NEA News

Environmental Changemakers Advance Singapore's Sustainable Future

18 Aug 2026 06:30

Record nominations signal growing public passion for sustainability

18 August 2026 – Today, 14 individuals were presented with the EcoFriend Awards by the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu, for their exceptional contributions towards a more sustainable and resilient Singapore. In her address at the 17^th edition of the biennial awards ceremony organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA), Minister Fu highlighted that every Singaporean has a stake in the nation’s environmental future, emphasising climate adaptation as a key priority for Singapore’s long-term sustainable development.

2. The EcoFriend Awards honours individuals from various sectors [1] and backgrounds for their selfless dedication and outstanding efforts in shaping Singapore into a sustainable home. This year’s awards saw nominations exceeding 500 for the first time in more than a decade. The strong response of 510 nominations reflected heightened public consciousness and commitment to sustainable living, a testament to how the EcoFriend Awards has grown since its inception in 2007 into a trusted platform for recognising environmental excellence and stewardship.

3. With 186 Eco-Heroes commended to date, NEA continues to support recipients post-award, including connecting them with like-minded partners and facilitating potential collaborations through NEA’s people, public, and private (3P) network. Recipients are also invited to apply for funding under NEA’s Partnership Fund, with grants of up to $30,000 or 80 per cent of supportable costs to scale their projects and amplify environmental change. More information about this grant can be found at https://go.gov.sg/neapf.

Leveraging deep-tech, ground-up efforts, and artificial intelligence to champion sustainability

4. For the complete list of 17^th EcoFriend Awards recipients, please refer to Annex A. Some recipients for this year include:

Carlo Charles is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flint, a Singapore deep-tech startup developing cellulose-based batteries as a sustainable alternative to conventional lithium batteries. Operating from its office and lab in Singapore, Flint produces around five million batteries annually and has earned international recognition for its innovative battery technology, which has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. Designed for use in everyday devices such as keyboards, computer mice and wearables, Flint's batteries demonstrate how Singapore-grown innovation can advance cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
Iswandie Wanhar founded the Tampines West Green Action for Communities (GAC) in 2023. As its Founding Chairman, GAC has grown into a thriving resident-led movement that has engaged over 1,000 residents through litter-picking drives, composting workshops, beach cleanups and nature walks, supported by partnerships with NEA, the Public Hygiene Council and other national agencies. Beyond engaging residents, Iswandie has built a strong network of trained environmental champions who are empowered to lead future sustainability initiatives.
Ong Xuan Wan is the Head of Department of Science and Head of Greenovators Applied Learning Programme (ALP) at Dazhong Primary School. She designed the school-wide programme to empower students to identify environmental issues, develop green solutions and advocate for sustainable practices through maker-based projects and overseas immersion trips. Xuan Wan also conceptualised hands-on outdoor learning journeys incorporating artificial intelligence and virtual reality to connect sustainability concepts to real world challenges, nurturing a strong pipeline of young eco-stewards.

“We First” spirit: past recipients pay it forward

5. Past recipients of the EcoFriend Awards continue to give back through mentorship of the next generation of eco-champions, exemplifying the “We First” spirit of looking beyond self-interest towards a shared, greener future. Mr Veerappan Swaminathan, Ms Pek Hai Lin, Ms Samantha Thian and Mr Loo Deliang, who received the Awards in 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2022 respectively, are currently YOUth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Advisors under NEA’s YES Leaders Programme. Joining them as new Advisors are Mr Preston Wong, Mr Ernest Goh, Mr Tan Shi Zhou and Mr Carlo Charles who received the EcoFriend Awards in 2022, 2024, 2024 and 2026 respectively.

6. Beyond mentorship, past recipients also continue to contribute through community engagement and public outreach. Ms Nuryanee Anisah, a 2024 EcoFriend Awards recipient and Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Commenhers LLP, continues to support NEA’s public outreach efforts. She actively participates in initiatives such as the Say YES to Waste Less campaign. She is also a booth partner at NEA’s events where she engages the public on sustainable fashion and the importance of reducing and recycling.

7. The sustained efforts of past recipients demonstrate that lasting environmental change is built not on individual efforts alone, but on the shared commitment for a cleaner and greener future. NEA would also like to recognise all past nominees and the many individuals whose efforts, big or small, move Singapore towards the Singapore Green Plan 2030 goals. It is this collective spirit that will carry our sustainability journey forward.

8. Members of the public who wish to nominate individuals for the next EcoFriend Awards may visit https://go.gov.sg/efa for more information when nominations open in 2027.

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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

[1] The different sectors include the private, public, non-government and grassroots volunteers, educational institutions, and students and youth.

Annex A - 17th EcoFriend Awards Recipients

Annex B - 17th EcoFriend Awards Evaluation Panel

Singapore Government Stand Ready to Mitigate Impact of Haze

09 Aug 2026 02:00

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF AGENCIES IN THE HAZE TASK FORCE

9 August 2026 – As of 9 August 2026, 1.00pm, the 24-hr Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) is 81 (Moderate range) in the Central region of Singapore. The 28 public agencies that make up the Government’s Haze Task Force (HTF) are ready to roll out their respective haze action plans should the air quality deteriorate into the Unhealthy range, when the 24-hour PSI exceeds 100.

2. Recent dry conditions have resulted in an escalation in the hotspot situation. Hotspots and smoke plumes were observed over parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Under prevailing southeasterly winds, smoke haze could be transported towards Singapore, particularly from the hotspots in the southern parts of Sumatra. The dry conditions are expected to continue in the coming week which could increase the risk of haze should the fires persist.

3. NEA will continue to closely monitor the haze situation and provide further updates if the situation changes. If the 24-hour PSI enters the Unhealthy range, NEA will issue daily haze advisories. The daily haze advisory will include the 24-hour PSI forecast, which can be used by the public to plan their activities and events the next day.

4. 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration as an indicator of current air quality, and 1-hour PM2.5 associated personal guide when planning outdoor or strenuous activities over the next few hours. The 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration level can be volatile and fluctuate throughout the day based on weather conditions, particularly during periods of transboundary haze.

5. The impact of haze on an individual is dependent on his or her health status, the 24-hour PSI level, and the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion, and drinking water to stay hydrated can reduce ill effects from haze exposure. Those with pre-existing chronic heart and lung conditions should ensure medication is readily on hand. Vulnerable persons, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with pre-existing chronic heart and lung conditions, who develop symptoms or feel unwell, should seek medical attention promptly. More practical tips for households to reduce exposure to haze can be found here. Current air quality readings and advisories to protect public health, especially vulnerable groups are available on www.haze.gov.sg, www.nea.gov.sg and the myENV app.

Government Haze Task Force

6. The HTF, which is chaired by NEA, develops and implements action plans to minimise and manage the impact of haze on Singapore. HTF member agencies have robust action plans in place, allowing tiered responses depending on the intensity of the haze, which are based on the air quality readings and forecasts.

7. The HTF convenes annually, before the start of the dry season in June to update its plans. This year’s HTF has convened twice so far - once in end-January in light of the peatland and vegetation fires in east Johor (due to dry weather), resulting in some plumes from the fires to drift towards Singapore, and once in April. Refer to Annex A for the list of HTF members. For more details of the HTF’s action plans for mitigating the impact of haze, refer to Annex B.

Issued on behalf of agencies in the Haze Task Force

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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Short-Duration Thundery Showers On Some Days In The Second Fortnight Of August 2026

17 Aug 2026 04:34

17 August 2026 – Southwest Monsoon conditions are prevailing over Singapore and the surrounding region, and are expected to persist in the coming fortnight, with winds blowing from the southeast or southwest.

2 Localised short-duration thundery showers are expected over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on some days. There may also be several fair and occasionally windy days. The total rainfall for the second fortnight of August 2026 is forecast to be below average over most parts of the island.

3 In the second fortnight of August 2026, the daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days. On a few days, the daily maximum temperature could reach a high of 35 degrees Celsius. Most nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures staying above 27 degrees Celsius.

4 With the dry conditions in the surrounding region, hotspots with smoke plumes have been observed, mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan. The dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days. Under the prevailing southeasterly or southwesterly winds, Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates if the situation changes. Should the 24-hour PSI enter the Unhealthy range, NEA will provide daily haze advisories.

5 For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 16 August 2026)

6 Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region in the first half of August 2026, with winds blowing mostly from the southeast or south.

7 The first half of August 2026 was mostly dry, with only a few days of brief showers over Singapore. These conditions were attributed to suppressed rain cloud formation caused by a dry air mass over Singapore and the surrounding region. Thundery showers affected parts of the island on a few days during this period. The highest rainfall recorded in the first half of August 2026 was a daily total of 39.2mm, registered at Seraya Road on 2 August 2026 and Paya Lebar on 15 August 2026.

8 In the first half of August 2026, daily maximum temperatures exceeded 33 degrees Celsius on all but one day. The highest daily maximum temperature of 34.9 degree Celsius was recorded at Pulau Ubin on 14 August 2026. The nights were warm, with minimum night-time temperatures remaining above 27 degrees Celsius across many parts of the island.

9 Well-below-average rainfall was recorded across the island in the first half of August 2026. The highest anomaly of 100 per cent below-average was recorded at Changi.

CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS

Long-term Statistics for August *(Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)*
Average daily maximum temperature:	31.4	°C
Average daily minimum temperature:	25.3	°C
Average monthly temperature:	28.1	°C

Average rainfall:	146.9	mm
Average number of rain days:	14

*Historical Extremes for August* *(Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)*
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:	32.7	°C (2019)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:	23.0	°C (1962)

Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	526.8	mm (1878)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:	11.8	mm (2019)

METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE

17 Aug 2026

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$8,000 Fine For Illegal Dumping At Tampines Road Heavy Vehicle Park

06 Aug 2026 06:06

6 August 2026 – A general worker pleaded guilty to disposing of about 1,530 kg of household and renovation waste illegally at Tampines Road Heavy Vehicle Park[1] on 13 May 2025. The case was heard in court on 4 August 2026. Mr Shkder Foridul was convicted of one charge under section 20(1)(a) of the Environmental Public Health Act 1987 (EPHA) and fined $8,000.

2. On 14 May 2025, officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) discovered a pile of waste comprising household items and renovation waste that had been dumped on the grass verge at Tampines Road Heavy Vehicle Park during routine surveillance. Investigations revealed that Mr Foridul had undertaken hacking and dismantling jobs for two residential premises at Whampoa Drive and Farrer Road respectively. Instead of disposing of the waste properly at a licensed general waste disposal facility, Mr Foridul dumped it illegally out of convenience.

3. The illegal disposal of waste is a serious offence as it pollutes the environment and poses a hazard to public health. NEA will not hesitate to take strict enforcement action against any person who disposes of waste illegally. A first-time offender is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for a term of not less than one month and up to 12 months.

4. The public can assist NEA by submitting reports of suspected illegal disposal electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application. When reporting, please provide the date, time, and location of the incident, the registration number of the vehicle used to carry out the illegal disposal, as well as any supporting photos and video clips.

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¹ Photos of the waste that was disposed of at Tampines Road Heavy Vehicle Park are appended in Annex A.

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Annex A

Photos of waste illegally disposed of at Tampines Road Heavy Vehicle Park

Photo credit: The National Environment Agency