Singapore's remarkable transformation into a modern nation-state was a result of its far-sighted policies, superb administration and collective will. Now, though it continues to face multiple constraints, it is well on its way to meeting its sustainability goals of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Undeterred by constraints such as urban density and scarce natural resources, the Singapore government has introduced several measures to meet its ambitious target of achieving Net Zero emission goals by 2050.
When Singapore became independent on August 9, 1965, it faced many challenges. Some commentators even questioned the city-state’s viability. But Singapore’s economic prosperity since independence, is absolutely a proud and remarkable journey. It is a developed country, ranked 33rd in the world by Per Capita GDP (at nominal prices)1 and fourth by Per Capita GDP at Purchasing Power Parity.2
The nation regularly tops the Ease of Doing Business Ranking3 and is among the best-governed nations in the world.4 It is consistently voted as the best country to live in by expatriates5. It also tops the Henley Passport Index, with its citizens able to visit 192 destinations (out of 227) visa-free.6
Throughout its history, Singapore has overcome multiple challenges through a combination of farsighted government policies, superb administration and the hard work and collective will of its people.
All of these would be required in equal measure over the next two-and-a-half decades as the nation tries to navigate pathways to sustainability and adhere to its pledge of Net Zero emissions by 2050.
In its journey to Net Zero, Singapore faces many constraints, none of which can be easily overcome. As its initial Nationally Determined Contribution submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) noted, “As a low-lying island state of 716 km² with no natural resources, Singapore has to accommodate not only housing and commercial centres, but also power plants, reservoirs, air/seaports and industries within city boundaries. Singapore has one of the highest population densities in the world (7,540 persons per km2). Singapore’s urban density and limited land area, relatively flat land, low wind speeds and lack of geothermal resources present serious difficulties in pursuing alternative energy options such as nuclear, hydroelectric, wind or geothermal power. Harnessing solar energy in a significant way is a challenge due to competing uses for limited land. These serious challenges, which severely limit the use of alternative energy sources, mean that Singapore is dependent on fossil fuels."7
Despite these constraints, the country is doing its best to reduce emissions. It is committed to reducing emissions to around 60 MtCO2e in 2030 after peaking earlier and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.8
The government is exploring various demand and supply-side measures to meet its sustainability goals. To encourage energy efficiency, it was the first nation in Southeast Asia to impose a carbon tax in 2019. This is applied without exemption to direct emissions from facilities producing 25 ktCO2e or more GHG emissions in a year. It covers 80% of Singapore's carbon emissions and provides an economy-wide price signal to incentivise emissions reductions, supports other mitigation measures, and facilitates the transition to a low-carbon economy.9
In February 2021, it launched the Singapore Green Plan 2030 (SGP), which is spearheaded by five ministries – the Ministries of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), Trade and Industry (MTI), Transport (MOT), National Development (MND), and Education (MOE). The SGP also contains several demand-side measures to control emissions. These include:
As is often the case with Singapore, the government is taking the lead by committing the public sector to peak emissions by 2025 and achieve net-zero emissions around 2045, ahead of the national Net Zero target of 2050. It has also decided that all new and existing (after retrofit) government-owned buildings will be made sustainable enough to achieve Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy standards. The government has also decided that all new cars it procures starting this year will be clean energy vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions.11
The Singapore government has also come up with an “80:80:80” Green Building Masterplan, which has set the following target to curb emissions:
Since 2020, all new public buses purchased by Singapore’s MOT are cleaner energy buses. The city-state’s rail network is set to grow to 360 km by the early 2030s. During the same period, MOT has announced plans to ensure that 80% of households are within 10 minutes of walking distance of a train station. It has also announced plans to expand the cycling network to around 1,300 km by 2030.13
Singapore government is also providing a Resource Efficiency Grant for Energy to support manufacturing companies to reduce emissions. Similarly, its Energy Efficiency Fund supports companies to build capabilities and decarbonise early by adopting energy-efficient technologies by funding up to 70% of qualifying costs.14
While these plans are easier to execute since they are within the control of the government, decarbonising Singapore’s energy sector is more challenging because of the limited scope of renewable energy. To study this in 2021, the Singapore government’s Energy Management Authority (EMA) appointed the Energy 2050 Committee consisting of experts from academia, the public and private sector to deliberate on the long-term future of Singapore’s energy sector.
In its report, presented in 2022, Choi Shing Kwok Chairman, of the Committee said, “Our study confirms that the energy transition over the next 30 years will be complex, with uncertainties around the optimal options that will be available to Singapore. Given this, it is not possible to craft a single definitive long-term strategy today. Instead, Singapore will have to stay nimble while adopting a disciplined approach to constantly identify forks in the road and make investments at appropriate junctures to be well-positioned for new pathways as they open up."15
The Energy 2050 Committee came up with nine strategic responses. These include:
Some of these strategies are already being put into action. Singapore is one of the most solar-dense cities in the world. It even has a 60-megawatt-peak inland floating solar photovoltaic system at Tengeh Reservoir. The government’s stated aim is of at least 2 gigawatt-peak of solar energy deployment by 2030. To overcome the challenge of solar intermittency (solar power can’t be generated at night), the country is deploying Energy Storage Systems. In February 2023, it launched a 285 megawatt-hour ESS on Jurong Island, the largest such installation in Southeast Asia and the fastest to be commissioned (in six months) in the world.17
By 2035, Singapore aims to import up to four gigawatts of low-carbon electricity. Two pilot programmes aimed at importing 200 MW of clean energy from Malaysia and Indonesia have already been initiated.18
In October 2022, the government launched Singapore’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims, technological development permitting, to provide about half of the island nation’s power needs by 2050.19
As a part of the strategy, the government launched an Expression of Interest to build, own and operate low or zero-carbon ammonia-based power generation and bunkering solutions in Jurong Island, Singapore.20 To conduct research and development in hydrogen-based low-carbon technologies in October 2021, awarded an SGD 55 million grant. It has set aside another SGD 129 million for Phase 2 of the programme.21
Another plan at carbon mitigation is to make an already green city greener. Under the SGP, the government plans to plant one million trees by 2030 and develop over 1,000 hectares of green spaces by 2035.22 These will act as natural carbon sinks.
As a nation and an economy, Singapore has come a long way since independence. Its transition to Net Zero by 2050, given its constraints will undoubtedly be challenging. However, if its history is any indication, it will not only achieve it but most likely do it before time.
Sources:
1https://www.worlddata.info/asia/singapore/economy.php#:~:text=Worldwide%20gross%20domestic%20product%20in,33%20of%20the%20major%20economies
2https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-per-capita/
3https://www.eiu.com/n/eius-business-environment-rankings/#:~:text=15%20consecutive%20years-,Singapore%20retains%20its%20position%20as%20the%20world's,environment%20for%2015%20consecutive%20years&text=Singapore%20has%20retained%20its%20position,the%20second%20quarter%20of%202023
4https://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/Home/Reports
5https://qz.com/1215945/singapore-is-the-worlds-best-city-to-live-in-according-to-hsbcs-expat-explorer-survey
6https://www.henleyglobal.com/publications/global-mobility-report/2023-q3/index-insights
7https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Singapore/1/Singapore%20INDC.pdf
8https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Singapore%27s%20Update%20of%201st%20NDC.pdf
9ibid
10https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/key-focus-areas/sustainable-living/
11ibid
12ibid
13ibid
14ibid
15https://www.ema.gov.sg/cmsmedia/Publications_and_Statistics/Publications/Energy-2050-Committee-Report.pdf
16ibid
17https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/key-focus-areas/energy-reset/
18https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/electricity-imports-singapore-low-carbon-sources-2035-2266036
19https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2022/10/Singapore-launches-National-Hydrogen-Strategy-to-accelerate-transition-to-net-zero-emissions
20https://www.ema.gov.sg/media_release.aspx?news_sid=20221205rga7tatvsEGo
21https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2022/10/Singapore-launches-National-Hydrogen-Strategy-to-accelerate-transition-to-net-zero-emissions
22https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/targets
Author: Mr. Niranjan Nadkarni, CEO - TÜV SÜD South Asia, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa Region
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