Environment & climate

Charlene Chen asked about the assessment of cumulative traffic noise exposure in residential areas near expressways and if environmental noise mitigation criteria would be reviewed for long-term impacts on health. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the National Environment Agency conducts Traffic Noise Impact Assessments for new residential developments near traffic noise sources and projects future noise levels while recommending mitigation measures. The NEA collaborates with other agencies to periodically review the Technical Guidelines for Land Traffic Noise Impact Assessment to maintain their relevance.

Jackson Lam asked about the cost and energy intensity of desalinated water compared to NEWater and imported water over the past five years, the expected changes with a sixth desalination plant, and how the government plans to balance water security with affordability. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that desalinated water is currently more energy-intensive and costly than NEWater and imported water but is essential for weather resilience. The sixth desalination plant will utilize advanced technologies to potentially reduce production costs, and investments in water infrastructure are necessary to meet growing demand. Water conservation efforts are also key to managing demand and minimizing costs.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised concerns about disamenities related to the bus depot construction between Tampines Road and Buangkok East Drive, asking what measures had been taken to address residents' feedback, including relocation requests. Jeffrey Siow responded that while the depot cannot be relocated, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is implementing several mitigating measures. These include constructing a 12-metre-high temporary noise barrier, installing noise monitoring systems, and minimizing dust through water spraying and vehicle cleaning.

Saktiandi Supaat raised concerns about the need for a dedicated Ministry for Energy to manage Singapore's energy transition amidst rising demands from AI, data centers, and electric vehicles. Gan Kim Yong, representing the Prime Minister, emphasized the importance of balancing security, affordability, and sustainability in energy management, indicating that the Ministry of Trade and Industry currently oversees energy matters. The government has made organizational changes, including appointing a Minister-in-charge of Energy and establishing an Energy and Carbon cluster to enhance coordination. There are no current plans to create a separate Ministry of Energy, but adjustments will be made as needed to address growing complexities.

Valerie Lee asked about NEA's strategies to address rising packaging waste through the structure of Public Waste Collector tenders and the availability of recycling bins. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that NEA ensures timely waste collection and mandates at least one recycling bin per HDB block, with flexibility to increase bin numbers and collection frequency during peak periods. NEA collaborates with Town Councils to meet local recycling needs, responding to requests for additional bins and collections as necessary. Town Councils can also procure extra green refuse bins for common areas if required.

Lee Hong Chuang raised questions regarding measures to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in adapting to sustainability and maintaining competitiveness in international markets. Gan Kim Yong confirmed the Government's commitment to assist SMEs in transitioning to a low-carbon economy and addressing demand for green technologies. The SME Sustainability Hub was established to provide SMEs with access to resources and support for sustainability, including reporting assistance, training programs, and funding opportunities. The Government is collaborating with trade associations and industries to continuously improve support measures for SMEs in light of environmental standards.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the trend of residential noise complaints over the past three years and how Singapore's noise exposure limits compare with those recommended by the World Health Organization. Grace Fu Hai Yien reported a decrease in construction noise complaints from about 1,040 per month in 2022 to approximately 930 per month in 2024, while factory noise complaints remained stable at around 30 monthly. The National Environment Agency (NEA) sets noise limits for construction and factories based on World Health Organization guidelines and enforces these regulations strictly. NEA is also reviewing noise management strategies to mitigate noise impact from construction and factory operations.

Lee Hui Ying asked about the government's plans to address capacity constraints for soil disposal and re-use of excavated soil due to increasing demands from construction and land reclamation. Chee Hong Tat explained that excavated materials are sent to staging grounds before being reused at reclamation sites. The government has initiated a new reclamation project at Northern Tuas Basin to enhance disposal capacity for excavated materials. Ongoing monitoring and collaboration with the industry will ensure that further measures are taken if necessary.

Lee Hui Ying questioned the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about NEA's enforcement actions against repeated high-rise littering and responses to uncooperative suspects. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that NEA first advises residents when littering feedback is received, and if it persists, they may deploy surveillance cameras to identify offenders. A statutory presumption introduced in July 2023 places responsibility on flat owners to prevent littering and facilitates enforcement despite uncooperative behaviour. Penalties for high-rise littering include fines up to $2,000 for first-time offenders, escalating to $10,000 for repeat offenders, with possible Corrective Work Orders for public cleaning. NEA also considers individual circumstances like mental health issues and collaborates with community stakeholders to provide support and preventive measures.

Valerie Lee asked about the maintenance frequency of nature trails by NParks, the reasons for temporary closures, and any delays in maintenance projects over the past five years. Chee Hong Tat replied that nature trails are inspected weekly, with extra checks after heavy rainfall or reports of issues. Trails may be temporarily closed for public safety and maintenance, with closure duration depending on the complexity of the needed work.

Valerie Lee requested an update on regional import projects with Conditional Approvals or Licenses issued by the Energy Market Authority, including information on any unviable projects. Gan Kim Yong reported that eleven projects have received Conditional Approvals to import eight gigawatts of low-carbon electricity from countries such as Australia and Indonesia, with six Indonesian projects progressing to Conditional Licenses. All companies involved in these projects remain committed to their development, and the government will work with source countries and developers to assess project viability further.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the Minister for National Development about environmental assessments for the construction of a bus depot in a forested area along Sungei Serangoon. The Minister of State, Alvin Tan, clarified that the site, classified as brownfield, does not require an environmental study due to its limited impact on sensitive habitats and mentioned that mitigating measures will be implemented during construction. Dennis Tan raised concerns from residents about noise and dust from the depot's operations and advocated for relocating the depot to avoid environmental disruption in the forested area. Alvin Tan emphasized the site's long-standing industrial zoning and the efforts to mitigate disamenities during construction.

Pritam Singh questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about the government's public education plans regarding nuclear energy, in light of recent background papers assessing its viability for Singapore. The Minister for Manpower emphasized that public education will address both the benefits and risks of nuclear energy, highlighting advancements in safety technologies, such as small modular reactors, and the potential for enhanced energy security and lower emissions. Singh pointed out the need for public understanding of both Singapore's and regional developments in nuclear technology, as well as addressing misunderstandings noted in a previous study. The Minister outlined ongoing efforts to build expertise in nuclear science, including the establishment of a Nuclear Research and Safety Institute and international collaborations for talent development.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about Singapore GasCo's plans to develop spot trading capabilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and to collaborate with financial institutions or commodity exchanges to manage price volatility. The Minister for Manpower, Dr. Tan See Leng, confirmed that Singapore GasCo aims to create a diversified gas supply portfolio to enhance security and manage price volatility, while ensuring procurement practices avoid reliance on sanctioned entities. He also mentioned the establishment of a standby LNG facility to buffer against supply disruptions and announced the construction of a second LNG terminal to increase capacity by 50%, expected to be completed between 2028 and 2030. Finally, Dr. Tan assured that pricing volatility would be managed through a diversified portfolio starting in 2026.

Hany Soh asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about expanding the Clean and Green Singapore (CGS) Day projects to encourage islandwide participation in sustainable practices and whether targets would be set for these initiatives. Dr. Janil Puthucheary responded that CGS is a year-round drive featuring numerous events, with participation increasing significantly, but specific targets are not planned. He emphasized the importance of overall public engagement and awareness in sustainability rather than just attendance numbers at events. Soh suggested tracking carbon footprint reductions and energy savings from community efforts, which Puthucheary acknowledged as a valuable idea worth exploring further.

Poh Li San raised concerns about the nuclear energy study regarding its potential viability and the inclusion of deployment timelines and reactor locations. Ang Wei Neng questioned the readiness and staffing of the newly established nuclear teams at the Energy Market Authority and National Environment Agency. Dr Choo Pei Ling emphasized the importance of public engagement and literacy on nuclear safety, particularly among youths. The Minister for Manpower stated the government hasn't decided on nuclear energy deployment and is focused on studying safety and technology viability without determining specific sites. The Minister assured ongoing public engagement to address safety concerns and prepare Singaporeans for potential regional developments in nuclear energy.