Environment & climate — Topics

1 Aug 2022

Actions against Contractors who Illegally Dump Renovation Debris at Common Areas of HDB Flats

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked whether HDB will suspend or debar contractors who illegally dump renovation debris in common areas of HDB flats.
Desmond Lee stated that contractors must dispose of debris at NEA-approved sites daily and face a $500 penalty and six demerit points for improper disposal.
Contractors accumulating 24 demerit points within 24 months are barred from new HDB renovation works for 12 months.
Town Councils can also enforce by-laws and issue composition notices to contractors for dumping offences at HDB common areas.

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1 Aug 2022

Long-term Strategy in Managing Wildlife Populations and Incursions by Wildlife into Urban Space

NParks reported about 2,500 monkey-related feedback cases annually from 2017 to June 2022, including intrusions and attacks, and uses a community and science-based approach involving research, working groups, and measures like monkey guarding to manage wildlife populations and ensure public safety.
The root cause of wildlife intrusions is often feeding or improper waste disposal, prompting NParks to implement habitat modification, such as removing fruit trees, and collaborate with public agencies and grassroots organizations to promote proper refuse management and deter illegal feeding.
Public engagement is central to wildlife management, with NParks conducting outreach through school talks, webinars, and the "Our Wild Neighbours" initiative to foster awareness and co-existence with wildlife as part of the City in Nature vision.

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1 Aug 2022

Energy Supply Situation in Singapore Given Global Competition for Liquefied Natural Gas Supply

Gan Kim Yong addressed concerns about Singapore’s energy supply, noting that volatile global LNG prices due to the Ukraine conflict and seasonal demand have impacted electricity costs, with Singapore relying on imported natural gas for 95% of its electricity.
Measures such as the Standby LNG Facility, fuel stockpiling, and the Temporary Electricity Contracting Support Scheme have stabilized energy prices and ensured supply resilience, with these measures extended until March 2023.
The government is providing financial support to households and businesses, including doubled GST Voucher-U-Save rebates, a $100 Household Utilities Credit, and energy efficiency grants for SMEs, to help manage higher electricity costs.

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1 Aug 2022

SMEs' Adoption of Sustainability Practices

Over 300 SMEs have participated in awareness programmes and over 40 sustainability projects have been supported since the Enterprise Sustainability Programme launched in 2021.
Sector-specific frameworks, like the Textile and Fashion Federation’s sustainability programme and the Food Services Industry Transformation Map, are helping SMEs adopt tailored solutions.
Government grants such as the Energy Efficiency Grant and NEA’s Energy Efficiency Fund are providing financial support for SMEs to adopt green technologies.
The government is working with businesses and trade associations to build capabilities and help SMEs prepare for a low-carbon future.
Efforts are focused on making sustainability a competitive advantage for SMEs in Singapore.

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1 Aug 2022

SMEs that Have Benefited from Green Financing Scheme

Since its launch in October 2021, 19 local enterprises have taken up nearly $60 million in loans under the Enterprise Financing Scheme Green (EFS-Green), with examples including Terrenus Energy for solar projects and Durapower Group for lithium-ion batteries.
The government is encouraging more SMEs to adopt EFS-Green and has implemented additional support measures such as the Enterprise Sustainability Programme, MAS' Green Loans Grant Scheme, and sector-specific training to build sustainability capabilities.
Despite the promising take-up, efforts are ongoing to address barriers to rapid adoption, including outreach and partnerships with trade associations to enhance awareness and knowledge of green financing opportunities.

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5 Jul 2022

Adequacy of Singapore's Water Supply and Infrastructure and Plans to Build Water Resilience and Security

Singapore maintains a robust and diversified water supply through the Four National Taps framework and long-term infrastructure planning by PUB, including projects like the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System and the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant to boost NEWater and desalination capacity.
The government is expanding water recycling and desalination facilities, with the recent opening of the fifth desalination plant and plans for Changi NEWater Factory 3, to strengthen resilience against climate change and unpredictable weather.
Water demand management is emphasized through mandatory efficiency measures, benchmarks, and financial support for industries to reduce consumption and improve used water treatment, supported by the Water Efficiency Fund and Industrial Water Solutions Demonstration Fund.
Public conservation efforts are encouraged alongside government investments to ensure every drop counts in securing Singapore’s water future.

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5 Jul 2022

Lessons Learnt from Compressed Natural Gas Scheme for Vehicles and Plans to Use Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

Lessons from the compressed natural gas scheme show that technology, markets, infrastructure, and regulations must advance together to support consumer and business adoption, which informs current efforts to scale electric vehicles and their charging ecosystem.
Singapore is focusing on electric vehicles, with plans to expand charging infrastructure, enact safety legislation, and electrify half of public buses by 2030 and achieve a 100% cleaner energy public bus fleet by 2040.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology is being monitored as a potential cleaner energy alternative for vehicle segments needing high power and mileage, but its adoption depends on further maturation of technology, costs, vehicle availability, and supporting infrastructure.

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5 Jul 2022

Review of Measures to Ensure Circumstances Leading to Unauthorised Clearance of Kranji Forest Do Not Recur

Minister Gan Kim Yong reported that a system-level review led by Permanent Secretary Joseph Leong found existing land clearance systems sound but made further recommendations, which agencies are implementing.
Four individuals have been charged under the Parks and Trees Act and Wildlife Act for the Kranji incident, with JTC officers accused of providing inaccurate information, and criminal proceedings are ongoing.
JTC has established a Construction Regulatory Compliance Unit and an Environmental Planning and Design Unit, extended digital monitoring to land clearance, and formed a Biodiversity and Environmental Advisory Panel to strengthen oversight.
The Sungei Kadut Eco-District project will transform the industrial estate with green spaces while balancing development and conservation, with works resuming after regulatory approvals.

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4 Jul 2022

Piloting Non-commingled and Separate System for Recycling Different Types of Recycled Items to Reduce Contamination

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and NEA are conducting pilots in Hong Kah North SMC and East Coast GRC using transparent bins with separate compartments for glass, paper, metal, and plastic to reduce contamination.
A beverage container return scheme based on Extended Producer Responsibility is being developed to encourage returns of clean recyclables through refundable deposits.
NEA’s Recycle Right campaign, launched in 2019 and refreshed in 2022, includes educational materials, a recycling mascot, and an online portal to help residents recycle correctly.
NEA partners with the Ministry of Education and schools to integrate sustainability education and organizes youth initiatives like the “Ready, Set, Recycle!” challenge.
Findings from the current pilots and the beverage return scheme will be released when ready, with ongoing efforts to improve household recycling through public education.

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4 Jul 2022

Projected Take-up Rate of Energy Efficiency Grant for Local SMEs

The Ministry does not have specific projections for the take-up rate of the Energy Efficiency Grant for local SMEs in the food services, food manufacturing, and retail sectors, despite inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty.
The Government provides substantial support of up to 70% under the grant to encourage SMEs to invest in energy-efficient equipment, aiming for longer-term financial and environmental sustainability.
Additional measures complement the grant, including NEA's Energy Efficiency Fund for manufacturing SMEs, the Energy Efficiency Technology Centre for capability building, and BCA's Green Mark Incentive Scheme for building retrofits.

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4 Jul 2022

Comparative Costs of Renewables and Nuclear Power

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned whether nuclear power would become obsolete due to the faster declining costs of renewables compared to nuclear, and if resources for nuclear could be better used for renewables.
Minister Gan Kim Yong highlighted Singapore's limited land for renewables and challenges with solar intermittency, necessitating energy imports and exploration of low-carbon alternatives like hydrogen.
The government is monitoring nuclear energy developments and building capabilities to assess its safety, security, and environmental impacts as part of Singapore’s net-zero by 2050 goals.
The Energy 2050 Committee has outlined pathways including nuclear, but future energy mix decisions will consider technology advances, affordability, and cross-border collaboration.
Singapore continues to focus on energy efficiency and consumer conservation to reduce overall energy demand while exploring viable low-carbon solutions.

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4 Jul 2022

Incentives or Regulations to Promote and Achieve Basic Competency Standards in Green Financing Amongst Financial Institutions

The government is adopting a multi-pronged approach through the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to promote sustainable finance, focusing on enhancing resilience to environmental risks, improving climate-related disclosures, supporting market development, and building capabilities.
MAS plans to introduce mandatory disclosure requirements for financial institutions once global sustainability reporting standards are established, alongside initiatives like Project Greenprint to improve ESG data quality and a taxonomy for classifying environmentally sustainable activities.
Financial incentives such as the Sustainable Bond Grant Scheme and Green and Sustainability-Linked Loan Grant Scheme are available to help corporates defray costs and encourage green financing, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
MAS and the Institute of Banking and Finance have launched Sustainable Finance Technical Skills and Competencies to set proficiency standards and are developing a talent ecosystem through university centres and training providers.
Singapore Exchange has set a roadmap for mandatory climate disclosures by listed companies, with plans to align with international standards and expand requirements across sectors over time.

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4 Jul 2022

Take-up Rates among Smaller businesses and Building Owners for Energy Efficiency Fund and Green Mark Incentives Compared with Larger Businesses

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment to compare energy efficiency fund and Green Mark incentive take-up rates between smaller and larger businesses and to consider additional grants for small entities.
The Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F) supports smaller manufacturing companies with turnover under S$500 million, with 24 approved applications to date.
The Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings & Premises, which expired in 2019, saw over one-third of approved applicants as SMEs and required at least 10% SME tenants for building owners.
The E2F grant was enhanced with a higher 70% support cap, streamlined processes, and strengthened support through the Energy Efficiency Technology Centre for SMEs.
A new Energy Efficiency Grant will target SMEs in food services, manufacturing, and retail, with schemes under ongoing review to broaden participation.

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4 Jul 2022

Current and Future Efforts in Pulau Ubin Conservation Project

The Ubin Project, started in 2014, aims to preserve the island’s rustic charm, natural environment, biodiversity, and heritage through the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN) and ground-up initiatives.
Success measures include habitat enhancement and species recovery, such as science-based mangrove restoration and planting native trees, which have led to population increases and the discovery of new species like a spider new to science.
Heritage conservation involves restoring kampong houses and community-led documentation of cultural heritage through projects like archaeological surveys and cultural mapping.
Future plans focus on continuing partnerships with FUN and stakeholders to maintain Pulau Ubin as a rustic and natural island for future generations.
Community initiatives like Pesta Ubin and Ubin Day have been supported to preserve the island’s cultural heritage and way of life.

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4 Jul 2022

Littering Offences in First Half of 2022

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment for an update on littering offences in the first half of 2022 and whether there has been an increase compared to the first half of 2021.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the National Environment Agency carried out enforcement actions on around 7,400 littering cases from January to May 2021.
In the same period in 2022, there were around 7,800 littering cases, indicating a slight increase compared to 2021.

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4 Jul 2022

Number of Aedes Mosquitoes Breeding Sites Found at Construction Sites and Stop Work Orders Issued over Past Two Years

In 2020, 2021, and 2022 to-date, about 9%, 8%, and 13% of inspected construction sites had mosquito breeding, with 37, 43, and 65 Stop Work Orders issued respectively.
The National Environment Agency conducts regular inspections and takes strict enforcement action, including fines up to $20,000 and imprisonment for contractors, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
NEA collaborates with industry associations and agencies to keep construction sites free of breeding sites, while noting that most breeding habitats are in residential homes, urging collective vigilance against dengue.

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4 Jul 2022

Measures to Prevent Disruption to Singapore’s Electricity Supply Given Global Energy Crunch

The government has established a standby LNG facility and required generation companies to bolster fuel stockpiles to secure electricity supply, which helped stabilize prices from $440/MWh to $300/MWh.
The Temporary Electricity Contracting Support (TRECS) Scheme and longer-term fixed-price plans have been extended to March 2023 to help businesses manage volatile wholesale electricity markets, alongside an energy storage system initiative to enhance grid resilience.
Instead of imposing demand caps, the government is promoting energy efficiency through various grants and support schemes, such as the Energy Efficiency Grant and financing programmes, to help businesses reduce costs without disrupting operations.

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4 Jul 2022

Impact of Malaysia’s Renewable Energy Exports Ban on Singapore's Energy Security Strategies

Malaysia’s ban on exporting renewable energy does not restrict the passage of electricity from other countries like Laos through Malaysia to Singapore, as demonstrated by the ongoing LTMS-PIP project.
Singapore is importing up to 100 MW of hydropower from Laos via Thailand and Malaysia under the LTMS-PIP, which serves as a model for multilateral renewable energy trading.
The Ministry encourages continued regional collaboration on cross-border electricity trade to support the ASEAN Power Grid and mutual energy security goals.

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4 Jul 2022

Impact of US' Proposal to Put Natural Gas Industry "On Notice" on Singapore's Supply of Natural Gas

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether the US proposal to put the natural gas industry “on notice” would affect Singapore’s natural gas supply within the decade and if it would lead to changes in Singapore’s energy transition plans by 2050.
Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that natural gas remains a key bridging fuel globally, and Singapore currently relies on imported natural gas for about 95% of its electricity, with efforts to diversify sources to ensure energy security.
Singapore is accelerating its energy transition by expanding solar power, developing a regional energy grid, importing electricity by 2035, and exploring low-carbon technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture, while monitoring costs and reviewing plans periodically.

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4 Jul 2022

Endangered Species (Import and Export) (Amendment) Bill

Singapore is amending the Endangered Species Act to strengthen regulations on trade in CITES species, align laws with international resolutions, and introduce stiffer penalties, including higher fines and jail terms for illegal wildlife trade.
The amendments enhance enforcement powers for NParks, such as seizing concealment items and conveyances, and clarify rules for transit documentation to better police illegal shipments through Singapore’s hub.
MPs proposed further measures, such as classifying wildlife trafficking as a serious organized crime, introducing informer rewards, and explicitly criminalizing buying CITES species, with the government indicating ongoing review of these ideas.
The debate highlighted Singapore’s role in combating global illegal wildlife trade, with emphasis on public education, online enforcement, and balancing proportionate penalties with regional comparisons.

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