Speech by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources at Committee of Supply Debate 2009

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, gave his speech at the annual Committee of Supply Debate yesterday in Parliament. He covered the following topics:

• Sustainable Development & Resource Efficiency
• Climate Change, Energy Efficiency & Solar Energy
• Managing Water Demand
• Recycling
• Enhancing Capabilities and Building Long-Term Competitiveness
• Air Quality
• Noise
• Dengue & Chikungunya
• Public Cleanliness and Littering
• Hawker Centres
• Cleanliness of Food Outlets, Toilets and Waste Collection
• ABC Waters Programme & Marina Barrage

Summary of Key Issues

Given the global downturn, the ability to grow the economy in a sustainable way has become more, not less, relevant. Continuing to achieve good growth while maintaining a good environment will require first, the prudent use of natural resources, second, building capability in the environmental sector, and third, protecting our environment to ensure environmental standards do not slip, and even improve.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) will release its report in March, including the $1 billion budget for sustainable development.

The preliminary results of the 2-year study by NEA to understand the long-term effects of climate change, indicate that Singapore’s existing infrastructure is sufficient to address the risks in the short to medium term.

The 10% Energy Challenge campaign has helped to reduce the average monthly household electricity consumption from May to August 2008 by 4% compared to the same period in 2007.

Companies are already implementing energy efficiency measures with funding such as the Design for Efficiency scheme to co-fund workshops to design energy efficient facilities, and the Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies to co-fund up to 50% of the cost of energy efficient equipment or technology.

The government is taking the lead on energy efficiency and is on track to meet its goal of conducting energy audits for all government buildings with more than 15,000 square metres of air-conditioned floor area by March 2010.

NEA will implement Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for household air-conditioners and refrigerators by 2011 to remove the least efficient models (1-tick and 2-tick range) from the market.

Solar energy is still more costly than conventional grid electricity generated from fossil fuels, but prices are expected to come down as the technology matures. To build up our capabilities for future adoption when it is cost-effective to do so, we will continue to research and test-bed such new technologies.

The Four National Taps strategy provides Singapore with NEWater and desalinated water options during dry weather, thus improving the drought resilience of the water supply system. But it is still important for Singaporeans to conserve water and use it efficiently.

The domestic water consumption per person per day has decreased from 157 litres in 2007 to 156 litres in 2008.

Taps, urinals and dual-flush low capacity flushing cisterns (LCFCs) installed in new developments and existing premises undergoing renovation from July 2009 must have at least a one-tick water efficiency rating. In addition, all new domestic premises and existing ones undergoing renovation have to use dual-flush LCFCs from July 2009.

PUB is helping needy households with above average water consumption to install water-saving devices so that they can save water and cut costs.

For water efficiency projects under the Water Efficiency Fund, PUB has increased the co-funding for SMEs from 50% to 80% of the cost of qualifying projects. PUB will also help SMEs to defray part of the retrofitting costs involved in switching to NEWater, and help them reduce their water bills by providing free constant flow regulators and spray nozzles.

The participation rate in the National Recycling Programme (NRP) has increased from 15% in 2001 to 63% in 2008.

Since 2007, there are 1,600 centralized recycling bins at HDB estates and one for every five blocks of HDB flats. The average amount of recyclables collected from each set of bins increased from 65 kg per month in 2007 to 103 kg per month for 2008.

NEA targets to achieve full implementation for the mandatory provision of recycling receptacles in condominium and private apartments by the end of 2009.

Singapore’s recycling rate has improved from 40% in 2000 to 56% in 2008 and we are on track to meet the Singapore Green Plan 2012 target of 60%.

NEA will be launching a $8 million 3R Fund to co-fund new waste minimisation and recycling projects. The fund will co-fund up to 80% of qualifying costs and subject to a cap of $1 million per project.

We are aware that some developed countries have used legislation to mandate recycling. In view of the current economic downturn, we are not looking at introducing legislation in the near future as it would likely increase costs for businesses and households. However, in the longer term, we will study the use of legislation to further improve our recycling rate.

The Ministry is developing a plan to turn Semakau landfill into an Eco Park, where companies can conduct field testing of renewable and clean technologies.

Singapore continued to enjoy good air quality in 2008 with the Pollutant Standards Index in the “good” range for 96% of the year. The key pollutant levels were within the standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Authority with the exception of very fine particulate matter or PM2.5.

The Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) Scheme will be extended by another 2 years till 31 December 2011. Through the GVR scheme, the number of green vehicles such as CNG and hybrid vehicles has increased to more than 5,400 as at end 2008. This is about 1% of the total car population.

There are now 3 CNG refuelling stations and this is expected to increase to 5 by the end of this year with the opening of stations at Serangoon North and Toh Tuck.

The number of complaints on construction noise increased from about 9,200 in 2007 to about 14,100 in 2008. This could be due to the rise in construction activities and the higher expectations from the public.

There was a 20% decline in dengue cases from about 8,800 cases in 2007 to about 7,000 in 2008. The first local transmission of chikungunya fever was detected in 2008 and a total of 718 cases were reported.

Littering remains a concern in Singapore as the number of offenders caught increased from about 4,000 in 2005 to 33,000 in 2008.

Under the ABC Waters Programme, 27 projects will be carried out across Singapore by 2012 to transform our drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes integrated into our neighbourhoods.

The Marina Barrage was completed last year and officially opened in October, allowing the collection of rainwater in the Marina Reservoir and serving as a lifestyle, recreational and educational destination.

We have a shared responsibility to ensure sustainable development. Companies can develop and deploy technologies and products that are more environmentally- friendly than today, and incorporate environmental considerations into their operations and procedures. Citizens must embrace a lifestyle that considers the environment and limits resource consumption in their daily lives. Government will promote sustainability by setting an example, demonstrating our commitment, and involving people.

Sustainable development is a long-term process with long-term objectives. It means focusing on the horizon, rather than quick fixes; targeting prevention now, rather than putting right later; caring for the environment as part of our choices today, rather than dealing with the consequences of neglect down the line.

Source: Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

Update on Tuas Power’s clean coal plant (part 2)

The Straits Times did not publish our reply letter so we sent the following email to NEA, EMA and Tuas Power:

I refer to the reply letters, “Clean coal: Assurance by Tuas Power” by Tuas Power and “Plant balances cost and green concerns” by the National Environment Agency and Energy Market Authority. It is reassuring that Tuas Power and the Government are committed to environmental sustainability.

In the reply from NEA and EMA, I find that the comparison of carbon emissions between the new plant and existing oil-fired plants is inappropriate. Singapore generates 80 per cent of its electricity by natural gas-fired plants, which are more efficient and less carbon
intensive than oil-fired plants. Since gas-fired plants are the main type of technology used in Singapore, new plants to be built should be using technologies that produce carbon emissions at a level that is equivalent to or better than the existing gas-fired plants, and not the oil-fired plants.

I would appreciate an answer from NEA, EMA or Tuas Power on the following question: What is the carbon emission per unit of electricity generation for Tuas Power’s new plant, and is it less or more than a gas-fired plant?

If Singapore is committed to do its part in global efforts to tackle climate change, we should be using fuel and technologies that reduce carbon emissions.

Thank you.

This is NEA and EMA’s reply: Read more

Update on Tuas Power’s clean coal plant

Tuas Power, National Environment Agency and Energy Market Authority replied to our letter on the new clean coal plant being one step forward and two steps backward in Singapore’s green efforts. This is our reply to The Straits Times:

I refer to the reply letters, “Clean coal: Assurance by Tuas Power” by Tuas Power and “Plant balances cost and green concerns” by the National Environment Agency and Energy Market Authority. It is reassuring that Tuas Power and the Government are committed to environmental sustainability. However, I find that the comparison of carbon emissions between the new plant and existing oil-fired plants is inappropriate.

Singapore generates 80 per cent of its electricity by natural gas-fired plants, which are more efficient and less carbon intensive than oil-fired plants. Since gas-fired plants are the main type of technology used in Singapore, new plants to be built should be using
technologies that produce carbon emissions at a level that is equivalent to or better than the existing gas-fired plants, and not the oil-fired plants.

Is the carbon emission per unit of electricity generation for Tuas Power’s new plant less or more than a gas-fired plant?

If Singapore is committed to do its part in global efforts to tackle climate change, we should be using fuel and technologies that reduce carbon emissions.

10% Energy Challenge

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is organising the 10% Energy Challenge to encourage households to reduce their electricity usage. In this national campaign, households who reduce their energy consumption by 10% between May and August will stand to win lucky draw prizes. The prizes include a hybrid car, energy efficient refrigerators and air-conditioners, LCD televisions and lighting products. NEA will also send out Energy Efficiency information kits to households, which contains useful tips on saving electricity.

This 10% Energy Challenge will tackle increasing energy consumption by households and help them save money. Households consumed 6,820 GWh of electricity in 2007, which is about 18% out of the total electricity generated (37,420 GWh in 2007) in Singapore. Energy consumption by households have also increased by 78% from 1995 to 2007. This is a result of higher standards of living with increased usage of electrical appliances in homes. NEA’s CEO, Mr Lee Yuen Hee, believes that “the choices Singaporeans make about how they use energy at home will help them manage overall household costs as well as help mitigate climate change.”

Check out more details about the 10% Energy Challenge from the Energy Efficiency website or from NEA’s news releases – NEA to households: cut your energy bills by 10% and NEA to step up efforts to promote Energy Efficiency.

Source: National Environment Agency.

Green Tip #9 – Participate in the National Recycling Programme

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has implemented the National Recycling Programme for several years, where recycling bags or containers are given to residents living in housing estates and landed properties. These recycling bags or containers are given by appointed recycling contractors and are collected fortnightly. You can make use of the recycling programme to recycle items such as paper, plastic and glass bottles, metal cans and old clothing, instead of throwing them away.

In addition, there are recycling bins placed at housing estates (one set of recycling bins placed for every five blocks), and also public recycling bins placed at train stations and high traffic locations. Check out the locations of the nearest recycling bins at the NEA website. The government has also recently announced that it will make it mandatory for condominiums and private apartments to provide recycling facilities in phases.

With all these recycling facilities in place, it’s easy to recycle and there’s no more excuses not to.