Environment & climate — Topics

16 Feb 2024

Review of Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act to Prohibit Greenwashing by Businesses

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum asked if the government would review the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act to explicitly prohibit greenwashing and fund consumer education programmes, with the Minister responding that existing laws already cover false or misleading environmental claims and that agencies are developing guidelines and educational tips.
The debate highlighted the need to align consumer protection with the Singapore Green Plan, with the Minister noting ongoing efforts to improve consumer education and business guidelines while welcoming public feedback to enhance these measures.
The Minister outlined steps consumers can take, such as approaching CASE for assistance, reporting to the Advertising Standards Authority for misleading ads, and noted recent complaints about greenwashing have been received by authorities.

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7 Feb 2024

Number of Contractors Caught for Violation of Environmental Pollution Laws

From 2021 to 2023, the National Environment Agency took 1,577 enforcement actions for construction noise and five for illegal effluent discharge, while the Public Utilities Board took 402 actions for improper earth control measures.
Contractors are required to install noise meters and, for violations, video surveillance; larger sites must have CCTVs to monitor water discharge, with real-time alerts and regular inspections.
Proactive measures include mandatory noise management plans, appointment of Environmental Control Officers for large projects, and the Green and Gracious Builder Scheme, which is required for public tenders over $5 million.
The public can report violations via the myENV and OneService apps or 24-hour hotlines from NEA and PUB.

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7 Feb 2024

Building a Heat-resilient Singapore

He Ting Ru highlighted the growing urban heat vulnerability in Singapore, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on lower-income groups and vulnerable populations, and proposed enhanced social protections and accelerated retrofitting of older buildings.
The government outlined a three-pronged heat resilience strategy focusing on national cooling measures like greening and cool coatings, strengthening community resilience through advisories and sector-specific guidelines, and deepening scientific research into heat impacts.
Key measures include expanding green spaces, improving airflow in public housing, enhancing workplace safety for outdoor workers, and investing in R&D for climate adaptation technologies.
Both speakers underscored the urgency of acting now to avoid path dependency and high future costs, with a call for public and private sector collaboration to build a heat-resilient Singapore.

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6 Feb 2024

Singapore Shipping Industry's Green Transition while Maintaining Competitiveness

The Ministry of Transport outlined that Singapore's shipping sector is aligning with the IMO's net-zero emissions target by 2050 while pursuing competitiveness through workforce upskilling and leveraging green transition opportunities.
According to the 2022 Maritime Census, 85% of ship owners and operators in Singapore by revenue had a decarbonisation strategy or tracked emissions, with this proportion expected to grow.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is collaborating with tripartite partners to enhance Singapore's role as a competitive hub port and international maritime centre amid the green transition.

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6 Feb 2024

Recent Studies on Temperatures in HDB Rental Flats Versus Other Types of Flats

Ms He Ting Ru asked whether recent studies comparing temperatures in HDB rental flats with other flats have been conducted, their results, and if not, whether such studies would be commissioned.
The Minister responded that HDB uses environmental modelling for all new flats, including rental units, to optimize building orientation and ventilation for heat mitigation.
HDB is testing cool coatings on about 130 sold and rental blocks, with trials showing potential reductions of up to 2°C in ambient temperature.
The Green Towns Programme includes adding greenery to car park decks to reduce heat gain across HDB estates.
HDB stated its commitment to a sustainable living environment for all residents through science-based heat adaptation strategies.

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6 Feb 2024

Impact of 2023 UN Climate Change Conference on Singapore's Sustainability Goals

The Minister confirmed that the four paradigm shifts announced at COP-28 align with Singapore's climate ambitions and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, helping to advance goals on clean energy, climate action, zero hunger, and clean water.
Singapore supported global climate initiatives at COP-28, including co-facilitating consultations and endorsing the UAE Consensus, which calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels and tripling renewable energy by 2030.
The nation contributed to strengthening resource resilience by signing the COP-28 UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and participating in discussions on improving global water quality and sanitation.
Singapore launched cooperative platforms such as the Financing Asia's Transition Partnership (FAST-P) and carbon market agreements with multiple countries to mobilise funds and facilitate partnerships for sustainable development.
The Singapore Green Plan 2030 serves as the domestic blueprint to implement COP-28 outcomes and support the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

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6 Feb 2024

Effectiveness of Enhanced Crow Trapping Measures

NParks has enhanced crow trapping by designing new traps and targeting high-density areas, resulting in the number of crows trapped doubling from 2022 to 2023.
Crow trapping alone is insufficient, so NParks has also stepped up efforts like surveying and removing crow nests and enforcing against illegal bird feeding.
Managing the crow population requires sustained community effort, and the public is urged to avoid feeding birds and keep the environment clean to reduce food sources.

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6 Feb 2024

Studies on Socioeconomic Impact of Climate Mitigation Efforts and Effect of Heat Stress on Vulnerable Groups

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment uses climate projections from the Third National Climate Change Study to refine national adaptation strategies, including heat resilience efforts like urban cooling and community advisories.
Studies on the socioeconomic impact of mitigation efforts are integrated into ongoing planning, with agencies reviewing adaptation plans across sectors to address various emissions scenarios.
The Ministry has commissioned studies under the Cooling Singapore 2.0 project to examine heat stress effects on vulnerable groups, with research ongoing under the Climate Impact Science Research Programme.

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5 Feb 2024

Effectiveness of Campaign in Reducing Contamination of Recycling Bins

Ong Hua Han questioned the success of the Recycle Right Campaign in reducing contamination in recycling bins.
Grace Fu Hai Yien reported that the campaign has raised awareness, with 72% of households recycling in 2023, up from 64% in 2021, and improved knowledge of recyclable items.
The NEA will monitor how increased awareness translates to lower contamination over time, urging the public to recycle only clean, appropriate items and handle e-waste and reusable items separately.

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5 Feb 2024

Volumes Handled by Large Commercial and Industrial Food Waste Generators

The Ministry measures food waste from large commercial and industrial generators, and in 2022, 813,000 tonnes were generated, with 40% from these sources.
The amount of food waste has remained similar since 2021, and the Resource Sustainability Act will require large generators to segregate food waste and report annually starting 2024.
To reduce avoidable food waste, NEA has published guidebooks and collaborates with industry stakeholders to minimize waste across the supply chain.
Businesses and charities work together to distribute unexpired food to needy residents through organizations like The Food Bank Singapore, Food from the Heart, and Willing Hearts.

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5 Feb 2024

Impact of Plastic Bag Charge on Habits of Bagging Trash and Purchase of Garbage Bags

Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the impact of the plastic bag charge on households' trash-bagging habits and garbage bag purchases, as well as the availability of data and support for reducing plastic bag use.
The Minister responded that public waste collectors have not observed any changes in waste disposal habits since the bag charge was implemented, with households continuing to bag trash before disposal.
Sales of garbage bags are not currently tracked, but the National Environment Agency will monitor household habits and review the impact after one year of implementation.
The government aims to educate households on reducing plastic bag use for trash and promoting alternatives through ongoing support and awareness efforts.

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5 Feb 2024

Level of Participation in Energy Efficiency Grant Programme and Effectiveness of Grant

Edward Chia asked about the level of business participation in the Energy Efficiency Grant, how the Ministry measures its environmental and economic effectiveness, and whether the grant could be expanded to more enterprises.
Gan Kim Yong reported that nearly 5,000 applications from close to 2,000 companies have been approved since September 2022, with benefits including long-term electricity bill savings and improved profitability.
The grant is currently available to food services, food manufacturing, and retail sectors, and the Ministry is reviewing its potential expansion to other sectors based on industry feedback.

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5 Feb 2024

Measures to Mitigate Aircraft Noise at Jurong West Area

Patrick Tay asked the Minister for Defence what measures RSAF has taken at Tengah Airbase to mitigate aircraft noise affecting Jurong West, especially with more residents working from home, nearby schools, and families with infants.
Ng Eng Hen stated that local flying training is essential for pilot proficiency and operational readiness, with flights from Paya Lebar Air Base shifting to Tengah and Changi upon its decommissioning, and the frequency of flights from Tengah depends on RSAF's operational and training needs.
To minimise noise impact, RSAF conducts about 50% of training overseas, uses simulators for local requirements, plans flight routes away from residential areas, and adjusts training tempo during school exams.
MOD and RSAF collaborate with HDB and NEA on noise mitigation for new developments like Tengah New Town, including thicker window glass, façade designs with overhangs or canopies, and building orientation away from flight paths.

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10 Jan 2024

Claims for Damages to Property or Personal Injury Caused by Trees Managed by NParks

NParks manages over two million urban trees across parks, park connectors, state lands, and roads in Singapore.
From 2014 to 2023, NParks received an average of 87 claims per year for damages or injury caused by these trees.
About one-third of these claims resulted in payments, with amounts varying based on the circumstances and merits of each case.

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10 Jan 2024

Tree Failure Incident Reports Received by NParks

NParks reported a 65% decline in tree failure incidents on public property from 1,250 in 2014 to about 430 in 2023, excluding town council and private properties.
The tree management program includes inspections every six to 24 months, with more frequent checks for trees near high-traffic areas, and risk assessments for reported concerns.
NParks noted it does not manage trees on town council or private property, so statistics for those areas are not covered in the response.
The board plans to continue reviewing and adapting its tree management practices to minimize future tree failures.

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10 Jan 2024

Management and Impact of Community Gardens on Community Development and Food Resilience

As of January 2024, Singapore has over 1,900 community gardens established under the National Parks Board's Community in Bloom programme to promote gardening and community bonding.
Community gardens are managed by volunteers, residents with support from Residents' Networks, or organizations like schools, with NParks providing guidance on site selection, landscaping, and horticultural best practices.
These gardens foster community development by bringing people together and enhance food resilience through growing edible plants, sharing harvests, and running outreach programs to educate on local produce.

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10 Jan 2024

Update on Implementation of Disposable Carrier Bag Charge at Small Vendors Not Required to Participate in Programme

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if there are monitoring efforts and preliminary studies on the effectiveness of the disposable carrier bag charge at small vendors not required to participate, and whether any results on plastic bag usage reduction exist.
Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that only large supermarket operators are obligated to participate, while other retailers may choose to charge for bags as a business decision.
She clarified that the National Environment Agency does not track retailers who voluntarily implement disposable carrier bag charges.

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10 Jan 2024

Percentage of Unresolved Pigeon Feeding Complaints

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked about the percentage of unresolved pigeon feeding complaints, reasons for their intractability, use of surveillance technology, and humane culling methods.
NParks engages feeders, collaborates with agencies to understand motivations, and offers alternatives like community gardening; cases with repeat offenders remain challenging.
Surveillance includes CCTV and human monitoring at hotspots, but effectiveness is limited by blind spots and feeders’ disguises, so detailed feedback from the public is encouraged.
Culling is conducted sustainably and humanely per international standards, with upstream measures like food source reduction and community engagement to control the pigeon population.

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10 Jan 2024

Regulations to Prevent Cat Feeding to Reduce Disamenities

Lim Biow Chuan asked if regulations would be introduced to prevent cat feeding that causes disamenities like excessive cat faeces in neighborhoods.
Desmond Lee stated that enforcement is already possible under the Environmental Public Health Act for irresponsible feeding leading to littering, and NParks collaborates with various stakeholders to promote responsible practices.
NParks plans to develop guidelines with stakeholders to define appropriate feeding locations and reduce disamenities in high-traffic areas like lift lobbies.
NParks will continue a holistic, science-based approach to manage community cats, including the Stray Cat Sterilisation Programme.

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10 Jan 2024

Assessment of Public Sector's Achievement of Green Targets Following Launch of GreenGov.SG Initiative

Under the GreenGov.SG initiative, the public sector is on track to meet its 2045 net-zero target, with early measures like Green Mark Platinum buildings and clean energy vehicles, though it is premature to fully assess progress.
The Ministry uses annual resource reporting and improvement plans for large private companies, plus climate reporting mandates for listed firms, to assess private sector greening efforts.
SMEs can immediately track and reduce electricity and water use, upgrade to efficient systems, and access grants and consultancy services like the Energy Efficiency Fund and PUB’s guide.
Sustainability is a whole-of-nation effort, with public and private sectors collaborating to build a greener Singapore while enhancing competitiveness and resource resilience.

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