- Singapore’s public sector reduced carbon emissions by 0.2% in FY2023.
- The GreenGovSG report now includes waste data for the first time.
- Public sector aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.
Singapore’s government is making strides in sustainability, as revealed in the latest GreenGov.SG report for FY2023.
Key Terms Simplified
- Carbon dioxide equivalent is a way to measure how much a gas warms up the Earth, compared to carbon dioxide.
- Net zero emissions means not adding any more harmful gases to the air than we can remove.
Singapore’s Green Government Efforts
According to MSE, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) has shared the GreenGov.SG report for FY2023.
This report shows how green Singapore’s public sector was from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
For the first time, the report includes data on waste.
The report covers different types of government buildings to show how they use resources.
Key Findings of the Report
The public sector released about 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in FY2023.
This is 0.2% less than in FY2022.
The government used 5,449 GWh of electricity in FY2023.
This is 1.5% more than in FY2022.
| Resource | FY2023 Usage | Change from FY2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 33.4 billion litres | 0.4% decrease |
| Waste | 218.7 million kilograms | 1.3% increase |
Government’s Green Goals
The public sector wants to reach net zero emissions by around 2045.
This is five years earlier than Singapore’s national target of 2050.
The government also aims to cut energy and water use by 10% by 2030.
It wants to reduce waste by 30% in the same period.
Challenges and Strategies
Mr Lim Tuang Liang, the Government Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “We are appreciative of those who have provided us with feedback following the publication of our inaugural GreenGov.SG report last year.”
The report shows that as Singapore’s economy grows, it’s harder to reduce emissions.
New train lines and healthcare facilities have increased energy use.
The government is working on ways to use less single-use items.
They are also trying to reuse materials and recycle more.
Sustainability Reporting Journey
Mr Lim also stated, “We will continue to learn from others and refine our reporting, as sustainability reporting is a continuous journey of improvement.”
This shows the government’s commitment to getting better at reporting on sustainability.
The full FY2023 GreenGovSG report is available online for the public to read.
Starting from FY2024, Statutory Boards will also share their sustainability disclosures every year.
Broader Sustainability Efforts in Singapore
The government’s green push aligns with other sustainability initiatives in Singapore.
For instance, CapitaLand has secured S$600 million in sustainability loans to support its green projects.
Additionally, SingPost is helping local SMEs go green through its Quest programme.
Learning from Government Initiatives
Mr Lim highlighted, “Through the features of various sustainability initiatives in our report, we have also shared some of our learning points and hope these are useful for businesses and organisations on their sustainability journey.”
This sharing of experiences can help other organisations in Singapore improve their own sustainability efforts.
- The report provides insights on greenhouse gas emissions
- It covers energy consumption and water use
- Waste disposal data is now included
- The report covers various public sector assets in Singapore
Do you think the Singapore government’s green efforts will inspire more businesses to adopt sustainable practices?
