Environment & climate — Topics

3 Apr 2017

Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Amendment) Bill

The Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Amendment) Bill was introduced to amend the existing Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act (Chapter 243 of the 1999 Revised Edition).
The bill was presented by Senior Minister of State for Transport Mrs Josephine Teo and was read for the first time in Parliament.
The bill was scheduled for a second reading on the next available sitting of Parliament and was to be printed for parliamentary records.

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9 Mar 2017

Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources introduced the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill to update the Energy Conservation Act and align it with other relevant legislation.
The bill received its First Reading in Parliament, with the Second Reading scheduled for the next sitting, following the President’s recommendation.
The amendments aim to enhance energy efficiency standards and regulatory frameworks in Singapore, supporting national sustainability goals.

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8 Mar 2017

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

Members raised concerns about Singapore's climate commitments, industrial and vehicular emissions, and the need for stronger incentives to adopt cleaner energy and vehicles, prompting the Minister to outline plans like the revised Vehicular Emissions Scheme and enhanced energy efficiency measures.
The debate highlighted issues with waste management, including low domestic recycling rates and outdated collection systems, leading to announcements on mandatory pneumatic waste systems in new buildings and new initiatives to promote food waste recycling and e-waste management.
Water security and the recent 30% water price increase were discussed extensively, with the Minister defending the necessity for infrastructure investment and outlining conservation efforts, including smart devices and subsidies for low-income households.
The sustainability of hawker centres was addressed, with the government accepting recommendations for training, productivity grants, and vibrancy initiatives, while also emphasizing the need for better tray-return and cleanliness practices.
Overall, the Ministry emphasized a multi-pronged approach involving regulation, incentives, and public education to achieve environmental goals, urging collective action from all sectors of society.

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3 Mar 2017

Guidelines for Eco-labelling on Products

Leon Perera asked whether the Ministry would introduce guidelines for eco-labelling to prevent consumers from being misled by non-governmental eco-labelling initiatives.
The Minister replied that the Ministry encourages eco-label administrators to reference international standards like ISO and cited the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) as a credible local example, urging consumers to rely on established bodies.
Perera followed up by questioning whether private organisations could create their own eco-labels without international connections and how consumers could assess credibility without guidelines.
The Minister reiterated that credible organisations like SGLS are already used by the government and advised consumers to rely on such established bodies for their choices.

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1 Mar 2017

Debate on Annual Budget Statement

Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasized the existential importance of water security, urging a national mindset change to address long-term challenges like water agreements and price increases as a responsible government.
Multiple speakers raised concerns about the impact of the budget measures on businesses and households, questioning the timing of utility price hikes and suggesting more progressive tariffs or support to mitigate costs.
Several MPs highlighted the need for innovation and collaboration across government agencies, citing examples of bureaucratic obstacles in projects like covered linkways and suggesting reforms to improve efficiency.
The budget's environmental measures, including carbon and diesel taxes, were supported but critiqued for their potential inflationary effects, with calls for greater incentives for green technology and sustainable practices.
Speakers stressed the importance of mindset changes across society, from civil servants to citizens, to adapt to global shifts, develop local talent, and address the disconnect between policy implementation and ground realities.

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1 Mar 2017

Link between Better Air Quality and Reduction in Healthcare Costs

Mr Leon Perera asked if the Ministry would consider conducting a study to quantify healthcare cost savings from incremental improvements in air quality over different timeframes.
The Senior Minister of State responded that studies exist on the economic costs of air pollution, both globally and locally, and that Singapore has set air quality targets based on WHO guidelines while implementing measures to reduce emissions.
Mr Perera followed up, suggesting the government include estimates of positive impacts on healthcare costs in future budget or policy presentations to better assess investments in air quality.
The Senior Minister of State noted that various studies with differing methodologies inform policy reviews, and that air quality targets and policies are set considering both health benefits and local constraints.

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1 Mar 2017

Ban on Domestic Trade in Ivory

Member of Parliament Louis Ng asked if the Ministry of National Development will ban the domestic trade in ivory, the timeframe for such a ban, and the factors considered if no ban is implemented.
The Minister of State replied that the government is considering a domestic ban on ivory sales as part of Singapore's commitment to tackle illegal trade and support elephant conservation, with details and stakeholder engagement being worked out.
Louis Ng inquired about the timeframe and the handling of existing ivory in shops, expressing concern that allowing shop owners to retain ivory could fuel a black market.
The Minister of State stated that the timeframe will be announced after stakeholder engagement, noting that commercial import and export of ivory have been banned since 1990, while non-commercial imports and exports for specific purposes are permitted with approval.

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28 Feb 2017

Tree Inspections and Liability for Damages Related to Falling Trees

Mr Zainal Sapari asked whether tree inspections are done by NParks staff or outsourced, and if public liability insurance covers damages from natural causes.
Lawrence Wong stated that NParks’ Certified Arborists conduct regular inspections in-house, with additional measures like pruning and replacing vulnerable tree species to reduce incidents.
He noted that despite these efforts, trees may still fall, and NParks’ insurance only covers claims where negligence is proven, not for events beyond NParks’ control.

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28 Feb 2017

Impact of Algae Blooms and Oil Spills on Aim to Increase Locally Farmed Fish in Local Consumption

Plankton blooms and an oil spill impacted some local fish farmers, but the government remains committed to achieving the 15% target for locally farmed fish in consumption, with production having increased from 8% in 2014 to 10% in 2016.
The government provided direct assistance to affected farmers, including subsidies for restocking, deployment of protective materials during the oil spill, and help with insurance claims, while also developing real-time water monitoring systems and customized contingency plans.
To build resilience, AVA is co-funding new technologies like closed containment aquaculture systems and is exploring further innovations, including potential vertical or urban farming and the development of insurance products to pool risks for farmers.

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20 Feb 2017

Water Consumption and Forthcoming Price Increase

The government announced that assistance would be provided to lower-income households to manage the forthcoming water price increase, with detailed measures to be revealed in the 2017 Budget Statement.
Currently, 45% of water demand comes from the domestic sector and 55% from non-domestic sectors; the average household water consumption is 17 cubic metres per month, with 40% of households consuming above this average, and per capita usage is 148 litres per day, lower than several other major cities.
Since 2015, the Public Utilities Board requires large non-residential water users to submit Water Efficiency Management Plans, with over 600 such plans submitted in 2016, aiming to develop benchmarks and guidelines for improved water efficiency.

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20 Feb 2017

Reason for Rise in Littering Cases

A survey indicated that some Singaporeans litter when they believe they will not be caught and wrongly view small items like tissue papers as not being litter, contributing to the rise in summonses issued by NEA.
The Ministry has increased enforcement, issuing over 31,000 summonses last year, and enhanced penalties under the Environmental Public Health Act, including higher fines and Corrective Work Orders for repeat offenders.
Initiatives like the Community Volunteer programme and partnerships with stakeholders such as the Public Hygiene Council and Singapore Kindness Movement have been launched to promote public responsibility and encourage a culture of cleanliness.

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20 Feb 2017

Encouraging Uptake of "Haze-free" Cooking Oil by Restaurants

Louis Ng asked whether the government would subsidize the higher cost of haze-free or certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) cooking oil and what other methods are being considered to encourage its uptake by restaurants.
The Ministry supports industry and NGO efforts to promote CSPO, noting that uncontrolled burning is prohibited in its production and wider adoption could reduce haze pollution in Southeast Asia.
Globally, CSPO availability is limited, with only about 17% certified, but demand is growing in Europe, and Singapore-based initiatives like the Singapore Alliance on Sustainable Palm Oil and the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme are encouraging adoption.
The Ministry highlighted ground-up efforts, including FairPrice carrying CSPO products and a "Haze-Free Cooking Oil" guide by a local NGO, and noted that CSPO cooking oil prices can be comparable to non-CSPO options.
The vision is for CSPO to become the norm in Singapore and internationally, with the Ministry supporting continued awareness and market-driven adoption rather than direct subsidies.

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20 Feb 2017

Contamination Rate of Recyclables from Household Recycling

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources to clarify the contamination rate of recyclables from household recycling and the most common reason for contamination.
The Minister responded that under the National Recycling Programme, about 40% of items in recycling bins are non-recyclable and must be disposed of, with common contaminants including soft toys, old shoes, and food waste.
He noted that contamination, especially from food waste, prevents recycling and creates pest and odour problems, and emphasized public education to encourage proper recycling habits.

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20 Feb 2017

Detection of Illegal Wildlife Trade at Border Checkpoints

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested statistics on illegal wildlife trade cases and confiscated live animals detected at Singapore's border checkpoints and within the country over the past three years, including the number of animals still under care.
Lawrence Wong responded that 10 cases were detected at border checkpoints and 58 within Singapore in the last three years, with 660 live animals confiscated, of which 77 remain under AVA's custody pending investigations and court trials.
The authorities collaborate with Customs and Immigration to share information and urge public vigilance to report and curb illegal wildlife trade.

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20 Feb 2017

Annual Budget Statement

The government introduced targeted economic support measures for sectors facing cyclical or structural challenges, including deferred foreign worker levies for marine and process sectors, the "Attach and Train" programme to help workers reskill, and enhanced corporate income tax rebates for businesses.
It announced a carbon tax of $10 to $20 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions to be implemented from 2019, alongside a restructuring of diesel taxes and new water pricing to reflect rising costs, while offering rebates and support to cushion the impact on households.
Social measures included increased housing grants for first-time resale flat buyers, higher bursaries for post-secondary students, expanded support for persons with disabilities and mental health conditions, and permanent increases in GST vouchers to help lower- and middle-income households manage cost-of-living pressures.

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20 Feb 2017

Effectiveness of Community Volunteer Scheme in Reducing Littering

The Community Volunteer (CV) programme, launched in 2013, engages trained volunteers to promote clean norms and has engaged over 3,700 litter bugs, with most cooperating to pick up their litter.
In 2016, NEA issued over 31,000 tickets for littering, with some cases arising from public tip-offs, and enforcement efforts are supported by community volunteers.
Public reporting of littering is available via multiple channels, and suggestions are welcomed to improve convenience, while efforts continue to recruit more CVs through campaigns and community partnerships.

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7 Feb 2017

Parks and Trees (Amendment) Bill

The Parks and Trees (Amendment) Bill enhances NParks' powers to protect marine biodiversity, designating the Sisters' Islands Marine Park as a type of public park to regulate harmful activities like fishing and anchoring, while also expanding protections for nature reserves and allowing reinstatement orders for illegally removed greenery.
The Bill extends enforcement authority, enabling NParks to delegate powers to auxiliary police and park rangers, and introduces provisions to address safety risks from trees on private property, though concerns were raised about defining "danger" and handling neighbour disputes over tree nuisances.
The amendment supports the landscape industry by defining its role for NParks and managing state land for nurseries, but MPs sought clarity on lease arrangements for incumbent nursery operators to ensure a fair transition.

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6 Feb 2017

Measures Taken to Manage E-waste

The Ministry supports voluntary e-waste recycling programmes like RENEW, which has collected and recycled about 110 tonnes of e-waste since 2012 through bins in malls and commercial buildings.
Businesses can participate in specific recycling programmes such as HP Planet Partners or Dell Recycling, with collected e-waste sent to facilities that meet pollution control standards.
The Ministry is exploring a comprehensive nationwide e-waste management system due to rising e-waste volumes from faster product replacement.
A study and industry consultations were conducted to develop options for an e-waste management framework, with results expected soon.

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6 Feb 2017

Management of Food Wastage through Schools and Neighbourhood Communities

The Ministry works with schools to educate students on reducing food waste, supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) which provides resources and will launch a two-year project in 10 schools to cut waste and recycle via onsite machines.
Food redistribution organisations like The Food Bank Singapore already accept household donations through community collection points, and the Ministry continues to support these efforts while encouraging more contributions.
The NEA promotes upstream waste reduction through guides for households and partners with CDCs and NGOs on district-level programmes to raise community awareness and encourage food wastage minimisation.

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6 Feb 2017

Tracking of Fogging Operations in Private Condominiums and Landed Estates

Melvin Yong asked whether the National Environment Agency (NEA) tracks the annual number of fogging operations in private condominiums and landed estates, and if it would consider revising guidelines to limit such operations per location each year.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that source reduction is the primary method for mosquito control, with fogging used as a complementary measure in urgent situations like active dengue outbreaks, and that NEA guides pest control operators and requires site assessments and notifications.
NEA does not impose a cap on fogging operations per location, as the frequency is determined by dynamic ground conditions such as mosquito population levels, and excessive fogging would prompt engagement with premises managers and operators to adjust practices.
The minister emphasized the importance of public participation, such as the “5-step Mozzie Wipeout,” to eliminate breeding habitats and support mosquito control efforts alongside fogging.

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