Environment & climate — Topics

7 Nov 2022

Climate Change, Emergence of Novel Pathogens and Pandemics and Preparations Needed

The Ministry of Health, with the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, is studying how climate change may contribute to the emergence of novel pathogens and pandemics affecting Singapore.
Research under the Climate Impact Science Research Programme examines climate effects on infectious disease transmission and potential impacts on Singapore.
A whole-of-government approach is used to detect public health threats, including those from climate change, through strengthened global and local surveillance and joint risk assessments.

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7 Nov 2022

Enrolment in Sustainability-related Fields in Institutes of Higher Learning to Meet Demands of Green Economy

The Ministry of Education reported that in 2022, over 800 full-time pre-employment training students enrolled in sustainability-related programmes across Singapore's Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), with new sustainability modules and second majors being added to other courses.
IHLs offer more than 250 continuing education and training courses in sustainability, which have seen over 19,000 enrolments by October 2022, covering areas like green finance, sustainable engineering, and carbon footprint management.
MOE will continue to support IHLs in expanding and refreshing their sustainability-related course offerings to build a talent pipeline that meets the demands of the emerging green economy.

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7 Nov 2022

Prevalence of Use of Emissions Defeat Devices

Dr. Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment about the prevalence of emissions defeat devices and the regulatory approach toward their installation and use.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) takes a serious view of defeat devices that allow vehicles to bypass emissions standards and works with agencies, manufacturers, and inspection centres to monitor their prevalence.
NEA will take firm enforcement action against vehicle owners who knowingly use defeat devices to mislead or conceal their vehicles' actual exhaust emissions.

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7 Nov 2022

Year-on-year Projections for Annual Emissions Until 2029

He Ting Ru asked for year-on-year projections of Singapore's annual emissions from now until 2029, referencing the 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution.
Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that Singapore has limited abatement options and relies on international collaboration and emerging technologies like electricity imports and carbon capture.
She stated that due to the nascency of these technologies, the government does not have year-on-year projections for emissions from now to 2029.

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7 Nov 2022

Best Practice Guide for Organising Environmentally-friendly Events

He Ting Ru asked if government-linked events must follow the Best Practice Guide for environmentally-friendly events, what additional steps will be taken to decarbonise such events, and how success will be measured.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the guide's guidelines are encouraged for all organisations, but public agencies under GreenGov.SG must comply with the "Must Do" section where feasible.
She added that the public sector will continue studying ways to reduce its environmental footprint, with no specific new measures or metrics for decarbonising events mentioned.

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7 Nov 2022

Duration of Public Consultation for Raised Climate Ambition

Dennis Tan questioned why the public consultation on Singapore’s Raised Climate Ambition lasted only three weeks compared to the three-month consultation for the 2019 Long-Term Low-Emissions Strategy, and whether submissions would be published similarly.
Grace Fu explained that the consultation was part of broader engagements under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which had received feedback from over 1,700 stakeholders since April 2022.
She noted that the National Climate Change Secretariat had published a summary and detailed feedback from the consultation on its website in October 2022.

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7 Nov 2022

Measures to Deter High-rise Bird-feeding

The Ministry partners with multiple agencies and Town Councils to use a mix of enforcement, public education, and targeted outreach to deter high-rise bird-feeding.
NParks and the NEA conduct ground surveillance and deploy posters to highlight the environmental consequences and ongoing enforcement efforts in HDB blocks.
Penalties under the Wildlife Act and Environmental Public Health Act include fines up to $10,000 for illegal wildlife-feeding and up to $10,000 for recurrent littering, with Corrective Work Orders also issued.

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7 Nov 2022

Measures to Safeguard Energy Supply Lines from Sabotage and Disruption

Dennis Tan asked about measures to protect overseas energy supply lines, ensure continuity during disruptions, and speed up recovery; Gan Kim Yong explained that Singapore’s electricity is largely fuelled by natural gas via pipelines or LNG, with pipelines built to international standards and generation companies required to keep alternative fuel stocks and have access to the LNG terminal for contingencies.
The government ensures energy security by maintaining sufficient backup generation capacity as electricity imports increase, and the Energy Market Authority conducts regular readiness exercises, enforces performance standards on licensees, and operates 24/7 monitoring to activate contingency plans when needed.
Recovery plans and risk management measures are continuously reviewed and updated by the Energy Market Authority to minimise disruptions and keep Singapore’s electricity supply robust.

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7 Nov 2022

Noise Mitigation Measures to Reduce Noise Pollution from Amenities Near Residential Flats

Murali Pillai questioned if HDB could fund or implement noise mitigation for amenities like basketball courts near flats, outside renewal cycles.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB designs amenities to minimize noise by distancing them from units and relies on Town Councils for local measures like advisory notices.
The government will explore practical solutions but emphasizes resident consideration during quiet hours, with community norms expected by year-end.

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7 Nov 2022

Design or Infrastructure Considerations to Enhance Noise Abatement for New Housing Estates near Air Bases

Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked about design or infrastructure measures to enhance noise abatement for new housing estates near air bases and the desired noise abatement targets.
Desmond Lee outlined that developers are encouraged to orient buildings away from noise sources and HDB is testing practical measures like thicker window glass, innovative façade designs with overhangs, and noise-cancelling window technologies.
He emphasized that land scarcity requires balancing housing, green spaces, and other needs, and while mitigation measures can reduce noise, complete noise reduction may not always be possible, with MND continuing to explore sustainable solutions.

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7 Nov 2022

Effects of Global Energy Crunch and High Interest Rates on Green Financing and Adjustments Needed

Headwinds from the global energy crisis and higher interest rates have generally slowed green financing activity, but global green bond issuance is rebounding and is expected to increase in the second half of 2022.
Singapore has continued to see strong growth in green and sustainable financing, with over S$65 billion issued from 2017 to 2021, and recent issuances from entities like PUB, Singtel, and local banks committing to expand sustainable finance portfolios.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is promoting green and transition finance through schemes to defray costs, plans to issue up to S$35 billion in green bonds by 2030, efforts to scale blended finance, and the development of enablers such as a taxonomy, enhanced disclosures, and better ESG data access.

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7 Nov 2022

Support for Development of Green Local Firms and Uptake of Enterprise Sustainability Programme

The Ministry for Trade and Industry highlighted Singapore's net-zero by 2050 commitment and the importance of the green transition for economic competitiveness, acknowledging the higher costs businesses may face but outlining government support through schemes like the Resource Efficiency Grant and Energy Efficiency Fund.
Over 700 enterprises have participated in the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP), with the government committed to enhancing it with more targeted and sector-specific resources to accelerate green growth and innovation among SMEs.
The government is investing over $1 billion in sustainability-related RIE2025 initiatives, including low-carbon technologies, to foster industry-research collaborations with commercialisation potential, while also developing Singapore as a carbon services and green finance hub.

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7 Nov 2022

Views Received Via REACH Website on Recent Public Consultation on Raised Climate Ambition

Prof Koh Lian Pin questioned the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment about the number of views received via the REACH website during the Public Consultation on Singapore’s Raised Climate Ambition held from 5 to 26 September 2022, how these views influenced the latest Nationally Determined Contribution update, and whether the gathered public and industry views would be shared publicly.
Grace Fu Hai Yien indicated that these questions would be addressed in a parliamentary sitting on 8 November 2022, referring to an official report for further details.

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20 Oct 2022

Support in Controlling Free-roaming Chicken Population at Sin Ming Court

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked whether NParks would support controlling the free-roaming chicken population at Sin Ming Court using contraceptive feed like Ovistop and absorb the cost of hiring a contractor.
NParks responds that it uses a community- and science-based approach, including habitat modification and community engagement to discourage feeding, while reviewing other population control measures.
NParks states that Ovistop is currently not feasible due to the need for continual and frequent feeding, and will consider the efficacy, safety, humaneness, and long-term cost sustainability of other methods like sterilisation.
NParks will continue working with the community and the Free-Roaming Chicken Taskforce to sustainably manage the chicken population in Sin Ming Court.

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20 Oct 2022

Emissions Report by Reportable Facilities

Louis Ng asked about the number of reportable facilities in Singapore, their contribution to emissions, and whether that contribution is increasing or decreasing.
Grace Fu stated there are currently 81 reportable facilities required to submit emissions reports.
She noted these facilities contribute about 1% of Singapore’s emissions, a figure that has remained steady.
In contrast, taxable facilities with higher emissions account for about 80% of national emissions.

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20 Oct 2022

Audit of Sustainability Efforts and Performance for Singapore Formula One Grand Prix

Ms He Ting Ru asked for an update on sustainability efforts and audits for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, including the auditor and timeline for completion.
The Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, outlined green initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting, biodiesel use, and biodigesters for food waste, with solar panels planned for the F1 Pit Building by July 2023.
SGP has hired Faithful+Gould to assess the event's carbon footprint, with the audit expected to be completed by mid-2023 to guide future sustainability improvements.

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20 Oct 2022

Sustainability Practices in Building, Conversion or Repair Works in Shipbuilding Industry

Mr. Dennis Tan asked about the number of shipyards in Singapore performing building, conversion, or repair works and how the government regulates sustainability practices in shipbuilding and retrofitting.
The government does not track the exact number of active shipyards but noted there are 70 registered with the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) where vessels receive port dues concessions.
The government is collaborating with the industry and the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI) on sustainability initiatives, including courses to reduce emissions and R&D funding for clean energy and smart systems.
Workforce Singapore offers career conversion programs to upskill marine professionals in sustainable practices, supporting the sector's transition to a green economy.

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20 Oct 2022

Detection of and Dealing with High-rise Littering Offences

Liang Eng Hwa asked the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment about data collection, effectiveness of surveillance cameras, and enforcement numbers for high-rise cigarette butt littering, as well as potential use of DNA testing.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that high-rise cigarette butt littering makes up 54% of such offences, with 95% caught by cameras, and about 400 offenders caught annually from 2019 to 2021, and close to 130 from January to September 2022.
The Ministry confirmed that DNA testing is not being considered due to privacy concerns from collecting residents' DNA, but will explore other technologies to address high-rise littering.

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20 Oct 2022

Prevalence of Feedback on High-rise Littering and Time Taken for Investigations

In 2021, NEA received 32,000 high-rise littering feedback cases, with annual numbers rising from 16,000 pre-2019 to 35,000 in 2020, showing a sustained increase.
NEA’s investigations take between 10 weeks to six months due to the resource-intensive process of gathering leads, deploying cameras, and identifying offenders, with offender identification failing in about 15% of cases.
The Ministry is considering a legal change to automatically hold unit owners or tenants liable for proven high-rise littering, with plans to consult stakeholders and include proper safeguards before implementation.

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5 Oct 2022

Fires at Waste Recycling Collection Sites and Installation of Fire Suppressant Equipment to Minimise Such Fires

In 2021 there were 11 fires at general waste disposal facilities, six involving waste materials; from 1 January to 17 September 2022 there were 12 such fires, nine involving waste materials.
The Fire Code mandates appropriate fire protection systems for waste recycling facilities, with system type depending on facility size, and building plans must be submitted to and approved by the SCDF.
SCDF collaborates with the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore to hold dialogues and seminars on fire safety, and the NEA and SCDF are issuing a joint circular and best practices guide to the industry by end-2022.

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