MSE announces various sustainability initiatives relating to zero-waste, food and climate resilience

30 March 2023

At the Committee of Supply 2023 (“COS”) debates on 2 March 2023, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (“MSE”) announced various developments in relation to the following areas:

  • Transition to a climate-friendly nation
  • Singapore’s vision for a zero-waste nation
  • Food and climate resilience
  • Upholding public health defences and partnering the community on sustainability initiatives

Some of the key initiatives are set out below.

Transition to a climate-friendly nation

The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu spoke on fostering a liveable and more sustainable nation and outlined several developments, including highlighting that the public sector and PUB have both committed to achieving net zero emissions around 2045, ahead of schedule.

Minister Fu also noted that from the 2023 financial year, the Government will publish an annual GreenGov.SG report that will set out the Government’s efforts, progress, and plans in relation to Singapore’s transition to a climate-friendly nation.

Carbon tax will be raised progressively over the next few years to further incentivise carbon and energy efficiency. The Government will allow companies to use high-quality international carbon credits to offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions.

Towards a zero-waste nation

At the COS, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Amy Khor noted developments and initiatives in relation to zero waste goals, including the introduction of a disposable carrier bag charge. From 3 July 2023, supermarket operators with a company-level annual turnover of more than S$100 million will be required to charge at least five cents per disposable carrier bag at their Singapore Food Agency-licensed supermarket outlets. Dr Khor also discussed other initiatives including the beverage container return scheme and encouraging household recycling.

Food and climate resilience

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Koh Poh Koon spoke on food and climate resilience including enhancing coastal and flood protection and outlined several developments, including an increase in Singapore’s food supply sources, the push to grow more locally, stewarding a more productive and sustainable aquaculture sector, and enhancing flood resilience through drainage improvement works.

Upholding public defences and partnering the community

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Baey Yam Keng spoke on upholding Singapore’s public health defences and partnering the community in sustainability initiatives. In addition to the National Environment Agency’s holistic approach to dengue control, he spoke on the launch of the Green Action for Communities movement and the SG Eco Fund.

Reference materials

The following materials are available on the MSE website www.mse.gov.sg: