Environment & climate — Topics

15 Nov 2012

Rise in Sea Level off Singapore

The mean sea level off Singapore has risen by 45 millimetres over the past 15 years, with projections of up to 650 millimetres by 2100.
New reclamation projects since 1991 are built at least 1.25 metres above the highest tide, with the buffer increased to 2.25 metres last year.
Additional measures include reinforcing existing hard walls and stone embankments to protect against coastal erosion.

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15 Nov 2012

Solar-Powered Lighting for Households and Commercial Premises

As of January 2012, Singapore had 157 grid-connected solar PV installations with a total capacity of 5,546 kWp, representing 0.05% of the nation's electricity generating capacity.
The government does not provide subsidies like feed-in tariffs, preferring correct energy pricing, but has allocated funds for R&D and testing, including $16.6 million for clean energy solutions and $20 million for the Solar Capability Scheme.
A pilot solar leasing scheme for 40 HDB blocks in Punggol involves private partners financing and operating installations, offering electricity at rates not higher than retail tariffs.
The Minister emphasized that solar energy faces challenges like intermittency and land constraints, but investments in R&D aim to build capabilities for future cost-competitiveness and potential expertise export.
The government is exploring collaborations with the private sector to develop and possibly export solar energy expertise, though large-scale domestic use remains limited.

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15 Nov 2012

Solar-Powered Lightings at HDB Blocks

About 100 HDB blocks across 15 locations have solar PV systems, primarily to power common-area lighting, water pumps, and lifts, with 40 blocks in Punggol under a solar leasing model where Town Councils save up to 5% on electricity bills.
The solar leasing model, partly government-funded and mostly financed by contractors who recoup costs by selling solar power to Town Councils, has a payback period of 19 years; monthly savings per block range from $500 to $800.
Savings currently benefit Town Councils by mitigating operating costs, which may delay tariff adjustments for residents, but direct rebates to Service and Conservancy Charges are not yet realized as the program remains in a pilot phase.
The government aims to scale up the program if solar PV cell costs continue to fall, though current economics require subsidies and global benchmarks suggest widespread adoption is still limited.

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14 Nov 2012

Test-Bedding of Solar Photovoltaic Installations

The government has supported solar PV test-bedding through HDB’s Solar Capability Building Scheme and EDB’s CERT Programme, with installations at HDB blocks, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and other public sites, yielding data on feasibility and best practices in Singapore’s climate.
HDB’s solar PV systems generate about 3,200–4,000 kWh monthly per block for common services, reducing grid dependency, while the government remains open to various energy options based on economic viability.
The government will continue facilitating solar PV adoption and may expand installations on public buildings where cost-effective, but scaling beyond current targets depends on feasibility studies and economic sense.
The private sector is expected to evaluate solar PV’s cost-effectiveness, supported by government infrastructure and regulatory reviews to encourage wider adoption.

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14 Nov 2012

Mountain Bikes on Bukit Timah Nature Trails

Faizah Jamal inquired about NParks' enforcement measures for night mountain bikers on Bukit Timah Trails to prevent disturbance to residents and wildlife, and whether stricter measures are needed given the sport's popularity.
Khaw Boon Wan clarified that mountain biking is only allowed on one designated trail around the nature reserve's perimeter, with other trails reserved for walking, and NParks uses "No Cycling" signs and summons for enforcement.
NParks educates cyclists on responsible behavior, including proper night lighting use to avoid disturbing residents and the nature reserve, and currently sees no need for stricter night cycling measures.
The debate highlights concerns about balancing recreational use with environmental protection and resident peace in a gazetted nature reserve.
Both speakers address the growing popularity of mountain biking while emphasizing existing regulatory and educational frameworks.

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12 Nov 2012

Efforts to Encourage Responsible Land Clearing Practices in Neighbouring Countries

Yee Jenn Jong asked the Ministry about ASEAN's plans to pressure plantation owners for responsible land clearing and whether Singapore would amend its laws to prosecute Singapore-linked companies for illegal burning abroad.
ASEAN countries, except Indonesia, have ratified the haze pollution agreement, and a Ministerial Steering Committee has been meeting since 2006 to coordinate mitigation efforts, including exploring digital maps and satellite technology to monitor hotspots.
The Ministry stated that while Singapore cannot directly prosecute companies for extra-territorial actions, it supports host-country investigations and emphasizes market forces like consumer demand for sustainable products to drive corporate accountability.

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12 Nov 2012

Recycling and Energy Efficiency Efforts in Singapore

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene questioned the participation rate in recycling and energy efficiency efforts and asked for plans to encourage sustainable waste management and carbon reduction.
Minister Vivian Balakrishnan highlighted improvements, such as the recycling rate rising from 45% in 2002 to 59% in 2011 and household participation increasing from 33% to 68%, with infrastructure expansions and incentive schemes like GRIN and Cash-for-Trash.
The government aims for a 70% recycling rate by 2030 through initiatives like the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, Clean and Green Singapore, and Recycling Week, while promoting energy-efficient appliances via MELS and EENP programs.
Upcoming measures include the Energy Conservation Act requiring large energy users to report usage and implement management practices, and higher Minimum Energy Performance Standards for appliances in 2013.
Efforts also involve co-funding for companies, school programs, and reviews of labelling schemes to drive behavioural changes and reduce carbon emissions.

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12 Nov 2012

Heritage Roads in Singapore

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked how many heritage roads exist in Singapore, what criteria determine their selection, and whether specific maintenance guidelines are in place.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed there are five gazetted heritage roads under the Parks and Trees Act, selected for their lush, mature roadside trees and vegetation, with protection for green buffers up to 10 metres on both sides.
Maintenance for these roads includes regular tree pruning, annual inspections, and ad-hoc checks after storms to ensure public safety and long-term sustainability.

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12 Nov 2012

Monitoring Littering Cases

Mr Zainal Sapari proposed that the Ministry share the monthly number of litterbugs caught in each constituency with grassroots advisors, similar to dengue case updates, for better environmental monitoring.
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Vivian Balakrishnan, agreed to the proposal, confirming the Ministry will proceed with sharing such data.

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15 Oct 2012

Dialogue with Residents over Preservation of Pasir Ris Greenbelt

Ms Faizah Jamal asked the Minister for National Development for an update on the dialogue between URA and residents regarding the preservation of the Pasir Ris greenbelt.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan stated that the land has been zoned for residential use since 1998, is currently a secondary forest with limited biodiversity, and that URA has development plans for the area while reviewing a petition from residents.
The Minister emphasized the need to balance conservation and development in land-scarce Singapore, noting that 10% of land is set aside for parks and nature reserves, but not every green area can be preserved.

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15 Oct 2012

Underground Piping of Natural Gas

Gan Thiam Poh asked if the government plans for island-wide underground natural gas piping as a green and cheaper energy source.
S Iswaran explained that natural gas is already widely used via two underground pipeline networks and a town gas network serving power companies, industries, and households.
The government is expanding the pipeline network to meet growing demand, with progressive expansion to the eastern part of Singapore.

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15 Oct 2012

High-rise Littering Hot Spots

NEA has installed surveillance cameras at 70 locations in 17 HDB estates to monitor high-rise littering, resulting in two offenders being identified and action taken.
The cameras are focused only on external facades, residents are notified in advance, and strict protocols limit access to recordings to authorized personnel to protect privacy.
NEA plans to continue using surveillance as a last resort while promoting education and community outreach to encourage responsible behavior and social graciousness.

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15 Oct 2012

Standard of Cleanliness in Singapore

Vivian Balakrishnan emphasized that maintaining Singapore's cleanliness is a competitive advantage and a reflection of civic values, calling for a renewed collective effort from all segments of society to prevent, detect, and deter littering.
He highlighted the need to instill good habits from a young age and for MPs to lead by example, suggesting community-driven initiatives like "Know Cleaners Day" to foster appreciation for cleaners and create peer pressure against littering.
The minister pointed out that a litter-free environment starts with cleanliness, which is why the Department of Public Cleanliness was established to integrate public area cleaning and use technology for better feedback and response.
He stressed that enforcement and penalties need review, possibly including deputizing NGOs and grassroots groups as enforcement officers and increasing fines to address recalcitrant litterbugs.
The overarching goal is to reaffirm Singapore's vision of being a clean and green city through a zero-tolerance policy on litter, requiring ongoing support from all Singaporeans.

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15 Oct 2012

Standard of Cleanliness in Singapore

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah highlighted that despite Singapore's long-standing reputation as a clean garden city, littering has become more widespread due to population growth, complacency, and a reliance on cleaners, with problems visible at bus stops, hawker centres, and housing estates.
She argued that increasing fines or hiring more cleaners is not a sustainable solution; instead, the focus must be on changing mindsets and habits through education, community involvement, and stronger social norms to instill a sense of ownership and responsibility.
The speech proposed practical measures such as using technology and public shaming to deter litterbugs, drawing inspiration from South Korea's citizen reward system and Japan's social pressure, while also advocating for education from a young age in schools and at home.
It called for a collective effort from all segments of society, including businesses and individuals, to uphold cleanliness, emphasizing that social responsibility must be obligatory and not left solely to authorities or cleaners.

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15 Oct 2012

Update on Singapore's Nuclear Energy Pre-feasibility Study

The pre-feasibility study on nuclear energy, initiated in 2010, has concluded that current nuclear technologies are not yet suitable for Singapore due to safety concerns in a dense urban environment, and deployment would only be reconsidered if future technologies become safer.
Singapore will continue to monitor global and regional nuclear developments, enhance its nuclear science and safety capabilities, and support research and training in relevant fields.
The government will maintain active participation in international cooperation platforms, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, to contribute to nuclear safety efforts and ensure preparedness for potential regional incidents.

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15 Oct 2012

Efforts to Resolve Transboundary Haze Problem

Singapore has led regional efforts through the Ministerial Steering Committee, establishing the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre and Regional Haze Training Network to improve monitoring, training, and information sharing, though haze levels have recently spiked again.
The Minister highlighted that haze is driven by cheap land-clearing methods on peatlands, and effective solutions require economic pressure, transparency via satellite data and concession maps, and action from consumer groups and NGOs.
Legal prosecution of errant companies is challenging due to jurisdictional limits, complex corporate structures, and the need for direct evidence, so the focus is on commercial pressure and promoting sustainable practices among companies.

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11 Sep 2012

Use of Land along Former Railway Route

The Ministry will integrate the Rail Corridor into Singapore’s broader green network, connecting it to park connectors and the Round Island Route to enhance recreational spaces.
Development along the corridor will balance future housing and industrial needs with the preservation of greenery and historical sites like the Bukit Timah station and Tanjong Pagar monument.
The corridor will be promoted as a heritage trail linking World War II sites, encouraging public exploration and appreciation of Singapore’s history.
Community involvement is encouraged through outreach activities under the Rail Corridor Partnership to shape its future use.

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10 Sep 2012

Tracking and Reporting the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI)

The National Environment Agency monitors air quality with 11 mainland stations and two roadside stations, mostly at ground level except one rooftop station, following international guidelines.
Air quality readings for PSI and PM2.5 are reported three times daily at 8 am, 12 noon, and 4 pm, with hourly updates during haze events; enhancements to frequency and modelling are planned over three years.
The executive summary of the Advisory Committee on Ambient Air Quality recommendations is publicly available on the NEA website.

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10 Sep 2012

Complaints on Bird Nuisance

AVA now coordinates all agencies on bird nuisance complaints, and the public can report issues by calling a single hotline (1800-476-600).
After receiving a report, AVA conducts surveillance, collaborates with relevant bodies like NParks, Town Councils, and NEA to implement solutions such as tree pruning or reducing food access, and may resort to culling if necessary.
The problem is perennial due to the high population of birds like mynahs, pigeons, and crows, requiring cooperation across sectors to maintain cleanliness and manage roosting sites.
AVA is conducting a study on mynah populations and roost distribution to develop a more comprehensive long-term plan.
The public can expect future initiatives based on the study's findings, though no specific rollout timeline was provided.

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10 Sep 2012

Enforcing Legislation to Reduce Air Pollution from Idling Cars

Existing regulations prohibit vehicle idling when stationary, with fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenders, and the National Environment Agency issues advisories and composition fines to promote compliance.
Educational efforts are underway with fleet operators and associations to encourage drivers to switch off engines, supported by over 5,800 advisories issued in the last three years.
Public feedback on idling vehicles is increasing, and authorities urge citizens to report violations via hotlines or apps to aid enforcement and awareness.

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