Singapore’s public sector will be making sweeping changes to its sustainability and low-carbon efforts to bring down carbon emissions five years ahead of the rest of the nation.
That goal, announced by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu (pictured) involves the public sector raising its use of solar energy to a 1.5 gigawatt-peak, equivalent to powering more than 260,000 households a year.
To achieve this, solar panels will be installed where feasible on all public sector buildings.
In addition, all Government cars are to run on cleaner energy by 2035, five years ahead of the national goal of 2040.
Ms Fu said Government-owned offices and public infrastructure had set a target of reaching maximum emissions around 2025, and then beginning to bring them down, five years earlier than the rest of the country.
“We have also set the public sector challenging goals for energy, water and waste reduction by 2030,” Ms Fu said.
“Energy and water use will be reduced by 10 per cent from the past three-year average,” she said.
“The amount of waste disposed of by the public sector will be slashed by 30 per cent from what will be generated next year.”
Ms Fu said public sector buildings with food outlets would separate food waste for treatment from 2024.
“These targets will apply to the whole spectrum of public sector operations, and ensure that sustainability is embedded at the core of public sector functions,” the Minister said.
“Over the years, our Public Service has worked hard to ensure Singapore’s survival and progress. Today, the Public Service will lead the charge towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future,” she said.
Singapore, 14 July 2021
