SUSS Service-Learning & Community Engagement Sectors: Environment & Sustainability
Overview
Climate change is a global challenge that requires worldwide action and response. As a small low-lying city-state with an open economy, Singapore is vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. Despite our small size, Singaporean’s highly urbanised lifestyle and access to technology puts us on the 27th spot in terms of CO2 emissions per capita, 12 places above China. Addressing the impact of climate change is both an existential and moral imperative for Singapore.
Singapore Green Plan
The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a whole-of-nation movement to advance Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. The plan identifies five pillars to address different areas of need and bring on board various stakeholders to achieve the climate action goals. This Whole-of-Government (WOG) approach adopted by Singapore aims to effectively develop and implement integrated and sustainable policies. Singapore supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global development framework adopted by World Leaders at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015.
The 5 pillars of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 are:
(i) City in Nature;
(ii) Energy Reset;
(iii) Sustainable Living;
(iv) Green Economy; and
(v) Resilient Future.
These map directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
City in Nature
To create a green, liveable and sustainable home for Singaporeans. By adopting a biophilic approach to planting and maintaining our green spaces to build a sustainable and climate resilient Singapore. Key efforts include the One Million Tree movement and expanding the nature park network.
Related SDGS:SDG3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG13 Climate Action, SDG14 Life Below Water, SDG15 Life on Land
Sustainable Living
To make reducing carbon emissions, keeping our environment clean, and saving resources and energy a way of life in Singapore. This pillar focuses on reduction in household water consumption to 130 litres per capita per day and reducing the amount of waste per capita per day by 30%. Other targets include expanding the rail network, increasing mass public transport usage and increasing cycling paths.
Related SDGS:SDG3 Good Health and Well Being, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG13 Climate Action,
Energy Reset
To use cleaner energy and increase energy efficiency to lower Singapore’s carbon footprint. This will be achieved by increasing Singapore’s solar energy deployment to meet 3 per cent of energy demand by 2030. 80 per cent of buildings in Singapore will be green buildings and new car registrations will be of cleaner-energy models and the number of electrical vehicle charging points will double by 2030.
Related SDGS:SDG3 Good Health and Well Being, SDG7 Clean and Affordable Energy, SDG9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG13 Climate Action,
Green Economy
To seek green growth opportunities to create new jobs, transform our industries in the energy, tourism, financial and services sector. Singapore aims harness sustainability as a competitive advantage by grooming local enterprises. It also seeks to be a leading center for green finance services, sustainability solutions and serve as a carbon services hub in Asia.
Related SDGs:SDG8 Decent Work and Economical Growth, SDG9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG13 Climate Action,
Resilient Future
To build up Singapore’s climate resilience and enhance our food security. The development of coastal protection plans for various parts of Singapore. In addition to hard engineering coastal protection, Singapore is also exploring the inclusion of nature-based solutions such as mangrove planting in certain parts of Singapore. Singapore’s food security will be improved through the “30 by 30” goal which aims to meet 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs by 2030. By leveraging heavily on technology, the “30 by 30” goal aims for increased self sufficiency in local eggs, chicken, fish and vegetable production.
Related SDGs:SDG2 Zero Hunger, SDG3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG13 Climate Action
Other Conservation efforts
Besides SGP 2030, Singapore has also other strategies to address other sustainability and conservation issues. The National Action Strategy on Marine Litter was launched by the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment on 5 June 2022. This addresses the growing and critical problem of marine litter both on our shores and the larger marine ecosystem. In 2018, the Singapore Blue Plan is a ground up initiative by the marine community to propose the conservation and protection of marine ecosystems in Singapore. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan aims to create an urban biodiversity conservation model that focuses on environmental sustainability in an urban setting.
References:
- Ang, P. (2022, June 21). Acra, SGX RegCo Set up committee on sustainability reporting for S’pore firms. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/acra-sgx-regco-set-up-committee-on-sustainability-reporting-for-spore-firms
- Ho, P.N. (2022, April 22). How can Singapore bridge the gap between climate change awareness and sustainable actions? Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sustainability/bridge-gap-climate-change-awareness-action-singapore-2589291
- Lim, Y.L. (2022, May 26). Singapore will boost its contributions on the sustainability front: Iswaran. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/singapore-will-boost-its-contributions-on-the-sustainability-front-iswaran
- Singapore Food Agency n.d. 30 by 30, Strengthening our Food Security. Retrieved from: https://www.ourfoodfuture.gov.sg/30by30
- UN Sustainable Development Group. The United Nations in Singapore. https://unsdg.un.org/un-in-action/singapore
- Zulkifli, M. (2019). Towards Singapore’s Sustainability: Key tenets of our approach to sustainable development. The Horizons, 2019(14), 168-174. https://www.cirsd.org/en/horizons/horizons-summer-2019-issue-no-14/towards-singapores-sustainability-key-tenets-of-our-approach-to-sustainable-development
Tags:Environment and Sustainability