Section：Overview｜Agencies｜Policies & Strategies｜Research & Devlopment｜International Collaboration｜Table｜

Overview

Singapore, which is located at the southern tip of Mainland Southeast Asia, is a small highly urbanized country. As such, Singapore now faces challenges in terms of overpopulation, waste, and pollution. As a coastal nation, rising sea levels due to climate change has also become a serious issue. Therefore, in 2009, Singapore committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 16% below the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario to mitigate the impacts and effects of climate change. By the year of the 2020 Copenhagen Summit, Singapore had already achieved a 32% reduction, which was well below their baseline for greenhouse gas emissions. (National Climate Change Secretariat, 2025)

Singapore fully recognizes the importance of achieving net-zero emissions and understands that regional cooperation is essential for the country’s survival. In 2025, as part of its 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Singapore announced its carbon reduction targets for the first time, aiming for greenhouse gas emissions to peak at 64.43 million tons by 2028, and then decrease to between 45 and 50 million tons by 2035.

In March at a Singapore Business Federation forum, Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu stated that relying solely on solar or wind energy for full decarbonization would be difficult given the country’s limited space. As such, carbon credits have become Singapore’s main short- and mid-term approach for decarbonization. Furthermore, through projects that meet national standards, Singapore plans to collaborate with other countries to reduce carbon emissions.

Prior to this, while attending the second Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in 2023, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated the significance of the country’s ocean and maritime sectors. Therefore, Balakrishnan announced that Singapore will decarbonize the maritime industry by establishing “green and digital shipping corridors”. This includes promoting the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels in shipping to achieve net-zero emissions.

At the end of 2023, Singapore also launched the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) to promote regional green financing mechanisms and enhance its own climate resilience. In addition, Singapore has been advancing sustainable development by proactively signing cooperation agreements with countries throughout the region such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. Singapore also plans to import solar-generated green electricity to reduce emissions from domestic electricity consumption. (Taipei Representative Office in the Republic of Singapore, 2025) (Taipei Representative Office in the Republic of Singapore, 2023)

Singapore is also conducting research on how to use technology to reduce carbon emissions. Currently, Singapore is focusing on transforming plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, recycling furnace slag into building materials, carbon sequestering in construction, and turning agricultural waste into renewable fuels. Given that Taiwan is also currently promoting net-zero and carbon reduction technology, the two countries may cooperate in some capacity in the future. 

Related Agencies

• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE)
• Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)
• Ministry of Transport (MOT)
• Ministry of National Development (MND)
• Ministry of Education (MOE)
• Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
• National Environment Agency (NEA)
• Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)

Policies & Strategies

FAST-P

In December 2023 at COP28, Singapore's Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Teo Chee Hean, stated that Singapore would launch the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P), a blended finance initiative aimed at achieving decarbonization goals. By integrating public and private capital, this initiative has leveraged preferential catalytic capital from sources such as multilateral development banks and philanthropic organizations. This will help raise the large amount of funding necessary to support Asia’s transition toward a green and net-zero future.

Singapore has already committed US$5 billion to FAST-P, which is the country’s first initiative designed to scale up blended finance capabilities and other similar financing initiatives throughout Asia. Furthermore, FAST-P is driven by three main programs. The first program, the Energy Transition Acceleration Finance (ETAF), was jointly established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). ETAF’s investments focus on energy transition projects such as the early phase-out of coal plants, renewable energy development, and power grid modernization. The second program, the Green Investments Partnership, will invest in green and sustainable infrastructure projects across Asia. This includes areas such as renewable energy and energy storage, electric vehicles, transportation, water resources, and waste management. The third program, the Industrial Transformation Infrastructure Debt Programme, offers debt financing opportunities to private-sector borrowers seeking to decarbonize their operations. The financing supports low-carbon transition technologies and industrial opportunities in hard-to-abate sectors.

In November 2024, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) launched the Carbon Project Development Grant to address financing gaps and promote the development and investment of more carbon projects. By developing and financing early-stage carbon projects, the Grant supports Singapore-based companies in producing high-quality carbon credits that align with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. These credits provide a decarbonization pathway for Singapore’s hard-to-abate industries. Subsequently, the Australian government committed US$50 million to support FAST-P in December 2024. (International Trade Administration, 2024) (Industrial Sustainable Development Clearinghouse, 2024) (Taipei Representative Office in the Republic of Singapore, 2023)

NASML

In June 2022, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) launched the National Action Strategy on Marine Litter (NASML) to address Singapore’s marine litter problems. The strategy focuses on six key areas:

1. Reducing land-based litter
2. Reducing sea-based litter
3. Exploring circular economy approaches
4. Research and development
5. International engagement and cooperation
6. Promoting and strengthening outreach and stakeholder collaboration

In terms of research and development, Singapore is committed to project-based research and industry-academia collaboration focused on marine monitoring systems and preventive technologies. For instance, Singapore is currently utilizing its Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) system to enhance water reclamation. Additionally, floating trash bins have been installed in coastal areas that are difficult for marine vessels to access. Furthermore, equipment such as the Beach Bobcat and Robocut are carrying out beach cleaning operations, while the deployment of automated debris-collecting vessels along the coast have improved the coastal environment. (OpenGOV, 2025) (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, 2022)

Singapore Green Plan 2030

In February 2021, Singapore launched the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which has aimed to advance the country’s sustainability agenda while encouraging its citizens to live sustainably. The Green Plan, which has the full support of the Singaporean government, is spearheaded by five ministries—the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Ministry of National Development (MND), and the Ministry of Education (MOE).

The Green Plan consists of five main principles:

1. City in Nature: Establishing a green, liveable, and sustainable country for the entire population.
2. Sustainable Living: Making carbon reduction, environmental protection, energy and resource conservation accessible to all Singaporeans.
3. Energy Reset: Reducing the collective carbon footprint by using clean energy and increasing energy efficiency.
4. Green Economy: Seeking business opportunities in green growth that create new employment, promote industrial transformation and turn sustainability into a competitive advantage.
5. Resilient Future: Bolster Singapore’s climate resilience and food security.

Corresponding implementation approaches:

1. Establishing a new Enterprise Sustainability Programme.
2. Starting in 2030, all newly registered vehicles must be clean-energy models; By 2030, double the number of electric vehicle charging stations from 28,000 to 60,000.
3. Enhance the country’s sustainability standards in construction with the new Singapore Green Building Masterplan.
4. Commit to reducing landfill waste by 20% by 2026 to achieve a 30% reduction by 2030. 
5. By 2030, the education sector aims to reduce net carbon emissions by two-thirds. The goal is for at least 20% of schools to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Subsequently, have all schools become carbon neutral. (Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 2021)

Zero Waste Master Plan

In August of 2019, the Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources (Currently the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced the Zero Waste Master Plan, which aims to reduce daily capita per landfill waste by 30% while increasing the overall recycling rate to 70% by 2030. The main impetus for this goal is that Singapore’s only landfill, a manmade island called the Semakau Landfill, will reach capacity by 2035. Therefore, Singapore’s domestic industries, such as the food sector and electronic components manufacturers, must properly sort and manage their waste generated from their production processes in accordance with the law. For instance, the suppliers of regulated electronic products must provide free individualized take-back services as part of their distribution process. In addition, the retailers of large electronics must also set up electronic waste collection points at their places of business.

According to the Singaporean government, the NEA has invested US$45 million since 2017 in the Closing the Waste Loop (CTWL) Research and Development (R&D) Initiative. As a critical solution, this initiative has facilitated zero-waste generation by promoting innovative solutions in areas such as resource recovery and conserving landfill space while enhancing the sustainability of waste management systems. As of the first quarter of 2021, the Singaporean government had facilitated US$1.6 million in net-zero industry development collaboration. (National Environment Agency, 2021) (Waste 360, 2019) (The Matcha Initiative, 2019)

Singapore’s Climate Action Plan and Related Documents

In 2016, Singapore launched the Singapore Climate Action Plan that focused on Adaptation and Mitigation. In 2020, the Action Plan was revised, with efforts to implement relevant climate change measures. As such, Singapore aims to tackle climate change related challenges by enhancing national resilience in three areas: climate, resources, and the economy. In the Action Plan, Singapore reaffirmed its commitment to the Paris Agreement, which includes capping its greenhouse gas emissions at 65 million tons (MtCO2e) by 2030, reducing overall CO2 emissions to under half of 2030 levels by 2050 (estimated at 33 million tons), and achieving net-zero by the middle of the 21^st century. To promote the effectiveness of carbon reduction, Singapore introduced the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in 2017 and the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in 2020.

On January 1, 2019, Singapore began levying a tax on industrial facilities that produce over 25,000 tons of annual carbon emissions. Moreover, Singapore plans to increase this tax to SGD$10-15 per ton of CO2 by 2030. Moreover, the government has designated four key sustainable energy sources: natural gas, solar, local grids, and other emerging low carbon alternatives. Singapore also aims to increase solar power capacity to 2 GWp by 2030. In addition to various carbon reduction measures, Singapore is also promoting the recycling and reusing of furnace slag, wastewater, and sludge as well as research on using chemical recycling to produce pyrolysis oil from contaminated plastics. After developing such technology, Singapore hopes to effectively address issues related to domestic plastic waste while further contributing to overall emissions reduction. (Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, 2020)

Img: An Illustration of the Expected Outcomes from Singapore’s Chemical Recycling Initiative © Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

Research & Development

R&D Lab for Low-Carbon Technology
In April 2024, Singapore, in conjunction with Nanyang Technological University, A*Star, and ExxonMobil, established an R&D lab for low-carbon technology. The lab has received funding from the National Research Foundation under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan. The lab has conducted R&D on low-carbon solutions for multiple fields, which includes exploring the use of emerging technologies to capture carbon dioxide and combine it with industrial by-products such as desalination brine and incineration fly ash to produce construction materials. According to Nanyang Technological University School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Assistant Professor Grzegorz Lisak, the lab focuses on resolving the main obstacle to developing carbon capture technology, cost.

In practice, the concentration of CO2 emissions from waste-to-energy plants are often lower, but have higher costs and challenges in terms of carbon capture. Storage also presents another issue. Therefore, the lab is solving these issues by conducting R&D on sequestering CO2 into concrete. In addition to carbon capture technology, the lab is also exploring biomass conversion techniques. For instance, converting palm oil waste and sugar cane bagasse into greener and more cost-effective fuels that can be used in aviation, maritime, and chemicals. The lab also focuses on the R&D of technology that converts methane into low-carbon hydrogen. This R&D requires a safe and heat-resistant reactor to account for the extremely high temperatures necessary to facilitate such chemical reactions. If these experiments are successful, the resulting technology could lower the cost and carbon footprint of conventional hydrogen production. (Reccessary, 2024) (Nanyang Technological University, 2024) 

Img: The Establishment of Singapore’s R&D Lab for Low-carbon Technology © Nanyang Technological University

International CooperationPhilippines
During an official visit to the Philippines in August 2024, Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam signed a bilateral MoU on carbon footprint reduction, which aimed at jointly achieving national climate goals while promoting sustainable development. (The Embassy of the Philippines, Singapore, 2024)

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga expressed the hope to partner with Singapore to develop innovative solutions that are inclusive and climate-adaptive in water resource management, biodiversity conservation, energy transition and reforestation. DENR’s Geospatial Database Office (GDO) has showcased water resource management measures and the natural resource ecosystems (including water, forests, and mangroves) of the Philippines. Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga stated that the Philippines and Singapore will work together to achieve concrete results in terms of addressing impact of climate change on both countries, while establishing scientific benchmarks for public-private cooperation in environmental management. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2024) 

Vietnam

In February 2023, Vietnam and Singapore signed the Digital Economy–Green Economy Partnership, in which Singapore committed to assisting Vietnam create a platform to promote digital transformation in priority areas such as finance and banking, e-commerce, population management, and land administration. The Partnership will also support Vietnam in renewable energy transition and planning for the development of a regional power grid. Vietnam, in turn, will continue to create a more favorable environment for Singaporean private sector investment, especially in green energy, digital transformation, and science and technology. In addition to investing in the existing Viet Nam‑Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) that focus on smart, green, and energy-efficient industries, the government also hopes that Singapore can set up more of these types of parks in central Vietnam. 

(VIET NAM Government News, 2023) (Hong Kong Trade and Development Council, 2023)

In August 2023, Singapore and Vietnam signed new deals on sustainability and innovation, which aimed to expand the scope of bilateral economic cooperation by strengthening partnerships in innovation, energy connectivity and sustainable development. During two interviews conducted in February and May of 2023, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam stated that the various agreements signed between Singapore and Vietnam would help the two countries gain a competitive edge in the carbon market. Singapore also has plans to expand investment in renewable energy throughout Southeast Asia. In addition, Singapore launched the financial platform Fast-P to raise US$5 billion for climate action across Asia.

(CNA, 2023) (Vietnam Plus, 2024) (VnEconomy, 2024)

Singapore and Vietnam have reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing bilateral cooperation in the green and digital economy. In May 2024, Singapore stated that it would assist Vietnam in achieving energy transition, improve power connectivity, and facilitate digital transformation in key areas such as banking and finance, e-commerce, land administration, and population management. When the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore visited Vietnam in July 2024, both countries restated the necessity to set clear goals and plans to promote substantial cooperation in the green and digital economy. During the visit, both sides encouraged their respective ministries of education to improve cooperation in education to help train talent that can drive innovation in science and technology (Hanoi Times, 2024) (Vietnam Plus, 2024)

Australia
In October 2022, Singapore and Australia signed the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement (SAGEA), which aims at facilitating bilateral cooperation in the green economy. The agreement mainly focuses on promoting trade and investment in environmental goods and services, establishing interoperable policy frameworks, supporting further growth in green sectors, and driving development and cooperation projects for emerging green economy technologies. Under the agreement, Singapore and Australia have also committed to 17 joint initiatives that will serve as the initial framework for advancing cooperative projects in forward-thinking and emerging sectors. (Green Economy Agreement, 2022)

Img: Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement © Green Economy Agreement

In October 2024, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) approved Australian company SunCable to construct a 4,300-kilometer undersea cable to connect Australia and Singapore. This project plans to transmit solar power generated in Australia to Singapore. The energy will come from a 12,400-hectare solar farm located in Australia’s Northern Territory, which also supplies a portion of the power of Darwin, the capital of the territory. The Energy Market Authority of Singapore stated that this project is “commercially and technically viable”. Currently, the cost of the undersea cable project could reach $13.5 billion and must overcome potential challenges such as volcanic activity and earthquakes along the seabed route. Based on the current Australia-Asia PowerLink construction timeline, the undersea cable will only be fully operational in 2035. (VOA News, 2024)

In December 2024, the Australian government approved US$50 million in funding for the Green Investments Partnership (GIP). GIP is a key initiative in Singapore’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P), which focuses on supporting infrastructure projects that are critical to clean energy transformation, but traditionally have been considered high-risk and difficult to finance. Furthermore, Singapore’s FAST-P aims to mobilize concessional capital to strengthen decarbonization projects and sustainable infrastructure throughout Asia. This investment marks the first allocation under Australia’s Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility (SEAIFF), which has a total budget of AUD$2 billion (US$1.75 billion). This investment demonstrates the shared commitment between Australia and Singapore to tackle climate change and bolster regional decarbonization efforts while strengthening economic ties and promoting long-term sustainable growth. (Monetary Autourity of Singapore, 2024) (ASEAN Briefing, 2024)

New Zealand
During a meeting between former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in April 2022, both sides announced closer cooperation in initiatives related to the green economy and climate change response. Lee stated that both countries will begin cooperation in areas such as energy transition technology, carbon markets, sustainable transport, and waste management. In addition, Lee said that climate change and the green economy would serve as the fifth pillar of the enhanced Singapore-New Zealand partnership. Singapore and New Zealand also signed a Sustainable Aviation Arrangement, which was co-signed by Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority, as well as New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Under this agreement, both sides will explore the creation of Green Lanes to encourage the use of sustainable fuels on commercial flights while partnering on creating a sustainable aviation ecosystem through regulatory and policy cooperation. (The Straits Times, 2022) (Green Air News, 2022)

Singapore's Policy on Sustainable Development

Keywords: #Singapore  #Sustainability

References/Sources:

Singaporean Sources

• National Climate Change Secretariat (2025) OVERVIEW OF SINGAPORE CLIMATE TARGETS
• Monetary Authority of Singapore (2024.12) Australia and Singapore Collaborate to Support Sustainable Infrastructure and Decarbonisation in Southeast Asia
• Nanyang Technological University (2024.04) ExxonMobil-NTU-A*STAR Corporate Lab for low carbon solutions launched
• Ministry of Trade and Industry (2022.10) Singapore Australia Green Economy Agreement
• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2022.06) Singapore launches National Action Strategy on Marine Litter
• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2022.06) National Action Strategy on Marine Litter
• National Environment Agency (2021) Integrated Sustainability Report 2020/2021 Sustainable and Resource Efficient Singapore
• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment(2020) Climate Action Plan (2020)
• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2019.08) Zero Waste Masterplan
• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2016) Climate Action Plan (Mitigation)
• Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (2016) Climate Action Plan (Adaptation)

Other Sources

• Open GOV (2025.03) Singapore: Digitalisation and Tech Strengthening Maritime Resilience
• ASEAN Briefing (2024.12) Australia Invests in Singapore’s FAST-P for Green Growth
• VOA News (2024.10) Singapore looks to Australian outback to power shift to sustainable energy
• Reuters (2024.10) Singapore approves import of solar energy from Australia via undersea cable
• The Straits Times (2022.04) Singapore and New Zealand to collaborate on climate change, green economy
• Green Air News (2022.04) New Zealand and Singapore consider ‘green lanes’ as governments sign sustainable aviation partnership
• Waste 360 (2019.09) Singapore Launches Zero Waste Masterplan
• The Matcha Initiative (2019) Zero Waste Masterplan (2019) 

Domestic Sources

• 駐新加坡台北代表處 (2025.03) 新加坡永續發展與環境部長傅海燕表示，碳信用為星國中短期的重要去碳工具
• Reccessary (2025.02) 新加坡2035減碳新目標：碳排降至4500萬噸，投資氫能技術、碳權合作
• 產業永續發展整合資訊網 (2024.11) 新加坡承諾提供5億美元配套優惠資金支持亞洲脫碳
• 經濟部國際貿易署 (2024.11) 新加坡承諾提供5億美元（約69億星幣）的「優惠資本」，以吸引資金，加速亞洲的綠色轉型
• Reccessary (2024.05) 新加坡成立低碳技術研發實驗室 探索捕碳、製氫與生質能
• 駐新加坡台北代表處 (2023.12) 新加坡政府推出包括混合融資及永續金融分類法等兩項計畫，促進亞洲綠色轉型
• 台灣經濟研究院 (2023.10) 【創新創業與產經政策】新加坡將推出及修訂超過25項與永續發展相關的國家標準及認證計畫
• 駐新加坡台北代表處 (2023.09) 新加坡積極參與設立「綠色及數位航運走廊」，推動海事領域去碳與增進業務成長
• 駐新加坡台北代表處 (2022.12) 新加坡將藉助綠色融資推動創新發展
• 台達電子文教基金會 (2021.04) 政府打頭陣！新加坡翻新2030年《綠色發展藍圖》 明定永續發展目標
• 經濟部能源署 (2021.02) 新加坡2030綠色計畫擘劃未來10年雄心目標，加速國家永續發展