GreenGov.SG: Public sector aims to peak carbon emissions by 2025

SINGAPORE'S public service is adopting a carbon emissions target for the first time. It will aim for public-sector carbon emissions - including from public transport infrastructure, hawker centres and more - to have peaked around 2025, ahead of the national target. Environmental sustainability requirements will be incorporated into its procurement framework.

The "GreenGov.SG" initiative will be part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 unveiled last month, which charts the Republic's green targets. Like the Green Plan, GreenGov.SG is billed as a "living plan", meaning it may be continually refreshed over time.

Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, spoke on GreenGov.SG in Parliament on Thursday. Citing the Green Plan, she said: "The government will set the broad policy direction and the public sector will lead the change. Through the GreenGov.SG initiative, it will exemplify sustainability in its actions, and lead market demand for sustainable products and services."

Under the Green Plan, Singapore aims for carbon emissions to have peaked by 2030, halved by 2050, and tapered to net zero "as soon as viable" in the second half of the century. The GreenGov.SG initiative will aim for public-sector emissions to have peaked around 2025, five years ahead of the national target of 2030.

The scope of these targets extends beyond government-owned offices to include public sector infrastructure and operations. Said Ms Fu: "GreenGov.SG will encompass a far wider array of assets to include waste-to-energy plants, public transport infrastructure, hawker centres and healthcare facilities."

Sustainability practices will also be embedded in core business areas including green procurement, she added. "As a major consumer of goods and services, the public sector can and will influence the industry towards sustainable business choices and practices by incorporating more sustainability requirements in our procurement framework."

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The public service would also seek to build an organisational culture of sustainability, Ms Fu said.

GreenGov.SG is a refresh and rebranding of the Public Sector Taking the Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiative. Introduced in 2006 and enhanced in 2014, PSTLES sought to instil environmentally friendly practices in the public sector.

Among other things, the updates to PSTLES in 2014 established targets for electricity and water consumption, as well as green buildings. Green procurement requirements were also introduced for events, paper, and electrical appliances.

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