Environment & climate — Topics

30 Nov 2022

Checks on Work Sites to Ensure Clearance of Land is In Accordance with Regulations

Gerald Giam questioned if checks on worksites have been intensified to ensure land clearance follows regulations and how environmental assessments for upcoming projects like Bayshore will be completed before forest clearance.
Desmond Lee affirmed that worksite activities require prior approvals and compliance, including environmental studies and mitigation measures, with regular checks by relevant agencies.
Lee emphasized that penalties are imposed for unauthorized activities, such as land clearance without approvals or failure to meet agency requirements.

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30 Nov 2022

Electric Vehicles Charging Bill

The Electric Vehicles Charging Bill aims to ensure EV chargers are safe, reliable, and accessible nationwide, mandating regulatory oversight by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to achieve Singapore's 2050 net-zero emissions target.
Key provisions include licensing for charging operators, safety standards for charger models, and a requirement for new buildings to provide EV charging infrastructure, with flexibility in implementation to balance costs and user needs.
Parliament debated concerns over compliance costs, market competition, charging point adequacy, and behavioral issues like hogging, with the Minister affirming the government's commitment to monitoring and adjusting policies as EV adoption grows.

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30 Nov 2022

Incentivising SMEs to Lease Electric Vehicles for Commercial Use

The Minister for Transport outlined existing incentives such as the Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme and Early Turnover Scheme, noting a significant rise in electric Light Goods Vehicle adoption from 0.4% in 2020 to around 28% this year.
The government is not targeting specific sectors for electric vehicle transition but acknowledges that sectors with intensive usage, like taxis and buses, could yield greater emissions benefits, with plans to electrify 50% of the bus fleet by the end of the decade.
In response to concerns about electric motorcycles, the Minister highlighted ongoing trials involving battery swapping and charging solutions, coordinated by the Land Transport Authority, while emphasizing safety considerations for battery removal and recharging.
The government continues to monitor the effectiveness of current incentives and remains open to reviewing the need for additional measures to support broader EV adoption, including for commercial use by SMEs.

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30 Nov 2022

Plans for Fauna and Flora of Jurong Bird Park after 3 January 2023 Closure

Over 3,000 birds and about 50 flora species will be relocated from Jurong Bird Park to Bird Paradise at Mandai after its closure, with welfare and safety measures in place for the move.
The Jurong Bird Park site is to be returned to JTC in 2025, with JTC working with Mandai Wildlife Group and agencies on reinstatement and future land use planning.
The land’s economic potential is under review, with JTC, URA, NParks, and other agencies collaborating on long-term plans that consider existing features and public feedback.

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29 Nov 2022

Government Assistance for Ride-sharing Initiative for Commercial Vehicles

Saktiandi Supaat asked if the Government will assist SMRT's EVCo ride-sharing initiative for commercial vehicles.
S Iswaran responded that the Government has measures like the Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme and Early Turnover Scheme.
These schemes incentivize electric Light Goods Vehicles purchases, which EVCo as a fleet owner can benefit from.

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29 Nov 2022

Update on Status of Road Noise Barrier and Low-noise Road Surfacing Trials

LTA completed trials on noise barriers and low-noise pavement mix, finding the latter more effective for at-grade expressway sections as it reduces noise at the source, whereas barriers are less effective for higher-floor residents.
LTA will use low-noise pavement mix during resurfacing of at-grade expressway sections near residential areas to reduce noise.
For elevated expressway sections, LTA will consider installing noise barriers where needed, based on factors like distance from buildings.
LTA remains committed to implementing noise reduction measures along expressway stretches near public housing.

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29 Nov 2022

Preserving and Expanding Mangrove Ecosystems under OneMillionTrees Movement

The government is working to preserve and expand Singapore's mangrove ecosystems through community partnerships and targeted restoration efforts, such as planting saplings in coastal areas like Pulau Ubin.
Specific projects include constructing rock revetments to protect coastlines and using ecological restoration methods to promote natural mangrove growth, with thousands of plants expected to take root in the coming years.
Regular research and monitoring will continue to guide strategies for enhancing mangrove resilience, but the exact percentage of mangrove trees within the broader OneMillionTrees movement has not been specified.

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29 Nov 2022

Communication of NParks' Environmental Impact Assessments to Project Developers

Miss Cheryl Chan asked how NParks will communicate EIA findings to project developers to ensure accurate implementation and reduce missteps.
Desmond Lee responded that NParks will pilot centralised EIA management for new HDB and JTC projects from early 2023 to enhance industry standards.
The consolidation of biodiversity information under NParks will aid long-term monitoring and cumulative impact assessments.
Developing agencies will remain involved, working with NParks to refine plans based on EIA findings and stakeholder feedback.
NParks and developers will collaborate to implement monitoring and mitigation measures based on the EIA.

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29 Nov 2022

Tracking of Dugong Population and Efforts to Conserve Its Numbers

NParks monitors the dugong population through regular surveys and is piloting remote methods like environmental DNA and acoustic monitoring with researchers.
Since 2007, NParks has worked with volunteers to track the health of seagrass meadows near Singapore’s coast and collaborates with industry and academia on seagrass research.
Research on seagrass dispersal, resilience, and restoration informs conservation efforts and helps identify core coastal habitats in the Ecological Profiling Exercise.
NParks will continue using a science-based approach to safeguard marine biodiversity, including further research on marine habitats and wildlife.
The government’s efforts aim to protect dugongs and their seagrass refuges, which are critical nurseries for important marine organisms.

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29 Nov 2022

Phasing Out Paper Receipts to Reduce Paper Waste

Melvin Yong asked if the Ministry has studied phasing out paper receipts to reduce waste and if not, whether such a study can be conducted.
Grace Fu replied that no study has been done and there are no plans to phase out paper receipts, but the government is promoting electronic invoicing and billing to reduce paper waste.
The government has mandated e-invoicing for suppliers via the Vendors@Gov portal and encourages companies to adopt platforms like InvoiceNow and offer digital receipt options.
Examples of digital receipt adoption include supermarkets with self-checkout options and transport companies sending receipts via email or apps.
The public is also encouraged to switch to electronic bills and financial statements to replace hardcopies.

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29 Nov 2022

Windfall Taxes on Energy Companies in Light of Their Record Profits

The government has considered but rejected windfall taxes on energy companies, citing concerns that such taxes could undermine long-term economic stability and deter private investment.
Officials argue that windfall taxes create business uncertainty and may discourage energy companies from investing in greener fuels and decarbonization efforts, hindering Singapore’s net-zero goals.
The government emphasized that Singapore’s competitiveness relies on a predictable regulatory environment, and arbitrary taxes could signal instability to investors, affecting jobs and economic growth.

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29 Nov 2022

Factors that May Impede Adoption of Electric Vehicles

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether the supply of certificates of entitlement, high interest rates, and supply chain issues could impede Singapore’s transition to electric vehicles and phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040.
The Minister for Transport responded that COE supply is not differentiated by vehicle type and thus not a key determinant of EV adoption pace.
The Minister highlighted that despite cost pressures, EV adoption in Singapore has grown strongly, with electric car registrations in 2022 exceeding 10% of all new car registrations.
The government is supporting EV adoption through tax rebates, accelerating charging point deployment, and strengthening regulations, including an upcoming EV Charging Bill.
The Land Transport Authority will continue monitoring EV adoption trends and take appropriate measures as needed to support the vision for cleaner energy vehicles.

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29 Nov 2022

Number of Consumers Enjoying Tax Rebates under Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme

More than 6,700 consumers have received tax rebates under the Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme since its implementation on 1 April 2021.
The scheme, originally due to end on 31 March 2023, was extended with adjusted incentives after industry consultation to maintain lower total ownership costs for cleaner vehicles.
The Ministry cited the need to align with new global emissions test standards and ensure a variety of competitively priced cleaner vehicle models as reasons for the adjustments rather than a full extension without changes.

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28 Nov 2022

Industry-specific Targets for PM2.5 Pollution

Leon Perera inquired about the existence of industry-specific targets for PM2.5 pollution and the availability of progress data over the last five years.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the National Environment Agency (NEA) sets general emission standards for particulate matter, including PM2.5, that apply to all industries, without industry-specific targets.
The minister confirmed that industrial emission standards were last tightened in 2015, with new plants complying immediately and existing plants having until July 2023 to meet the updated requirements.

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28 Nov 2022

Impact from US and India's Upgraded Ties with ASEAN

Singapore welcomed the US and India’s upgraded ties with ASEAN, expecting economic benefits from initiatives like the ASEAN-India trade agreement review and new US-ASEAN partnerships in electric vehicles, infrastructure, smart cities, and public health.
Deeper collaboration with India is anticipated in regional connectivity, cybersecurity, and the digital economy to support businesses and people.
Cooperation with the US aims to advance ASEAN’s clean energy transition, enhance energy security and grid resilience, and develop low-carbon and green energy infrastructure.

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28 Nov 2022

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Requirements for Businesses

Don Wee proposed mandating GHG emissions reporting for all businesses or establishing minimum requirements with progressive tightening.
Grace Fu confirmed that current regulations require reporting only for large emitters, covering nearly all industrial and power emissions, while listed companies face SGX climate disclosure rules.
The government has no plans to extend reporting to smaller emitters like SMEs but will support them through capability-building programmes to monitor and reduce emissions.

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28 Nov 2022

SAF's Assessment and Promotion of Sustainability in Its Operations and Training

Louis Ng asked how the SAF assesses and promotes sustainability, particularly in reducing single-use items, whether it tracks such items, and if not, whether it will start tracking them.
Ng Eng Hen responded that the SAF is committed to national sustainability goals while maintaining operational effectiveness, has launched a sustainability challenge for units, and has already reduced single-use items like bottled water and plastic bags in canteens and eMarts.
The SAF also recycles items such as electronic waste, waste oil, and scrap metals, and plans to continue consulting experts and tracking progress where feasible.

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28 Nov 2022

Additional Plans to Improve Energy Conservation and Manage Energy Demand by Businesses and Households

The Government has introduced new measures including the Energy Efficiency Grant for SMEs and Demand Response programmes to incentivize energy conservation and optimize consumption during peak periods.
Support measures for businesses and households are regularly reviewed, such as increasing funding caps for energy-efficient technologies and simplifying application processes for retrofits.
Public awareness campaigns are conducted through trade associations, industry briefings, and community outreach to promote energy conservation schemes and encourage participation.
Household programmes like the Climate-Friendly Households Programme provide incentives for HDB residents to switch to energy-efficient appliances, supported by mailers, SMS, and house visits.
The government aims to continuously shift the market toward energy-efficient equipment through minimum standards and labeling schemes, while consulting stakeholders to identify new technologies.

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28 Nov 2022

Studies on Annual Mortality and Cost Associated with Air Pollution from Human Activities

Leon Perera asked the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment about studies on annual mortality and monetary costs linked to air pollution from human activities in Singapore, and for figures from the last five years.
Dr Amy Khor replied that the Ministry relies on WHO guidelines and various studies but cannot provide specific mortality or cost estimates due to differing methodologies, though it emphasizes robust policies to reduce emissions.
Perera followed up with questions on developing a standardized method to estimate health impacts, policy levers to curb pollution, progress toward WHO PM2.5 guidelines, and a timeline for achieving them.
Dr Khor explained that studies are context-specific and multidisciplinary, noted existing policy levers like tightening industrial and vehicle emissions, and stated that Singapore has not yet met PM2.5 standards but is working toward them.
The debate underscored the government’s focus on air quality mitigation despite challenges in quantifying exact health impacts and costs.

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28 Nov 2022

Designating More Marine Spaces as Marine Parks and Protecting Marine Wildlife and Coastal Habitats

The government is actively researching and considering the designation of additional marine parks, using factors like biodiversity, habitat range, and accessibility, with the Sisters' Islands Marine Park established in 2014 as a reference model.
Ongoing community engagement includes the Friends of Marine Park group and a Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey, with results expected in 2023 to inform future conservation strategies and potential new protected areas.
Integrated approaches such as the Urban Coastal Management framework and strict pollution laws are being used to protect marine environments, with efforts highlighted by recent sightings of endangered dugongs in Singapore's busy waters.

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