Sustainability Seminar – How Companies Can Gain From Sustainable Development

August 21, 2009
1:30 pm	to	6:00 pm

Venue: Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Seminar Room 2, 21 level Keppel Towers, 10 Hoe Chiang Road, Singapore 089315

SBF is organising a seminar on how companies can gain from sustainable development. There will be a launch of the EcoWorld 2010 and Outstanding Sustainability Award, and also a showcase of sustainable development solutions by companies. Read more

3 Responses to the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint

The Sustainable Singapore blueprint report, “A Lively and Liveable Singapore: Strategies for Sustainable Growth”, was published last week by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD). The strategies in the report were based on the rationale of “The Singapore Way”, which is described as follows:

For Singapore, sustainable development means achieving both a more dynamic economy and a better quality living environment, for Singaporeans now and in the future.

We need the economy to grow. This creates jobs, raises our standard of living, and yields the resources that we need to safeguard our environment. But we must grow in a sustainable way, or else a high GDP per capita will be achieved at the expense of our overall quality of life, and cannot be maintained over the longer term. Protecting our environment safeguards a high standard of public health for our people, and makes our city attractive to Singaporeans and foreigners alike.

We think there are probably three different responses to the Sustainable Singapore blueprint report.

Well Done and Pragmatic

One response from the group of people who accept and agree to “The Singapore Way” is that the IMCSD has done a commendable job in coming up with the recommendations and strategies for making Singapore a lively and liveable global city in 2030. Among many other strategies in the blueprint, Singapore would:

• Reduce our energy intensity (per dollar GDP) by 35% from 2005 levels by 2030
• Improve our recycling rate from 56% in 2008 to 70% in 2030
• Reduce total domestic water consumption from 156 litres per capita per day in 2008 to 140 litres per capita per day by 2030
• Target 80% of our existing building stock (by GFA) to achieve at least Green Mark Certified rating (minimum level of energy efficiency) by 2030
• Reduce energy consumption in the common areas of new estates and mature estates by 20% and 30% respectively
• Implement a large-scale solar test-bed for public housing spanning 30 precincts islandwide
• Achieve a modal share of 70% of journeys made during morning peak hours via public transport by 2020
• Provide 0.8ha of park land per 1,000 persons by 2030
• Implement a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to research, document and conserve biodiversity in Singapore
• Develop a City Biodiversity Index with international partners to promote biodiversity conservation efforts among cities globally

They applaud the comprehensive policies and bold targets to reduce energy and water consumption, reduce waste generation, increase green spaces and biodiversity, reduce business costs and increase R&D.

Although there is no mention of carbon reduction targets, it is understandable to them as according to “The Singapore Way”, the government will not increase business or household costs, and jeopardise our economic competitiveness. Singapore will be pragmatic.

It’s the Environment, Stupid

The second response is from a group of people who do not really agree with “The Singapore Way” because it seems that economic growth is taken as the central goal with the environment playing a supporting role. This is what they believe:

We see [today] a society and a Government whose primary objective is still the achievement of economic growth as conventionally understood and measured, with as much social justice and environmental protection as can be reconciled with that central goal. We envisage a society whose primary goal should be the wellbeing of society itself and of the planetary resources and environment that sustains us all, with economic objectives shaped to support that central goal rather than the other way around. – Blueprint for a Green Economy, Quality of Life Policy Group

They want to see policies that benefit the environment and society in the long run, even if some costs are incurred in the short-term. They hope to see a focus in the qualitative and not quantitative improvement of lives. They are not saying that we should return to caves and stop the economy, they are just trying to bring a greater focus back to the environment, which is actually sustaining the economy rather than the other way round.

No Comments

The third response is a non-response from the group of people who are not interested in a sustainable Singapore, or the group that are more concerned about other issues like Aware, swine flu and the rojak food poisoning, or the group of people who don’t care what the government has to say on anything.

What’s your response to the Sustainable Singapore blueprint that will guide us till 2030?

Image credit: Wordle.

Inter-Ministerial Committee for Sustainable Development Unveils Sustainable Singapore Blueprint

The Inter-Ministerial Committee for Sustainable Development (IMCSD) has just unveiled the blueprint for Sustainable Singapore, which outlines Singapore’s key goals and initiatives for sustainable development in the next 10 to 20 years to 2030. It involves a four-pronged strategy:

1. Boosting Our Resource Efficiency

• We will improve the way we use key resources such as energy and water, even as we seek to expand our use of renewable resources, so that we can achieve growth with fewer resources and make Singapore more competitive in the long run.
• We aim to achieve a 35% improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 levels by 2030.
• We will make optimum use of land.
• We aim to attain a recycling rate of 70% by 2030.
• We will ensure adequate supplies of water for future generations, and we aim to reduce domestic water consumption to 140L per person per day by 2030.

2. Enhancing Our Urban Environment

• Our aim is to become a top city in Asia in terms of quality of life. Singapore will develop as a sustainable, high-density city that is clean and green, with excellent connectivity and a sense of space.
• We aim to reduce the level of fine particles in the air (PM 2.5) to 12µg/m3 and cap Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) levels at 15µg/m3 by 2020, and maintain the same levels up to 2030.
• We aim to have 0.8ha of green space for every 1000 persons and increase greenery in high-rise buildings to 50ha by 2030.
• We aim to open up 900 ha of reservoirs and 100km of waterways for recreational activities by 2030.
• We aim to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and have 70% of all journeys made via public transport.

3. Building Our Capabilities

• We will invest in building new capabilities and testing new technologies to help us overcome our resource limitations, improve environmental performance and spur economic growth.
• As we build up our knowledge in how to grow in a more environmentally-friendly way, Singapore can work with others to promote and build sustainable cities around the world.

4. Fostering Community Action

• We will encourage community ownership and participation in building a clean, green and resource-efficient Singapore.
• Our goal is to make environmental responsibility part of our people and business culture, in the way we live, work, play and commute.

Visit the Sustainable Singapore website for more details or download the full report. We will share our thoughts on the report in a later post.

Source: Sustainable Singapore.

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

Singapore Budget 2009: Green Issues

Singapore’s Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, delivered the Budget Speech for the Financial Year 2009 in Parliament this afternoon. A Resilience Package of $20.5 billion was announced and aims to:

save jobs to the maximum extent possible in the recession, and to help viable companies stay afloat. It also prepares Singapore to emerge with strength when the global economy recovers, and enhances our capabilities and competitiveness for the long term.

The Resilience Package involves 5 components:

1. Jobs for Singaporeans
2. Stimulating bank lending
3. Enhancing business cash-flow and competitiveness
4. Supporting families
5. Building a home for the future

Read the full Budget Speech here.

Green Issues

There’s two parts of the speech related to green issues. The first part (in E.21. and Annex C-1) is related to the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) Scheme and CNG duty levy:

The GVR scheme will be extended for another two years till 31 December 2011.

This is to continue to encourage the adoption of green vehicles.

The GVR scheme will be extended till 31 December 2011 as follows:

(a) For hybrid, electric and CNG passenger vehicles: 40% of the Open Market Value (OMV) of the vehicle at registration

(b) For hybrid, electric and CNG buses and commercial vehicles: 5% of OMV at registration

The special tax exemption for CNG vehicles will be extended for another two years till 31 December 2011. With effect from January 2012, a CNG unit duty will be introduced at $0.20 per kg and the special tax on CNG cars, which had never been imposed, will be removed permanently. CNG cars will also not be included in the Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) scheme with effect from 2012.

As CNG is substitutable for petrol, it should be subject to a fuel duty, like petrol. The current situation where CNG cars are granted special tax exemption and the CNG fuel is not subject to tax is meant to be a temporary concession. The CNG unit duty will only be introduced in 2012 to allow CNG car owners time to adjust to the changes.

CNG cars will be removed from the GVR scheme as they are not significantly cleaner than petrol cars except for a lower CO2 emission.

The CNG duty will be phased in at $0.20 per kg. The CNG duty of $0.20 per kg remains significantly below the $0.41 per litre we currently levy on petrol. The Government will study the appropriate long-term CNG duty rate, which should be benchmarked against the prevailing petrol duty rate, taking into account the relative impact that these two fuels have
on the environment.

Industrial usage of CNG (e.g. power generation) would be granted duty exemption. Details of the implementation of CNG duty will be announced nearer to 2012.

We welcome the 2-year extension of the GVR and the special tax exemption for CNG vehicles. But we are perplexed about the CNG duty levy to be introduced from Jan 2012 and the reasons given – CNG cars are not significantly cleaner than petrol cars except for a lower CO2 emission; CNG should be subject to a fuel duty, like petrol, as it is substitutable for petrol.

We are not sure how the CNG vehicle owners, fleet operators, and CNG refilling station owners would respond to this news. Would this levy discourage petrol or diesel car owners from switching to CNG?

The second part is related to sustainable development:

G.9. The Government has over the last year been developing our sustainable development blueprint for Singapore. MEWR and MND will be discussing our thinking and plans in further detail during the COS.

G.10. Sustainable development is not new to Singapore. We have always had to work within the constraints of being a city state with no natural resources and a high population density. Over the years we have developed expertise in areas such as urban planning, water and waste management and green technologies. Organisations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are now working with us to share our expertise with other countries.

G.11. However we will have to invest more in sustainable development in the coming years to provide Singaporeans with a high quality living environment while our economy continues to grow. To achieve both these objectives, we need to optimise the use of key resources such as land, energy and water.

G.12. There is also an economic imperative for sustainable development. We need to ensure that our use of scarce resources such as water and energy is efficient so that we can reduce costs and our susceptibility to global energy shocks. Investing in energy-efficient technology will reap cost savings for companies and households in the long run.

G.13. However, the upfront investments sometimes deter the private sector from making investments that are cost-saving over the long term. The Government will therefore provide incentives where necessary to encourage companies and individuals to invest in economically viable technologies. The Government itself will spearhead investments in improved energy efficiency for its own buildings.

G.14. In total, we plan to spend $1 billion over the next five years on sustainable development initiatives. The funds will support programmes such as energy efficiency for industry and households, green transport, clean energy and the greening of our living spaces.

G.15. In so doing, we hope to catalyse the growth of a vibrant cluster of firms with expertise and capabilities in these areas, complementing our R&D efforts. Already we have a base of global alternative energy companies like Neste Oil, who are locating their operations in Singapore. New players are also sprouting up. Like JOil, which has developed elite and high yielding Jatropha seedlings using locally developed plant genetics technology. It has secured a multi-million dollar partnership with Tata Chemicals to market the seedlings in India and East Africa as an economical and sustainable starting source for the production of bio-diesel.

We are excited about the $1 billion plan on sustainable development initiatives over the next five years  to support programmes on energy efficiency, green transport, clean energy and greening spaces. We will await more details of the initiatives in the coming Committee of Supply (COS) debate in March.

The above image is a wordle created from the budget text. Can you find the word “sustainable” in the wordle? Hint: it’s not too big (perhaps a reflection of the low priority on sustainability in this financial crisis?)

Image credit: Wordle.

Thoughts on the Dialogue Session on Building a Sustainable Community

During the Sustainable Singapore dialogue forum, the suggestions came fast and furious with more than 20 participants voicing out their concerns and ideas on recycling, energy conservation and efficiency, cycling, CNG vehicles, green corporate culture, using the media to promote environmental awareness, etc. The participation and suggestions was welcoming, although we felt slight disappointment and a sense of something missing in the dialogue.

There were no serious discussions on what it really means to be sustainable. To be sustainable, we need to change the way we generate and use our energy. We need to eliminate waste and create a closed material loop. We need to rethink how we source and grow our food. And we need to consider whether continuous economic growth is possible and desirable in the long run.

There were no inspiring vision and goals, and the desire to take the initiative. We need to be inspired so that we are motivated to take action ourselves and not only rely on the government. We don’t wish to see another feedback exercise where we give ideas to the government and after that, wash our hands and let the government do their job. We need to realise that sometimes we can take the initiative and not have to wait for the government to take action.

Despite the disappointment, there was a few glimpse of hope. One was from Lai Hock of the Ground-Up Initiative, who spoke about rethinking economic growth, being efficient but not effective, and learning to accept inconveniences. The other was from the guy who cycled to the venue using his foldable bicycle, truly walking the talk.

Dialogue Session on Sustainable Singapore: Enhancing our Physical Environment

November 6, 2008
6:45 pm	to	9:00 pm

Venue: MND Auditorium, 5 Maxwell Road, MND Complex, Annexe A

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) is organising two dialogue sessions to discuss the Sustainable Singapore blueprint. The first session on “Building a Sustainable Community” will be chaired by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources on 28 Oct. The second session on “Enhancing our Physical Environment” will be chaired by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development on 6 Nov.

This is a great opportunity to voice out your views on a sustainable Singapore to our ministers. For details and registration, visit the Sustainable Singapore website.

Dialogue Session on Sustainable Singapore: Building a Sustainable Community

October 28, 2008
6:45 pm	to	9:00 pm

Venue: URA Auditorium, The URA Centre, 45 Maxwell Road, 5th storey Podium, Singapore 069118

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) is organising two dialogue sessions to discuss the Sustainable Singapore blueprint. The first session on “Building a Sustainable Community” will be chaired by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources on 28 Oct. The second session on “Enhancing our Physical Environment” will be chaired by Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development on 6 Nov.

This is a great opportunity to voice out your views on a sustainable Singapore to our ministers. For details and registration, visit the Sustainable Singapore website.

20 Suggestions for Sustainable Singapore

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) recently announced Singapore’s vision and initiatives for sustainable development, and is seeking public feedback and suggestions. The IMCSD is studying ways to be more sustainable in the way we Work, Commute, Live and Play. Visit the Sustainable Singapore website to find out more and give your feedback or suggestions.

In response to the call for green ideas, we came up with 20 suggestions that would help Singapore to be more sustainable. The 20 suggestions involve the following categories:

• Reduce Energy and Carbon Emissions
• Redesign, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Waste
• Reduce Water Demand and Pollution
• Sustainable Transportation
• Sustainable Food, Materials and Products
• Protecting Natural Habitats and Biodiversity
• Greener Companies and Businesses

The 20 suggestions are compiled in a report and sent to the IMCSD Secretariat. To read the full report, download it from Green Business Times.

Singapore’s Vision for Sustainable Development by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) will be announcing Singapore’s vision and initiatives for sustainable development at a press conference today. For a sneak preview of what to expect, visit the Sustainable Singapore website. Read more

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