Environment & climate — Topics

4 Feb 2020

Catalyst Role for Singapore in Addressing Climate Change Issues

Seah Kian Peng asked what catalyst role Singapore can play locally, regionally, and internationally on climate change given its small size.
The Minister highlighted Singapore’s active advocacy for multilateral climate action, including facilitating agreements like the Paris Agreement and supporting regional initiatives through ASEAN meetings and capacity-building workshops.
Singapore is implementing domestic measures such as a carbon tax, expanding solar deployment, greening infrastructure, and promoting a zero-waste circular economy to transform toward a low-carbon future.
The Minister emphasized the importance of encouraging neighboring countries to act, noting the Paris Agreement framework and optimism that global political will, driven by youth demand, will spur stronger commitments.
In response to a follow-up, the Minister stated that Singapore is finalizing its updated climate pledge, expected to be submitted soon.

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3 Feb 2020

Number of Hawkers and Stalls Providing Only Disposable Utensils for Dine-in Customers and Plans to Introduce Reusable Utensils

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources about the number of hawkers and stalls providing only disposable utensils for dine-in customers and the plans to encourage reusable utensils.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has prohibited disposable utensils for dine-in at new hawker centres and some existing ones, and does not allow new stallholders in existing centres to use disposables.
NEA does not track the number of stalls using disposables but is engaging stakeholders to phase them out, addressing concerns like cost and manpower through centralized dishwashing and grants.
The "Say YES to Waste Less" campaign was launched to raise awareness, with over 59 partners and 1,600 premises involved in reducing disposable use.

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3 Feb 2020

Update on "Reverse" Vending Machines Launched under Recycle N Save Programme

Sitoh Yih Pin asked about the popularity and usage of the Recycle N Save Programme's reverse vending machines and whether there are plans to expand beyond the planned 50 machines by March 2020.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the pilot has received a positive public response, with over 1.6 million containers deposited by 12 January 2020, and 11 machines deployed with plans for the remaining 39 by end March 2020.
The Ministry and NEA will monitor the pilot's results to assess its role in supporting plastic waste management and accelerating an Extended Producer Responsibility framework by 2025.
Efforts will continue with partners to encourage the public to recycle more and recycle correctly.

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3 Feb 2020

Efforts to Manage and Reduce Food Waste in Military Camps

The Ministry manages meal demand and supply for servicemen by using weekly forecasts based on unit schedules and requirements, and it tracks actual consumption with an electronic system to adjust provisions and reduce waste.
Food waste in SAF camps is monitored through the electronic meal accounting system, which records consumption patterns, and the average waste has been reduced to about one percent of catered meals.
The Ministry has not provided the total annual amount of food waste across camps but is studying initiatives like ready-to-eat meals and collaborating with NEA to recycle food waste into electricity.
The Ministry works with camp food caterers to implement forecasting adjustments and explore new measures to minimize food waste.
SAF continues to explore additional ways to reduce food waste, including partnerships with NEA for recycling and testing new meal formats.

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3 Feb 2020

Projected Impact on Price of Treated Water for Local Consumption after 2022

Png Eng Huat asked about the projected impact on the price of treated water for local consumption after 2022, in light of Malaysia's plan to reduce Johor's dependency on Singapore's supply.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the future price of water will depend on all relevant factors at the time and noted that Malaysia has not formally notified Singapore of any reduction in demand.
The minister stated that it is premature to answer the question due to the lack of official notification from Malaysia.

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3 Feb 2020

Plans to Reduce Greenhouse Emissions from Oil Refining Industry

The Minister outlined Singapore’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions intensity by 36% from 2005 levels by 2030, with the oil refining and petrochemicals sector identified as a major source of industrial emissions.
The Government has implemented a carbon tax on large emitters, starting at $5 per tCO2e from 2019 and planned to increase to $10–15 by 2030, alongside mandatory energy efficiency measures under the Energy Conservation Act since 2013.
Oil refineries in Singapore are supported to adopt sustainable practices, including the establishment of co-generation plants to improve energy efficiency, with increased government funding of up to 50% for qualifying energy-efficient technologies.
The Minister emphasized that reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires collective effort from industries and the public, including saving electricity, using public transport, and reducing waste.

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3 Feb 2020

Action against Singaporeans Involved in Dumping Toxic, Plastics or Other Wastes in Neighbouring Countries

Singapore's Minister Masagos Zulkifli outlined that the Basel Convention governs transboundary waste movement, requiring prior informed consent and allowing legitimate recycling, with Singapore using the Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) Act to enforce domestic compliance.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates and penalizes illegal waste exports, with fines up to $300,000 for companies and up to $100,000 or two years imprisonment for individuals, and engages companies to raise awareness and investigate violations with importing countries.
Singapore is amending its Hazardous Waste Act to align with expanded Basel Convention rules that will cover certain plastic waste from January 2021, with further details to be shared in the upcoming Second Reading of the Amendment Bill.
The government emphasizes balancing enforcement against illegal waste exports with supporting legitimate recycling flows to foster a circular economy, committing to international cooperation and strict action against violations.

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3 Feb 2020

Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) (Amendment) Bill

The Bill amends Singapore's Hazardous Waste Act to align with the 2019 Basel Convention amendments, requiring prior informed consent for the export of non-hazardous plastic waste categories to better regulate transboundary plastic waste movements.
Ministers and MPs discussed Singapore's low plastic recycling rate (4% in 2018), the need to boost local recycling capacity, and concerns about the Semakau landfill's lifespan, while assuring that clean plastics can still be traded freely.
The government outlined measures to reduce plastic consumption, including the Resource Sustainability Act and a Citizens' Workgroup, while noting no immediate plans to ban microbeads due to current scientific assessments.

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3 Feb 2020

Recorded Offences in Last Three Years for Smoking in Common Corridors and Void Decks of HDB Blocks and of High-rise Littering of Cigarette Butts and Ash

The Senior Minister of State reported that over the past three years, over 11,000 tickets were issued for smoking in HDB common corridors and void decks, while over 2,200 enforcement actions were taken for high-rise littering of cigarette butts and ash from HDB flats.
In response to concerns about persistent smoking in stairwells and corridors, the National Environment Agency has started deploying thermal cameras in residential areas to capture evidence of offences, resulting in over 20 offenders being fined.
No update was provided on measures to address second-hand smoke from private residences, as the government emphasises the need to balance enforcement with privacy concerns and encourages civic-mindedness among residents.

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3 Feb 2020

Impact of Recent Fires in Australia on Singapore’s Environment and Food Security

The Minister confirmed that Singapore’s air quality and food supply were unaffected by the 2019–2020 Australian fires due to favorable wind patterns and steady imports, with no disruptions noted during that period.
Singapore is proactively mitigating future food supply risks by diversifying import sources, expanding overseas food production linkages, and boosting domestic output through the “30 by 30” vision to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030.
The Minister expressed confidence that future Australian fires would not impact Singapore’s air quality unless weather patterns change drastically, emphasizing ongoing efforts to advance food self-sufficiency despite resource constraints.

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3 Feb 2020

Discoloured Tap Water on Pulau Tekong on 20 November 2019

Leon Perera questioned the cause of discoloured tap water at BMTC on Pulau Tekong on 20 November 2019 and asked about future preventive measures.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that the discolouration was due to naturally occurring minerals in the pipes being churned up, and PUB took immediate action to investigate, flush the network, and restore water supply within two days.
The Minister added that PUB and BMTC planned to clean the water mains as a preventive measure in the first half of 2020.
In response to a supplementary question, the Minister confirmed that drinking water on Pulau Tekong is regularly tested to the same standards as on the mainland, in line with WHO guidelines and local regulations.

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3 Feb 2020

Collection of Carbon Tax and Release of Information for Carbon Tax Collections

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the timeline for collecting carbon tax payments for 2019, the date for publishing the total collected amount, and whether a breakdown by facility would be released.
The Minister confirmed that companies must submit emissions reports by June 2020 and pay the tax by September 2020, with total collections published annually in the Budget Book, but facility-specific data cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality.
Louis Ng argued that public scrutiny of company payments could accelerate climate action, while the Minister emphasized that the carbon tax aims to provide an economy-wide price signal, not to target individual companies.
Louis Ng suggested releasing aggregated data by facility type and size to identify high-emission industries without naming companies, but the Minister noted that the small number of large emitters could make such data too revealing.
The debate centered on balancing transparency with the carbon tax's policy intent, with the government prioritizing sector-level insights over company-specific disclosure.

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6 Jan 2020

Number and Profile of Workers in General Waste Collection and Materials Recovery Sub-sectors

The 2016 NEA and WSG study identified about 7,900 workers in general waste collection and 6,500 in materials recovery, with core roles including collectors, sorters, supervisors, and drivers.
For waste and recyclables collection workers, annual basic wages ranged from $11,960 to $16,952, while gross wages were $19,458 to $31,144 across the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles.
Recyclables sorters had lower annual basic wages of $10,400 to $14,400 and gross wages of $13,173 to $23,464 across the same percentiles.
Supervisors and drivers earned higher wages, with collection supervisors’ gross wages reaching up to $64,468 and truck drivers’ up to $52,741 at the 75th percentile.
A follow-up manpower study covering both cleaning and waste management sectors was planned for 2020.

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6 Jan 2020

Percentage of Non-residential Buildings in Singapore Not Green Mark Certified and Plans to Engage Building Owners

The Ministry reported that about half of Singapore's non-residential building gross floor area has been greened, with a target to green 80% by 2030.
The Green Mark scheme encourages setting air-conditioning temperatures at 25°C and recognizes energy-efficient systems, with further efforts to change occupant energy consumption habits.
Starting in 2020, NEA will set minimum energy efficiency standards for chilled water systems in industrial facilities to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
The Ministry plans to work with BCA on programmes to engage building owners and tenants on reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.

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6 Jan 2020

Involving Members of Public in Reporting Decaying or Unhealthy Trees

Joan Pereira proposed issuing public guidelines and a dedicated hotline for reporting unhealthy trees to complement NParks’ inspection regime.
Lawrence Wong emphasized that tree health assessments require professional expertise, as public misconceptions could misidentify healthy trees as decaying.
He confirmed that the public can already report tree issues to NParks via the OneService app or by calling 1800-471-7300.
The debate highlights balancing public involvement with the need for trained evaluation to avoid false alarms.
Officials maintain that existing channels are sufficient, while the public may seek clearer guidance on tree health indicators.

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6 Jan 2020

Proposal to Build Noise Barriers along Stretch of PIE Adjacent to HDB Blocks between Bukit Batok Road Exit and Toh Guan Road Flyover

Murali Pillai asked the Ministry for Transport to consider building noise barriers or other measures to reduce traffic noise along the PIE stretch near HDB blocks between Bukit Batok Road exit and Toh Guan Road flyover.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that the Land Transport Authority is studying feasibility of noise mitigation options, including barriers and noise-reducing pavement.
The LTA will decide on measures after the study, considering factors like building-road distance and cost-effectiveness.

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6 Jan 2020

Update on Senoko Energy's Request for Rescue Package

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether the government has responded to Senoko Energy's request for a rescue package and if the energy market is in trouble.
Chan Chun Sing stated that Senoko Energy has publicly clarified it does not require a government rescue package and maintains a positive outlook on the local power industry.
The Minister explained that Singapore's electricity market faces excess supply due to cyclical factors, but the Energy Market Authority (EMA) has introduced measures like flexibility for plant retirements, LNG cost reductions, and support schemes to help generators cope.
EMA is also developing long-term initiatives such as a Forward Capacity Market to ensure reliable supply and provide steadier income for generators.
The government emphasized that while EMA supports the market's resilience and competition, it is not responsible for the commercial viability of individual companies.

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6 Jan 2020

Measures to Reduce Mynah Population in Yishun

The Ministry has limited historical data on mynah populations in Yishun, but 2019 surveys estimate 800–900 mynahs roosting near Yishun Avenue 3, and a 2016 fogging pilot showed only temporary effects.
NParks uses a sustainable management strategy including habitat modification like directional pruning and replacing roost trees with less dense types, which has worked in other towns and is being applied in Yishun.
Enforcement against bird feeding involves targeted operations, video surveillance, and penalties, with 145 notices issued in 2019, while agencies also promote proper food waste management to reduce food sources.
Continued collaboration with the Nee Soon Town Council and public cooperation in maintaining cleanliness and not feeding birds are emphasized for long-term management.

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6 Jan 2020

Complaints of Noise Pollution Caused by Vehicles with Modified Engines

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport about the number of complaints received over the past three years regarding noise pollution from vehicles with modified engines and the process LTA uses to handle such complaints and enforce rules.
Since 2017, LTA has received 4,377 complaints about noise pollution suspected to be caused by illegally modified vehicles.
Over the past three years, LTA has taken action against 3,792 illegally modified vehicles based on complaints and regular enforcement efforts.
Illegal vehicle modifications can result in fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to three months, or both, with penalties doubled for repeat offenders.
The public can report illegally modified vehicles to LTA through its feedback channels.

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6 Jan 2020

Requirements on Home Renovation Contractors to Make Sure Structures Put up Do Not Encourage Mosquito Breeding

Home renovation contractors must comply with the Code of Practice on Environmental Health (COPEH) to prevent water stagnation and mosquito breeding, such as prohibiting roof gutters in new developments and requiring anti-mosquito devices in floor traps.
Government agencies like the National Environment Agency and Building and Construction Authority grant technical clearances only after Qualified Persons declare compliance with COPEH standards.
Residents, contractors, and premises owners share responsibility in preventing mosquito breeding to control the Aedes mosquito population and dengue cases.

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