Boon Sang, Tan (IE Global Executive MBA)

“Do you think that the lifestyle of inhabitants of Singapore reflects behavior that is in line with the

concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved.”

What is sustainable development?

“Sustainable development refers to development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of our future generations to meet their own needs.”

~ World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland Commission) report Our Common Future (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987).

Singapore: The Switzerland of Asia

Singapore lies just One degree North of Equator. Sunny island city state in South East Asia - slightly larger than Madrid City. Famously referred as “Little Red Dot”. A population of 5.31 million and visited by over 14 millions travelers each year. A diverse nation with many languages and religions. Besides hosting the only F1 night race, Singapore has 2 Integrated Resorts, and theme parks like Universal Studio and world largest sea aquarium.

Singapore

•  Singapore imports almost all its food, water, resources and materials.

•  Managing demands of a growing city. •  Singapore has limited land (710km2), water - largely

imported, high demand of resources from businesses (130,000 registered and >7,000 multinational corporation) and an aspiring middle class (per capita income of US60,000).

•  Competing demands for economic growth and living environment

•  Non-availability of alternate energy sources like hydro/ wind-driven

•  Adapting to growing resource constraints. •  Compete for global demand for food, energy and

materials. Seek alternative energy sources and renewable resources

•  Mitigating climate change

•  Rising temperature and sea-level

What are Singapore’s challenges?

0

2

4

5

7

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2012 2030

Land Area Population

6.9m (2030)

5.3m (2012)

1.9m (1965)

580km2 (1965) 710km2 (2012)

760km2 (2030)

25% (since 1965)

180% (since 1965)

The Singapore Way For Singapore, sustainable development means achieving both a more dynamic economy and a better quality living environment, for Singapore now and in the future

(Singapore Sustainable Development Blueprint 2009 - A Lively and Livable Singapore)

•  Government Led Effort

•  2008 Inter-ministerial Committee to study into “Sustainable Development for Singapore”

•  Singapore Sustainable Development Blueprint 2009

•  Master Plan by Singapore Planners - Urban Redevelopment Authority

•  Designing Out City - Planning for sustainable Singapore

•  Continued multi-ministerial effort to reach out to individuals and business

The Singapore Way

Sustaining Growth - Provide jobs

- High standard of living - Attractive for visitor/investor

- New growth opportunities/ high value jobs

Land-use - Master plan by Singapore planners - Effective/efficient land use - Reduce congestion at city center by decentralization by establishing regional centers (mix of offices, retails, entrainment, commercial and government) - Optimize of city center to include residential and lifestyle to commercial/business

Public Transportation - More effective and efficient compare to cars - Uniquely Singapore: ERP - electronic tolls for city center - Integrated rail/bus network (increased rail coverage to 278km) - Encourage alternate mode - cycle or carpool - Flexi-hour to reduce load during peak hour (Latest - FREE train ride)

Resources - Innovative environmental policies and technologies - Long term water supply strategy (reduce water consumption) - Improve resources efficiency - Encourage recycle rate and waste management - Promote resource-efficient building (80% - Green Mark)

Play Options - Total quality living

- Greenery everywhere (Garden City), include Garden by the Bay, billion dollars garden within city canter - Park connector (360km) - linking Singapore

The government plays an active role in the holistic long term planning in sustainable development for Singapore. So how about Individuals and Businesses?

The Singapore Way

“..lifestyle of inhabitants of Singapore reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of Sustainable Development?”

YES, at first glance, but more can be done …

YES

•  Businesses •  More business supporting flexible

working hours/ re-organize travel pattern

•  Increase in participation of programmes support sustainable development (Certification Programme, BCA Green Mark )

•  Corporation responsibility – promoting and participating in Reduce packaging and Recycle effort and waste management

•  Support government research in new technologies like NEWater (treated wastewater), Zero energy building

YES

•  Individuals •  Increase awareness and usage of

alternative transportation (cycling/hybrid cars/energy efficient )

•  Reuse - Recycle – Refuse: Increase in household participation from 15% 2001to 65% 2008

•  More people are adopting flexible working hours/ re-organize travel pattern

•  Increase in use of energy efficient and water saving products

•  Increase in participation of programmes support sustainable development for example, Earth day, Tree planting, Recycling

More can be done

•  High consumption of resources •  per capita energy consumption of 8,307 kWh) •  per capita water of 147 liters/day •  wastage of food

•  Inefficient transport •  <3% of 970,000 vehicles in Singapore are

electric/hybrids/clean fuel •  13% land use for land transport infrastructures

(mainly roads) •  Daily Ridership - 0.9 millions taxi (15%), 6.27

millions train/bus (85%) •  Congested peak hours – traffic jams, crowded

trains/buses •  Recycling Effort – still needs to be improved

In Singapore, government is spearheading the effort in “A Sustainable Singapore”. Therefore it is now for the businesses and individual to contribute their parts in the journey to sustainable development. Individuals: •  Embrace public transport and environment

friendly modes of transport (like clean fuels and hybrid cars, walking, cycling).

•  Live responsibly by reducing wastage of resources (food, lifestyle products), water consumption, energy consumption and recycle.

•  Participating in community programmes (tree planting, recycling projects, etc.)

How we can do better

Business: •  Conduct business responsibly by reducing

wastage of resources (water and energy), control and reduce pollutions

•  Participating in government/community programmes

•  Recycling

•  Energy efficient building technologies and zero-energy buildings initiatives

•  Partnership with government to research on clean technology and sustainable urban solutions

Additionally •  Engagement of NGO and Interests Group by

Government in National Conversation for Long Term Planning for Singapore

Zero Energy Building

CleanTech Park

How we can do better

Conclusion

The Singapore Government is doing a great effort in sustainable development - evident in their long term planning and mutli-ministerial and multi-faceted approach to promote responsible living in Singapore

Singapore inhabitants are increasingly embracing behaviors which are in line with the concept of sustainable development. With a greater awareness of global environmental concerns and resource constraints, Singapore residents/businesses will be able to contribute to “The Singapore Way to Sustainable Development.”