Environment & climate — Topics

3 Oct 2022

Proposal for Review of Water Conservation Tax Structure for Potable Water Usage

Leon Perera questioned the rationale behind the two-tier water conservation tax structure, the 40 cubic metre threshold, and proposed trials for a more progressive multi-tiered system.
Grace Fu explained that the two-tier structure, in place since 2000, aims to discourage consumption, with 96% of households paying the lower tier and increasing numbers using under 40 cubic metres monthly.
She stated that water pricing reflects scarcity and the government does not see a need for more tiers, while providing targeted assistance like GST U-Save rebates for lower-income households.

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3 Oct 2022

Efforts to Reduce Negative Environmental Impact on Singapore Waters Given Plans to Boost Cruise Ship Infrastructure

Joan Pereira inquired about measures to reduce the negative environmental impact on Singapore waters from plans to boost cruise ship infrastructure, such as improper waste disposal and damage to marine wildlife.
The government conducts thorough consultations and environmental studies, with measures like Environmental Impact Assessments and compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to mitigate impacts during development and operations.
Singapore enforces regulations through inspections, licensed waste collection, and penalties under the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act, while supporting the cruise industry's shift towards sustainable practices in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

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3 Oct 2022

Guidelines for Regulated Financial Institutions to Limit Financing of Businesses in Hard-to-abate Sectors

MAS requires regulated financial institutions to assess and mitigate environmental risks, guiding them to support firms in hard-to-abate sectors with transition financing aligned with credible, Paris-aligned plans rather than indiscriminate credit withdrawal.
MAS has issued guidelines on environmental risk management, worked with banks to develop information templates for financing decisions, and published best practices, with the three local banks establishing sector-specific policies for higher-risk sectors.
Financial institutions are encouraged to pursue voluntary net-zero pledges and interim targets under initiatives like GFANZ, with MAS supporting the establishment of the GFANZ Asia-Pacific Network in Singapore to foster credible, inclusive decarbonization efforts.

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3 Oct 2022

Reducing Use of Disposables for Dine-in Meals at Hawker Centres

Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the proportion of hawker stallholders using disposables for dine-in meals over the past five years and the Ministry’s future plans to reduce their use.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that since 2016, the NEA has banned disposable crockery for dine-in at new hawker centres, and since 2018, this applies to new stallholders at existing centres.
She noted that stallholders in hawker centres with centralised dishwashing already use reusable crockery, and most stallholders generally use reusable items.
The NEA does not track specific statistics on stallholders providing disposables, but the policy framework actively discourages their use.

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3 Oct 2022

Decarbonising Government's Investment Holdings and Reducing Government's Exposure to Climate-related Financial Risks

MAS and government investment entities like GIC and Temasek are already integrating sustainability and climate risk considerations into their investment strategies across various asset classes.
MAS specifically excludes companies deriving over 10% of revenues from thermal coal mining and oil sands from its portfolio and is tilting its equities benchmark toward lower carbon intensity.
GIC and Temasek are supporting decarbonisation by investing in low-carbon transition solutions and engaging portfolio companies on climate plans, though the government does not prescribe individual investment actions.

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3 Oct 2022

Carbon Pricing (Amendment) Bill

The Carbon Pricing (Amendment) Bill was introduced to amend the Carbon Pricing Act 2018, presented by Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor on behalf of the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.
The Bill was read for the first time and is scheduled for a second reading at the first available Parliament Sitting in November 2022.
The introduction follows the recommendation of the President and was formally presented and recorded for printing.

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13 Sep 2022

Reason for Limiting Central Management of Environmental Impact Assessment Pilot to HDB and JTC Projects

Melvin Yong asked why the central management of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies is limited to HDB and JTC projects and when it will expand to all government projects.
Desmond Lee explained that centralizing EIA management raises industry standards and consolidates biodiversity information, but it involves restructuring agency roles and processes.
The pilot for HDB and JTC projects was chosen due to their scale and the mix of project types, including residential and industrial developments.
The pilot will run until end-2024, after which outcomes will be reviewed before deciding on scaling centralization further.
There is no fixed timeline for expansion yet, as decisions depend on the pilot's results.

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13 Sep 2022

Enforcement Against Non-Compliance with Vehicle Exhaust Emission Standards

Murali Pillai asked about enforcement actions taken by NEA against vehicles failing exhaust emission standards over the past three years, the experience with surveillance cameras since 2017, and plans to expand their use.
Grace Fu reported that NEA took 7,400, 4,100, and 4,400 enforcement actions in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively, with reductions due to COVID-19-related traffic decreases.
NEA uses enforcement officers and video evidence to detect smoky vehicles, but a 2017 trial of automatic smoke detection cameras was deemed inaccurate and unreliable for pinpointing individual vehicles.
NEA plans to continue trials of other cost-effective technologies to detect smoky vehicles and reduce air pollution.

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13 Sep 2022

Effect of Increased Temperatures from Climate Change on Changi Airport Operations

Minister Tan Wu Meng asked if studies were done on the impact of rising temperatures from climate change on Changi Airport operations, following disruptions at London's Luton Airport.
CAAS and Changi Airport Group have implemented measures such as polymer additives in asphalt to prevent runway and taxiway defects under high temperatures.
Passenger terminals are designed with climate-controlled environments and cooling buffers to protect equipment and staff from heat.
Outdoor workers at Changi Airport are provided with shelters, cool zones, fluid distribution, and training to manage heat stress.

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13 Sep 2022

Effect of Elevated PM2.5 Levels on Rail Workers' Health

Mr Melvin Yong questioned if elevated PM2.5 levels in underground train stations pose an occupational health hazard to rail workers and what mitigation plans exist.
Minister S Iswaran stated that while some stations exceed the 24-hour PM2.5 exposure limit during peak hours, the health risk to workers is low due to limited time spent on platforms.
The Ministry is upgrading air-conditioning systems and installing more efficient filters to trap finer particles like PM2.5, with completions targeted by 2025.

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13 Sep 2022

Risk to Ecological Balance with Deployment of Genetically-modified Mosquitoes as Vector Control

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about whether the Ministry evaluated the ecological risks of using genetically-modified mosquitoes for vector control.
Grace Fu Hai Yien clarified that NEA has been trialling Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes since 2016, which are not genetically-modified and carry a naturally occurring bacterium.
The trials follow WHO guidelines and expert consultation, with risk assessments concluding no significant ecological risk to local ecosystems or other mosquito species.

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13 Sep 2022

Public Review and Consultation Process for Environmental Impact Assessments

Ms He Ting Ru raised concerns about the standardisation of the public review and consultation process for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), suggesting online access and flexible consultation durations based on the complexity of each EIA.
Desmond Lee affirmed the government's commitment to transparency, noting that EIA reports are generally available online unless confidentiality is required, with alternative access methods considered case-by-case.
The standard public feedback period for EIAs is four weeks, but it can be extended on a case-by-case basis to accommodate the complexity of the reports.
The government maintains a systematic framework to assess and mitigate environmental impacts from new developments, using EIAs to inform planning and mitigation measures.
The debate highlighted the balance between ensuring public accessibility to EIA reports and addressing specific confidentiality or security considerations.

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13 Sep 2022

Consultation for Singapore’s Climate Targets to be Announced at UN Climate Change Conference 2022

Singapore announced its ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by or around mid-century and is reviewing its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the UN Climate Change Conference 2022.
The government has conducted consultations with over 1,200 youths, civil society representatives, and industry groups through the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and launched an online public consultation via REACH.
Member of Parliament Louis Ng asked about follow-up dialogues with climate activists and suggested earlier consultations for future targets to allow more time before announcements at COP conferences.
The Minister responded that the government is in constant dialogue with green groups and will continue to engage stakeholders on climate targets and Green Plan initiatives.
Views from ongoing consultations are being considered as Singapore finalises its climate targets later in the year.

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12 Sep 2022

Measures to Ensure New Buildings and Estates are Designed for Easier Maintenance to Minimise Mosquito Breeding

The Minister for National Development explained that NEA's Code of Practice on Environmental Health provides guidelines for building design to minimise mosquito breeding, including the use of anti-mosquito devices and the disallowance of roof gutters in new developments.
HDB implements these guidelines by ensuring adequate gradients in roofs, paved areas, and drains to prevent water stagnation, and uses direct rainwater downpipes and anti-mosquito devices in floor traps.
HDB’s landscaping guidelines avoid plants that can trap water, and the agency regularly reviews designs with new technology and feedback from Town Councils and residents.

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12 Sep 2022

Impact of Improper Disposal of Fishing Gear on Oceans and Marine Life

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin questioned whether the National Action Strategy on Marine Litter includes discarded fishing gear like gill nets and hooks, whether their impact on oceans and marine life is monitored, and if stronger regulations on their use and disposal are considered.
The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment clarified that the strategy does not specifically address abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear due to Singapore’s small commercial fishing industry, but noted ongoing ground-up initiatives to monitor and remove such debris from shorelines and reefs.
The Minister highlighted efforts to protect marine biodiversity, including promoting responsible recreational fishing, prohibiting certain methods in managed areas, and educating fishers through signage and community engagement.

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12 Sep 2022

Enforcement Actions Against Table Littering at Public Dining Spaces Since Implementation

The National Environment Agency and Singapore Food Agency have reported that tray and crockery return rates in hawker centres, coffeeshops, and food courts have improved to around 90% since enforcement began in September 2021 and January 2022.
As of August 2022, only two written warnings have been issued to diners who refused to return their trays, both to individuals aged 60 to 75, while no fines or court charges have been issued for table littering.
Enforcement follows a stepwise approach, starting with advice, then written warnings for first-time refusal, and fines or court charges for repeat offences, though the latter have not yet been needed.
Authorities thanked diners, stallholders, cleaners, and operators for their support in maintaining cleanliness and fostering a social norm of returning trays and crockery.

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12 Sep 2022

Effect of US' Inflation Reduction Act on Singapore Green Plan 2030

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) with its US$369 billion in climate spending presents opportunities for Singapore to collaborate with the US on clean energy, low-carbon solutions, and green technologies, which can support the Singapore Green Plan 2030’s targets.
Singapore and the US are utilizing the US-Singapore Climate Partnership to cooperate on carbon credit markets, sustainable finance, energy transitions, and clean energy infrastructure, aligning with broader initiatives like the Partnership for Growth and Innovation and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
The Singapore Green Plan is a living document that will be regularly reviewed to incorporate new technologies and solutions, ensuring it remains responsive to global developments like the IRA and evolving bilateral partnerships.

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12 Sep 2022

Erection of Noise Barrier from Bukit Batok MRT Station to Tunnel in Direction of Bukit Gombak

Murali Pillai inquired about erecting a noise barrier from Bukit Batok MRT station towards Bukit Gombak to address increased noise from an "echo effect" caused by existing barriers.
S Iswaran explained that noise barriers are designed to absorb sound and should not create an echo effect in any direction.
Investigations by LTA and SMRT found a track defect causing abnormal noise; rectification works were completed on 23 August 2022, reducing noise levels below the NEA criterion of 67 decibels.
LTA and SMRT will continue monitoring noise levels in the area and promptly address any track defects.

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12 Sep 2022

Position on Deep Seabed Mining and Cost and Benefit of Moratorium on Such Activities

Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the government to reassess its position on deep seabed mining and evaluate the cost and benefit of a moratorium.
The government stated that deep seabed mining is regulated by the International Seabed Authority under UNCLOS, and Singapore supports robust rules to protect the marine environment before any exploitation begins.
Singapore, as a member of the ISA Council, will actively participate in developing these rules, noting that Nauru has called for their finalisation by July 2023.

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12 Sep 2022

Green Cover Target and Plans to Intensify Greenery Density in Singapore

Singapore’s green cover currently stands at over 40%, with more than 7,800 hectares of green spaces safeguarded, and the government plans to safeguard an additional 1,000 hectares over the next 10 to 15 years.
Key plans to intensify greenery include planting one million more trees by 2030 under the OneMillionTrees movement, incorporating lush vegetation in parks, and naturalising waterways to improve biodiversity and flood resilience.
Strategies to strengthen greenery density involve holistic urban planning through programmes like LUSH, incentives for vertical greenery, and creating ecological corridors called Nature Ways to connect green spaces across the island.
The government aims to create a "City in Nature" by enhancing the quality of existing green spaces, introducing therapeutic landscapes, and engaging the community to co-create green areas for a more liveable home.

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