Environment & climate — Topics

8 Jul 2019

Singapore's Efforts to Address Climate Change, Prioritise Sustainable Living and Reduce Food Waste

Singapore is implementing the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, which integrates eco-friendly features in housing estates and new districts while promoting community participation in environmental programmes.
The government has taken a multi-pronged approach to climate change, including the carbon tax, climate research, and adaptation measures like water and flood resilience technologies, alongside nationwide campaigns to encourage collective action.
To address waste, Singapore is launching a Zero Waste Masterplan targeting e-waste, food, and packaging, with public campaigns, regulatory measures, and partnerships to promote reduction, reuse, and recycling.
Specific efforts to reduce food waste include public awareness campaigns, educational guides for businesses, and collaborations with NGOs to redistribute excess food.
The government emphasises that sustainable living requires both hardware and "heartware," urging all citizens to adopt green lifestyle choices to support a low-carbon, zero-waste future.

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8 Jul 2019

Recycling Items in National Day Parade Funpacks

The Minister explained that while reusable bottles were considered for the 2019 NDP funpack, they were not feasible due to high costs, so the funpack instead included a single larger 750ml bottle to reduce plastic use.
A plastic bag is still provided to support the Keep Singapore Clean Movement, allowing for hygienic waste disposal, and volunteers at collection points encourage leaving behind unused items like ponchos and funpack bags.
The collection points are also used to gather recyclables, such as the 750ml water bottle, and the committee balances sustainability with the comfort and well-being of participants and spectators.

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8 Jul 2019

Monitoring Recent Pollution in Pasir Gudang

The Ministry confirmed that Singapore’s air and water quality, including in the northeast region, remained comparable to other parts of Singapore and unaffected by recent pollution incidents in Pasir Gudang, with continuous monitoring in place.
Agencies are in contact with Malaysian counterparts and have precautionary measures to detect transboundary pollution, including monitoring for volatile organic compounds and deploying portable detectors as needed.
Singapore and Malaysia maintain an exchange of information on chemical factories and conduct joint exercises to coordinate responses to potential environmental incidents.

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8 May 2019

Summonses Issued to Persons who Feed Pigeons

682 enforcement notices have been issued for pigeon feeding offences over the past three years, with NParks using cameras, surveillance, and collaboration with Town Councils to target hotspots and conduct public education.
The government is piloting a combined enforcement, community engagement, and education approach in Yio Chu Kang, which has shown promising results, and will consider adapting it for other areas while exploring non-culling measures like contraceptives.
MPs have called for increased manpower for surveillance and higher penalties for offenders, and the ministry will review these suggestions to enhance enforcement effectiveness and community outreach.

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8 May 2019

Efforts to Detect and Deter Trade of Pangolins

Singapore combats pangolin trade through a whole-of-Government approach involving risk assessments, tip-offs, and inspections by NParks, Customs, and ICA, leading to successful seizures of pangolin scales.
The government uses technologies like radiographic scanners and is testing the Multi-Mode Passive Detection System to improve detection, while being open to collaborating with local tech companies for new solutions.
Agencies cooperate internationally and run public awareness campaigns to reduce demand, and the government is considering increasing manpower at NParks and exploring better scanning methods for seaports to enhance enforcement.

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8 May 2019

State of Bilateral Relations with Malaysia following 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat

Following the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat, both countries agreed to de-escalate tensions by mutually suspending overlapping port limits and will soon begin negotiations on maritime boundaries through a joint committee.
Both sides reaffirmed the 1962 Water Agreement, with Singapore stating Malaysia has no right to review water pricing, while also highlighting concerns over river pollution in Johor that could threaten water supply sustainability.
Malaysia and Singapore agreed to suspend the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail projects for review, and will work to implement GPS-based procedures for Seletar Airport approaches.

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7 May 2019

Operation and Maintenance of Tuaspring Pte Ltd by PUB

Miss Cheng Li Hui questioned whether PUB has the necessary manpower, the long-term operating model, and any cost implications for operating and maintaining Tuaspring Pte Ltd.
PUB announced it will take over, own, and operate the Tuaspring Desalination Plant, citing its operational capabilities, experience, and manpower to do so reliably.
PUB is implementing measures and upgrades to restore the plant’s reliability and is working with Tuaspring to facilitate a smooth handover.
PUB will assess operational costs after the takeover and emphasized that its actions are to safeguard Singapore’s water security.

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7 May 2019

Review of Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act

Louis Ng Kok Kwang questioned whether the Ministry would review and strengthen the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act after a businessman was acquitted for importing Malagasy rosewood, and how the Ministry would ensure the rosewood would not enter the black market upon return to the owner.
Lawrence Wong stated that NParks is studying the Court of Appeal’s judgement and will review its policies under the ESA as appropriate, in line with Singapore’s obligations under CITES.
He explained that the rosewood will be released to the owners as soon as practicable, but local sales will not be allowed during transit, and the wood must remain under the control of authorised officers under the ESA.

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7 May 2019

Results of Public Consultation on Ban on Elephant Ivory Sale and Display

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested an update on the results of the public consultation regarding the ban on elephant ivory sale and display in Singapore.
The public consultation was completed in December 2018, with 99% of respondents supporting the proposed domestic ivory ban.
NParks is currently evaluating the feedback and will announce the details of the ban soon.

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7 May 2019

Quality of Raw Water for Singapore’s Water Treatment Plants in Johor

Since 2017, seven pollution incidents on the Johor River have temporarily shut down Singapore’s Johor River Waterworks, with the most recent in April 2019 due to high ammonia levels, typically lasting hours to days.
Singapore has raised concerns with Malaysia at federal and state levels about the recurring pollution, which disrupts water supply for both countries and may affect Singapore’s obligation to supply treated water to Johor.
During disruptions, Singapore coordinates with Johor authorities to flush the river and resumes operations only after stringent water quality tests, while boosting local water production to meet demand.
Singapore and Johor authorities collaborate closely for early alerts on contamination, though Singapore has no direct control over land use or factory waste in Johor’s catchment area.
The mitigation plan involves continued diplomatic engagement with Malaysia to prevent future pollution incidents and ensure the river’s water quality for both nations.

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6 May 2019

More Support for Environmentally Sustainable Projects

Desmond Choo asked how the Ministry for Environment and Water Resources can collaborate with financial institutions to increase support for sustainable projects and reduce exposure to environmentally harmful ones.
The Ministry works with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to promote green financing, raise awareness of environmental risks, and adopt international standards and best practices.
Initiatives include the Association of Banks in Singapore’s Responsible Financing Guidelines, the Singapore Exchange’s sustainability reporting requirements, and a Green Bond Grant Scheme that has supported over $4 billion in green bonds.
Capability-building efforts are underway, such as anchoring ESG research and underwriting teams with insurers to develop innovative sustainable finance products.
The government will continue steering sustainable development efforts, focusing on climate mitigation, adaptation, and resource efficiency for a low-carbon future.

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6 May 2019

Trees Uprooted and Fallen in Public Spaces Last Year

In 2018, 217 trees were uprooted and fell in public spaces, primarily due to strong winds and heavy rainfall.
NParks conducts rigorous tree inspections every 12 to 24 months, with additional annual checks for larger trees, and uses measures like pruning and replacing vulnerable species.
The Ministry is working with Town Councils and HDB to create a nationwide tree registry for public housing estates to improve tree management and care regimes.

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6 May 2019

Impact on Singapore of Prolonged Stoppage of Water Treatment at Johor Plant

In the event of a prolonged stoppage at the Johor River Waterworks, Singapore would step up production at desalination plants and local waterworks to meet domestic demand, while Johor's water supply would also be impacted due to shared reliance on the river.
Singapore has no obligation to supply treated water to Johor during such disruptions, as the 1962 Water Agreement only requires Singapore to sell treated water up to 2% of its daily imports from Johor, a limit already exceeded on goodwill.
Frequent pollution incidents, traced to illegal discharges in Johor, have caused temporary shutdowns of the Johor River Waterworks, prompting Singapore to raise concerns with Malaysian authorities and collaborate on flushing polluted water.
Singapore continues to engage Malaysia to address the root causes of pollution and prevent future incidents, emphasizing the shared impact on both countries' water security.

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1 Apr 2019

Environmental Impact on Singapore of Methane Fumes Incident at Pasir Gudang

The Ministry confirmed that the methane and chemical fumes incident in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, has not impacted Singapore’s air or water quality, with monitoring stations showing normal pollutant levels and no toxic chemicals detected.
No adverse effects have been found on Singapore’s fisheries or seafood, with the Singapore Food Agency’s tests on samples from local fish farms showing no anomalies in pollutants.
Early detection systems are in place, including air monitoring for volatile organic compounds, real-time water quality sensors along the Straits of Johor, and the deployment of portable gas detectors and oil booms as precautionary measures.

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1 Apr 2019

Progress on Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points Across Singapore

Leon Perera inquired about the progress and timeline for installing 2,000 electric vehicle charging points across Singapore.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the BlueSG electric car-sharing program, supported by LTA and EDB, aims to deploy 500 stations with 2,000 charging points by the end of 2020.
As of the update, BlueSG had installed 178 charging stations and 703 charging points toward this goal.

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1 Apr 2019

Proposal for National Water Rationing Day

Seah Kian Peng proposed a national water rationing day to encourage prudent water use.
Masagos Zulkifli emphasized ongoing efforts to promote water conservation, including school exercises, curriculum integration, and real-time usage tracking trials.
The government is implementing stricter water efficiency standards for fittings and appliances, and supporting businesses with water efficiency plans and funding.
PUB is collaborating with organizations to develop green labelling schemes for water-efficient commercial equipment.
The minister urged collective responsibility to use water wisely and ensure long-term water security for Singapore.

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1 Apr 2019

Impact of Hyflux’s Recent Challenges on Singapore's Water Supply

PUB has robust safeguards in place under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and is operationally capable to take over the Tuaspring desalination plant if needed, ensuring Singapore’s water security is not compromised.
PUB issued a default notice to Tuaspring Pte Ltd due to operational and financial failures, and will acquire the plant at zero cost, which is a favourable outcome for the company and will not disadvantage investors.
The government will not use taxpayers’ money to bail out Hyflux investors, as financial losses are part of investment risks, and proceeds from any asset sale will follow legal priority orders (e.g., to secured creditors first).

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1 Apr 2019

Impact of Pasir Gudang Incident in Johor on Singaporeans

Dr Lee Bee Wah raised concerns about Singaporean residents' exposure to haze and chemical smells from Johor, seeking updates on cross-border monitoring, health safeguards, and public outreach.
Senior Minister Amy Khor assured that air and water quality in Singapore remain within safe levels, with no detected impacts from Johor’s incidents, and detailed monitoring by NEA, SCDF, and PUB.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh inquired about volatile organic compound sensors in Punggol, with Amy Khor confirming NEA monitors VOCs across Singapore and has not found elevated levels.
Residents in Yishun reported pungent smells and flaring in Pasir Gudang, prompting calls for more proactive communication from NEA and concerns about long-term health effects.
Amy Khor explained that smells do not always correlate with poor air quality, clarified that flaring is a safety practice in petrochemical plants, and emphasized ongoing cross-border cooperation with Malaysian authorities.

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7 Mar 2019

Committee of Supply – Head L (Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources)

Parliament debated waste management and resource sustainability, with MPs urging stronger action on recycling, food waste, and single-use plastics, while the Ministry outlined plans for a Zero Waste Masterplan and new e-waste and packaging reporting frameworks.
Water security and climate change were key concerns, with the Minister highlighting PUB’s efforts to ensure supply resilience and address flood risks, amid discussions on the Tuaspring default notice and floating solar projects.
The formation of the Singapore Food Agency and the "30 by 30" vision to produce 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs locally by 2030 were discussed, alongside support for hawker centres and measures to attract new hawkers.

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6 Mar 2019

Committee of Supply - Head T (Ministry of National Development)

Members highlighted ongoing challenges in public rental housing, urging stronger support for families transitioning to home ownership, better facilities for the elderly and co-tenants, and improved communication on schemes like the Lease Buyback Scheme.
There was a call for enhanced infrastructure resilience and climate change adaptation, including measures for rising sea levels, redevelopment of older estates, and ensuring equitable access to amenities across mature and new towns.
The Ministry outlined plans for a future-ready built environment, focusing on construction innovation, workforce transformation, and digitalisation, while addressing feedback on parking, upgrading programmes, and support for local contractors.

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