Rapid economic growth and urbanisation are key factors contributing to climate change. Owing to its complex and multifaceted nature, there is no easy solution to tackling climate change. As a global challenge, it transcends national boundaries and requires the collective action of a large number of stakeholders across many disciplines. It forces us to confront difficult questions of responsibility, equity and intergenerational justice that are hard to reach a consensus on. Climate change is not a problem of the future. We are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change today and Southeast Asia is as prone to its devastating effects as any other country on the globe. At the Ecosperity Week 2023, Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, Republic of Singapore, discussed net zero cities and how they play a role in tackling climate change. He also delved into the initiatives undertaken by Singapore for the same. Edited excerpts…

Singapore has recently experienced its warmest decade on record, with a recent daily maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, matching a 40- year high. The year 2022 also happened to be one of the wettest years witnessed in the country. The impact of higher temperatures and heavier and more unpredictable rains cannot be understated. They stress our ecosystems, disrupt the economy and affect the food supply. The impact of these severe weather events underscores the need to prioritise sustainability and act decisively, swiftly and collectively to address this climate crisis.

Role of cities in tackling climate change

Cities play a critical role in tackling climate change given their significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. At present, cities are responsible for more than 70 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, while the built environment sector accounts for approximately 40 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. As cities continue to grow and urbanisation accelerates, the demand for energy and infrastructure will only increase. It is critical, therefore, to find innovative ways to flatten the emissions curve brought about by urbanisation. Building net zero cities is imperative if nations are to achieve net zero emissions globally by mid-century to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Singapore’s focus on building net zero cities

A holistic approach is required to build net zero cities. It should consider various aspects of urban development, from energy production to transport systems and building design. Singapore has undertaken a few initiatives in this area. In order to become a net zero city, Singapore is greening its energy sources. It is harnessing greener energy through natural gas, solar power regional power grids, and emerging low-carbon alternatives such as hydrogen. Over the years, cities have been transformed into living lab for innovative solar deployment despite land constraints. Singapore has deployed conventional rooftop solar installations such as on housing board rooftops. The first large-scale floating solar photovoltaic (PV) system was opened at the Tengah Reservoir in 2021. It spans 45 football fields, making it one of the world’s largest inland floating systems. The energy generated provides enough power for about 16,000 four-room housing board flats for a year.

Apart from this, buildings are also deploying solar energy. Keppel Infrastructure in Changi has a building-integrated PV system that maximises the amount of renewable energy generated by using vertical solar panels to capture sunlight. Together with its rooftop solar panels, the building can generate approximately 600,000 kWh of renewable energy per year, enough to offset more than twice the building’s energy consumption. Beyond greener sources of energy, Singapore is also exploring means to make its towns, districts and buildings more sustainable. We have been envisioning a greener Singapore of the future through districts like the Jurong Lake District (or JLD). Planned as the largest mixed-used business district outside the city centre, JLD is a model district and a test bed for urban sustainability solutions.

To promote green commutes, JLD will be a “car-lite” district. It will also be served by four mass rapid transit lines, with key roads designated as transit priority corridors with bus-only lanes, wider footpaths and cycling paths. All new buildings in the district will be required to minimally achieve Green Mark Platinum (super low energy) certification. We can expect to see more buildings that are naturally ventilated, and equipped with best-in-class energy efficiency technologies and intelligent energy management systems. Like Marina Bay, JLD will also be served by a centralised district cooling network that uses less energy for the same amount of cooling, reducing overall emissions. To promote climate resilience, water-sensitive urban designs have been incorporated, which help to cleanse water runoff and harvest rainwater to irrigate plants. Such district-level projects enable Singapore to demonstrate, test and refine new technologies and solutions in real-world conditions. It is through such experimentation that the most optimal set of solutions can be discovered to achieve net zero goals.

Building climate-resilient cities

Singapore is as focused on building climate-resilient cities as it is on building net zero cities. A low-lying island like Singapore is extremely vulnerable to a rise in the sea level. Singapore has undertaken significant efforts to enhance coastal and flood resilience. The government is actively testing different coastal protection solutions to assess their suitability for Singapore. For instance, it is using nature-based solutions to protect coastlines. This includes conserving and restoring mangrove forests. In 2019, Singapore completed a coastal protection project at the Kranji Coastal Nature Park. The country aims to continue its mangrove enhancement efforts at the upcoming Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Parks and at the Khatib Bongsu Nature Park. Singapore also recognises the importance of investing in research and development to find innovative solutions. The government can support this endeavour by creating a conducive environment for cross-fertilisation of ideas. To this end, the Public Utilities Board recently launched a $125 million Coastal Protection and Flood Management Research Programme to partner universities, international institutions and industry experts, to develop and commercialise urban flood and coastal protection solutions.

In sum

To conclude, the impact of climate change is here and now. Action to avoid the ill effects of climate change must be taken today. Tackling climate change is an exercise in learning by doing. To enable net zero cities, public agencies must be coordinated in their goals and actions, and should not work in silos. At the same time, government agencies should work in close partnership with the private and people sectors to mobilise the industry and public. Combined with clear political will at all levels, and the ability to garner people’s support for climate change, Southeast Asia will make the change, and build net zero cities and a net zero future together.