Environment & climate

• The 1962 Johore River Water Agreement allows Singapore to draw up to 250 million gallons of water daily from Malaysia, expiring in 2061, with commitments from both countries to fulfill its obligations.
• Singapore continues to invest in water infrastructure to meet growing demand, including the opening of the Jurong Island Desalination Plant and plans to expand the Tuas NEWater Factory.
• The Public Utilities Board (PUB) has implemented measures to moderate water demand, such as the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme and new efficiency requirements for water-intensive industries.
• The PUB has enhanced the Water Efficiency Fund to support organizations in improving their water efficiency and sustainability practices.

• Miss Rachel Ong inquired about plans to enhance drainage in flood-prone areas following recent monsoon surges.
• Minister Grace Fu referenced previous discussions on flooding and drainage improvements from a prior parliamentary session on February 4, 2025.
• The Minister directed attention to specific responses provided in the official report from that session regarding drainage system adequacy.

• In 2024, Singapore's Public Utilities Board (PUB) reported 267 pipe leaks, averaging 4.5 leaks per 100 kilometers of water pipe, with over 90% repaired without water supply interruption.
• PUB responds to water supply interruptions within two hours and typically restores service within four hours, providing support such as mobile water wagons and temporary connections.
• For privately-owned pipe leaks, the owner is responsible for repairs, but PUB offers assistance in isolating leaks and providing temporary water supply if needed.
• PUB employs a comprehensive leak management program that includes proactive pipe assessments, early leak detection through sensors, and monitoring during nearby construction to prevent damage.
• Measures are being taken to enhance the resilience of Singapore's water infrastructure against extreme weather, including slope protection standards and additional monitoring after such events.

• The debate focused on the shepherding of wildlife from areas affected by the upcoming Sembawang and Woodlands HDB projects to nearby forested areas.
• The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will employ wildlife management contractors to carry out the shepherding, guided by an independent Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) consultant.
• Clearance of development sites will be phased, with inspections for active wildlife conducted before any site work begins, and measures will be taken to prevent wildlife re-entry into cleared zones.
• Wildlife from Sembawang N4 will be shepherded to forests along Canberra Road, while Woodlands N1 wildlife will be directed to a retained native-dominated secondary forest within the site.

• Mr. Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the alignment of Singapore's upcoming Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submission with the country's net-zero emissions goals.
• Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien affirmed Singapore's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
• The 2035 NDC submission, due on February 10, 2025, is designed to ensure Singapore remains on track for its 2050 emissions target.
• Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean will provide further details on this alignment during the upcoming Committee of Supply debate.

• An oil leak occurred at Shell Energy and Chemical Park on Bukom on 27 December 2024, with Shell discovering oil sheens in the water on 26 December.
• Shell reported the leak to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the National Environment Agency shortly after its discovery, and clean-up was completed by 28 December.
• A few tonnes of refined oil products were estimated to have leaked, and Shell is conducting ongoing investigations while implementing precautionary measures, including pipeline integrity checks.
• The National Environment Agency is investigating the incident and has requested Shell's senior management to account for operations, while also directing an independent review of the facility.
• NEA has emphasized the importance of regular inspections and updates to emergency response procedures for all similar industrial facilities to prevent future incidents.

• The debate focused on the adequacy of Singapore's drainage systems in light of recent flash floods caused by monsoon surges, with calls for additional reviews and investments in infrastructure.
• The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment reported that significant investments have been made to upgrade drainage systems, reducing flood-prone areas from 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to less than 25 hectares today.
• A recent flooding incident at Jalan Seaview was attributed to heavy rain coinciding with high tide, highlighting the challenges of managing flooding in low-lying areas.
• The government is adopting a multi-pronged approach to enhance flood resilience, including community engagement, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration with various agencies for better flood forecasting and response.
• There are ongoing discussions about interim measures and the need for financial or logistical support for residents and businesses affected by flooding, as well as the importance of individual property protection measures.

Cheryl Chan Wei Ling raised concerns about a decrease in enforcement actions against high-rise littering despite rising feedback reports in 2023, and whether more advanced technology options are being considered for surveillance. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the National Environment Agency (NEA) received fewer feedback reports in 2022 and 2023 compared to earlier years and is employing surveillance cameras and educational outreach to combat high-rise littering. NEA deployed cameras in nearly all persistent littering cases from 2021 to 2023, with a detection rate of about 30%, leading to over 3,300 enforcement actions during that time. Future enhancements will include deploying higher-resolution cameras and exploring new technologies like drones for surveillance. The ministry emphasizes the importance of community involvement in addressing high-rise littering and promoting public awareness about its negative impacts.

Jean See Jinli raised questions regarding Singapore's greenhouse gas emissions from locally produced and imported food, changes in per capita emissions, progress towards 2050 net zero targets, and measures to reduce emissions. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that Singapore aims to reduce emissions to around 60 MtCO2e by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, with per capita emissions rising by about 1% annually from 2014 to 2022. The agriculture sector contributes minimally to total emissions, while emissions from imported food are not tracked as per UNFCCC guidelines. Singapore is implementing comprehensive measures across various sectors, including solar energy and a carbon tax, and promoting individual contributions through the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

He Ting Ru questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about the cost of importing clean electricity from Indonesia compared to other sources, the financial status of Indonesian import projects, and safeguards against renegotiated pricing terms. Gan Kim Yong stated that the Energy Market Authority has conditionally approved seven projects to import 3.4 GW of electricity from Indonesia, with five projects progressing toward financial close by 2025 and commercial operations expected from 2028. Additionally, ongoing negotiations for Power Purchase Agreements are focused on securing mutually acceptable terms for pricing and contract duration. The government plans to diversify electricity imports from other countries while ensuring energy security through natural gas and local backup generation.

Lim Biow Chuan asked about the number of reports on damaged or choked drains received by PUB over the past two years and their repair plans to prevent mosquito breeding. Grace Fu Hai Yien revealed that PUB received around 600 reports annually, mostly concerning minor issues. PUB collaborates with NEA for regular inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of public drains, prioritizing repairs based on condition and scheduling upgrades when necessary. NEA conducts regular clean-ups to prevent stagnant water and potential mosquito breeding, with measures in place to ensure the effective operation of drains and reduce flood risks and vector-borne diseases.

Hany Soh questioned the Minister for National Development about how the HDB balances public housing needs with environmental preservation related to the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Woodlands N1 site. Desmond Lee referenced a previous response given on 7 January 2025 regarding housing developments in Sembawang and Woodlands. He suggested reviewing the official report for detailed information on timelines and environmental assessments.

Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about high-rise littering, querying how many cases NEA considered for surveillance camera deployment and the feasibility of such measures. Foo Mee Har and Yeo Wan Ling inquired about the use of technology like AI and drones to improve detection and enforcement of high-rise littering, with Yeo also asking about complaint statistics and enforcement success rates. Dr. Amy Khor reported a decrease in high-rise littering complaints, detailed NEA's enforcement strategies, including the use of cameras and community involvement, and acknowledged difficulties in capturing offenders, particularly in complex block designs. The discussion emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance detection technology, community cooperation, and addressing unique cases involving mental health issues among offenders.

• Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about regulations for holding fish farmers accountable for marine debris and dumping upon exiting the industry.
• Minister Grace Fu outlined that fish farmers must restore their sites to original conditions and obtain necessary approvals before demolition.
• The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) provides guidance and conducts checks to ensure compliance, investigating any unauthorized dumping.
• Enforcement actions may be taken against culpable licensees, including liquidated damages and recovery of government costs for reinstatement.

• Ms. He Ting Ru inquired about the projected percentage of total electricity consumption attributed to data centres as their capacities are set to increase by a third.
• She also questioned whether this increase aligns with Singapore's goal for greenhouse gas emissions to peak in 2028.
• Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed the government's plan to add at least 300 megawatts of data centre capacity, emphasizing that this growth aligns with the emissions peak target.

• The Amber Road plot is being rezoned from "Reserved" to "Residential" to meet housing demand driven by changing household trends post-COVID-19.
• The Land Transport Authority has determined that the existing road infrastructure can accommodate the expected increase in traffic due to the new residential development.
• The recent opening of the Tanjong Katong Thomson-East Coast Line Station is expected to further support traffic management in the area.
• The Amber Road area is already well-equipped with public parks and recreational spaces, with plans for a new park along Tanjong Katong Road to enhance local amenities.

• Edward Chia Bing Hui inquired about the progress on new technical solutions for detecting high-rise littering and their potential to aid NEA in cases where traditional methods fail.
• Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the question will be addressed in a future parliamentary sitting on 8 January 2025, along with related questions for a comprehensive answer.

• The debate focused on development plans and timelines for housing in the Marsiling, Woodlands, and Sembawang areas, with specific concerns about environmental impacts and endangered species.
• Members of Parliament raised questions regarding the criteria for evaluating mitigation measures in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and the involvement of independent experts in monitoring these measures.
• The Minister for National Development emphasized the need to balance land use for housing and economic needs with environmental preservation, highlighting the ongoing Draft Master Plan 2025 review.
• The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is engaging the public for input on development plans, with a focus on sensitive development that retains ecological value.
• Environmental Impact Assessments for the Woodlands N1 and Sembawang N4 sites have been commissioned, with measures proposed to mitigate impacts on local flora and fauna, and compliance will be monitored by independent consultants and regulatory agencies.

Christopher de Souza raised concerns about the underlying causes of recent oil spill incidents in Singapore, particularly relating to vessel traffic management and operational protocols. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim focused on the specific oil spill during bunkering operations off Changi, asking about investigations, containment measures activated, their sufficiency, and penalties for negligence. Chee Hong Tat acknowledged the questions and referred to prior replies given during a parliamentary session on November 11, 2024, regarding oil spill management and response strategies.

He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about including information on pollutants from oil and chemical spills in water quality advisories for recreational beaches and the installation of updated physical signages. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the NEA regularly publishes water quality information and advisories for swimming suitability on their website and myENV app, considering pollution incidents. The NEA also places physical signages to warn against swimming at affected beaches when necessary, and the public is encouraged to check for updates regularly.