Singapore To Adopt Higher Air Quality Targets [Press Releases]

Singapore, 23 August 2012 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be implementing a suite of measures to achieve higher national air quality standards by 2020.

Following the acceptance of the recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Ambient Air Quality (see Annex I for details), the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) will be adopting the World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) for particulate matter 10 (PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and Ozone, and the WHO AQG’s Interim Targets for PM2.5 and Sulphur Dioxide, as Singapore’s air quality targets for 2020. These targets will enable Singapore to achieve a high standard of public health and economic competitiveness. Read more

NEA is first Singapore Public Agency to produce a Sustainability Report under The Global Reporting Initiative [Press Releases]

Singapore, 3 July 2012 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) is the first Singapore public agency to publish a Sustainability Report, written in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines. These guidelines highlight some of the key economic, environmental, social and governance parameters that an organisation espousing sustainability should report on. NEA achieved a “B” GRI checked sustainability report on its first attempt. The Sustainability Report was launched at the CEO Forum on Sustainability at the inaugural CleanEnviro Summit Singapore.

The Sustainability Report highlights NEA’s efforts in inculcating an eco-friendly culture within NEA and encouraging its staff to contribute back to the community. Some of NEA’s initiatives in environmental sustainability include the integration of green features such as solar panels and a rain harvesting system to irrigate the landscaping for NEA’s newest meteorological service facility along Kim Chuan Road; as well as championing the Public Sector Taking the Lead on Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiative to reduce electricity and water consumption. Read more

Second Singapore Packaging Agreement to achieve 315 signatories by 2015 [Press Releases]

Singapore, 3 July 2012 – Following the success of the first Singapore Packaging Agreement (SPA), signatories have expressed keen interest in continuing their participation in the programme. The second SPA commenced on 1 July 2012, and the companies who have signed on voluntarily will work together to achieve a total annual reduction of 6,500 tons of packaging waste by 2015. In 2011, the annual waste reduction was close to 3,000 tons. By the end of the first SPA there were 139 signatories, and this new SPA aims to increase the number of signatories to 315 by 2015. The second SPA was announced at the WasteMet Asia 2012 Networking Dinner, part of the inaugural CleanEnviro Summit Singapore.

The SPA, which was first launched in 2007, provides a platform and structure for industries to reduce packaging waste. It aims to reduce waste from product packaging, and to raise awareness and educate consumers on the benefits of reducing packaging waste. Read more

Singapore’s NEA Collaborates with IBM to improve Environmental Services related to Air, Weather And Public Health [Press Releases]

July 3, 2012, SINGAPORE – The National Environment Agency (NEA) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a joint three-year research collaboration and signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) where IBM researchers will work with NEA to develop advanced modelling and predictive capabilities to address key environmental concerns in Singapore such as air quality, extreme weather events, dengue outbreaks and food poisoning incidents.

The collaboration will enable researchers from NEA and IBM’s mathematical experts harness the wide capabilities of advanced analytics which includes capturing data in real time and turning this unstructured information into intelligence, or even predictive insight that facilitates smarter decisions. By enabling accurate forecasting, proactive measures can be taken to prevent unwanted events instead of simply reacting to events as they occur. For example, the forecasting capability will help NEA to better inform the public in advance of changes in air quality. Read more

16 companies receive 3R Packaging Awards [News]

By Monica Kotwani, Channel NewsAsia, 3 Jul 2012.

Sixteen companies received the 3R Packaging Awards on Tuesday for their efforts in reducing waste from product packaging.

Companies recognised included Tetra Pak Jurong and Nestle Singapore.

They were honoured at the WasteMet Asia 2012 Networking Dinner, which is part of the inaugural CleanEnviro Summit Singapore.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, presented the awards to the recipients. Read more

Expansion plans underway at Semakau Landfill [News]

By Olivia Siong, Channel NewsAsia, 10 Jun 2012.

Work is underway to expand the landfill site on Semakau Island.

Semakau, located among the Southern islands of Singapore, is the world’s first offshore landfill created entirely from sea space.

A 160-hectare lagoon at Semakau Landfill is set for a transformation and will soon become a landfill site as part of Phase Two of the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) plans to expand the landfill area on the island.

Currently, a 190-hectare of sea space is being used in Phase One of operations.

General manager of Semakau Landfill NEA, Ong Chong Peng, said: “We are actually land-filling the sea space, the so-called Phase One sea space. Based on the current usage and based on the projections of the waste growth, sometime by 2015, the Phase One sea space will be used up. So right now we started early last year, we started the planning for Phase Two.” Read more

Enhancements To The Solid Waste Management Industry [Press Releases]

Singapore, 29 May 2012 – As a follow up to the Budget Debate announcements in March, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will roll out its plans to develop a more robust and efficient waste management industry. With the upward trend in waste growth, and as more land and facilities are needed to manage waste, these enhancements are essential to manage waste growth by minimising waste and recovering resources from waste even as recycling rates improve.

The plans for enhancements are intended to help address challenges such as the scarcity of land for waste facilities, the need to reduce waste and promote greater recycling, as well as the need to raise the overall industry standards and productivity. Optimal land use and productive use of land, together with efforts to create a strong and vibrant industry that delivers high service standards, will also ensure sustainability and affordability of waste management services. Read more

Waste collection fees expected to rise [News]

By Joanne Chan, Channel NewsAsia, 29 May 2012.

Households in Singapore can expect to gradually pay more to have their trash collected.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said the move is aimed at uplifting the waste collection industry, which is struggling with rising operating costs while it grapples with improving service standards.

Industry players said these challenges have been made harder by government contracts that have locked in fees for the past seven to eight years, with no provision for adjustments.

With several contracts up for renewal over the next few years, the NEA, which manages the public waste collection scheme, is looking to reshape the industry. Read more

2012 Guide to Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

Singapore is well-known as a clean and green city with the government striving for environmental sustainability while growing the economy. The government has also identified Environmental and Water Technologies (EWT) including Clean Energy as strategic areas where Singapore has a competitive edge and which could generate future economic growth.

To accelerate the growth of the environmental industry and to maintain Singapore’s image as a City in a Garden, the government has initiated several funding and incentive schemes related to energy efficiency, clean energy, green buildings, water and environmental technologies, green transport and shipping, waste minimisation, energy and greenhouse gas management, and environmental initiatives and training.

The funding and incentive schemes are provided by government agencies such as:

• Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
• Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Energy Market Authority (EMA)
• Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
• Land Transport Authority (LTA)
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
• National Environment Agency (NEA)
• National Parks Board (NParks)
• PUB, the national water agency (PUB)
• SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

To help businesses understand what’s available, we have compiled a list of 35 government funding and incentives for the environment:

1. Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)
2. Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)
3. One-Year Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Energy Efficient Equipment and Technology (ADAS)
4. Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)
5. Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) Training Grant
6. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
7. Energy Research Development Fund (ERDF)
8. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
9. Pilot Building Retrofit Energy Efficiency Financing (BREEF) Scheme
10. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)
11. Green Mark Incentive Scheme – Design Prototype (GMIS-DP)
12. Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA)
13. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment
14. A*STAR-MND Joint Grant Call
15. Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme
16. Sustainable Construction Capability Development Fund
17. Water Efficiency Fund (WEF)
18. Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)
19. TechPioneer Scheme
20. Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS)
21. Innovation Voucher Scheme
22. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund
23. One-year Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Highly Efficient Pollution Control Equipment
24. Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)
25. Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR)
26. Transport Technology Innovation and Development Scheme (TIDES+)
27. Green Technology Programme
28. Green Ship Programme
29. Green Port Programme
30. 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Fund
31. Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP)
32. Quality for Enterprises through Standards (QUEST) Programme
33. Clean Development Mechanism Documentation Grant
34. 3P Partnership Fund
35. Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD) Expanded

If we missed out any funding or incentive scheme, do let us know. Thanks! Read more

App Solutions For The Environment [Press Releases]

Singapore, 20 April 2012 – Members of the public will now be able to better monitor their energy consumption and adjust their usage to save energy and money. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has developed two new mobile applications (apps) – “NEA Energy Audit” and “Life Cycle Cost Calculator” – to help the public track energy consumption and calculate the overall energy costs over an appliance’s lifespan. In addition, an Android version of NEA’s popular “myENV” has also been released.

These new apps were launched at today’s Youth for the Environment Day at Dunman High School, graced by Guest of Honour – Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

These efforts aim to use technology to enhance NEA’s public outreach by sharing environmental information on mobile and social media platforms. By leveraging technology to keep the public informed, they can be empowered to practise good environmental habits. For instance, the new energy efficiency apps will help people save on energy consumption and money. Members of the public can also contribute positively to the environment by reducing energy usage, thereby helping to mitigate climate change. Read more

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