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

6 Steps to Minimise Waste and Start a Recycling Programme in Your Company

Is your company interested to reduce waste and implement a recycling programme? Are you looking for tips to start recycling in your company? This article will show you 6 steps to minimise waste and start recycling at your workplace.

First, you would need to form a team and get commitment from your top management and colleagues. Conduct a waste audit and find ways to minimise waste through reduce and reuse. Next, start a recycling programme and educate your staff on how to recycle. Finally, remember to gather feedback, review and improve your recycling programme. Read more

The Green Business Times Guide to Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

[Read the updated 2012 guide]

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 clean and green city, the government has initiated several funding and incentive schemes related to energy efficiency, clean energy, green buildings, water and environmental technologies, green transport, waste minimisation, environmental management system, environmental initiatives, clean development mechanism, and green IT.

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

• Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
• Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
• Land Transport Authority (LTA)
• Energy Market Authority (EMA)
• 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 33 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 (One-Year ADAS)
4. Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)
5. SCEM Training Grant
6. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
7. Energy Research Development Fund (ERDF)
8. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
9. Market Development Fund
10. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)
11. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for New Buildings (GMIS-NB)
12. Green Mark Incentive Scheme – Design Prototype (GMIS-DP)
13. Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA)
14. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment
15. A*STAR-MND Joint Grant Call
16. Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs
17. Gross Floor Area Incentives for Outdoor Refreshment Area on Rooftops
18. Water Efficiency Fund (WEF)
19. Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)
20. Technology Pioneer (TechPioneer) Scheme
21. Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS)
22. Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme (EnviroTech CDP)
23. Innovation Voucher Scheme
24. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund
25. Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)
26. Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR)
27. Transport Technology Innovation and Development Scheme (TIDES+)
28. 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Fund
29. Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP)
30. Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS)
31. 3P Partnership Fund
32. Clean Development Mechanism Documentation Grant
33. Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD)

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

Reduce the Impact of Your Organisation’s Waste, Water and Transport Management

Besides considering the direct energy usage by your business, you should also look at waste, water and transport management as these activities also contribute to carbon emissions. Find out how your business manages waste, water and transport in your daily operations, and take steps to reduce the impact of these activities.

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Waste Management

Waste minimisation helps to conserve resources and reduce energy usage in the production, transportation, usage and disposal process. Visit the Zero Waste Singapore website to learn more about how you can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Here are some tips:

• Design and Make Sustainable Products
• Eliminate the Excessive Use of Paper
• Conduct a Waste Audit
• Start Recycling at Work

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has published a Guidebook on Waste Minimisation for Industries to help companies reduce their waste and practise recycling. The guidebook contains information on how to conduct a waste audit, and also how to introduce a waste minimisation programme through tips and case studies.

Your organisation can also make use of the new 3R Fund by NEA to implement waste minimisation and recycling projects.

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Water Management

Energy is required for potable water and wastewater treatment and transport, so reducing the amount of water consumed and discharged will help to lower the energy needed.

Visit the following websites for tips to help your organisation conserve water and save money:

• Water Efficient Buildings programme by PUB
• The 10% Challenge by PUB
• Water Efficiency, Green Building Design Guide by BCA

Your organisation can also make use of the Water Efficiency Fund by PUB to explore efficient ways to manage your water consumption.

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Transport Management

The organisation’s transport vehicles and the mode of commuting by employees contribute to carbon emissions. Here are some tips to help your organisation reduce transport emissions:

• Encourage or incentivise your employees to take public transport or carpool to work
• Arrange for company transport to ferry employees
• Use more videoconferencing to replace the need for business trips overseas
• Educate company drivers on good driving habits and maintenance of their vehicles
• Plan your transport needs to consolidate delivery orders and reduce delivery frequency
• Plan your driving journey to reduce driving time and distance
• Use more fuel efficient vehicles and green vehicles such as CNG vehicles, or use cleaner fuel such as biodiesel

Some Banks Just Don’t Get It

It is amazing how some banks waste resources in their marketing campaigns. One example is when banks send pre-approved credit cards to their customers, even though their customers never ask for those cards.

The photo above shows all the material inside a single envelope by DBS, including the letter, pre-approved credit card, brochures, card agreement, and discount vouchers. Customers who are not interested in the credit cards offered by the banks simply throw them away, hopefully into recycling bags or bins.

Imagine the envelopes, letters, brochures and credit cards that go to waste, just because the banks simply chose to throw them at their customers without asking them if they want the credit cards in the first place. These banks are not only wasting resources and money but also ending up irritating their customers.

Are you one of those banks? It’s time to rethink and do things differently (hint: read Seth Godin’s books for help).