Environment & climate

• The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment is implementing the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions, raise the carbon tax to $50–80 per tonne by 2030, and support households and businesses in reducing their carbon footprint.
• The government is enhancing climate adaptation by investing in flood control, coastal protection, and urban heat mitigation measures, while increasing food resilience through local production and diversified imports.
• Singapore is promoting a circular economy via the Extended Producer Responsibility framework and advancing waste reduction and sustainable production practices across industries.

• The National Research Foundation drives Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise ecosystem to foster an innovation economy and address national priorities, with past investments in areas like biomedical sciences yielding strong economic and employment benefits.
• Strategic technology areas such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence are being advanced to unlock growth, create good jobs, and expand Singapore’s industrial base through collaborations with industry and research institutes.
• The government is scaling up platforms to support business transformation, enhance Singapore’s position as a Global-Asia node for R&D, and grow the startup ecosystem with increased venture capital and tailored support for enterprises.
• RIE investments are critical for tackling national challenges, including pandemic preparedness, climate change, food resilience, and water security, through targeted R&D in areas like vaccine development, low-carbon energy, and food technology.
• Singapore is strengthening its research talent pool by nurturing local STEM interest, attracting international talent, and enhancing cross-sector mobility through initiatives like secondments and industrial postgraduate programmes.

• MTI aims to drive sustainable economic growth amid global challenges like inflation and supply chain disruptions by strengthening Singapore's trade, manufacturing, and services sectors while leveraging digital and green economy opportunities.
• The ministry will focus on economic resilience by securing critical supplies, advancing innovation in advanced manufacturing and technology, and addressing constraints such as carbon emissions and manpower.
• MTI plans to support enterprises and workers through targeted strategies to boost competitiveness, internationalize promising companies, and align workforce training with industry needs.

• The Ministry of National Development will refresh its housing and planning strategies based on extensive public engagement, aiming to update land use plans, maintain a steady pipeline of housing completions, and keep the property market stable.
• A new social compact on housing will support families, maintain inclusivity in prime areas, provide more options for singles and seniors, and focus on community-building, estate rejuvenation, and promoting mutual respect in neighborhoods.
• The Ministry plans bold long-term transformations, such as the Greater Southern Waterfront and relocating Paya Lebar Airbase, to create new sustainable towns while preserving Singapore's natural heritage and identity amid climate challenges.
• Efforts will strengthen the built environment sector by promoting productivity, reducing reliance on foreign manpower, and advancing sustainability to meet net-zero emissions by 2050, ensuring resilience and vibrancy for future generations.

• The Bill introduces a mandatory minimum five-cent charge on disposable carrier bags at large supermarkets, establishes a beverage container return scheme with a ten-cent deposit, and requires building managers to segregate and report food waste, aiming to reduce waste and promote sustainable habits.
• Members of Parliament supported the Bill but raised concerns, including the need for a roadmap to expand the bag charge to more retailers, potential impacts on low-income waste collectors from the beverage scheme, and ensuring transparency and fairness in cost pass-through to consumers.
• The Senior Minister of State addressed clarifications, emphasizing a phased approach for the bag charge, plans for a robust network of beverage return points, and public education efforts, while noting that the scheme will be funded by producers and that food waste reporting will initially cover specific building types.

• Singapore is committed to participating in the ASEAN Power Grid initiative through collaborations on pathfinder projects and memoranda of understanding with regional partners to advance renewable energy and cross-border electricity trading.
• The government has signed an MOU with Indonesia on renewable energy cooperation and is working with the United States on a feasibility study to support regional energy connectivity and decarbonisation efforts.
• The government does not plan to make direct investments in cross-border infrastructure but will focus on creating frameworks and ecosystems that enable commercial players to build the necessary infrastructure.

• The Ministry highlighted a 2018 study showing reusable bags could replace 125 plastic or 52 paper bags annually, with single-use plastics having the highest global warming potential and paper bags contributing to deforestation and high water use, indicating that switching between single-use materials does not guarantee better environmental outcomes.
• The most environmentally friendly approach is to minimize disposable bag use by reusing carrier bags, as emphasized ahead of the disposable carrier bag charge starting 3 July 2023.
• Singapore lacks paper composting and recycling facilities, with paper recyclables sent overseas for processing.

• The public sector has deployed 89 electric vehicles as of February 2023.
• All new cars procured by the public sector from this year will be electric or zero-tailpipe emission alternatives under the GreenGov.SG initiative.
• Other vehicle types procured from this year will also run on cleaner energy, provided suitable models are available to meet agencies' operational needs.

The Resource Sustainability (Amendment) Bill introduces three new measures: a disposable carrier bag charge at large supermarkets, a beverage container return scheme with a deposit-refund system, and a food waste reporting framework for commercial and industrial premises. These measures aim to nudge behavioral change, reduce waste, and advance Singapore's shift toward a circular economy. The government emphasized extensive stakeholder engagement and staggered implementation to balance impact with practical feasibility.

• The Minister highlighted that the Ministry’s 2022 factsheet details how Terminal 5 is being designed as a green and sustainable building.
• Changi Airport Group’s 2022 Sustainability Report outlines specific climate resilience measures, such as enhanced drainage, tidal gates, and raising the platform at Changi East to 5.5 metres above sea level.
• The government has provided written responses on mitigating temperature increases, and will continue to monitor technology to keep Terminal 5 sustainable and climate-resilient.

• The BBNJ Treaty is a historic UN agreement to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, addressing regulatory gaps and promoting equitable benefit-sharing and capacity-building for developing countries.
• Singapore played a key role, with Ambassador Rena Lee leading negotiations, and the Treaty offers benefits such as enhanced access to marine scientific data and samples for Singaporean research institutions and maritime companies.
• Challenges remain in securing global ratification and implementation due to unequal national capacities and the need for domestic policies, while Singapore will support early ratification, share expertise, and encourage sustainable practices among citizens and businesses.

• The Ministry of Trade and Industry, through the Sentosa Development Corporation and the operator Big Tiny, has implemented small-scale eco-accommodations on Lazarus Island with sustainable practices like solar energy, waste management, and guest education to minimize environmental impact.
• Relevant agencies will enforce regulations if visitors or the operator breach rules, ensuring accountability for disamenities such as littering or feeding wildlife.
• The Singapore Land Authority collaborates with government agencies and stakeholders to protect biodiversity, while the National Parks Board conducts biodiversity surveys to guide conservation strategies for the Southern Islands, including Lazarus Island.

• Leong Mun Wai asked about the total cost to the Government of SportSG's shoe collection and recycling programme since its inception and whether sub-contractors would continue to be used.
• He also inquired about plans to improve oversight of such sub-contractors for the programme.
• Edwin Tong stated that cost and recycling programme updates were provided in a previous parliamentary reply and noted that process chain tightening has been undertaken to support sustainability goals.

• Leong Mun Wai asked whether safeguards exist to control the export of non-hazardous waste, trash, or second-hand items to countries that prohibit their import.
• The Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment stated that the matter was previously addressed in a reply to oral questions on 20 March 2023.
• The specific reply referenced concerns steps to ensure recyclables from government campaigns are not misused or improperly exported.

• Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the number and category breakdown of household appliances sold under the Energy Label Tick Rating scheme over the last three years.
• The response from Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that based on NEA’s surveys, about 570,000 air-conditioners, 340,000 refrigerators, 56,000 clothes dryers, 600,000 televisions, and 18 million lamps were sold between 2019 and 2021 under the scheme.
• The figures provided cover the specific categories of air-conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, and lamps.

• Leon Perera asked about measures to reduce the urban heat island effect from transport infrastructure like flyovers, viaducts, and MRT tracks in residential areas.
• S Iswaran outlined steps such as using Green Mark standards, planters, and shaded structures to cut heat absorption, plus energy-efficient designs like solar panels and LED lighting in stations and depots.
• The government promotes public transport to slash carbon footprints and is electrifying vehicles to further lower emissions, while reviewing designs and exploring cooling technologies like plastic-bituminous asphalt for roads.

• Leon Perera asked if there are plans to expand the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme to include other high-energy household appliances like dishwashers and water heaters.
• Grace Fu stated that the National Environment Agency regularly reviews the list of appliances under the scheme, considering energy consumption, usage, and availability of efficient models.
• She noted the scheme has recently been expanded to include portable air-conditioners and more types of lamps.
• The government will continue to assess the feasibility of including other household appliances in the future.

• Mr Louis Ng and Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin called for stronger protection of Singapore’s marine ecosystems and the Southern Islands, highlighting biodiversity, climate benefits, and the need for science-based conservation.
• They proposed learning more through updated research, designating more marine areas as nature reserves or parks, and restoring degraded habitats like seagrass meadows.
• Ms Samdin specifically urged better coordination among agencies for the Southern Islands, suggesting an inter-agency workgroup and considering carrying capacity and safety in development plans.
• Minister Desmond Lee affirmed the government’s commitment to marine conservation, outlining ongoing efforts like the Marine Conservation Action Plan and partnerships with community groups.
• The Minister agreed on the need for inter-agency coordination and science-based planning to balance conservation with development needs in Singapore’s coastal and marine spaces.

• Mr Louis Ng asked about studies on the environmental and social impact of importing hydropower from Laos under the LTMS-PIP, including findings, mitigation measures, and plans for future studies.
• The Second Minister replied that the hydropower plants underwent EIAs under Lao regulations, were approved by Lao authorities, and are regularly monitored for compliance with safeguards.
• He noted that the EIA report, prepared by Chulalongkorn University and ERM Siam, was shared with Singapore’s Energy Market Authority and indicates sufficient mitigation measures are in place.
• Mr Ng requested publication of both environmental and social impact reports to ensure transparency and community protection in Laos.
• The Minister agreed to discuss publishing the EIA report but cited potential sensitivities, and the question time ended with written answers to follow.

• The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment oversees recycling through licensed collectors and facilities that must meet regulatory requirements, submit records, and comply with the Basel Convention and domestic laws, with ongoing monitoring to strengthen processes.
• During the debate, officials addressed concerns about recycling program oversight, emphasizing unannounced checks, partnerships with private sector and NGOs, and the use of grants and funds like the SG Eco Fund to support initiatives such as shoe recycling for sports facilities.
• Following incidents of misuse in a shoe recycling project, the Ministry and agencies plan to tighten contractual mechanisms, improve monitoring and auditing, and ensure credible partner selection to prevent future issues and promote sustainable waste management.