Public Consultation on Singapore’s Decarbonisation Journey

Prime Minister's Office - Strategy Group, National Climate Change Secretariat

Consultation Period: 08 Oct 2024 - 05 Nov 2024

Status: Closed - Summary of Responses

Consultation Outcome

Feedback Received from REACH Public Consultation on Singapore’s Decarbonisation Journey

1. The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) conducted an online public consultation through REACH on Singapore’s decarbonisation journey from 8 October to 5 November 2024. We received 580 responses from members of the public. The breakdown by age group is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Breakdown of Respondents by Age Group

2. The public consultation was not designed to representatively sample Singapore’s population. Those who took an interest in climate change issues made up 96% of all respondents (Figure 2).

Figure 2: I take an interest in issues related to climate change.

3. A summary of the feedback from the public consultation can be found below. The Government will take these into consideration as we develop the next bound of Singapore’s climate targets, measures and policies.

Climate Commitments

4. 91% of all respondents were supportive of Singapore’s goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 (Figure 3).

Figure 3: I am supportive of Singapore’s goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

5. Of those who were supportive of Singapore’s net zero target, 82% stated that Singapore should further accelerate its transition to net zero, by setting more ambitious climate targets (Figure 3). The two reasons that respondents felt were most important to why they supported Singapore’s net zero target were “we should do more so that our future generations can have a more liveable environment” and “we should do more to reduce the worst effects of climate change on ourselves” (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Rank the reasons for why you support Singapore’s net zero target. [Note: The table below reflects the average rank of each reason.]

6. For the 5% of respondents who did not support Singapore’s net zero target, the two reasons that respondents felt were most important were cost to individuals and effects on economic competitiveness (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Rank the reasons for why you do not support Singapore’s net zero target. [Note: The table below reflects the average rank of each reason.]

7. When asked about the behavioural changes they were willing to make, more than 80% of all respondents selected “reduce usage of single-use plastic bags and plastic straws”, “increase recycling”, and “increase walking, cycling and use of public transport, while reducing driving and use of private-hire vehicles”. Fewer than 50% of respondents selected “pay more for low-carbon electricity”, “pay more for goods that emit more greenhouse gases in their production”, and “reduce air travel” (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Which of the following behavioural changes are you willing to make?

Summary of Related Qualitative Responses

8. Some respondents urged Singapore to set more ambitious targets and decarbonise faster. There were also suggestions for Singapore to be more transparent in how we determine our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); these include setting interim goals towards net zero, and reporting the progress of decarbonisation measures. Other respondents stated that Singapore should expend less resources combatting climate change and should instead focus on lowering cost of living and ensuring economic competitiveness by lowering business costs.

Economic Transition

9. 93% of all respondents agreed that it was important for Singapore to transition to a low-carbon economy (Figure 7). Among respondents who were employed, 85% stated that they understood how a decarbonising economy affects the competitiveness and operations of the industry they worked in (Figure 8), and 68% stated that their company understood those effects (Figure 9).

Figure 7: I believe it is important for Singapore to transition to a low-carbon economy.

Figure 8: I understand how a decarbonising economy affects the competitiveness and operations of industry I work in.

Figure 9: My company understands how a decarbonising economy affects its competitiveness and operations.

10. 76% of all respondents agreed that the transition to a low-carbon economy would generate good jobs for Singaporeans (Figure 10), and 65% felt that they were aware of the skills that they needed to be competitive in a low-carbon economy job market (Figure 11).

Figure 10: I believe the transition to a low-carbon economy will generate good jobs for Singaporeans.

Figure 11: I am aware of the skills that I need to be competitive in a low-carbon economy job market.

11. On whether the Singapore Government has provided attractive incentives to help companies decarbonise, 44% of all respondents agreed and 17% disagreed (Figure 12). Among those who agreed, 57% disagreed that the Government should scale back on those incentives. Within the same subgroup of respondents, 32% of those who were employed stated that their company currently taps at least one of the available incentives to support its decarbonisation efforts.

Figure 12: The Singapore Government has provided attractive incentives to help companies decarbonise (e.g., grants for projects that improve energy efficiency), so that they can remain competitive.

Figure 13: The Singapore Government has provided attractive incentives to help companies decarbonise (e.g., grants for projects that improve energy efficiency), so that they can remain competitive.

12. Among those who disagreed that the Singapore Government has provided attractive incentives to help companies decarbonise, only 35% were aware of the available incentives companies could tap (Figure 13).

13. 77% of all respondents agreed that Singapore should put in place policies that provide companies with stronger disincentives to emit carbon (Figure 14). Of those who agreed, 64% stated that they would pay more for the goods and services of companies that decarbonised at a faster pace.

Figure 14: Singapore should put in place policies that provide companies with stronger disincentives to emit carbon (e.g., higher carbon tax, regulations on emissions), so that they can decarbonise at a faster pace.

Summary of Related Qualitative Responses

14. Some respondents commented that Singapore should be an early mover in the region to capture green jobs and economic opportunities, including being a sustainability research and development hub. There should also be more green skills programmes available at institutes of higher learning. We should also consider a more circular economy and potentially slowing down economic growth to reduce our environmental impact.

15. Some respondents suggested that low-carbon goods should be priced lower than higher-carbon alternatives to incentivise their consumption and to ensure that cost of living does not increase. More incentives could be provided to both companies and individuals to accelerate our decarbonisation.

16. Some respondents stated that more responsibility should be placed on industry rather than individuals to adopt less emissive practices, and called on corporates to do more. Companies should be held accountable to their climate targets to prevent greenwashing and those tapping decarbonisation grants should be more transparent on their sustainability plans. Singapore could also extend grants to more companies and cover more areas of transition planning such as measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of carbon emissions.

Decarbonisation Measures

17. For each decarbonisation measure, more than 75% of all respondents stated that they understood what the measure entailed and how the measure contributed to decarbonisation (Figure 15).

Figure 15: I understand what the following measures entail, and how they contribute to decarbonisation.

18. For each decarbonisation measure, more than 55% of all respondents stated that they supported the adoption of the measure as part of Singapore’s transition to net zero (Figure 16). More than 85% of all respondents indicated their support for solar deployment, minimum energy performance standards, and industry energy efficiency measures.

Figure 16: I support the adoption of the following measures as part of Singapore’s transition to net zero.

19. Among those who supported the carbon tax, 63% agreed that they would be willing to pay more for goods and services as a result of the carbon tax (Figure 17).

Figure 17: I support the use of a carbon tax as part of Singapore's transition to net zero.

Summary of Related Qualitative Responses

20. Carbon tax. Respondents generally supported the carbon tax as a tool to incentivise decarbonisation. Some suggested that the carbon tax level could increase and the taxable emissions threshold lowered. The impact of the carbon tax should not be lessened by the provision of allowances to companies, and there should be more transparency regarding how allowances are allocated. Revenue from the carbon tax should be channelled back to citizens, particularly to support lower income households in dealing with the costs associated with decarbonisation. The carbon tax should also be implemented alongside other measures for greater effectiveness. Other respondents were against the carbon tax as they stated that it increased the cost of living.

21. Importing low-carbon electricity. Some respondents commented that, when pursuing electricity imports projects, the Government should consider social, economic and environmental impacts on the source countries. The electricity imported should also be from a fully renewable energy source. Other respondents stated that Singapore should not be overly dependent on electricity imports. Reasons highlighted include cost, security and intermittency.

22. Carbon capture and storage (CCS). Some respondents stated that CCS should be limited to hard-to-abate sectors and should not be an easy way out to prolong or even increase the use of fossil fuels. CCS should also be coupled with measures to reduce carbon emissions, and should not cause detriment to the host countries of storage sites. Respondents also stated that Singapore should explore direct air capture and other carbon removal solutions. Other respondents stated that CCS might not be fully technologically proven and were concerned about scalability.

23. Carbon credits. Some respondents stated that regulations should be imposed to ensure that the carbon credits used by Singapore were of high integrity and should not be to the detriment of the source country. Singapore should expand the countries we were working with on carbon credits as it is a useful way to overcome our national circumstances. Respondents also commented that companies should not be allowed to use carbon credits as a way to pay their way out of decarbonisation, and their use should be accompanied by plans to reduce carbon emissions.

24. Solar deployment. Respondents suggested that Singapore should maximise our domestic solar deployment and subsidise the installation of solar panels on private rooftops. Other respondents stated that they were concerned about the materials used in the production of solar panels as well as their end-of-life treatment and disposal.

25. Energy. Respondents stated that as Singapore decarbonises our grid, we should also work to reduce energy demand. We could provide incentives to reduce energy consumption during peak periods and consider the use of long-duration energy storage systems. Energy demand from cooling could also be reduced by increasing the temperatures in malls, offices and public transportation, as well as through effective building design. Singapore could also reconsider siting data centres here as they were energy intensive. Other respondents stated that Singapore should also explore other forms of power generation, such as nuclear, through small modular reactors, green hydrogen, wind and hydroelectricity.

26. Transport. Respondents stated that electric vehicles (EVs) should be further subsidised and infrastructure supporting EVs should be improved. Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles should also be further regulated, and Singapore should move towards reducing the number of private vehicles overall. Walk, cycle and ride should be further encouraged by improving public transportation and developing better infrastructure to encourage cycling. Other respondents stated that switching to EVs at this time would increase electricity demand before our energy mix is fully renewable. EVs could also require the use of unsustainable materials in their production, particularly for batteries.

27. Waste. Respondents stated that more should be done to reduce waste and increase our recycling rate, particularly to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.

28. Forestry and agriculture. Respondents stated that Singapore should avoid deforestation and explore nature-based climate solutions. We should also promote eating less meat and consider how food production can be more sustainable.

Summary of Other Qualitative Responses

29. Education. Respondents stated that the public should be educated more on climate change as well as Singapore’s decarbonisation efforts. Behavioural change should be encouraged from a young age through schools. Consumer behaviour can also be changed with the implementation of behavioural nudges.

30. Public consultation. Respondents stated that they hoped for more consultations and engagements with the public on climate change. They suggested more open-ended questions as well as questions on areas for improvement for each decarbonisation measure. Future public consultations could also cover nuclear energy and adaptation measures.

Conclusion

31. NCCS thanks all individuals, businesses and organisations for their feedback.

Detailed Description

Aim

1. The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) invites members of the public to share their views on Singapore’s decarbonisation journey, including Singapore’s climate ambition, our transition towards a low-carbon economy and the decarbonisation measures we will undertake. The views will be taken into consideration as Singapore develops our next bound of climate targets, measures and policies. 

Background

2. Climate change is an urgent and existential threat, and its impacts are becoming more apparent. Around the world, we are seeing more extreme storms, floods, wildfires, and heat waves. Although Singapore contributes only 0.1% of global emissions, we are disproportionately affected by its effects as a low-lying island city state. Based on findings from Singapore’s Third National Climate Change Study (V3), Singapore is expected to become warmer, with annual mean temperatures rising between 0.6°C and 5°C by the end of this century. Extreme daily rainfall is also projected to increase across all seasons, and dry spells could become more frequent and last longer.

3. Last year, the inaugural Global Stocktake was presented at the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference. It emphasised the need for urgent and decisive climate action within this critical decade, to keep our goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C within reach.

Singapore’s Climate Commitments

4. Singapore is an early and committed contributor to global climate action. In 2020, Singapore submitted our enhanced 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS). We had previously held a public consultation in 2022. Subsequently, we raised our ambition to reduce emissions to around 60 MtCO₂e in 2030, and to achieve net zero by 2050. Singapore will be submitting our next NDC in early-2025.

Singapore’s Triple Transitions

5. Singapore’s decarbonisation journey comprises three transitions:

   1. A carbon transition to reduce emissions across all sectors

   2. An energy transition to achieve a resilient net-zero electricity grid

   3. An economic transition to remain competitive in a low-carbon future and to capture new green growth opportunities

6. The triple transitions will require us to fundamentally rethink the way we produce and consume. It will bring about opportunities as well as trade-offs.

Opportunities and Trade-Offs 

7. Our commitment to achieve net zero emissions ensures that we are doing our part in the global fight against climate change. In addition, it positions Singapore to be an early mover in sustainable financing and corporate net zero targets, and attracts green economic activities in industry, services, and finance. Through our three transitions, we can create good jobs for Singaporeans and enhance Singapore’s value proposition in the future low-carbon global economy.

8. At the same time, however, our decarbonisation journey comes with costs and trade-offs that must be carefully managed. For companies and workers, there will be disruptions to existing business models and jobs as the world moves collectively to a low-carbon future. Companies will need to rethink their value chains or pursue new areas of growth that are less carbon intensive, while workers will have to acquire new skills to stay relevant. Individuals will also need to change their personal habits by consuming and wasting less, reducing energy consumption at home by using energy efficient appliances and less air-conditioning, and taking cleaner forms of transport such as by embracing a walk, cycle and ride lifestyle.

Our Decarbonisation Strategy

9. The Global Stocktake set out clear pathways and next steps that the world needs to take to limit global warming to 1.5°C. It called on all countries to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, and to triple the world’s renewable energy generation capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. It also called for the reduction of emissions from road transport, including through the development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero- and low-emissions vehicles. In addition, it emphasised the need to accelerate zero- and low-emissions technologies, including renewables, nuclear, carbon capture, utilitsation and storage (CCUS), as well as low-carbon hydrogen production.

10. As a small country with limited alternative energy sources, land and manpower, our trade-offs will be much starker than what most other countries face. Many of the measures that would help us achieve net zero are contingent on effective international cooperation, as well as the maturity of decarbonisation technologies. Some examples include the import of low-carbon electricity, the availability of carbon capture and storage sites, and the sourcing of low-carbon hydrogen.

11. Nonetheless, Singapore is taking decisive action to achieve our triple transitions towards a low-carbon future, in line with the recommendations of the Global Stocktake. This section outlines some of our key decarbonisation measures (details of additional measures can be found here). The Government welcomes views on these measures as Singapore embarks on our decarbonisation journey.

12. In 2019, Singapore was the first country in Southeast Asia to introduce a carbon pricing scheme. Our carbon tax provides a broad-based price signal so that businesses and individuals will be able to internalise the costs of carbon. This year, we raised our carbon tax from $5/tCO₂e to $25/tCO₂e. We plan to raise the carbon tax further to $45/tCO₂e in 2026/2027, with a view to reaching $50-$80/tCO₂e by 2030. This will provide a strong price signal and impetus for businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint in line with national climate goals.

13. Working with our industries to transform our economy is an important part of our decarbonisation journey. For example, the Sustainable Jurong Island report outlines our plans to transform Jurong Island into a sustainable energy and chemicals park that operates sustainably and exports sustainable chemicals globally. By 2030, Singapore aims to increase the output of sustainable products by 1.5 times from 2019 levels, and realise at least 2 MtCO₂e of carbon abatement per annum through carbon capture. By 2050, we aspire to increase the output of sustainable products by four times from 2019 levels, and achieve more than 6 MtCO₂e of carbon abatement per annum from low-carbon solutions. Beyond the energy & chemicals sector, you can find out more about other measures for the industry sector here. 

14. Power generation is another major source of carbon emissions. We rely heavily on imported natural gas to power our nation. To transform our energy supply, Singapore will harness four switches.

    1. First, solar remains the most promising renewable energy source for Singapore. We are pressing ahead with ambitious solar deployment plans to achieve our target of at least 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2030. This could generate enough energy to meet the annual electricity needs of 350,000 households (or around 3% of Singapore’s projected 2030 electricity demand).

    2. Second, the Energy Market Authority has granted conditional licenses to import a total of 2 gigawatts of low carbon electricity from Indonesia. In addition to these, conditional approvals have been granted to projects importing low-carbon electricity not only from Indonesia but also from Cambodia and Vietnam. Earlier this month, we announced that we will raise our ambition and seek to import 6 GW of low-carbon electricity by 2035, up from 4 GW previously.  

    3. Third, we are exploring CCUS, low-carbon hydrogen and advanced geothermal systems, to further reduce the emissions from our power sector. For example, we published our National Hydrogen Strategy in 2022. This outlines our plans to develop hydrogen as a potential decarbonisation pathway. The Energy Market Authority has also issued a Request for Proposal for a Singapore-wide non-invasive geophysical study to assess our deep geothermal resource potential for power generation.

    4. Fourth, natural gas is currently our main fuel for generating electricity, making up 95% of our electricity supply. It is the cleanest form of fossil fuel and will continue to be the main fuel source for Singapore in the foreseeable future as we scale up our other switches. The Global Stocktake recognised the role that such transitional fuels can play in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security. We are working with the industry to improve the energy and carbon efficiency of natural gas generation units during this transition.

15. Finally, the journey to a net zero Singapore requires everyone to play a part. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 charts ambitious and concrete targets to advance Singapore’s agenda on sustainable development. It aims to galvanise every Singaporean to contribute because our decarbonisation journey is a whole-of-nation effort.

Invitation to Provide Feedback on Singapore’s Decarbonisation Journey

16. Members of the public are invited to share their views on the next bound of Singapore’s decarbonisation journey, as we plan for our next NDC. Please provide your feedback by 5 November 2024 via the ‘Share Your Feedback’ button below.