Environment & climate

He Ting Ru asked about the evolution of domestic waste recycling rates alongside the reported 15% decrease in domestic waste volumes over the last decade, as well as updated strategies for increasing recycling rates and a target for recycling by 2030. Grace Fu Hai Yien acknowledged the question and directed her to a previous written answer addressing the same concerns, indicating that the details were covered in a report from August 2024.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the government's considerations for determining the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) rebates for 2025 and proposed enhancements for cleaner energy vehicles. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that VES incentivizes lower emissions vehicles through rebates and surcharges, ensuring cleaner energy vehicles are competitively priced. She confirmed that the 2025 VES rebates will be designed to continue encouraging the adoption of cleaner energy vehicles based on ongoing reviews with the Ministry of Transport.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked for an update on the clean-up efforts following the oil spill at Pasir Panjang Terminal on June 14, 2024. Grace Fu Hai Yien reported that the clean-up operation is progressing, with the first phase completed and the second phase focusing on difficult areas well underway, while some beaches have begun the final phase involving volunteer participation. Siloso Beach has reopened for water activities, and parts of East Coast Park are open for land-based activities, with a goal to complete all clean-ups within a month. Tan further inquired about the costs incurred and support for affected businesses, but Fu stated that the focus remains on the clean-up and she did not have answers to those supplementary questions.

• The Senior Parliamentary Secretary clarified a publicised case involving a family affected by formaldehyde in paints, noting that the renovation company offered compensation for temporary accommodation.
• He corrected his earlier statement, specifying that the family, not the company, hired movers to dismantle and reinstate the affected furniture.
• The clarification was made in response to a question about complaints leading to a ban on formaldehyde in paints for interior buildings and a proposed similar ban for furniture paints.
• The official record was updated to reflect the accurate details of the case and the actions taken by the family and the renovation company.

• The Minister acknowledged a decline in Singapore’s recycling rate to 52% in 2023, attributing it to post-COVID economic factors, higher freight costs, and foreign trade restrictions, while noting steady overall rates around 60% since 2013.
• To boost recycling, NEA will enforce segregation and reporting for large food waste generators and introduce a beverage container return scheme, alongside efforts to reduce waste generation.
• Initiatives to improve resource loops include exploring the use of Semakau Landfill materials for reclamation fill and promoting the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to achieve Zero Waste Masterplan targets by 2030.

• Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the anticipated revenue, decarbonisation efforts, and the plan to increase the carbon tax to $45 per tonne in 2026.
• Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that carbon tax revenues are published annually in the Revenue and Expenditure Estimates, with refined estimates for 2024 to be published in the 2025 Budget Book.
• The carbon tax provides an economy-wide price signal to improve energy and carbon efficiency, supports low-carbon investments, and revenue will be used to facilitate decarbonisation solutions, support businesses, and cushion household impacts without expecting additional net revenue this decade.
• Singapore remains on track to raise the carbon tax to $45 per tonne in 2026 to support the net-zero emissions target by 2050.

• Dennis Tan asked about current greenhouse gas emissions from Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island, the projected reduction from Shell’s sale of its facilities, and whether the government will work with buyers to reduce emissions and shift to sustainable products.
• Gan Kim Yong stated that the refining and petrochemicals sector, covering most activities on both islands, accounts for about one-third of Singapore’s direct carbon emissions, but company-level data cannot be disclosed and the sale’s impact is unclear until completion in end-2024.
• The government reaffirmed its commitment to decarbonising the petrochemical sector and building a Sustainable Jurong Island, and will work with buyers and other companies to support emission reductions and a transition to more sustainable products.

• The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore coordinated response to a fire on board the Singapore-flagged tanker Hafnia Nile and another tanker on 19 July 2024, with media statements issued and no disruption to navigational traffic.
• The vessel's owner reported light oil sheens on 23 July and has deployed measures like oil booms for containment and clean-up of localised seepage.
• To date, no oil pollution has been detected along the coastline of Singapore, indicating minimal environmental impact from the incident.

• Joan Pereira asked if climate vouchers or subsidies for eco-friendly appliances could be extended to households in private properties.
• Grace Fu Hai Yien referred her to a written reply from 2 July 2024 regarding the Climate Friendly Households Programme.
• The reply addressed related questions on the redemption rate for climate vouchers.
• No direct commitment was made to extend the vouchers to private property households in the debate.
• The discussion highlighted ongoing consideration of equitable access to climate incentives.

• The Ministry highlighted that dengue cases in 2024 have already exceeded the total for 2023, driven by high Aedes mosquito populations, low population immunity to all four dengue serotypes, and warm, humid weather that accelerates mosquito breeding and virus multiplication.
• The National Environment Agency (NEA) has intensified efforts, including collaborating with Town Councils for inspections and flushing of drains, launching the National Dengue Prevention Campaign earlier than usual, and using volunteers and digital platforms to raise public awareness.
• These collective measures have shown positive results, with a 20.8% drop in dengue cases and a 16% reduction in clusters in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter.
• Project Wolbachia, which uses mosquito releases to suppress the Aedes aegypti population, has achieved 80-90% reductions in study sites and is being expanded to cover 480,000 households, though further studies are needed to improve cost-effectiveness before wider deployment.
• The Ministry emphasized that while initiatives like Project Wolbachia are promising, sustained community action—such as removing stagnant water and taking personal precautions—remains essential to curb dengue transmission.

• The Good Samaritan Food Donation Bill aims to reduce Singapore's annual 750,000 tonnes of food waste and address food insecurity by waiving civil and criminal liability for donors who meet specific safety and hygiene conditions, encouraging more businesses and individuals to donate excess edible food without fear of legal repercussions.
• Supporters across parties, including the Workers' Party and Progress Singapore Party, endorse the Bill as a practical step to promote sustainability and compassion, with suggestions for additional measures such as tax incentives, clearer labelling, and logistical support to further boost participation and ensure safe handling of donated food.
• During the debate, concerns were raised about potential risks, including food allergies, religious dietary requirements, and the need for compliance with food safety standards, with the Minister clarifying that the Bill's context of voluntary food donation differs from earlier discussions on emergency assistance Good Samaritan laws, where no similar liability concerns were observed.

• The Energy Transition Measures and Other Amendments Bill aims to amend the Energy Market Authority of Singapore Act 2001, the Electricity Act 2001, and the Gas Act 2001 to support Singapore's energy transition.
• The bill was presented by the Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr Tan See Leng, and received its First Reading in Parliament.
• The bill is scheduled for its Second Reading at the next available sitting of Parliament and will be printed for legislative review.

• The Building Control (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Building Control Act 1989 to enhance energy efficiency measures for existing buildings and includes miscellaneous amendments.
• The bill was presented by the Senior Minister of State for National Development, Ms Sim Ann, on behalf of the Minister of National Development.
• The bill underwent its First Reading in Parliament and is scheduled for its Second Reading at the next available sitting.

• Members asked about the coordination of operational responses among agencies following the Pasir Panjang Terminal oil spill, the preliminary findings on cause and culpability, and the need for enhanced safety procedures.
• Questions were also raised on the number and deployment time of skimmer vessels and storage tanks, the capacity of storage tanks, response team training for oil and ammonia spills, and agreements for international support.
• The Minister referred to his earlier Ministerial Statement in Parliament on 2 July 2024 for detailed answers on all matters related to the incident.

• Miss Rachel Ong inquired whether Singapore-based pilots are trained to handle weather volatility and turbulence due to climate change, and if the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is collaborating with airlines to explore technology for better turbulence detection and reduction.
• Chee Hong Tat confirmed that pilots undergo recurrent training and assessment to operate aircraft under various scenarios, including turbulence, ensuring their competencies are regularly practised and tested.
• He added that CAAS works closely with Singapore carriers to explore new aircraft technology and advanced flight planning tools for real-time prediction of adverse weather, including turbulence.

• The government has introduced financial incentives like the Electric Vehicle Early Adoption Incentive and Enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme, reducing upfront EV costs by up to $40,000 in 2024, and enacted the Electric Vehicles Charging Act to ensure a safe and reliable charging network.
• Progress on EV charging infrastructure includes over 7,100 charging points installed across Singapore, with more than a third of HDB carparks equipped with chargers and over 1,100 chargers supported in non-landed private residences.
• The EV Common Charger Grant co-funds installations at non-landed private residences, and the government encourages more such properties to utilize remaining grant support for around 900 additional chargers.
• As a result of these measures, EV adoption has significantly increased, with about one out of three new cars sold in Singapore in 2024 being an EV, compared to 18% in 2023.

• Ms He Ting Ru queried the Ministry on the number of waste collection lapses by Sembwaste Pte Ltd in the past year, their causes, and the preventive measures in place.
• In response, Minister Grace Fu stated there were no disruptions, defined as non-collection by the end of a scheduled day, though temporary delays occurred in May 2024 due to a spike in worker illnesses coinciding with a COVID-19 wave.
• The National Environment Agency monitors waste collection by public waste collectors and can intervene in the event of disruptions.

• The National Action Strategy on Marine Litter (NASML) launched in 2022 has six priority areas including reducing land- and sea-based sources, promoting a circular economy, research, outreach, and international collaboration.
• A 2023 study by the National Environment Agency found that 97% of plastic waste on Singapore's recreational beaches came from marine sources, leading to increased cleaning efforts during monsoon seasons with volunteer participation.
• Singapore is actively engaged in regional and international efforts, such as the ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, to address transboundary marine litter.

• Edward Chia inquired about extending Climate Vouchers to residents of Executive Condominiums (ECs), citing their similar household per capita income to other public housing residents.
• Lim Biow Chuan asked for the number of HDB households that have claimed the vouchers and whether the vouchers could also be extended to private estate residents to promote universal energy efficiency.
• Grace Fu indicated that these questions would be addressed together with other related parliamentary queries on the Climate Friendly Households Programme during the same sitting on 2 July 2024.

• He Ting Ru asked about the number of firms granted carbon tax allowances for 2023–2025, the average proportion of emissions covered, and the expected impact on Singapore's emissions profile.
• Gan Kim Yong stated that no allowances were granted in 2023, while over 20 companies from Emissions-Intensive Trade-Exposed sectors were notified of eligibility for allowances from 2024 onwards.
• Aggregated information on allowances will be released later to avoid undermining the competitive position of Singapore-based manufacturers.
• Carbon tax allowances are part of a broader strategy to support the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050, helping companies transform operations and reduce emissions.
• The government will continue monitoring and reviewing eligibility for other companies to ensure the policy supports emissions reduction targets.