Speech by SPS Goh Hanyan - Committee of Supply 2026

Mr Chairman,

1. Climate adaptation can sound distant – something handled somewhere else by someone else. But in truth, it shows up in everyday life through the sudden downpour that disrupts your commute or the heat that lingers in your flat a little too long after sunset. These small but growing inconveniences tell us something important: the environment around us is changing and how we respond will shape how we live.

2. In simple terms, climate adaptation means getting ready for disruptions we know are coming. How can we help ourselves stay comfortable and stay safe as the climate shifts.

3. For Singapore, this work is becoming urgent. As Minister Grace Fu announced, we are designating 2026 as our Year of Climate Adaptation. A year to increase awareness and bring everyone into the action.

4. At MSE, this reflects our unified approach to "We First". Everyone has a stake in how Singapore adapts and everyone has a role in making it work.

5. Over the next few minutes, I will share how we are bringing this approach to life along our coasts, across our communities, and in our daily action.

Shaping our coasts

6. First, as a land scarce country, Singapore is vulnerable to rising seas. In simple terms, if we do nothing, every rise in sea level means less land for us. 

7. We are already seeing some effects today. In January this year, spring tides flooded parts of East Coast Park, even without rain. This shows us that coastal flooding is not distant future. It’s happening now. The Government has committed billions through the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund and this is a long-term investment measured in generations. 

8. Now at its core, coastal protection is about safeguarding land while supporting the way that people and nature share our coasts. 

   1. We see this in Singapore, where steel and concrete abut wilderness. I saw it myself when I joined a few nature group volunteers on an intertidal walk. Sea creatures like nudibranchs and sand dollars, right next to Tanah Merah ferry terminal. 

9. We are speaking to communities about how coastal protection measures and how they could be designed. This includes residents, businesses, researchers, and nature groups who all interact with our coast differently yet care about it deeply.

10. I attended one of these sessions at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, discussing coastal protection around mangrove habitats. 

    1. The conversation was rich with perspectives, discussing trade-offs and exploring how we might combine coastal protection measures with public spaces. One suggestion that emerged was transforming the Kranji Tidal Gatehouse into a viewing deck.

11. We are listening and we are onboarding these views as we develop our coastal protection measures across Singapore. Because when people help shape what protects them, protection becomes something shared rather than something imposed.

Strengthening flood resilience where we live and work

12. Second, with extreme events happening more often, I am very sure everyone has been caught in an unexpected heavy storm. We continue upgrading our drains and infrastructure, but no city can plan and build its way out of every possible storm.

13. For true resilience, we must all be empowered to protect ourselves.

14. As Ms Poh Li San highlighted, businesses can take a step to protect their premises from flooding. 

    1. To help them understand what those steps may be, PUB worked with industry through an Alliance-for-Action to develop a Flood-Resilient Developments Guidebook.

    2. The Guidebook will be launched in mid-2026 on PUB's website. It will help business owners assess their flood exposure through a DIY Flood Risk Matrix and decide what protection measures they need for their properties. The guidance is practical and draws directly from industry experience. 

15. Beyond what businesses can do, preparedness starts with each one of us. Look out for PUB's 'Get Flood-wise in a F.L.A.S.H.' campaign or join their outreach events. Learn simple actions to keep yourself and your family safe, during heavy rains or floods.

16. Ms Nadia would be glad that we are bringing preparedness to your doorstep. Our teams are visiting flood-prone areas, distributing portable flood barriers that you can set up quickly. We have already distributed over 16,000 of these barriers and are continuing throughout this year.

17. Join us and act now by subscribing to PUB’s flood alerts on Telegram, X or on the MyENV app.

Enabling communities to lead adaptation  

18. Next, coastal and flood protection are important to keeping Singapore safe and liveable. An engaged community is what truly makes the difference.

19. We are encouraged to see communities across Singapore coming forward, coming together, with solutions to protect the environment and promote sustainability. 

20. We are supporting your efforts through the SG Eco Fund. Since 2020, the SG Eco Fund has awarded over $21 million to support close to 500 initiatives, engaging over 700,000 individuals. 

21. I am particularly excited about an SG Eco Fund project tackling indoor heat for seniors, a topic less understood and not talked about enough. 

    1. HeatAware SG by Sustainable Living Lab puts sensors in homes to help seniors understand temperature build-up and gives timely cooling advice. One senior who they worked with had never used fans, even on hot days, a habit brought over from kampung days. But imagine, with rising temperatures, this risks heat stroke. With simple monitoring and gentle prompts, seniors are now empowered with the information they need, to stay safe when it gets too hot.

22. Ultimately, to adapt, we must first see clearly. When we understand what is changing around us, we can prepare. That is how societies successfully weather change.

23. Ms Hany Soh asked about expanding the SG Eco Fund’s scope to support more ground-up action. As climate risks grow, we need more focused action, so we are aligned with that.

    1. That is why I am announcing the Climate Adaptation Package under the SG Eco Fund. Starting 1 May 2026, we will commit up to $5 million over 2 years to fund projects, like HeatAware SG, that build awareness and inspire action on climate adaptation topics. These topics include heat resilience – as Mr Ng Shi Xuan, David Hoe and Ms Valerie Lee highlighted, flood protection, water conservation, and supporting local produce. We will open applications all year-round and increase funding for supportable project costs from 80% to 90%.

24. Climate change can feel overwhelming. But we believe you can make the difference. If you have ideas, take advantage of the SG Eco Fund. We want to hear from you and we are here to support you to turn your ideas into reality.

25. To our young people, your energy and your ideas are exactly what we need to build a resilient Singapore. One that you can inherit with confidence.

26. Mr Lee Hong Chuang would be heartened to know that we are also committed to empowering our young people in building resilience beyond our shores. 

    1. The National Youth Council’s Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund supports youth sustainability projects across Southeast Asia. They can also volunteer in sustainability projects overseas through the Youth Corps Expedition Project.  

Everyday habits

27. Finally, climate adaptation is also about daily behaviour. The habits we form, the choices we make, and the responsibilities we all carry as individuals.

28. Let me now say a few words in Mandarin about the Beverage Container Return Scheme, and how daily actions can drive sustainability.

Beverage Container Return Scheme

29. 新加坡正面对气候变化所带来的严峻挑战。我们必须寻求更好的解决方案，来适应气候变化所带来的改变。 

30. 永续发展与环境部希望鼓励社会各界，跟我们一起合作，把永续发展的理念融入我们的日常生活中。 普杰立医生刚才谈到的饮料瓶罐退费制计划就是一个很好的例子。

31. 从下个月起，在超级市场、小贩中心、咖啡店和部分零售商家将逐步开始售卖一些印有或贴上押金标签的瓶装和罐装饮料。   

32. 为了方便消费者适应这项新计划，本地大型超市将统一采用以下做法：

    1. 货架上标示的价格不包含一角钱押金。超市会清楚告知消费者在结账时必须额外支付一角钱押金。

    2. 较小型的零售商可能会采用不同的标价方式。我们将持续与他们协作，确保瓶罐装饮料的价格标示保持清晰透明。
       

33. 大家喝完饮料后，可将贴有标签的瓶罐投进回收机，取回一角钱押金。大家可以使用新易通卡、优惠车资卡和星展银行PayLah！应用取回押金。 这项新措施，不但可以提高饮料瓶罐的回收率，还可以鼓励国人养成环保的好习惯。

34. 在推出这项新计划之前，我们广泛咨询了餐饮业者的想法，认为有两种回收瓶罐的做法比较可行。

    1. 第一个做法就是将罐装饮料倒入杯子里让顾客享用，或是在顾客喝完饮料后，回收瓶罐。 这样的情况下，餐饮业者就不会向顾客收取一角钱押金。 

       1. 我们将把这类业者归类为”Return Right F&B” 商家。 这些餐饮业者会在店内贴告示牌，通知顾客他们不会收取押金。

       2. 我们理解，选择自行回收瓶罐的业者，需要付出更多心力去更改工作流程。 

       3. 为了协助这些业者，我们会为每间”Return Right F&B” 餐饮店提供一次性的500元资助。 业者可向国家环境局提出申请。  

    2. 第二个做法是向购买罐装饮料的顾客征收一角钱押金。 

       1. 顾客喝完饮料后可将瓶罐投入任何回收机，取回一角钱押金。 这样的模式对大多咖啡店和小贩中心和咖啡店摊贩来说，操作实行起来会比较实际。  

35. 逐步实行和完善一项新政策需要时间。 在这个过渡期，我们希望得到大家的支持与谅解。 与此同时，我们也非常欢迎大家提出的意见和想法供我们做参考并适时改进。

36. 只要大家齐心协力，我们必定能携手为保护环境尽一份力。 

Conclusion

37. Mr Chairman, climate adaptation is about preparing early and acting together. From coasts to floods to community action – each effort depends on all of us. This is how nations endure – by adapting together, preparing early, and building for generations. 

38. The Government will continue investing for the long-term and we invite every Singaporean to be part of this effort. Because that is what We First means: a shared responsibility for a shared future.
    

39. Thank you.