Environment

Singapore's policies are sometimes mind-boggling and contradictory. An example of this seemingly counterproductive logic is the reported news that while Singapore has earmarked S$14 million (US$10.19 million) to drive the development of smart urban estates that can operate and consume energy more efficiently, it still refuses to take any action against the appalling levels of plastic consumption in Singapore. S$14 …

The Nature Society Singapore (NSS) has released a 16-page position paper calling for more land to be set aside for wildlife at the new forest-town of Tengah. Specifically, NSS is asking that a total of 220ha of land at two ends of the 700ha site be preserved as a refuge for animals. Accepting that the proposal will reduce the number …

The human race has less than two years to save the planet, says the world’s leading scientists. Since 1970, approximately 60% of all mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have been wiped out in what many scientist are calling the sixth mass extinction event of planet earth. And the world’s leading scientists warn that the annihilation of wildlife has become a …

Indonesian anti-graft officials arrested seven people, including one senior executive of palm corporation Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology, on Sunday (28 Oct). Deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Saut Situmorang declared vice president director of Sinar Mas Agro, Edy Saputra Suradja, chief executive of PT Binasawit Abadi Pratama, Willy Agung Adipradhana, and some members of Central Kalimantan parliament …

The National Environment Agency (NEA) announced in a press release on Friday (26 October) that it will be raising the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) of lamps so as to phase out halogen bulbs and accelerate the switch among consumers to using more energy efficient lamps, as well as introducing MEPS for fluorescent lamp ballasts. According to the authority, this is …

By 2020, SP Group will carry out the installation of 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points, which is twice the original number anticipated in June. In its press release on Thursday (25 Oct), the energy utilities corporation, which is wholly owned by Temasek, announced that 250 of the 1,000 charging points will be high-powered direct current (DC) chargers that will charge …

Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) corporations are a predominant force behind the throwaway economic model driving the plastic pollution crisis, according to a comprehensive sector survey Greenpeace International released today. None of the companies surveyed have plans to put the brakes on the growing production and marketing of single-use plastics, while the solutions they are exploring will only perpetuate the problem. “We hoped to …

In an unprecedented move, global financial organisations have joined together to sign the 'Mansion House Declaration' as part of United for Wildlife’s Financial Taskforce meeting on Wednesday 10th October, agreeing that they "will not knowingly facilitate or tolerate financial flows that are derived from illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and associated corruption". The declaration includes commitments to sharing resources and intelligence …

The Break Free From Plastic movement announced today (9th October) that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé were the most frequent companies identified in 239 clean-ups and brand audits spanning 42 countries and six continents. Over 187,000 pieces of plastic trash were audited, identifying thousands of brands whose packaging relies on the single-use plastics that pollute our oceans and waterways globally. Coca-Cola …

Member of Parliament (MP) for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Louis Ng has proposed charging for single-use carrier bags in a bid to reduce waste in Singapore. This proposal appears to be backed up by Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources, Amy Khor, who said that managing plastics and packaging waste is one of the "key priorities" for her …