1. Boon Sang, Tan (IE Global Executive MBA)
“Do you think that the lifestyle of inhabitants of
Singapore reflects behavior that is in line with the
concept of sustainable development? In your opinion,
what should be improved.”

2. What is sustainable
development?
“Sustainable development refers
to development that meets the
need of the present without
compromising the ability of our
future generations to meet their
own needs.”
~ World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland
Commission) report Our Common Future (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987).

3. Singapore: The Switzerland of Asia

4. Singapore lies just One degree North of
Equator. Sunny island city state in South
East Asia - slightly larger than Madrid
City. Famously referred as “Little Red
Dot”. A population of 5.31 million and
visited by over 14 millions travelers each
year. A diverse nation with many
languages and religions.
Besides hosting the only F1 night race,
Singapore has 2 Integrated Resorts, and
theme parks like Universal Studio and
world largest sea aquarium.
Singapore

5. • Singapore imports almost all its food, water, resources
and materials.
• Managing demands of a growing city.
• Singapore has limited land (710km2), water - largely
imported, high demand of resources from businesses
(130,000 registered and >7,000 multinational
corporation) and an aspiring middle class (per capita
income of US60,000).
• Competing demands for economic growth and living
environment
• Non-availability of alternate energy sources like hydro/
wind-driven
• Adapting to growing resource constraints.
• Compete for global demand for food, energy and
materials. Seek alternative energy sources and
renewable resources
• Mitigating climate change
• Rising temperature and sea-level
What are Singapore’s challenges?
0
2
4
5
7
1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2012 2030
Land Area Population
6.9m (2030)
5.3m (2012)
1.9m (1965)
580km2 (1965)
710km2 (2012)
760km2 (2030)
25%
(since 1965)
180%
(since 1965)

6. The Singapore Way
For Singapore, sustainable development means achieving both a more
dynamic economy and a better quality living environment, for Singapore
now and in the future
(Singapore Sustainable Development Blueprint 2009 - A Lively and Livable Singapore)

7. • Government Led Effort
• 2008 Inter-ministerial Committee to study
into “Sustainable Development for
Singapore”
• Singapore Sustainable Development
Blueprint 2009
• Master Plan by Singapore Planners -
Urban Redevelopment Authority
• Designing Out City - Planning for
sustainable Singapore
• Continued multi-ministerial effort to reach
out to individuals and business
The Singapore Way

8. Sustaining Growth
- Provide jobs
- High standard of living
- Attractive for visitor/investor
- New growth opportunities/ high
value jobs
Land-use
- Master plan by Singapore planners
- Effective/efficient land use
- Reduce congestion at city center by
decentralization by establishing regional centers
(mix of offices, retails, entrainment, commercial and
government)
- Optimize of city center to include residential and
lifestyle to commercial/business
Public Transportation
- More effective and efficient compare to
cars
- Uniquely Singapore: ERP - electronic
tolls for city center
- Integrated rail/bus network (increased
rail coverage to 278km)
- Encourage alternate mode - cycle or
carpool
- Flexi-hour to reduce load during peak
hour (Latest - FREE train ride)
Resources
- Innovative environmental
policies and technologies
- Long term water supply
strategy (reduce water
consumption)
- Improve resources efficiency
- Encourage recycle rate and
waste management
- Promote resource-efficient
building (80% - Green Mark)
Play Options
- Total quality living
- Greenery everywhere (Garden City),
include Garden by the Bay, billion dollars
garden within city canter
- Park connector (360km) - linking
Singapore

9. The government plays an active role in the holistic long term
planning in sustainable development for Singapore.
So how about Individuals
and Businesses?
The Singapore Way

10. “..lifestyle of inhabitants of Singapore
reflects behavior that is in line with
the concept of Sustainable
Development?”
YES, at first glance, but more
can be done …

11. YES
• Businesses
• More business supporting flexible
working hours/ re-organize travel
pattern
• Increase in participation of programmes
support sustainable development
(Certification Programme, BCA Green
Mark )
• Corporation responsibility – promoting
and participating in Reduce packaging
and Recycle effort and waste
management
• Support government research in new
technologies like NEWater (treated
wastewater), Zero energy building

12. YES
• Individuals
• Increase awareness and usage of
alternative transportation (cycling/hybrid
cars/energy efficient )
• Reuse - Recycle – Refuse: Increase in
household participation from 15%
2001to 65% 2008
• More people are adopting flexible
working hours/ re-organize travel
pattern
• Increase in use of energy efficient and
water saving products
• Increase in participation of programmes
support sustainable development for
example, Earth day, Tree planting,
Recycling

13. More can be done
• High consumption of resources
• per capita energy consumption of 8,307 kWh)
• per capita water of 147 liters/day
• wastage of food
• Inefficient transport
• <3% of 970,000 vehicles in Singapore are
electric/hybrids/clean fuel
• 13% land use for land transport infrastructures
(mainly roads)
• Daily Ridership - 0.9 millions taxi (15%), 6.27
millions train/bus (85%)
• Congested peak hours – traffic jams, crowded
trains/buses
• Recycling Effort – still needs to be improved

14. In Singapore, government is spearheading
the effort in “A Sustainable Singapore”.
Therefore it is now for the businesses and
individual to contribute their parts in the
journey to sustainable development.
Individuals:
• Embrace public transport and environment
friendly modes of transport (like clean fuels and
hybrid cars, walking, cycling).
• Live responsibly by reducing wastage of
resources (food, lifestyle products), water
consumption, energy consumption and recycle.
• Participating in community programmes (tree
planting, recycling projects, etc.)
How we can do better

15. Business:
• Conduct business responsibly by reducing
wastage of resources (water and energy),
control and reduce pollutions
• Participating in government/community
programmes
• Recycling
• Energy efficient building technologies and
zero-energy buildings initiatives
• Partnership with government to research
on clean technology and sustainable urban
solutions
Additionally
• Engagement of NGO and Interests Group by
Government in National Conversation for Long
Term Planning for Singapore
Zero Energy Building
CleanTech Park
How we can do better

16. Conclusion
The Singapore Government is doing a great effort in sustainable
development - evident in their long term planning and mutli-ministerial and
multi-faceted approach to promote responsible living in Singapore
Singapore inhabitants are increasingly embracing behaviors which are in line
with the concept of sustainable development. With a greater awareness of
global environmental concerns and resource constraints, Singapore
residents/businesses will be able to contribute to “The Singapore Way to
Sustainable Development.”