ENVISION

ENVISION Issue 24

Innovating Today, Sustaining Tomorrow

Behind the multi-agency effort to clean up the 2024 Singapore oil spill

 Examining the impact of the Year of Public Hygiene

 How NEA is guiding the transition to a low-carbon economy

 Meet the individuals and groups taking a stand for the environment

View the digital flipbook and download your PDF copy today here.

ENVISION Issue 23

Propelling Sustainability Forward
The Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS), under NEA's Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), released the findings of its Third National Climate Change Study in January 2024. In this issue, we explore the latest developments in the global carbon credit market, what goes on inside the TuasOne Waste-to-Energy Plant and the dengue prevention efforts ramp up across the community in Singapore.

View the digital flipbook and download your PDF copy today here.

ENVISION Issue 22

Forging a Greener Path Together
The World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that 2023 was the hottest year on record, lending renewed impetus for global climate action. In this issue, we explore some of Singapore’s ongoing efforts towards building a sustainable and climate-resilient society while safeguarding public health and hygiene. From new low-carbon technologies to circular economy initiatives, the diverse contributions from public, private and international partners highlight the benefits of a multi-stakeholder approach in solving today’s complex climate and sustainability challenges. 

View the digital flipbook and download your PDF copy today here.

Clean and Green Week 2022 underscores Singapore’s collective transition to a green economy where businesses, households and individuals care for our environment sustainably.

The COP27 climate summit put sustainability at the forefront of the climate crisis and a green transition toward net-zero emissions.

NEA recognises individuals from the People, Public and Private (3P) sectors who actively contribute to Singapore’s clean and green environment and glimpse NEA’s #OneNEA spirit during its 20th anniversary celebrations.

Environmental Sustainability and Protection

As NEA celebrates two decades of Environmental Stewardship, we look back at the journey and what the future holds as we pursued a clean and sustainable environment for Singapore.

Singapore’s inaugural Zero Waste Masterplan (ZWMP) maps out Singapore’s key strategies to building a sustainable, resource-efficient and climate-resilient nation.

In transforming towards a smart and sustainable nation, Singapore leverages and strengthens the collective efforts of people-enterprises-government collaborations, making strategic investments and forming strong international relationships.

ENVISION Issue 19

Co-Creating A City of Green Possibilities:
Embrace and Integrate Sustainability For A Sustainable Future

The Tuas Nexus Integrated Waste Management Facility, NEA’s flagship project will be Singapore’s first integrated waste management facility with synergies to improve overall plant performance and optimise land use.

Amidst the backdrop of COVID-19, efforts in co-creating green enablers include NEA’s INCUBATE Partnership Programme and Autonomous Environmental Service Vehicles.

Through a shared vision and synergistic partnerships, individuals from 3P sectors and community’s efforts to go green play a vital role with test-bedding of technologies and solutions in contributing to Singapore’s environmental sustainability for a more sustainable future.

Facing Turbulent Times Together:
Recovery Towards A Sustainable Future

2020 has been an unprecedented year ─ COVID-19 has brought to the fore the issue of urban sustainability and offers an unprecedented opportunity to examine the actions and responses to enhance urban resilience.

This issue of ENVISION is about resilience, with highlights on environmentally sustainable approaches in response to the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. It also examines how businesses, NGOs and communities contribute to Singapore’s drive towards zero waste and a circular economy.

Against the backdrop of increasing population, economic growth, rapid urbanisation, and the rise in community living standards, we are faced with new challenges to manage increasing amounts of waste. The elimination of waste represents the ultimate solution to pollution problems that threaten ecosystems at global, national, and localised levels.

A zero-waste philosophy, driven by the principle that waste must be understood as a potential resource to be utilised rather than a problem to be solved, is a whole-system approach that eliminates rather than manages waste. It encourages waste diversion from landfills and incineration plants by eliminating waste at its source, and favouring a ‘closed-loop’ circular system approach that integrates waste into the equation for resource management. 

This year, ENVISION places a spotlight on food and plastic waste, alongside e-waste, all global phenomena that require global efforts to create a more sustainable ecosystem of waste management and integration. 2019 is designated as the Year Towards Zero Waste for Singapore. In our quest towards zero-waste, this issue of ENVISION examines such efforts and developments locally, and around the world.

View the digital flipbook and download your PDF copy today here.

Cities are under pressure from forces like population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation.  But many new technologies, policy interventions, and behaviour change strategies can help.  Take a look at some of the cutting edge forces helping cities adapt.  Businesses and entire industries are also in flux.  Changes in corporate practices, business mindset, and investment practices are evolving at a rapid pace.  What will all of this mean for your city in the years ahead?

View the digital flipbook and download your PDF copy today here.

Climate change is an increasing reality in many parts of the world.  The race is on to cut greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst effects—but will the global community get to 2°C or less before many positive feedback loops kick in?  This issue explores the development of the “Paris Rulebook”, a look inside Singapore’s Year of Climate Action and forthcoming carbon tax, Singtel’s work with SBTi to cut emissions, the prospect of solar projects around Asia, how manufacturing technology can improve environmental outcomes, and an innovative new aircon technology that slashes energy use. Plus, get an up-close look at the growing possibility of floods from heavy rainfall, several new climate-related public health risks looming in the years ahead, and much more!

View the digital flipbook and download your PDF copy today here.

There is a global push to adopt greener, low-carbon business practices and slash carbon emissions.  To help enable this, a diverse group of players is advancing green finance, and also linking funding streams to a company's sustainability performance.  Learn how this may transform the financial industry in the decades to come.  Plus, Industry 4.0 technologies will bring disruption to traditional business processes. In what ways can businesses adapt and use new technologies to improve the environmental aspects of their operations?  Also, there is a nascent transformation in the manufacturing industry to become more sustainable.  Find out how "Positive Impact Factories", new recycled materials, and innovative technology platforms will boost productivity and slash waste streams.  Beyond technology, take a look at how art projects, 3P collaborations, and even individuals are making a difference for our environment. 

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 13 here.

Worldwide, the circular economy is gaining momentum. What could it hold for Asian economies? Explore this topic and the great business case behind resource efficiency. Plus, learn about the decline of diesel, the rise of electric vehicles, Semakau's renewables microgrid testbed, the battle against Zika, a look inside the field of synbio, and environmental education for upcoming generations.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 12 here.

This issue explores the increasing pressure both global cities and companies face to create lasting value for their constituents and stakeholders. In the face of challenges like climate change, the days of quick fixes and short-term thinking are increasingly coming to a close. Drawing in part on the insights shared at the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore 2016, this issue showcases some of the innovative clean and green solutions adopted by industries. A wide range of topics are covered: from planning for climate change to improving governance, saving energy, engaging the community, upskilling the industry, and adopting new technologies. It also delves into many initiatives to improve the cleaning and waste industry workforce — two key groups that keep cities liveable. Issue 11 also provides a useful guide to sustainability reporting — fast becoming a requisite for publicly-traded companies. Early adopter practitioners share their advice for a smooth reporting process, showcasing the many benefits resulting from sustainable practices.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 11 here.

Better technology can mean cleaner, greener solutions for our urban environment. ENVISION Issue 10 charts many emergent technologies: from redesigned, modular mobile phones, to “lizard” energy independent vehicles, cleantech, noise pollution blocking gear, and renewable energy tech like solar roadways. There are many new ways of dealing with end-of-life materials, enabled by technology such as cutting-edge recycling and metal recovery plants, paper that can be turned into absorbent material, and upcycling of plastic waste collected from oceans. Beyond technology, this issue explores some of its drivers, including recent outcomes of COP21, government interest, and Asia-Pacific private sector investments. Also, examine the ubiquitous high-tech tools used by NEA to improve environmental outcomes and productivity.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 10 here.

Food is an important resource. However, its future is at risk, marked by great uncertainty due to population growth, resource and land constraints, pollution, and increasing threats related to climate change. Learn about global food trends, the fight against food waste, food-based business strategies, and the development of the next era of Singapore's iconic Hawker Centres. In addition, you can read about Semakau Landfill's Phase II development and its coral conservation strategy, NTU's dive into cleantech, and new opportunities for solar investing.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 9 here.

ENVISION Issue 8 looks at creating sustainable city life, from blueprint to reality. In particular, it features the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015 (SSB), which maps out a national vision for Singapore to become a liveable and endearing home, a vibrant and sustainable city, and an active and gracious community. Working in partnership with our stakeholders, NEA plays a key role in Singapore’s efforts to realise our SSB vision, for instance, through pollution control measures to improve Singapore’s air quality, encouraging the practice of the 3Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle, and in public engagement to foster community ownership of the environment. This issue also highlights international trends for a more sustainable way of doing business, and explores technological innovations in waste management, resource reclamation, carbon capture and alternative energy. Beyond policy and technology, Issue 8 delves into the cultural factors that influence environmental behaviour. Different perspectives are explored, such as the engagement of our youths and the inculcation of environmental values among our citizenry, as these bottom-up activations would make an enormous difference to our environmental outcomes in the years ahead.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 8 here.

This issue explores the many environmental threats and opportunities we face in everyday life and business. One such environmental threat in our urban setting is of course dengue, for which there are a variety of community efforts and scientific initiatives underway to help curb the spread of this disease. Our activities are also shaped and impacted by natural phenomena, from daily weather to long term climate shifts. Besides potential threats, we explore the many opportunities for government and businesses to embrace environmentally-friendly activities. For example, various approaches to recycling food waste, industrial and electronic materials are all worth a closer look. Issue 7 also examines how a move towards a more resource-conscious economy can be of benefit to industry.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 7 here.

Recent years have seen interconnected environmental and economic predicaments shift the discourse on growth and its implications. Concepts like green economy have emerged and received political and business traction. But how much of these are merely green visions versus reality? ENVISION Issue 6 features many case studies of technology, best practices, systems, and policies that are taking shape in this avenue. Renewable energy technologies are gaining ground, and governments and businesses are transforming their value chains and cutting energy consumption. Singapore too, is making inroads in areas like energy efficiency and green buildings. There is increasing interest in the so-called ‘circular economy’ which aims to loop in linear industries that currently wreak environmental destruction through their externalities. On a planet with seven billion people, major transformations are not an overnight affair. However, the developments we see in ENVISION Issue 6, alongside many others globally, may signal paradigm shifts in the ways our economies work. As Dr Martin Shaw put it, “A lot of opportunity is going to arrive in the next 20 years disguised as loss.” Whether it is through a green economy or something entirely new that emerges from such beginnings, those who are prepared will prosper.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 6 here.

With growing environmental threats and challenges to major global cities, governments and communities are increasingly working together to help find solutions. One aspect of this involves tapping the expertise of the “crowd” to spur unconventional, rapid and innovative solutions. With governments and industry allowing public access to environmental data and involving them in consultative design processes, the opportunity for synergy emerges. Practitioners of all backgrounds are increasingly empowered by leveraging phenomena such as big data, new sensing and analytics systems, as well as technology applications. The fifth issue of ENVISION includes features on environmental data analytics, the latest technology, new tools being developed for industry and within government, how crowdsourcing is helping to change environmental outcomes, a guide to environmental apps, as well as inspiring environmental case studies from Singapore and beyond.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 5 here.

Climate change is already having significant impacts on human civilisation. In Issue 4, learn more about the rising costs and implications of climate change, international negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions, the launch of the world’s first tropical climate centre, shifting global economies off fossil fuels, energy efficient lighting, and Singapore’s new Energy Conservation Act. This issue also takes a look at top Asian energy efficiency markets, low-carbon technology, and how ecosystem impacts will affect business bottom lines in years to come.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 4 here.

With environmental public health as a major theme, ENVISION Magazine's third issue looks into the many ways a clean environment affects our well-being, health and lifestyle. The cornerstone of any good public health system in a country depends on an effective regime to maintain cleanliness, tackle pollution and prevent vector-borne diseases. This will require the efforts of all stakeholders and not just the Government.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 3 here.

With Rio+20 as a major theme, ENVISION Magazine’s second issue looks into the many facets of sustainable development: exploring the foundations of good environmental policy and governance, integrated environmental master planning in Tianjin Eco-City, the on-going research into waste management in Singapore, positive case studies from around the Asia-Pacific region, and interesting interviews with some of our environmental champions and guest speakers from SEI. With growing interest in our environment, NEA believes that well-informed discussions are an essential starting point to identifying the right solutions for achieving a cleaner, more beautiful and healthier environment for all.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 2 here.

ENVISION Magazine is the inaugural technical publication of NEA, produced bi-annually. It explores Singapore's unique experience and approach to environmental management issues. This technical publication has numerous features, including a candid interview with Mr Lee Ek Tieng who was instrumental in the Singapore River Cleanup. It also has content on waste management, the construction of Semakau Landfill, and air quality monitoring, amongst many other topics.

Read the flipbook or download in PDF ENVISION Magazine Issue 1 here.