Environment & climate — Topics

11 May 2021

Proportion of Households Consuming More Than 130 Litres of Water Per Day by Landed Properties, Private Condominiums and HDB Flats

Gerald Giam asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment for the proportion of households in landed properties, private condominiums, and HDB flats that consume over 130 litres of water per day.
Grace Fu responded that Singapore tracks domestic water consumption as litres per capita per day nationally and does not monitor it by household type.
The debate highlighted a gap in data availability regarding water usage across different housing types in Singapore.

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11 May 2021

Public Education Efforts on Reducing Single-use Plastics

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Government will launch public education efforts in all four official languages to reduce single-use plastic bag usage.
The Government customises education efforts by varying language, content, and platforms to effectively reach different target audiences.
Since 2019, the "Say YES to Waste Less" campaign has increased public awareness on reducing disposables, including plastic bags, using mass media and retail partnerships.
Campaign materials are produced in all four official languages and include posters, videos, and visual reminders at points-of-sale.
The campaign uses TV, digital, social media, print, and interactive content to reach diverse population segments, including youth and HDB residents.

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11 May 2021

Real-time Advisories on Conditions along Flood-prone Roads

Dennis Tan asked the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment to consider providing real-time flooding advisories on flood-prone roads to help divert drivers and public transport.
The Public Utilities Board (PUB) has an SMS alert system using over 300 water level sensors, along with CCTV monitoring at flood-prone areas, with information available on its website and social media.
During heavy storms, PUB collaborates with LTA and Traffic Police to notify motorists via electronic road signs, online platforms, and radio broadcasts.
Real-time flood information is consolidated on the "MyENV" mobile app, which the public is encouraged to download for updates, especially given climate change-driven rainfall increases.
The government has made various real-time advisory systems available since 2011 and continues to enhance them for public safety.

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11 May 2021

Move Towards Complete Paperless Processes and Transactions with Businesses and Public Sector Agencies

The government has amended the Electronic Transactions Act to support digitalisation and aims for nearly all government transactions to be completed digitally, while maintaining non-digital options for accessibility.
Initiatives like SMEs Go Digital, InvoiceNow, and IMDA’s Grow Digital and TradeTrust are helping businesses adopt digital solutions and access global markets, with efforts to equip citizens, including seniors and hawkers, with digital skills.
The move to paperless processes is aligned with the Singapore Green Plan, as it reduces paper use and physical travel, supporting sustainable development.

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11 May 2021

Land Transport Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

The amendment bill gives the Land Transport Authority a formal mandate to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure, aiming for 60,000 charging points by 2030 to support Singapore’s Green Plan 2030, with a focus on public carparks, private residences, and equitable access.
Multiple MPs raised concerns about safety, including the risks of EV battery fires and illegal modifications, calling for updated regulations and collaboration among agencies to enforce standards, educate the public, and ensure secure charging infrastructure.
The debate highlighted the need for planning ahead on sustainability issues, such as managing e-waste from EV batteries, extending vehicle lifespans, and promoting other green transport options like cycling to reduce carbon emissions and support a car-lite society.

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11 May 2021

Land Transport Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

The Bill amends the Land Transport Authority Act to grant LTA new statutory functions for promoting and regulating the safe use of electric vehicles (EVs) and developing publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure, formalizing its lead role in setting technical standards and collaborating with the Energy Market Authority.
Members support the Bill but raise concerns on safety, infrastructure rollout, and cross-agency coordination, including risks of electrical overload, battery fire recalls, and the need for clearer guidelines for HDB, Town Councils, and EMA collaboration.
Questions are raised about EV charging network design, such as the minimum number of chargers per carpark, avoiding congestion, and implementing fees or fines to move vehicles promptly after charging.
The debate calls for plans to reskill the workforce for EV maintenance and promote hybrid vehicles as a low-hanging fruit for decarbonization, alongside a review of COE categories to avoid premium costs for cleaner energy vehicles.
Members urge enhanced incentives for high-use drivers like taxi and private hire car fleets, clear government targets for EV charging infrastructure and fleet electrification, and a strategy for managing EV battery e-waste through recycling and material recovery mandates.

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11 May 2021

Ensuring Credibility of Carbon Products to be Traded through Singapore

Singapore is developing a taxonomy and guidelines for carbon credit quality, using technology and partnerships to improve verification and transparency in voluntary carbon markets.
The government supports anchoring carbon services like project development, trading, and financing in Singapore, while working with industry and environmental groups to build a trusted carbon ecosystem.
For carbon-neutral LNG imports, suppliers provide GHG emissions statements and carbon credits are retired from certified projects to offset emissions, though voluntary offsetting is not yet regulated.
The government plans to increase awareness and educate companies to prevent scams and align with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, addressing risks in both compliance and voluntary carbon markets.

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11 May 2021

Developing Core of Leaders in Science and Education to Support Green Plan 2030

Prof Koh Lian Pin asked the Minister for Education about coordinating national steps across Institutes of Higher Learning to assemble a Singaporean core of leaders in science and education for the Green Plan 2030 and to future-proof Singapore against emerging challenges.
The Minister for Education highlighted the existing strong pool of expert researchers and scientists in Institutes of Higher Learning, with diverse expertise used to support the Green Plan across relevant ministries.
Examples include the Cooling Singapore project led by experts like Assoc Prof Winston Chow and NTU’s Asian School of the Environment training PhD students and featuring researchers like Asst Prof Janice Lee and Prof Benjamin Horton.
The Ministry of Education and IHLs are actively building a pipeline of Singaporean and Singapore-based researchers, and the Government will continue collaborating with IHLs to develop manpower in sustainability-related research.

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11 May 2021

Review of Singapore's Commitment Towards Net-zero Carbon Target

The Minister affirmed Singapore’s commitment to a net‑zero carbon target, with emissions expected to peak around 2030 and be halved by 2050, underpinned by the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and a carbon tax that will be reviewed post‑2023.
Key strategies include transforming industry and society toward renewable energy and efficiency, investing in low‑carbon technologies such as carbon capture and hydrogen, and fostering international collaboration on carbon markets and regional grids.
In response to a supplementary question on powering the grid and shifting industries, the Minister stated that all options are being considered to ensure resource, economic, and climate resilience while meeting carbon goals.

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10 May 2021

Progress Made with Producer Responsibility Scheme Operator to Work with informal Waste Collectors in View of New Electronic Waste Disposal System

The Minister confirmed that informal waste collectors, known as rag-and-bone men, have a role in the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for electronic waste.
The National Environment Agency requires the Producer Responsibility Scheme Operator to create a plan to integrate these informal collectors into the overall e-waste collection system.
ALBA, appointed as the PRS Operator in February, is engaging companies that consolidate e-waste collected by informal waste collectors to leverage their existing networks and knowledge.

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10 May 2021

Further Flash Flood Mitigation Measures to Safeguard Flood Prone Locations Like Those Affected by Heavy Downpour on 17 April 2021

The Minister explained that the flash floods on 17 April 2021 occurred at Bukit Timah and Dunearn Roads near Sime Darby Centre and a section of the Park Connector along Ulu Pandan Canal due to record rainfall, with PUB responding and upgrading ongoing at Bukit Timah Canal to reduce flood depth.
The Government has invested $2 billion since 2011 and plans to invest $1.4 billion more over the next five years to improve drainage standards and flood resilience, though expanding drains for every extreme event is not practical due to cost and land constraints.
Cost-effective measures include upgrading rainfall forecasting technology, collaborating with traffic authorities for real-time alerts, and encouraging public subscriptions to weather and water level SMS alerts or the myENV app for early warnings.

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10 May 2021

Status of Review of First Batch of SG Eco Fund Applications

Hany Soh inquired about the status of the review for the first batch of SG Eco Fund applications, noting over 200 submissions since its launch.
Grace Fu Hai Yien confirmed the grant call ran from November 2020 to January 2021 and received over 200 applications covering topics like waste, farming, and biodiversity.
The Trust is finalising its evaluation, with results to be announced later this month.

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10 May 2021

Plans to Support Companies Introducing Sustainable Packaging Alternatives to Single-use Plastics

The Ministry is prioritizing packaging waste by discouraging excessive use of single-use packaging and promoting reusables, with industry support through the Packaging Partnership Programme to build expertise in sustainable practices.
Under the Resource Sustainability Act, large producers and retailers must report packaging data and develop reduction plans, laying the foundation for an Extended Producer Responsibility framework for end-of-life management.
A disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets is planned, supported by outreach to encourage reusable bags, aiming for significant reductions in single-use plastic consumption.

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10 May 2021

Steps to Ensure Hospitality Industry Minimises Plastic and Food Waste from SHN Stays

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment acknowledges that SHN dedicated facilities currently require meals in disposable containers to minimise COVID-19 transmission risks, but emphasises these are temporary measures.
Hotels with over 200 rooms must annually report waste data and reduction plans to the National Environment Agency (NEA), and from 2024, large premises including hotels must segregate food waste for treatment.
The Ministry is working with stakeholders to promote the 3Rs, encouraged by a 3R Guidebook for Hotels developed with the Singapore Hotel Association, which includes practices like reducing packaging and offering smaller food portions.
While current SHN guidelines prioritise safety over waste reduction, the government is fostering industry-wide efforts to minimise plastic and food waste through reporting, segregation, and best practice adoption.

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10 May 2021

Plans to Implement Points System for All NEA-related Offences Such as High-rise Littering

Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked if there are plans to implement a points system for NEA-related offences like high-rise littering.
The Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment has no plans to introduce such a demerit points system for public offences.
The Ministry stated that penalties for each offence are already calibrated to match the severity of the violation.

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10 May 2021

Amount of Medical Waste from Hospitals and Clinics in Past Year Compared with Five Years Ago and Measures to Reduce and Manage Such Waste

Medical waste increased by about 30% from 2016 to 2020, rising from 4,400 to 5,700 tonnes annually, driven by more patients, procedures, and infection control measures during the pandemic.
Healthcare facilities segregate biohazardous waste for safe collection and disposal by licensed toxic industrial waste collectors to prevent cross-contamination and protect public health.
Hospitals and clinics are focusing on reducing and recycling non-biohazardous waste, such as administrative, food, and packaging waste, while acknowledging that some medical consumables cannot be avoided or reused.

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10 May 2021

ASEAN's Actions on Tackling Marine Debris in the Region

Singapore has been collaborating with ASEAN member states and experts to develop an ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Combatting Marine Debris, which is in the final stages of endorsement and will outline actions to reduce plastic waste and enhance waste management.
ASEAN member states are continuing to assess the feasibility of establishing an ASEAN Centre on Combating Marine Debris to support the implementation of the regional action plan.
Singapore has contributed to regional capacity building by organizing a virtual training programme on solid waste management for ASEAN countries and partnering with Norway for joint capacity training on waste management and marine litter reduction.

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10 May 2021

Effectiveness of Fumigation of Rubbish Chutes at HDB Blocks and Other Buildings

The Minister explained that Town Councils are responsible for maintaining HDB refuse chutes and engage their own Pest Control Operators, with fumigation effectiveness depending on how these operators carry out their work.
He noted that HDB's refuse chute flushing system is designed to be manually activated to prevent issues like heavier refuse and odours, as per NEA's guidelines.
He stated that Town Councils can work with specialist contractors to propose automated sterilisation systems, which would then be reviewed by HDB, NEA, and PUB for compliance and functionality.

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10 May 2021

Review of Selection of Tree Types in HDB Estates

NParks regularly reviews guidelines for selecting tree types and planting locations in HDB estates, incorporating lessons from tree falls and inspections, and aligns with international best practices.
Trees are chosen for hardiness and urban suitability, while storm-vulnerable species are identified and periodically removed to mitigate risks.
HDB plants trees in new estates, and Town Councils manage those in existing estates, with NParks sharing best practices and providing training and certification for arborists.

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10 May 2021

More Frequent Inspections of Trees in Public Areas Given Recent Spate of Thundery Downpours

Joan Pereira asked NParks to inspect trees more frequently and provide a public guide to identify rotting or diseased trees, following recent heavy rains and winds causing trees to fall.
Desmond Lee explained that NParks already has a rigorous inspection regime, with checks every 6–24 months based on tree location and size, and has increased inspection frequency since 2012 for high-risk areas.
NParks also employs additional measures like regular pruning, replacing vulnerable tree species, and using technology to model weather impacts, which have reduced tree failure incidents significantly.
The minister noted that while public assistance is appreciated, tree health assessment requires trained expertise, but the public can report obvious hazards via the NParks hotline or OneService app.

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