ADDENDA, MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES: DR YAACOB IBRAHIM

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources

The clean and green environment that Singaporeans enjoy today is the result of careful, coordinated and consistent policies over many years. Our high-quality living environment will always be our pride and joy. It is also key to attracting international friends, investors and global talent.

Our vision is to create a Sustainable Singapore where we use our limited resources efficiently and innovatively; pro-actively develop capabilities to deal with emerging challenges; uphold our high quality of life; and foster shared ownership of the environment.

Boosting resource efficiency

Our environment will remain an integral part of Singapore's growth. We will step up efforts to use energy and water more efficiently; to recycle more and waste less. Doing so will not only see us play our role in the global issue of climate change, but will also help us reduce costs, improve our energy security, and enhance our economic competitiveness.

The robust and sustainable water supply we have developed will meet our long-term needs. To manage demand, we will sustain our efforts in water conservation through public education and working with community and businesses.

High quality living environment

The Active, Beautiful, and Clean (ABC) Waters Programme will transform our reservoirs and waterways into new and aesthetically pleasing community spaces. We will expand this programme to more water bodies, adding vibrancy to the living environment and enhancing the quality of life.

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We will guard our air quality. We will control pollution from industry and vehicles to ensure that Singapore's air quality remains among the best in Asia, and comparable with major cities around the world.

To uphold high standards of public health, we will ensure good hygiene at food establishments and step up efforts to keep public premises litter-free. We will continue with surveillance, research and community engagement efforts to reduce mosquito breeding and lower the incidence of vector-borne diseases.

Building environment capabilities

Technology and innovation will help us meet new and emerging environmental challenges. We will invest in new capabilities to reduce waste and control pollution to add to existing expertise in clean water and energy. As environment and water issues come to the fore on the global agenda, such capabilities can help us position Singapore as a global hub for environment and water solutions, providing economic opportunities and jobs for Singaporeans and helping humanity beyond Singapore.

Fostering community action

Building a sustainable living environment requires the support of the community. We will reinforce our close partnerships with the People, Private and Public (3P) sectors to strengthen shared ownership of our environment. We will advance the environmental agenda by reaching out to promote exemplary behaviour and best practices.

Together, we will make Singapore a city that is vibrant and environmentally sustainable - a Singapore which we and future generations will cherish and are proud to call Our Home.