is also important that every individual plays his or her part. Singapore will continue to push ahead with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which aims to galvanise every individual to contribute to our national agenda on sustainable development. Beyond that, we have also introduced initiatives, like the Climate Friendly Household Programme, to encourage individuals to take climate actions and be more efficient in their energy and water consumption.