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

Lessons from Singapore on overcoming water challenges

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong engaged in a lively dialogue session with the participants at the inaugural Water Conversation at the Singapore International Water Week 2011. The session was moderated by Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In response to questions on advice or lessons for overcoming water challenges, Mr Lee shared that there is no magic solution, but governments have to treat water as a strategic necessity and take a long view. For Singapore, the most important step was to treat water as a strategic priority, build up self sufficiency, and spare no efforts to achieve it. Read more

Stakeholders in the global water community gather in Singapore this week to address sustainable water solutions

The annual gathering of key stakeholders in the global water community this week opens today with the fourth Singapore International Water Week (SIWW). This year’s SIWW 2011 theme is “Sustainable Water Solutions for a Changing Urban Environment”, which addresses the latest and urgent water issues in a rapidly changing world, and also reflects a broader focus on other issues that affect the urban environment, such as climate change and the management of watersheds and river basins.

Over this week, SIWW 2011 delegates would be able to network, address challenges, showcase technologies, and explore water solutions and opportunities through 5 key programmes.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is one of the highlights of SIWW that recognises outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems. This year’s award is presented to Dr James L. Barnard by Singapore’s former Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, at a ceremony and banquet. Dr Barnard is awarded the prize for his groundbreaking invention of the Biological Nutrient Removal technology, an environmentally sustainable, biological method to treat used water. He will also deliver the Water Lecture, on the topic of restoring Nature’s water, food and nutrient cycles. Read more

Linking Water, Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Siemens R&D Projects Hit Key Milestones [Press Releases]

Water treatment and transportation is a high consumer of energy and produces a significant amount of CO2. Advanced treatment technologies therefore have to link water, energy and environmental sustainability through innovation. In its global R&D center based in Singapore, Siemens Water Technologies is striving to increase process and energy efficiency by both developing new, and constantly improving existing technologies. Some of these projects have reached important milestones. At Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), the company will give an update on key projects like the energy selfsufficient biological wastewater treatment process, electrochemical desalination, a micro media column for contaminant removal and the membrane bioreactor (MBR) Changi pilot plant. Read more

Hitachi Demonstrates Advanced Water Technologies and Solutions at Singapore International Water Week 2011 [Press Releases]

Singapore, July 04, 2011 – Hitachi Asia Ltd. today announced that Hitachi Group will demonstrate its strong commitment to achieve a sustainable society through their participation at the Singapore International Water Week 2011. The event will be held from 4–8 July 2011 at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Now in its fourth year, the Singapore International Water Week is a key water event and serves as the global platform for water solutions. Themed “Sustainable Water Solutions for a Changing Urban Environment”, this year’s event aims to bring together industry’s stakeholders to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world. 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