Rise in Sea Level off Singapore

Mr Ong Teng Koon asked the Minister for National Development (a) how much has the sea level off Singapore risen in the last 30 years and how much is it projected to rise in the next 30 years; (b) how much of a rise in sea level can Singapore withstand with the current coastal protection before the island is adversely impacted; and (c) what additional measures are being put in place to protect our coast.

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Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The mean sea level off Singapore has increased by 45 millimetres over the past 15 years. The Government’s Climate Change Study’s estimate is that it might increase by up to 650 millimetres by the year 2100.

Since 1991, all new reclamation projects have been built to at least 1.25 metres above the highest recorded tide level. Last year, we raised this buffer requirement by another 1 metre, to 2.25 metres, to provide additional safeguard.

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In addition, we will reinforce existing hard walls and stone embankments to protect our coast from coastal erosion.

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