Future Perfect

ustainability

olicies

, P

rogrammes

and

their

conomic

mpact

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research, develop and test ideas on environmental

sustainability in a high-density urban setting.

Singapore will build new environmental and

technological capabilities so that it can be a global

centre for knowledge and ideas on sustainable

development in a high-density urban setting.

• In line with this, we will invest in research and

development and facilitate the international

sharing of knowledge. Together with the private

and academic sectors, the Government will test-

bed new technologies in areas such as land-use

planning, water technologies, vertical greenery,

solar adoption and green building and adapt

them to our local needs. We will encourage

more research in our local universities and test

new technologies in key public projects such as

Marina Bay, Punggol new town and Jalan Bahar

CleanTech Park.

• The Centre for Liveable Cities has been established

to promote the sharing of best practice between

Singapore and other cities. Singapore regularly hosts

events such as the Singapore International Water

Week and the World Cities Summit to promote

sustainable development.

Fostering community action

• To build a sustainable economy and environment,

community support is vital. Community, business

leaders, and non-government organizations (NGOs)

have a role to play in promoting an environmentally

responsible lifestyle. Schools will have to inculcate

this consciousness in our young, and communities

will have to care for our environment on an ongoing

basis. We will facilitate this by:

• Promoting community efforts – community groups

and NGOs are key to engaging and educating the

public on eco-friendly lifestyles. Organizations

within the people sector can also form partnerships

with environmental groups, grassroots organizations

and educational institutions to promote environ-

mental awareness and action

• Promoting industrial efficiency – businesses can

promote resource efficiency as part of their productiv-

ity efforts, and adopt new processes and systems to

reduce the environmental impact of their operations

• Setting the pace – the public sector will act as an

enabler and pace-setter. It will take the lead to make

Government agencies and public buildings more

resource efficient.

By working together, we can keep Singapore econom-

ically and environmentally sustainable well into the

future. We can overcome our natural constraints and

geographical confines, and cooperate with other coun-

tries on global environmental problems, particularly

the increasing pressures that development is placing

on our planet. By doing so, we can build a Singapore

that we and future generations will cherish and be

proud to call home.

Labelling Scheme for water fittings. Where feasible, industries

will be encouraged to implement water recycling and replace

potable water with NEWater or seawater, and co-funding is

available to help companies redesign processes and reduce waste

in their production.

• In addition to reclaiming more land and building more inten-

sively, Singapore will develop an underground land-use master

plan that identifies potential uses for this space. In addition,

Marina Bay and Jurong Lake District will be developed into a

new generation of sustainable high-density districts.

Enhancing the urban environment

• Singapore’s clean and green environment has improved the

quality of life for its population and made Singapore more

attractive to investors and visitors. We now aim to:

• Reduce the level of fine particulate matter (particulate matter

2.5) to an annual mean of 12 ug/m3 by 2020, and cap sulphur

dioxide (SO2) at an annual mean of 15 ug/m

• Provide 0.8 hectares of green space per 1,000 people and

increase greenery in high-rise buildings to 50 hectares by 2030

• open up 900 hectares of reservoirs and 100 kilometres of

waterways for recreational activities by 2030

• improve walkways and cycling infrastructure for pedestrians and

cyclists.

• In order to improve air quality, we will regularly review air

emission standards for industry and transport and benchmark

ourselves against top cities in Asia, without imposing

prohibitive costs on industry. We will test new technologies

such as diesel hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and diesel

particle filters, and promote the use of more efficient pollution

control equipment for industries as well as more efficient

sulphur recovery systems for refineries. In the longer term, the

Government will consider financial measures to better reflect

the costs of pollution.

• We will also continue with efforts to keep our streams, canals

and reservoirs clean. We will undertake more regular and

efficient cleaning of public areas while enhancing public

education and stepping up enforcement against littering.

• Improvements to our public transport system will continue, and

the Land Transport Authority will make it easier for people to

walk or cycle to key transport hubs or to get around towns. By

2020, we aim for 70 per cent of journeys during the morning

peak hours to be made by public transport.

• New parks, park connectors and leisure options will enhance

our greenery. The Government will work with various agencies

to research cost-effective ways of introducing more greenery in

high-rise areas, and give incentives to the private sector to do

the same. The PUB will expand its Active, Beautiful and Clean

Waters programme to transform Singapore’s reservoirs, canals

and drains into beautiful lakes, rivers and streams that can

support more water-based activities. The National Parks Board

will also implement a green National Biodiversity Strategy

and Action Plan to document and conserve Singapore’s

biodiversity.

Building capabilities

• Having achieved both economic growth and environmental

sustainability, Singapore is well placed to serve as a living

laboratory for companies and research organizations to