Measures to Improve Sustainability Efforts and Reduce Carbon Footprint in Industrial Sector
Ministry of Trade and IndustrySpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Dr Lim Wee Kiak’s inquiry regarding measures implemented to improve sustainability efforts and reduce the industrial sector's carbon footprint. Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong responded that Singapore aims for net-zero emissions by 2050 by decarbonising energy sources, importing four gigawatts of electricity, and developing low-carbon hydrogen. Sectoral efforts include the Sustainable Jurong Island initiative to increase production of bio-based fuels and specialty chemicals while deploying carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies. At the enterprise level, schemes like the Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions and the Energy Efficiency Fund help companies improve energy efficiency. Finally, the Enterprise Sustainability Programme provides capability development and funding to support companies in developing sustainability strategies for a low-carbon transition.
Transcript
76 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what measures are being implemented to improve sustainability efforts and reduce the carbon footprint in the industrial sector specifically.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Singapore has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and has put in place various measures to achieve this target.
We are decarbonising our energy sources progressively, starting with greater use of locally generated solar power. We also aim to achieve four gigawatts of imported electricity by 2035 and diversify to new sources of green energy like hydrogen.
We launched our National Hydrogen Strategy in October last year. The strategy outlined the steps we will take to develop low-carbon hydrogen as a decarbonisation pathway for Singapore. This includes manufacturing sectors where hydrogen can potentially serve as either a low-carbon feedstock or fuel to reduce the carbon footprint of industrial activities.
At the sectoral level, the economic agencies are working closely with emissions-intensive industries to restructure their activities towards greater sustainability. As part of Sustainable Jurong Island, the Economic Development Board (EDB) is working with the Energy and Chemicals sector to increase the production of sustainable products, such as high-value specialty chemicals and materials and bio-based fuels and chemicals. We are also collaborating on system-wide solutions like increased renewable deployment and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).
At the enterprise level, the Government has introduced schemes, such as the Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions (REG(E)) and Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F) to help companies become more energy efficient. Under the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP), we also provide capability development and funding support for companies to develop their sustainability strategies.
The Government will continue to work closely with and support the industry in the transition towards a low-carbon economy.