Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In 2025, as part of our 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), we announced that we will further reduce our emissions to between 45 and 50 MtCO2e in 2035. This builds on our 2030 NDC to reduce emissions to around 60 MtCO2e by 2030, after peaking emissions earlier, and is aligned with our commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.   

Singapore is committed to effective climate action and we will find innovative ways to move towards a low-carbon future for industry, economy, and society through these key thrusts: 

• Build Low-carbon City and Promote Sustainable Living 

• Catalyse Industry and Business Transformation; 

• Pursue Effective Cross-Border Solutions 

These key thrusts are supported by the carbon tax as a key enabler of this transition. Beyond these measures, Singapore is also studying and investing in low-carbon technologies for a fuller suite of potential decarbonisation solutions. More details of our efforts can be found here.

We will also continue to rally every segment of society to do their part to address climate change through the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which is our whole-of-nation roadmap that outlines concrete and ambitious sectoral targets to achieve sustainable development and net-zero emissions. 

The road to a sustainable future is a whole-of-nation effort. We hope to spark a national conversation and energise Singaporeans to act through the Singapore Green Plan. Every Singaporean must be involved in this transformation because:

1. Sustainability entails opportunity costs and cannot be incurred without a national consensus. In the near term, we may have to pay more for greener goods and services, adjust to slight inconveniences in our daily lives, or reskill for green jobs in new industries.

2. It is our individual actions that determine collective outcomes. Our consumption patterns drive industry. If we avoid disposables, buy locally produced food, and choose energy-efficient appliances, greener and more sustainable businesses will emerge.

3. There are new business and job opportunities across the economy that will benefit Singapore and Singaporeans.

The Government will continue to engage members of the public to rally and drive collective actions for sustainability through campaigns, consultations, and co-creation opportunities. MSE initiatives with opportunities for individuals and organisations to play a part include the ongoing Singapore Green Plan, and the annual Go Green Singapore. MSE also launched the SG Eco Fund in 2020 to support individuals and organisations in starting ground-up initiatives.

We invite individuals and organisations to join us in playing your part to take environmentally-friendly actions.

You can keep a lookout and participate in opportunities to co-create and co-deliver sustainability solutions by following us on our social media channels (LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook).

We encourage companies to reduce their carbon footprint by improving their carbon and energy efficiency, developing and deploying low carbon technologies, and developing the relevant capabilities.

The Government provides targeted support through initiatives such as:

• The Energy Efficiency Grant – supports businesses in their sustainability journey by co-funding investment in energy efficient equipment.

• The Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions – supports manufacturing facilities and data centres to undertake emissions reduction projects.

• The Enterprise Sustainability Programme by Enterprise Singapore – supports SMEs in developing capabilities for sustainability.

The carbon tax is also part of a comprehensive suite of measures to nudge companies into early adoption of technologies for decarbonisation. We balance comprehensiveness of emissions coverage with administrative load by applying carbon tax on large direct emitters (i.e. those that emit at least 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) annually). 80% of our total emissions are covered by carbon tax and fuel excise duties on our transport fuels. Of this, 70% is covered by the carbon tax and this coverage is one of the most comprehensive globally.^

Introduced at $5 per tonne in 2019, the carbon tax was raised to $25 per tonne for 2024 and 2025. It will be further raised to $45 per tonne in 2026 and 2027, with a view of reaching $50 - $80 per tonne by 2030.

A transition framework is also in place to give existing emissions-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) companies transitory allowances for part of their emissions and time to adjust to a low-carbon economy.

Please refer to this page for more details on the carbon tax.

^Singapore’s carbon tax covered around 80% of our total national emissions at the point of introduction. The coverage each year is subject to changes in emissions from taxable and non-taxable sources that constitute Singapore’s national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory.

In November 2024, we formalised our accounting methodology for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector and included these emissions in our GHG inventory, in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. Due to this rebasing, Singapore’s carbon tax coverage for 2022 emissions fell to around 71% from 76%. 

The Singapore government has implemented measures since 2020 to reduce GHG emissions from the use of HFC refrigerants in the RAC sector, such as banning the supply of RAC equipment that use high Global Warming Potential refrigerants. We will continue to review our RAC HFC mitigation policies to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose and effective in meeting our climate targets.

The carbon tax forms part of Singapore’s comprehensive suite of climate change mitigation measures. It provides the price signal and impetus for businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint, and thrive in a carbon-constrained world. It also helps businesses remain competitive in a low-carbon future, by enhancing the business case to invest in low-carbon solutions, and capture opportunities in the green economy.

Introduced at $5 per tonne in 2019, the carbon tax has been progressively raised to $25 in 2024 and 2025. It will be further raised to $45 per tonne in 2026 and 2027, with a view of reaching $50 - $80 per tonne by 2030.

Carbon pricing has been implemented in many countries, with more planning to implement them in the future. There are 75 carbon pricing instruments in operation, covering about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2024.[1] A few of these jurisdictions such as Finland, Norway and Sweden have implemented carbon pricing as early as the 1990s. For more info, please refer to this website.

[1] Based on World Bank’s 2024 State and Trends of Carbon Pricing report.

The Government does not ringfence sources of fiscal revenue for specific purposes. This ensures that there is flexibility in allocating resources to priority areas with the most-important spending needs.

The Government does not expect to derive additional revenue from the carbon tax increase in this decade. The carbon tax collected will fund decarbonisation measures and cushion the impact on businesses, such as the Resource Efficiency Grant for Energy, to support industries in improving energy and carbon efficiency. Funds have also been earmarked under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 plan for the research, development and demonstration of sustainable urban solutions, as well as emerging low-carbon technologies that can drive deeper decarbonisation.

The Government also provides support for households in purchasing energy- and water-efficient household products through the Climate Friendly Households Programme, and cushions the impact of the carbon tax through U-Save rebates.

Singapore has implemented a Fixed-Price Credit-based (FPCB) tax mechanism where companies will pay the carbon tax by purchasing and surrendering non-tradeable carbon credits representing the equivalent amount of verified emissions generated. These carbon credits can be purchased from the Government at a fixed price.

We recognise that there may be benefits in expanding the mode of carbon tax payment to include international carbon credits and linking our carbon tax framework to other carbon pricing jurisdictions in the longer term. We are studying the feasibility of doing so and how we can leverage robust international market mechanisms to complement our domestic mitigation efforts. The FPCB system provides the flexibility to accommodate international carbon credits and link up with external partners, should we decide to do so in future.

Under the International Carbon Credit (ICC) Framework, companies may use ICCs to offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions from 2024. Eligible ICCs used under the carbon tax regime will need to comply with rules under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and meet seven principles to demonstrate environmental integrity. More details can be found at Singapore’s Carbon Markets Cooperation website.

The Singapore Green Plan 2030, or the Green Plan, is a whole-of-nation movement to catalyse bold, balanced and collective actions to tackle climate change. The Green Plan charts a common vision for a sustainable future and roadmap for all segments of society to contribute their part for climate change.

The Green Plan identifies a green citizenry and a Green Government as key enablers. Government ministries and agencies will take the lead in adopting sustainability actions. We encourage citizens and businesses to adopt sustainable practices.

The Green Plan is a long-term living plan that will evolve as we update our targets and strategies when new technologies and practicable solutions become available, and as the government works with Singaporeans and partners to co-create solutions for sustainability.

Find out more on the Green Plan here.

There are five pillars under the Green Plan – City in Nature, Sustainable Living, Energy Reset, Green Economy and Resilient Future. The pillars represent the priority areas in Singapore’s sustainable development until 2030.

• City in Nature seeks to create a green, liveable, and sustainable home for Singaporeans.

• Sustainable Living will make conserving resources our way of life – consume less, recycle more, and take public transport.

• Energy Reset will green our energy mix and power systems with an aim to lower carbon footprint.

• As we pivot towards a Green Economy, sustainability will be a new engine of jobs and growth.

• Building a Resilient Future, we must adapt to climate change to ensure Singapore’s long-term survival.

Read more about the five pillars and our concrete targets here.

Sustainable development has been integral to the Singapore Story. As a low-lying island state with real constraints, Singapore has embedded sustainability in our DNA. Sustainability is about engineering a whole ecosystem and cultivating a new way of life. We will build upon what we have already done for a better, greener future.

We are on track to achieve our 2030 goals, and have set out our 2035 target through our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This is aligned with our Long-term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) to achieve net zero by 2050. Sustainable development is all about futureproofing. Having transformed from mudflats to a metropolis, we will transform Singapore into a global city of sustainability.

The public sector's journey started under the Public Sector Taking the Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiative. Through the years, we achieved a six per cent improvement in water efficiency between 2013 and 2019, while 53 public sector buildings have been certified Green Mark Platinum as of December 2020.

The public sector has a responsibility to set the pace in sustainability, drive innovation and create demand. The GreenGov.sg initiative, launched in 2021 as part of the Singapore Green Plan, outlines the public sector's commitment to be a key enabler of the national sustainability agenda. Under GreenGov.SG, the public sector will strive to attain ambitious sustainability targets in carbon abatement and resource efficiency and be a positive influence and enabler of green efforts. Every public officer will be encouraged and supported to embrace sustainability practices.
 
GreenGov.SG strives to raise the bar on sustainability through three pillars, or three 'E's: 

• Excel – Setting new and ambitious goals and greening operations.

• Enable – Achieve a green economy and green citizenry by embedding sustainability in our core business.

• Excite – Building a culture of active contribution to sustainability in the public service.

The public sector will look to private sector leaders in the sustainability space, for innovations, best practices, and partnerships. For an overview of the detailed targets and measures, please find the GreenGov.SG infographic here. You may also wish to find out more on GreenGov.SG here.

Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility. You can make a difference by being an environment volunteer with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency.

NEA is recruiting Community Volunteers (CVs) to educate the public on environmental offences. The primary role of a CV is to educate environmental offenders to stop the offending acts and encourage greater ownership of the environment. Training will be provided by NEA. If an offender does not heed the repeated advice of a CV, the CV is empowered to take down the particulars of the non-compliant offender for NEA's consideration to follow through with enforcement action.

NEA also has other volunteering opportunities such as SG Clean Ambassadors who support the SG Clean Campaign by working with our 3P (People, Public and Private) partners to promote good personal habits and social norms to raise standards of cleanliness and public hygiene, and safeguard public health. If you share our vision and passion to make SG Clean a way of life, we welcome you to sign up as an SG Clean Ambassador.

PUB also has a volunteer programme where you can do your part for water at the Singapore World Water Day events and public outreach activities.

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) organises the biennial [President's Award for the Environment (PAE)](https://www.mse.gov.sg/pae/), Singapore's highest environmental accolade. It recognises and honours sustained contributions by environmental champions from the People, Private and Public (3P) sectors, and aims to inspire more community partners to come forward to address our environmental challenge.
 
The National Environment Agency (NEA) organises the EcoFriend Awards to recognise environmentally proactive individuals in Singapore who have contributed significantly to environmental sustainability.

MSE has launched a $50 million SG Eco Fund in 2020 to support the co-creation of solutions that advance environmental sustainability and involve the community. Through the SG Eco Fund, we hope to empower everyone across the People, Public and Private sectors to take ownership of the environment and enable our community to build a sustainable Singapore.
 
The SG Eco Fund has two categories. The 'Sprout' category, which offers funding support of up to $10,000 is open for application throughout the year. Projects that require funding support of more than $10,000 may submit their applications through the 'Main' category grant call from May to August every year. If you have a query about the SG Eco Fund, please reach out to sg_eco_fund@mse.gov.sg.
 
For more information on other grants and programmes, you may visit the NEA's website here, PUB's website here, and SFA's website here.

Vehicles are a major sources of air pollution in Singapore. As part of our Energy Reset goals under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, Singapore is transitioning towards cleaner energy vehicles and ceasing diesel car and taxi registrations from 2025.

To control the emissions generated by motor vehicles and safeguard public health, the National Environment Agency (NEA) sets specific exhaust emission and fuel quality standards for all vehicles, and regulates the type and quality of fuel that is being used in Singapore:

(I) All new and used petrol or diesel vehicles imported for registration in Singapore must comply with the Euro VI emission standards.

(II) The import of used vehicles into Singapore must also comply with the prevailing emission standards at the time of registration in Singapore.

(III) All new and used motorcycles imported into Singapore for registration must comply with the Euro IV emission standards. Compared to the Euro III emission standard, the tighter Euro IV emission standard will help to reduce emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are precursors to ozone.

(IV) All in-use vehicles have to comply with the in-use vehicle emission standards prescribed in the regulations.

(V) Every motor vehicle being driven in Singapore, when using diesel or petrol, must only use Euro V diesel or petrol that conforms with the standards prescribed in the regulations.

(VI) NEA introduced the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) to promote the adoption of cleaner cars and taxis and to discourage the purchases of more pollutive models. The VES covers five pollutants – carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). NEA and LTA have also introduced the Commercial Vehicles Emissions Scheme (CVES) to encourage the adoption of cleaner commercial vehicles. CVES applies to all new and used imported Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), Goods-cum-Passenger Vehicles (GPVs), and small buses all with maximum laden weight (MLW) not exceeding 3,500kg. VES and CVES will run until 31 December 2025 and 31 March 2027 respectively.

(VII) The introduction of the Early Turnover Scheme (ETS) also incentivises owners of diesel commercial vehicles and buses to replace them with new, cleaner options. ETS will run until 31 December 2025.

Visit NEA's website for more information on air pollution regulations.

If you spot smoky vehicles or idling engines, you may report them to NEA, providing details such as the vehicle registration number, location, date and time of the incident via NEA's online feedback form.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) evaluates the hazard and pollution impact of industries to ensure that they do not contribute to unmanageable pollution, health and safety hazards. NEA checks the designs of industrial plants and pollution control equipment at the building plan stage for compliance with pollution control requirements. An industry is allowed to be set up only if it is sited in an appropriate industrial estate, and can comply with the pollution control requirements.

NEA's Source Emission Test Scheme requires industries to conduct source emission tests on their own, or engage accredited laboratories under the Singapore Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (SAC-SINGLAS) to monitor their air emissions regularly, and take measures to ensure their compliance with the prescribed air emission standards.

NEA also conducts regular inspections on industries, fuel analyses and smoke observations of chimneys, to ensure that pollution control equipment is maintained and operated properly.

Currently, there are no regulations against the burning of incense and joss paper in public places. Being a multi-cultural society, the Government encourages members of public, including temples and devotees, to practise graciousness and consideration for the environment and neighbouring premises, when carrying out religious practices in public places.

Devotees are advised to clean up the place after they have made their offerings. When burning joss paper, candles and other offerings, they should make use of the proper pits and containers provided at the designated points, such as those provided by the Town Councils.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) works closely with religious associations and the town councils on reminding devotees to avoid burning joss papers on the ground and grass patches, and that it is also not necessary to throw joss paper in the air but to burn them instead.

If you have an enquiry, you may contact NEA via this online feedback form.

We recognise that indiscriminate smoking in homes can be distressing and we empathise with those affected.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has progressively extended the smoking prohibition to more public places in consultation with the public and relevant stakeholders. Since 2013, the smoking prohibition has been extended to the common areas of public and private residential premises, including condominiums (e.g. common corridors, stairwells, lobby areas, and void decks).

Nevertheless, homes are private spaces. Expanding smoking restrictions to cover private homes, or windows and balconies, must be carefully considered as this infringes the privacy of people in their private homes. Even with legislation, we need enforcement for restrictions to be effective. Identifying smokers or gathering evidence of acts of smoking in homes, or parts of homes, could require intrusive methods that infringe the privacy of residents.

Currently, NEA has partnered with the Housing & Development Board (HDB), Health Promotion Board (HPB), Municipal Services Office (MSO), and town councils to develop and issue joint advisories to households where smoking-related feedback is received. The advisory urges smokers to be considerate to their family members and neighbours, and also provides information on the smoking cessation helplines available. MSE and NEA will continue to encourage and support ground-up efforts by community and grassroots organisations.

Living close to one another necessitates good neighbourly behaviour. While legislation plays a role, it is not a complete solution – cooperation within the community remains essential. Affected residents are encouraged to resolve their concerns amicably with their neighbours. If needed, they can seek assistance from professional mediators at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC). These trained mediators will facilitate discussions between parties through joint or private sessions to work towards mutually acceptable solutions. Residents may call the CMC at 1800 2255 529 or register a case online.

If the dispute remains unresolved even after best efforts to reach an amicable resolution, affected parties can, as a last resort, consider filing a claim with the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT).

Although the long-term goal is to prohibit smoking at all public places except designated smoking areas (DSAs), we need to recognise that smokers also need space to smoke. To reduce the public's exposure to the harmful effects of second-hand tobacco smoke, NEA has been progressively extending the smoking prohibition to more public places where exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke is likely, such as common areas of residential buildings, sheltered walkways, linkways, overhead bridges, outdoor compounds of hospitals, reservoirs, and parks.

Some retail food establishments have smoking corners, which must be demarcated clearly. Since June 2017, NEA has stopped accepting applications for smoking corners at all retail food establishments. Existing smoking corners will be phased out when the current licences of the retail food establishments are terminated or cancelled. This will result in a decrease in the number of smoking corners in retail food establishments over time.

As of Jan 2024, 103 out of the 119 hawker centres in Singapore are smoke-free. For the remaining 16 hawker centres with smoking corners, NEA will continue to engage local stakeholders on the progressive removal of smoking corners when opportune. This phased approach is meant to minimise disruption to existing operations and businesses.

Since January 2019, public areas within the Orchard Road precinct have been designated as a No Smoking Zone (NSZ), and smoking is only allowed in DSAs. Premises owners are encouraged to demarcate DSAs within the NSZ and put up directional signage within their premises, if they deem it necessary to facilitate the convenience of smokers among their occupants and visitors.

More information can be found at NEA's website.