sustainability tours singapore

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Eco friendly tours Singapore

Photos featured may have been taken before COVID-19.

With the sheer amount of activities, attractions and unique experiences to have in Singapore, getting around to explore it all can be its own challenge.

If you’re looking to experience what our city has to offer while doing your part for our planet, then look no further. Our guide to sustainable tours in Singapore will have you uncovering new sights, while cutting down on your carbon footprint to boot.

Whether you’re hoofing it through the heart of the city or hiking through lush greenery, world-class safety measures abound across the island, which means you’ll be able to travel with complete peace of mind.

Hoofing it around Singapore is the best way to take in the sights, sounds and scents of our sunny island, and by exploring on foot, you can be sure that you'll be saving the planet to boot.

To delve into our city's rich heritage and discover a world of unforgettable stories, embark on one of Monster Day Tour's jaunts into our heritage districts .

These fascinating excursions take place in Singapore's beloved heritage districts of Chinatown , Little India and Kampong Gelam .

Admire the architecture of the multi-ethnic places of worship along South Bridge Road, take in a feast for the senses at Little India Arcade, or discover the hip cafes and rich heritage of Kampong Gelam.

Regardless of the tour you pick, you're in for an unforgettable adventure.

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Please expect longer waiting time in Flower Dome due to the popularity of Sakura floral display. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience.

To better manage the crowds for safe movement of all visitors, the use of tripods for photo-taking at Sakura floral display in Flower Dome is not allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Development works at Bay East Garden from 24 Oct 2023. The promenade and area under the Benjamin Sheares Bridge will remain accessible to the public.

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Nature and Sustainability Tours

Supported by keppel.

From sustainable design principles and energy-efficient solutions to flora and fauna in the outdoor gardens, many sustainability features remain to be discovered in Gardens by the Bay. Join our guided walking tours to learn about the importance and interconnectedness of the natural environment, biodiversity and climate change, made possible by Keppel.

New tours are released every 1st Wednesday of the month.

Kindly read the following prerequisites before registering for the tours.

• To allow our tours to begin on time, we seek participants’ cooperation to refrain from booking back-to-back tours on the same days as time is required to walk from the end point of one tour to start point of the other.

Date & Time

Every Sat and Sun

8.30am – 9.30am  9.30am – 10.30am  10.30am – 11.30am 11.30am –  12.30pm 

Programme is Free*

Gardens by the Bay

Energy and Water Tour

New tour starting in Jan 2024!

Come on a journey through the two essential elements that sustain and underpin life.  The tour will explore the water-sensitive urban design concepts and sustainable energy cycles in action at Gardens by the Bay, all while fostering a deeper appreciation of the global challenges of resource depletion, climate change and water scarcity that impact delicate ecosystems like cloud forests. This special tour includes free entry to Cloud Forest for Singapore residents.

Every Sat & Sun

8.30am - 9.30am

Meeting point:  Bayfront Plaza Shuttle Station (Exit B from Bayfront MRT)

Register now

Carbon and Climate Tour

What is carbon and how are humans affecting it? Learn about the different colours of carbon, carbon sources and sinks as it moves through the environment and what this means for a climate that is changing while discovering the secrets to cutting carbon in the Gardens. This special tour includes free entry to Flower Dome for Singapore Residents.

Meeting point:   Main Arrival (outside Starbucks)

Urban Wetlands Tour

Did you know that Kingfisher Wetlands is one of the most popular sites for bird-watching within Bay South Gardens? Through this outdoor nature walk, expose yourself to the sights and sounds of this urban wetlands and discover the native flora and fauna within, the sustainable concept behind its design and the role of urban wetlands in face of climate change.

9.30am - 10.30am

Meeting point:  Satay by the Bay

Seeds and Senses - Smell Tour

Here’s your chance to stop and smell the flowers, fruits, and leaves, too!  

Journey with our guides through the World of Plants gardens to meet some of its most aromatic residents. On the way, you’ll discover more about your sense of smell and how plants produce and use scents both fragrant and foetid to communicate, protect themselves, and attract animals to do their bidding!

10.30am - 11.30am

Meeting point:  Friends of the Gardens Centre

March Fun in the Gardens! school holiday slots:

Tue, 12 Mar & Thurs, 14 Mar 2024

5.00pm - 6.00pm

Biodiversity and Ecosystems Tour

This tour highlights the intricate relationships between plant, animal, and microbial biodiversity and the ecosystems they compose and inhabit. Participants will be taken on a journey of diverse habitats from around the world and learn about how different organisms have formed special relationships to survive and thrive in some very challenging conditions! This special tour includes free entry to Flower Dome for Singapore Residents.

Meeting point:  Gardens by the Bay Main Entrance, Coach Dropoff, Circular Bench

Mon, 11 Mar - Fri, 15 Mar 2024

3.30pm - 4.30pm

Seeds and Senses - Touch Tour

New tour starting in Jan 2024! 

Smooth, sticky, sharp and rough, fluted and furry – feel some examples of different textures that plants have evolved on the surfaces of their trunks, leaves, roots, fruits, and flowers to survive and thrive!  

Join our guides on a tactile journey through the outdoor gardens to learn about plants with fascinating forms and textures and how they relate to our sense of touch.  

11.30am - 12.30pm

Mon, 11 Mar, Wed, 13 Mar & Fri, 15 Mar 2024

Essential points to note before registering

• For tours that involve entry to the conservatory, non-residents are to purchase tickets before attending the tour. Tickets can be  purchased online  or physically at the counter in front of Flower Dome.
• Participants who arrive more than 10min late may not be provided entry to the conservatory.  
• Gardens by the Bay reserves the right to vary the tour duration and route or cancel the tour, in the event of inclement weather or other unexpected circumstances.
• The tour is catered for members of public and not commercial tour group, or any other organisation that is charging participants for the tour.
• A group photo will be taken at the end of each tour to account for attendance. Pls inform your guide if you are uncomfortable being in the photograph.
• All Intellectual Property (IP) in any form and format as well as photographs and media materials taken and/or produced by Gardens by the Bay (GB) in the course of your participation in the Event  vests with GB.
• To respect our guides and Intellectual Property of our materials, please do not film or record the entire tour as the IP to the content vests with GB.

All Nature and Sustainability Tours are now extended to local institutes of higher learning, community groups and social service agencies for group bookings!

Register your interest and sign up for the tours now. 

For pre-school, primary school and secondary school experiences for students and educators, please click  here .

Other Events

Sensory Moments – Sakura

Join us for a 30-minute programme including a brief tour of the floral display to learn more about Sakura and other feature plants in the display!

Sat, 6 Apr 2024

11.00am – 4.00pm

Australian Garden, Flower Dome

The Hidden Forest

Enter "The Hidden Forest," where secrets lie beneath the canopy, waiting to be unearthed.

From 30 Jun 2024

9.00am – 9.00pm

Crystal Mountain, Cloud Forest

Azaleas of Shangri-La

Inspired by the legendary Shangri-La, Azaleas of Shangri-La transports you to an enchanting paradise against a background of the Himalayas with native flora such as rhododendrons and cymbidiums.

Tue, 9 Apr - Sun, 5 May 2024

Orchid Haven, Cloud Forest

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Living Green Eco Tour

One planet, one home eco tour.

Everyone can live a greener lifestyle and build a more sustainable Singapore. Enjoy a fully sensorial experience together with your family and friends where you plant your own microgreens and sip on a cup of aromatic lemongrass butterfly pea tea. See, touch and smell a variety of herbs as you explore our Urban Garden and take in the breathtaking view of the floating solar panels.

Tour Details

• Every Sunday
• 10:30am, 4:30pm
• Member: $12/person
• Non-Member: $15/person

Requirements

• 3 years old and above
• Up to 20 pax

*For corporate bookings, please contact: [email protected]

Living Green Eco Tour Highlights

Solar Panel Discovery

Come up close to our floating solar panel installation on the Discovery Lake. Did you know that Singapore’s geographic location near the equatorial belt makes us an ideal location to harvest solar energy?

Urban Garden Discovery

Learn more about traditional and modern farming methods in land-scarce, urban Singapore and engage your senses of smell and touch to identify and learn more about some commonly used herbs and greens.

Microgreens Planting Workshop

Growing your own greens need not be as difficult as you think. Discover the joy and beauty of urban gardening by planting your own microgreens to create a beautiful, living craft. Sit back and relax while sampling a cup of tea, infused with the fragrant scent of herbs which can be found in our urban garden.

Everyone can live a greener lifestyle and build a more sustainable Singapore. 

Come join us on this volunteer-led tour to learn how we can live more sustainably through the eco-sustainability initiatives at Singapore Discovery Centre. 

9 and 16 Mar 2024

• 11:00am and 1:00pm
• Approx 45 mins
• Free for all

One Planet, One Home Eco Tour Highlights

Solar panels, urban garden.

Sustainable Craft Activity

Sustainable crafting is a great way to express creativity while contributing to a more sustainable and responsible way of life. Upcycling is the way to go in our Eco Tour by giving new life to something old and available at home. By creating crafts that are durable and long-lasting, sustainable crafting can also reduce the need for new products to be produced.

Terms and Conditions for One Planet, One Home Eco Tour

• The One Planet, One Home Eco Tour is available during the weekends of June and December and during the special commemorative period for National Day.
• The tour is around 60 minutes in duration and is limited to a maximum of twenty (20) persons (excluding guide) per tour.
• Pre-booking for the tour is required to secure a time slot and is only available on the Singapore Discovery Centre’s website.
• As the tour is conducted mostly outdoors, participants are encouraged to come suitably attired in comfortable wear, covered shoes and sun protection. The tour, however, is not conducted on any challenging terrain and is hence suitable for persons of all ages.
• In the event of inclement weather, Singapore Discovery Centre reserves the rights to replace the outdoor activities with carefully curated indoor activities that are suitable for the tour and all participants.
• Tours will commence on time. Hence, participants are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes before the commencement of the tour for the verification of tickets and registration. The meeting point for this tour will be at the Concourse of the Singapore Discovery Centre.

Singapore Discovery Centre 510 Upper Jurong Rd, Singapore 638365

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The eco-tourist’s guide to travel in Singapore

• From carbon neutral flights to recycling facilities at hotels, travellers are now unprecedentedly aware of their travel carbon footprints.
• TheHomeGround Asia has curated a convenient list of travel, dining, accommodations, and attractions for the eco-tourist stopping by in the lion city.

Rachel Teng

• 17 Feb 2022

Travel is finally regaining traction two years into the pandemic, with Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) withstanding in the face of the latest coronavirus outbreaks. Countries like Sweden have even declared the pandemic over , while others no longer mandate mask-wearing or Antigen Rapid Testing (ART). 

While the Covid-19 pandemic brought travel almost to a standstill in 2020 — costing the Global Tourism Industry an estimated $935 billion in one year alone — it seems travellers have taken the time out to rethink their modes and impacts of travel. 

According to a study conducted by travel accommodation agency Booking.com , more than 4 in 5 of global travellers think sustainable travel is vital, with 3 in 5 saying the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future. 

Yet, almost half still believe that as of 2021, there were not enough sustainable travel options available, with more than half admitting they get annoyed if their place of accommodation prevents their sustainability practices — such as not having recycling facilities. 

And travel-related businesses — including the hospitality, food and beverage, and travel industries — are following suit, going along with that demand closely. 

“ Sustainability is no longer an add-on , it’s risen the league table of priorities substantially,” Mr Martin Ferguson, Vice President of public affairs for American Express Business Travel told sustainability news site, Eco-Business. “I don’t foresee any set of circumstances where a majority of companies reduce their focus on sustainability…we’re beyond that. It’s so fundamental to business culture now.” 

Tourism in Singapore is no exception — in the past two years alone, many companies have made significant strides in greening up places of interest, accommodations, and dining. 

Here is a compiled traveller’s guide for the sustainable tourist in Singapore. 

Travel: Getting here and getting around

1. singapore airlines (sia) .

In May 2021, the Singapore International Airlines Group — Singapore’s national airlines — announced its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

The Group has been investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Airbus A350s and the Boeing 787s, which are about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than previous generation aircrafts, helping to reduce emissions. 

Earlier this month (11 Feb), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and budget carrier Scoot announced that from the third quarter of 2022, all their aircrafts will begin using sustainable aviation fuel, which is made from used cooking oil and waste animal fats supplied by oil refining company Neste. 

Individually, travellers are provided with the option to reduce their individual carbon footprint through the Carbon Offset Programme launched in June 2021. This will allow travellers on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and even when they send parcels by SIA cargo to have the option of offsetting the individual emissions from their flights at a premium. 

These premiums will be used to support high-quality carbon offsetting projects verified by third-party certification bodies like the Verified Carbon Standard Program and the Gold Standard. Patrons can choose between dedicated projects such as rainforest preservation, solar power, and indoor air pollution. 

For more information on SIA’s sustainable travel initiatives, click here . 

2. Slow Travel

Despite these many commendable strides, air travel and carbon offsetting remain not without flaws . Pursuant to teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg’s pledge to cease taking air flights altogether, “The Greta Effect” has followed, causing a global rethink about whether air travel is really necessary at times. 

If you have time to spare and are travelling relatively short distances, slow travel might be something you want to look into. For example, if you’re travelling around Europe, you could take the Eurostar train instead of flying across countries, even if the prices are comparable. 

When out and about in Singapore, you could opt for private hire transport — ride-hailing app Grab now offers to option for passengers to offset the carbon emissions of their rides at just an additional $0.10 — but with one of the best and most affordable public transport systems in the world, we doubt you’ll need it. 

Advocates of slow travel also emphasise on the perk of discovering a city’s hidden gems — who knows what one might discover looking out the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) window or walking on foot instead? 

Accommodations

1. parkroyal collection on pickering .

For five years in a row, this hotel-in-a-garden has held tightly to the title of Asia’s Leading Green hotel . Its extensive landscape features 50 different varieties of plants to create a 15,000 m 2 lush tropical urban high-rise garden constituting more than 200 pe cent of the total land area. All of this is designed to be self-sustaining, with water usage minimised by rainwater harvesting. 

Urban jungle exterior aside, the building employs a variety of cooling architectural feats , with its high-performance glass cutting out solar heat, yet maximising the intake of natural sunlight. Its roof terraces also insulate the upper storey from gaining direct heat, while serving as a recreational space for guests. 

2. Grand Hyatt 

Located just outside the city’s most iconic shopping district, Orchard Road, the Grand Hyatt champions plant-based and vegan food options. Besides being the first to cater the Beyond Burger and JUST eggless eggs in Singapore, the hotel now has a longstanding partnership with social enterprise UglyFood to make orange juice out of blemished oranges that would otherwise be rejected by supermarkets and grocery stores. 

With seafood certified sustainable by Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) , and local greens from Singapore’s urban farmers and Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, as well as herbs from the hotel’s very own rooftop garden, it’s an ethical foodie’s dream come true.

3. Marina Bay Sands 

Despite being a globally-iconic luxury hotel, Marina Bay Sands does not skimp on its sustainability practices. The hotel employs an Intelligent Building Management System, which has automated control over lighting, heating, and water, for conservation purposes. For example, if guests have a window or door open, air conditioning will automatically be deactivated. 

Since its conception in 2012, it has demonstrated a solid commitment to sustainability by reducing their carbon footprint by over 30 per cent, and as of 2020, have been deemed the first carbon-neutral MICE venue in Singapore. 

1. Open Farm Community 

Pocketed in a little garden sanctuary along Holland Road, Open Farm Community is Singapore’s pioneer farm-to-table restaurant, championing the grow-your-own-food movement. Its on-site urban farm and garden give a seasonal harvest of herbs, fruits, and vegetables, resulting in an ever-changing menu that moves according to what nature has to offer at the time.

For any other foods the restaurant can’t produce on-site, it procures from the large network of local and Southeast Asian organic growers, such as locally-farmed chicken and biodynamic wines. 

2. Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong 

This one-of-a-kind seafood restaurant makes seafood as fresh — not to mention, sustainable — as it could possibly get. Co-owned by seasoned fisherman Ah Hua who spends most of his days in the kelongs and seafood farms on the coasts off of Singapore waters, the restaurant serves dishes made from the day’s catch. 

The establishment offers a local take on classic dishes like fish and chips, pan-seared sea bass, and spaghetti — using native fish species instead like snappers, sea bass, and groupers. 

3. Abillion app 

For the vegan or plant-based traveller, the Abillion app is a must-have in these parts of the world. This one-stop shop is the largest curation of plant-based based foods around, complete with reviews by the community, for the community.

The platform’s much-aniticipated annual list of Singapore’s Best 50 Vegan Dishes this year will be released on 22 February. 

One of the defending champions is Vietnamese restaurant The Kind Bowl’s The Kind Pho— a “no chicken” soup served with rice noodles in a spiced umami broth. 

Attractions

1. let’s go tour singapore .

Fancy a tour around Singapore? Why not do it on a bike, and learn about local biodiversity and Singapore’s sustainability sights while at it? Let’s Go Tour offers a large array of bike tours, cooking tours, boat tours, malay-speaking tours, and more. 

History buffs should check out the Trails of Tan Ah Huat, telling the story of Singapore in the 1920s. Those who have always been curious about Singapore’s strive for water and energy security should check out the Water Story & Sustainability tour. 

2. Untamed Paths 

Contrary to popular belief, Singapore, with its robust conservation laws and stringent enforcement, is a stronghold for biodiversity in Southeast Asia.  Having a tropical rainforest climate makes it a biodiversity hotspot, and the likes of flying lemurs, wild boars, sambar deers, and peregrine falcons are present in these parts of the woods — if one only knows where to look. Untamed Paths offers intertidal explorations, night adventures, and birdwatching tours that will help the nature-loving tourist do just that. 

Join the conversations on TheHomeGround Asia’s Facebook and Instagram , and get the latest updates via Telegram .

• Tags: Asia , Community , Environment , Lifestyle , Local , Singapore , Travel

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Nature, Design & Sustainability Tours

Showing all 10 results

Singapore Guided Tour & Attraction Pass

Dive Deep into Singapore with Themed Guided Tours: Maximize Your Stay with a Singapore Guided Tour Pass!

P*DA TOURS THE HUNT FOR THE GREEN TREASURE – SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TOUR

Take up the challenge to find the architect’s green treasure while learning about sustainable design

SUSTENIR VERTICAL FARMING – Innovation Tour to Singapore’s superfood farm

Sample the freshest Grow-in-Singapore greens and learn about its mission to supplement Singapore’s 2030 food production vision!

ZERO TO HERO FOOD SUSTAINABILITY TOUR

Join us in this experiential tour to transform ugly food into compost!

SOUTHERN RIDGES HIKING TOUR – Explore the nature reserves in Singapore

Get a unique experience with a hiking tour of the Southern Ridges, combining nature and history of the ‘forgotten’ hills!

Gardens by the Bay Guided Tour – Supertrees, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

Immerse Yourself in Nature's Wonderland and travel around the world of plants in 2.5hrs!

YOGA & SPICES @ FORT CANNING

Breathe, stretch and connect with nature, mind and body at the Fort Canning Park

SOUTHERN ISLANDS SUNSET DINNER CRUISE

Discover the beauty of Singapore’s Southern Islands while aboard a whimsical open-decked ferry

GOOD MORNING SINGAPORE

Join us to live a day in The Life of a Local in Singapore

A DAY OUT IN CHANGI AND PULAU UBIN

Join us on a rustic outing to one of the laid-back neighbourhoods of Singapore!

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Sustainable Singapore Stories Tour + Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

Sustainable singapore stories tour + gardens by the bay.

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Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism in Singapore

Since Singapore is a very small nation that is almost entirely defined by its urban core, it has few natural resources to either exploit or defend and no indigenous cultures to speak of. However, travelers who are environmentally conscious may find Singapore interesting in surprising ways. The government is responsive to the call of environmentalists and has designed and implemented a number of innovative ways to solve the very real environmental and resource management issues that plague countless urban centers around the world.

Local legend has it that a prominent monk warned (then) Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew that, as Singapore develops, he must be careful to protect the forests. According to the monk, Singapore, whose name in Sanskrit means "Lion City," gets its power from the lions that once supposedly roamed here. To take away the trees will destroy the lions' habitat and force them to move elsewhere. It is a lesson in feng shui that Lee took to heart, as evidenced by the trees, shrubs, and flowering plants that have been incorporated into the urban design at almost every turn.

To learn about Singapore's unique approach to environmental sustainability, start at the Marina Barrage, 260 Marina Way (tel. 65/6514-5959; www.pub.gov.sg/marina), the massive hydrodam that is transforming Singapore's downtown city core into the world's largest urban reservoir. The dam can be toured, but equally interesting is the Sustainable Singapore Gallery located within the dam, a brilliant display that outlines the government's efforts toward environmental sustainability. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm but is closed on Tuesdays. Admission is free and there is a free shuttle to the Barrage from Marina Bay MRT.

In addition to water resource and waste management, the Singapore government has initiated monetary incentives for land developers that incorporate green technology into the design and construction of all new buildings, and to those who renovate older buildings to similar standards. There are talks to make green buildings mandatory in the near future.

Outside the city center, Singapore also has a number of nature reserves. Of particular interest is Bukit Timah Nature Reserve -- Singapore is one of only two cities in the world with primary rainforest located within city limits -- and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, a mangrove forest that protects an awesome number of migrating birds. The National Parks Board has guided tours by park specialists on selected weekends. Check out the schedule at www.nparks.gov.sg .

The Singapore Zoo has also been affected by global environmental concerns and has decided that, though it will support its current polar bear and Arctic exhibits, once these animals have lived their lives, they will not be replaced, and the zoo will focus on wildlife native to warmer climates.

Animal rights have a way to go when it comes to the rights of sharks. Shark's fin soup is still a delicacy and is a staple in every Chinese restaurant here. Be warned.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Explore Singapore in a new light

Experience our island through a green lens as we go on a journey of discovery.

Peek at the wonders of nature, explore the different sides of familiar landmarks and visit places that are usually not open for public access.

As you take a walk amidst these hidden gems, gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Singapore’s sustainability achievements.

Discover Singapore, a green oasis where enriching experiences come with smaller footprints

Explore diverse sustainability-themed experiences at Go Green Singapore, and unlock meaningful adventures

Singapore is lush with nature reserves and “green lung” parks. Besides luring travellers to its verdant spaces, the city beckons as a sustainable destination for terrific eco experiences and green lodgings. It doesn’t stop here—the Singapore Tourism Board continues to empower local businesses on their sustainability journey and spotlight brands via initiatives like Go Green SG .

Every year, Go Green SG seeks to inspire greener living through engaging programmes. Whether it’s a sustainability tour at the Singapore Zoo, or “ The Melting Menace ” puzzle quest, rally the tribe for unmissable adventures.

With immersive activities and tours for all, Go Green SG invites you to unearth Singapore’s sustainability-led initiatives.

During the Zero to Hero Food Sustainability Tour , venture to the Clementi heartlands and forage for “ugly food” at the wet markets. Instead of letting these imperfect goods end up as trash, learn how to convert them into compost and help to reduce waste at the same time. For beer lovers, the Tiger Brewery Tour in Tuas is a must. Here, uncover cool eco-innovations and sample the pale lager beer—the nation’s very first beer. Choose local beers and reduce your carbon footprint, it’s a win-win.

For something more adventurous, experience The Full Intertidal: Explore, Learn, Engage . Discover more about Singapore’s intertidal environment and marine biodiversity, before participating in a beach cleanup at Changi Beach . If you love getting in the waters, hitch the Waters of Change Kayak Tour . Through this kayaking tour, go on an educational journey of Singapore’s water sustainability story. Despite being challenged with water scarcity as a small nation, learn more about how Singapore remains self-sufficient and stands as a global leader in water management today.

Families, gather the troops for a Sustainability Tour at Singapore Zoo . Visit key spots around the zoo and learn more about efforts surrounding environmental sustainability and wildlife conservation. Along the way, gain knowledge about relevant issues too like deforestation. Pro-tip: Don’t miss the adorable animal “meet and greets” that will leave the kids delighted. In the heart of Marina Bay , attempt The Melting Menace (Sustainability Puzzle Hunt) . Put your collaborative skills to the test with this 2.5-hour puzzle hunt, while soaking in Singapore’s stunning skyline. Cap off your day with the Sustainability Garden Cruiser Audio Tours nearby. Enjoy a tranquil ride around Gardens by the Bay , a sprawling futuristic nature park with breathtaking conservatories. While taking in the scenery, learn about the state-of-the-art sustainability initiatives that are in place.

Want to dig deeper into urban farming? Join the Harvesting Culture, Planting Seeds Tour at City Sprouts —an urban farm set within a repurposed school in Redhill. Focusing on community and food connection, City Sprouts houses plenty of greenhouses that promote sustainable farming and community-centric agriculture. Green Glam Up is another interactive tour by City Sprouts, where you’ll see greener alternatives to single-use products. Try making natural scrubs and hair masks from scratch using simple ingredients.

Jazz up your itinerary with unique sustainability-themed experiences and events.

Kick off with Singapore Fashion Council’s exciting line-up. Head to Fashion The Change 2023 at Design Orchard , a retail and incubation space spotlighting Singapore’s designers. Helmed by a youth fashion community, this exhibition features fashion that blends sustainability and innovation—a must-visit for eco-conscious fashion lovers. Shopaholics can shop eco-friendly products at Shop the Change 2023 and show some love for homegrown brands. Prefer something more hands-on? At Create the Change 2023 ’s experiential workshops, learn how to make sustainable items from talented designers. Plus, gain thought-provoking tips on sustainable living.

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) is a must-visit for travellers. But beyond the world-class attractions, you can also partake in eco-friendly leisure adventures thanks to it's sustainable initiatives. As the first destination in the world certified under both the GSTC Destination criteria and GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels , RWS’ sustainability accreditation is a testament to its green efforts as a premium resort.

Begin your getaway at S.E.A. Aquarium —one of the world’s largest aquariums—and marvel at the calming aquarium displays, and understand more about marine life preservation. What’s more, RWS will launch the fourth edition of Ocean Fest 2023 from 31 May to 13 August. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of marine biodiversity and supporting marine conservation. Look forward to a series of educational programmes at the aquarium designed to raise awareness about oceans and the threats they face. With World Oceans Day happening on 8 June, there’s no better time to swing by.

Chocolate connoisseurs will fancy a trip to Mr Bucket Chocolaterie . This chocolate parlour specialises in artisanal bon bons, made with cacao sourced only within Asia. By advocating for small farmers and using sustainably-sourced cacao, this native brand offers guilt-free choco indulgences.

Sign up for the Chocolate Experiences , where you can watch how chocolate is whipped from bean-to-bar and create your own chocolate masterpiece.

Pro-tip : Book early as seats are limited.

Plan a green adventure for the entire tribe

Whether you're a nature lover or a discerning traveller seeking greener stays, these eco-friendly hotels in Singapore are worth checking into.

A standout in the city’s iconic skyline, Marina Bay Sands ’ (MBS) boasts impressive eco credentials. Right from the lobby, you’ll notice how the glass facade maximises the use of natural light to illuminate the space. The large art installation, Wind Arbor by Ned Kahn, also serves as a shade. Keep your eyes peeled for the edible garden too, which reduces food miles and waste by supplying fresh produce to on-site restaurants. Over at Sands SkyPark , lifts recover and convert energy produced into reusable energy. And, within the lavish rooms, notice self-closing taps and sensors that turn off the air-conditioning when balcony doors are ajar.

For Go Green SG this year, don’t miss specially curated exhibitions like Exploring Ecosystems through Digital Art and Sensory Odyssey . MBS hotel guests are also entitled to join the Botanical Watercolour Experience with Lucinda Law , a local botanical artist. Try your hand at sketching Thunbergia laurifolia flowers (as seen around the hotel), and learn about Singapore’s biodiversity while savouring tea-time treats. For a family-friendly activity, consider the From Plastics to Fab Bags Workshop . Suitable for those aged eight and above, this ticketed workshop will show you how to craft a DIY bag by upcycling single-use plastics.

What’s more, The Fullerton Hotel is partnering with Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum to host an exhibition on local marine diversity and promote conservation titled: Specimen Stories: Biodiversity in a Changing Climate . The main centrepiece? A life-sized replica of a sperm whale’s skull found in Singapore waters. Held at The Fullerton Hotel’s East Garden Gallery, this event (and the lovely views) is free to enjoy.

Spending the night at Fairmont Singapore or Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore ? Then, you’ve heard about their joint aquaponics farm. As part of local sourcing, this farm was built to meet the rising demand for fresh quality produce. During Go Green SG, don’t miss the Aquaponics Farm-to-Table Experience . Get to the root of aquaponics farming and smell the edible herbs grown on the property, concoct a vitality drink and enjoy a 3-course lunch at The Stamford Brasserie with ingredients from the farm.

Reboot in Singapore’s “greenscrapers”

Embrace a greener getaway with Go Green Singapore’s diverse experiences

Besides quintessential Singaporean experiences , take a meaningful trip by supporting greener alternatives. Go Green SG is the perfect launchpad for sustainability-themed workshops, learning journeys, and informative tours.

When planning your next trip to Singapore, include more eco-tours and choose hotels that advocate for environmental responsibility. Ultimately, it’s all about minimising your carbon footprint, without compromising comfort.

Ready to explore one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations? Discover more about green travel to Singapore here .

Keen on discovering local brands paving the way to a greener future? Take a look at our list of local changemakers of Go Green SG 2023 here .

Learn more about Go Green SG 2023:

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December 16, 2022

Go Green With Gardens by the Bay's Nature and Sustainability Tours

by: The Beat Asia

If you're up for some fun education on nature and sustainability, Gardens by the Bay is offering a series of tours beginning January 2023 until 2025 every Saturday and Sunday.

Supported by the Keppel Corporation through its philanthropic arm, Keppel Care Foundation, the nature and sustainability tours will bring visitors a guided walking jaunt around the gardens for free to learn about the wetlands, native flora and fauna, the climate, and carbon sources.

In a media release via Channel NewsAsia yesterday, the Gardens by the Bay was quoted as saying that the tours leverage the gardens as "a working model for sustainable development and conservation."

The tours are free of charge for all Singaporeans and Singapore residents. Visitors can expect the professional tour guides to share "real – often little known – examples" to explain and break down complex concepts for everyone.

The registration for the Urban Wetlands Tour and Carbon and Climate Tour begins tomorrow, Dec. 17, at 9 AM.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gardens by the Bay (@gardensbythebay)

In the Urban Wetlands Tour, guests will learn about the popular sites of birdwatching within Bay South Gardens and experience the sights and sounds of the wetlands. They will also learn about the sustainability of the Kingfisher Wetlands' design and the wetlands’ importance amid climate change.

For the Carbon and Climate Tour, guests will be educated about the different colours of carbon, carbon sources, and climate change, as well as how Gardens by the Bay cut carbon. This tour will also bring guests to the Flour Dome.

As per the report, Gardens by the Bay will also offer the Biodiversity and Ecosystems Tour and Seeds and Senses (Smell) Tour in February, and an Energy and Water Tour at a later date.

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FISH FARMING & SUSTAINABILITY

“explore singapore differently”, fish farming & sustainability tour, learn more about aqua culture and discover how technology helps in sustainable fish farming..

Experiential Learning Journey

2 hrs (Available Monday to Friday)

Private Tour SGD$220 /session (2-3 pax) SGD$280 /session (4-5 pax)

In modern Singapore, many of our heritage trades are slowly being gentrified due to the progress in time. One of the surviving trade is agriculture and farming. To maximise land utilisation, village farming has been phased out and replaced by commercial mass scale farming. On this tour, we will be learning about the fish farming industry, and how they adopted the use of technology and innovations to stay relevant and competitive in the ever-evolving society.

Theme: – Sustainability and Food Security – Traditional Fish Farm vs High Tech Fish Farming – Roadmap on local agricultural producers’ efforts to meet 30% of Singapore’s food demand by 2030

Venue: Qian Hu Fish Farm

Availability: Monday to Friday 215pm to 415pm

Meeting Location: Meeting Point : Qian Hu Cafe Ending Point : Qian Hu Cafe

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn about the Changing Landscape of Jobs and Occupation from Manual Labour to technology-enabled, and understanding the trade-off from Progress and Preservation.
• Learn about the difference between traditional and high-tech fish farming.
• To understand the sustainability efforts which Singapore adopts.

Tour Price Includes:

• Licensed Tour Guide throughout the tour.
• Entry to Qian Hu Fish Farm areas that are stipulated on Tour.

Tour Price Excludes:

• Personal expenses not stated in inclusions.
• Guide tipping.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations 48 hours prior to the tour will be refunded in full, subject to a 3% credit card processing fee.
• Cancellations 24 hours prior to the tour will be refunded 50%
• No cancellations or refunds for less than 24 hours to tour.

Rain Policy

The Tour will continue to be conducted when there is light rain. In the event of a thunderstorm, a reschedule date will be provided.

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Sustainability In Fish Farming

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Green Adventures in the Garden City: A Guide to Sustainable Travel in Singapore

Take a look at Singapore's garden-fringed rooftops, and it's easy to see where its "City in a Garden" nickname came from. This green drive isn't just for show; it has also led to initiatives that are influencing responsible travel. For those conscious of their environmental footprint, various eco-friendly hotels in Singapore have cut down on their carbon footprints, whether in their architectural fiber or through innovative energy use. In Singapore's case, this drive has helped green spaces develop while benefiting local businesses throughout the region. If you're looking for a responsible stay in the heart of Singapore, the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel is an ideal choice. One of the first hotels in Singapore to pledge support for the UN's Climate Action, the Grand Copthorne Waterfront has employed a wide range of tactics to lessen its environmental footprint. These have included fully refurbishing rooms to be 25% more energy efficient and going plastic-free with filtered drinking water dispensers. Here are some ways in which Singapore has committed to sustainability, and ideas on how to travel responsibly when you book a green hotel in Singapore. Singapore's ecological status Singapore has been certified as a sustainable tourism destination both for its current and potential green goals. This is in line with a Green Plan for Singapore that aims to extend the City in Nature ethos to achieve net-zero emissions. All aspects of Singapore life are involved in this drive, from carbon-neutral schooling to the tourist sector. Some of Singapore's eco-friendly plans include planting 1 million more trees, quadrupling solar energy use, and reducing landfill waste by 30%. For those looking for sustainable urban tourism, Singapore represents a beacon of success, offering responsible hotels, green tours, and efficient management systems across water, energy, and waste. So, if Singapore is meeting these demands, what can tourists expect to find in Singapore? Exploring Singapore's environmentally-friendly sites Gardens by the Bay Singapore's cutting-edge Gardens by the Bay offer sustainable solutions to the idea of public botanical gardens. The gardens' iconic 18 "supertrees" are more than just an attractive visitor experience. They are sustainable gardens that collect rainwater and generate solar power, as well as provide air venting for neighboring conservatories. Take the nature and sustainability tour to learn more about the design principles that have gone into this groundbreaking site.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is home to Singapore's largest primary forest and is renowned for its rich biodiversity. This remarkable urban forest is located just 12 km from Singapore's center and contains some 40% of Singapore's native flora and fauna. It's a remarkable success story in sustainability and preservation, with some trees that are almost two centuries old.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve This important reserve of Singapore's oldest mangroves is home to diverse bird and animal species, including the estuarine crocodile. It's a sensory delight of murmuring mudskippers and fragrant flowers. Sustainable trails have been built through the mangroves allowing vast swathes to go untouched and protected. It has been described as a living eco-classroom due to its educational ethos.

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• Apr 29, 2022

Sustainable Tourism in Singapore

Sustainable tourism essentially refers to the practice taken by the tourism industry. There are both positive and negative impacts of sustainable tourism however the main aim is to increase the positive ones and minimise the negative ones. Tourism helps to create new job opportunities, preserve and interpret cultural heritage, wildlife preservation and landscape restoration. On the other hand, some of the adverse effects includes economic leakage, damage to the natural environment as well as overcrowding.

Ecotourism is another important concept of sustainable travel. The ecotourism definition by the Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) explains, “Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and creates knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education of all involved (visitors, staff and the visited).”

Meanwhile responsible travel refers to an individual’s actions that support sustainable tourism. These actions focus on minimising the negative impacts and maximising positive ones when visiting a tourism location.

When we think about sustainability, words such as global warming, pollution, recycling, environment comes to mind. However, we are also left pondering the answers to many questions like what exactly is sustainability? How does it affect us? What can we do to contribute to being sustainable? Not to worry as this piece will answer all your burning questions and thoughts you may have about sustainability.

1a. What is sustainability?

According to the UN Brundtland Commission mentioned in 1983, “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. In short, sustainable development is up to us to ensure so that our future generations do not face any difficulties in meeting their own needs. Everything that we depend on directly or indirectly on our natural resources is needed for survival. Through sustainability, we can create and maintain the conditions for humans and nature to exist in productive harmony which will help to support our future generation. You may be wondering how important is it to us if it doesn't affect us now? Well, because of climate change that is currently happening, there is a possibility that things may take a turn for the worse if we do not do anything to prevent it.

1b. What causes sustainability issues?

Currently there are multiple issues that stands in the way of attaining sustainable development. One such issue is global warming climate change. Human activities have caused a rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and greenhouse gases emissions which increases the average global temperatures, extreme weather changes, rising sea levels and many other negative changes. These activities pose as a global threat which will affect all forms of life directly and indirectly. Deforestation, industrialisation, transportation and overfilling landfills are some examples of these human activities.

Another issue affecting the earth is water pollution and ocean acidification. Mostly contributed by industrialisation, improper sewage disposal, oil spills, disposal of chemical and radioactive wastes and plastic pollutions are some of the activities that contributes to pollution. When the wastes gets thrown into the ocean, ocean acidification takes place as 30% of CO2 gets absorbed by the ocean water which got released in the atmosphere. This in turn undergoes a series of chemical reactions by the seawater as higher concentrations of hydrogen ions makes the seawater more acidic. The higher the acidity, the more the marine life gets affected. It starts by affecting clams, deep sea corals, oysters and many others that struggle to maintain their shells and other calcium carbonate structures due to the decrease in carbonate ions in the water. Soon it starts to affect the aquatic life which puts the entire food chain at risk.

Finally, the loss of biodiversity is another main factor that prevents sustainability. Biodiversity helps to maintain the balance of the ecosystem which allows us to exist as it provides biological resources. Similar to the previous two factors, habitat destruction, climate change, pollution and secondary extinction are some of the activities that humans are engaging in which brings harm to our biodiversity.

1c. What can we do to combat sustainable issues?

While these issues may be rising during recent times, there are always solutions to them that will help to reduce the negative effects. One of the most important solutions that we all should take and adapt to our daily lives is recycling. Often known as the three stages of recycling, you only need to take three simple steps such as reduce, reuse and recycle. By following these steps and integrating them in your daily lives, you can make a difference. Some simple steps include reducing plastic use for groceries and reusing paper bags or tote bags to carry groceries. You can also reduce waste by purchasing products without excessive packaging or reuse items more than once before disposing it. If you wish to make a difference and even devote your time, you may also volunteer at organisations. Volunteering comes in many forms such as doing a beach clean-up and getting involved in community projects that helps promote sustainability in terms of creating products or sharing ideas.

You can also shop sustainably during these times, by making decisions such as choosing biodegradable products, purchasing recycled products and eco labelled goods and opting for energy efficient when purchasing electrical appliances. Another main action you can take is to educate those around you how important it is for all of us to help contribute for the betterment of our future. Many people around us may be aware of the current situation of our environment, however there are some that fail to understand how extreme it will become when the situation escalates. They may not be able to identify the ways they can help to combat environmental issues. Hence, it is good to spread the word around about how everyone plays a part and what exactly we can do. If you would like to find out other actions you can take, do check out World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Armenia Green Living Tips.

1d. Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 sustainable development goals were adopted by all United Nation Member States in 2015. The main aim for these goals is to protect our earth and tackle climate change in order to preserve our oceans and forests. Presented as an agenda for 2030, they call for action from developing and developed countries and provide a blueprint for peace and prosperity for the planet and people. The 17 goals are accompanied by a set of targets and corresponding indicators to measure our progress towards those goals. If you would like to find out more about these goals specifically, check out the United Nations website here .

Now that we know what sustainability is, let’s dive into how sustainability can play a part in tourism by exploring the respective tourism sectors, namely: Hotels / Attractions / Tours / Flights / Cruises / Events

2. How have the different sectors of tourism integrated sustainability?

Sustainable tourism in hotels.

One area sustainability has been integrated into our tourism industry under Hotels in Singapore is through launching of the Hotel Sustainability Roadmap by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Singapore Hotel Association (SHA). On 21st March 2022, the roadmap was launched in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 which helps to set clear targets and strategies for hotels to adopt sustainability. There are two targets that are set for this industry to allow them to contribute to the sustainable development goals, strengthen enterprise resilience, get new opportunities presented by the Green Economy as well as tap on new visitor segments. Firstly, they aim to get at least 60% of hotel room stock in Singapore to get certified as an internationally recognised sustainable hotel by 2025. Secondly, hotels should start tracking their emissions by 2023 and reduce them by 2030 so that they can achieve their long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. They have a total of 4 strategies and initiatives to help them achieve these targets, one of which includes getting the sustainability certificate. Another strategy includes test bed and adopting innovative sustainable solutions. Their third strategy is to develop sustainable hotel concepts and experiences in Singapore. Finally, they intend to spread this message and raise awareness of hotels’ sustainability efforts and promote sustainable consumption habits amongst their guests. If you wish to find out more details pertaining this, click on their infographic here .

Sustainable Tourism in Attractions

In the sector of attractions, there are multiple organisations taking sustainability into account and ensuring they meet the goals Singapore has. One such attraction is Gardens By The Bay which house a diverse collection of the plants that are rare especially those which are of high conservation value. Consisting of two glass biomes, the conservatories replicate the cool-dry climate of the Mediterranean and semi-arid sub-tropical regions and the cool-moist climate of the Tropical Montane region. The technologies used allows Garden By The Bay to reduce our energy consumption by approximately 20% as compared to buildings using conventional cooling technologies. There are 4 other practices are taken by Gardens By The Bay which you can check out here .

Meanwhile in Mandai Reserves, you get to sponsor a tree or bench which features a personalised plaque bearing your name. You may also volunteer in tree planting where every tree that is relocated or removed, six more trees will be planted. Finally, you may sponsor an artwork which will be placed in key locations to create social spaces and cultivate an appreciation for wildlife and nature. Another organisation that integrates sustainability is Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC). With multiple attractions present, Sentosa launched Singapore’s first carbon neutral beers with Brewerks to encourage guests to have their holiday anytime. They have many more leisure experiences with a low carbon footprint through unique and sustainable off-grid offerings powered by 100% renewable energy. SDC is currently working on reducing their energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions so that they continue working on developing as a sustainable leisure destination. They are also working on their waste management to encourage guests to recycle and adopt an eco-conscious lifestyle by using a smart Reverse Vending Machine (RVMs) with National Environment Agency (NEA). Feel free to read on Sustainable Sentosa .

Sustainable Tourism in Tour Companies

Tour companies that brings you on guided tours are now integrating sustainability in their tours. In Monster Day Tours, we ensure that our Mother Earth stays protected and wish to educate everyone around us on how significant global warming is. Integrating sustainability with cooking, we take you on a tour around the sustainable farm located at the rooftop of Funan Mall. You get to learn more about the fresh herbs grown naturally and head to a cooking workshop where you will cook a 3-course peranakan meal from scratch using fresh ingredients. Click here to find out more about this tour and book your tickets! Marina Bay Sands’ sustainability tour is another tour which brings you around the are showing you the efforts taken by MBS to be inclusive. They focus on many areas to ensure they contribute to reduce the effects of global warming. Revolving around Sans Eco 360, some of their initiatives include recycling 136 tonnes of plastic on a yearly basis, reducing water consumption by 140 Olympic swimming pools each year, committing to sourcing 50% responsible seafood and many more. Their guided tour takes you around their tipping wall to Gardens By The Bay. If you are interested in joining the tour and want to know more, click here .

Sustainable Tourism in Flight Companies

Under the category of flights, sustainability is taken into account in various stages. Singapore Airlines is one company that supports the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals where they have identified goals 8, 12 and 13 which focuses on decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production and climate action respectively. Topics such as environment, governance, employees, safety, customer-focus, supplier and shareholders are 7 material topics they have come up with, to support these goals. Check out the specifics of these topics to learn more about their ambition and relevant SDG included. Another airline company is Scoot which focuses on goals 7, 9, 13, 15 and 17 which are affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure, climate action, life on land and partnerships for the goals respectively. They have narrowed it down to 2 strategies which are climate action and biodiversity. Under these strategies they have many initiatives they undertake, check their page out for more information. Finally, JetStar is another company that is committed to minimising its impact on the environment. JetStar plans to deploy some fuel efficiency strategies to reduce fuel consumption and minimise their footprint. Some of them include new fuel-efficient aircraft, advanced navigational aircraft technology, reducing aircraft weight and many more. In addition to this, they are exploring other alternatives to traditional jet fuel, mostly Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This will help to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. If you’re interested to better understand their strategies, read more about their Commitment To Environment Sustainability .

Sustainable Tourism in Cruises

Cruise companies have also dedicated their time to focus on the SDGs. Royal Caribbean is one company that believes that "respect for the oceans is not a choice, it’s a way of life”. They have chosen from goal 4 to goal 17. Some of their initiatives include promoting sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products, scoring 100% on the corporate equality index by the Human Rights Corporation and many more. They have also simplified the topics to global giving, destination stewardship, seastainability at the group, being a good neighbour, sustainable tourism, leading the way in change, our people, ocean conservation and design and innovation. Check their website to learn more about the various topic they have included!

Sustainable Tourism in Events

Finally, under the sector of events, there are many events in Singapore that raises awareness of sustainability. One such event is the iLight festival that is held annually ever since 2010. The Leading sustainable light festival is held in Marina Bay which showcases artists’ creation of light art installations from Singapore and globally. Designed to save energy and made with environmentally friendly materials, it encourages festival goers and the public to integrate sustainability habits in their everyday lives. Not only these features, but there’s a range of fringe activities for the visitors to participate in. Another remarkable event that takes place in Singapore is Formula 1 (F1). In 2022, for the first time, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and race organiser, Singapore GP, will be partnering together to encourage and ensure a reduction of the carbon footprint for the race to shift to a moe sustainable business models. The race plans will make use of more renewable energy sources, ramping up recycling efforts and converting to sustainable materials. Check out this article if you want to know more.

3. Sustainability in Singapore

Similar to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, Singapore also has a green plan 2030 which is a nationwide movement to advance the Singapore’s national agenda on sustainable development. Over the next decade, our Green Plan sets ambitious and practical targets, strengthening Singapore’s obligations under the UN Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement and positioning us to achieve net zero emissions as soon as possible. This will allow us to build a sustainable future. Some of our key programmes of the Green Plan includes City in Nature, Energy Reset, Green Economy, Resilient Future and Sustainable Living. You can find out more about Singapore’s Green Plan here . There are many projects and organisations that help to support sustainability. You can find some of the organisations and what exactly they do if you’re interested.

We hope this article was informative and you were able to learn a thing or two about sustainability. Do remember to spread the word about sustainability and take the steps to help make our world a better place. If you’re interested in finding out more about the efforts taken by Changi Airport towards sustainability, check out our recent article on 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Singapore- Secrets of Changi Airport .

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Tours to waste-to-energy plant, urban farms, part of month-long sustainability programme in July

SINGAPORE - As though in a life-size claw machine game, a worker manoeuvres gigantic metallic talons from a control room, scooping up five to six tonnes of waste at a time. This is then collected in a holding bin and subsequently sent off for incineration.

The TuasOne waste-to-energy plant is responsible for handling about 3,600 tonnes of waste daily, incinerating it and turning it into ash, and then sending it to Semakau Landfill.

The heat from the process is also converted into energy, generating 120MW of electricity daily – sufficient to power about 240,000 four-room Housing Board flats.

In July, members of the public can get an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at how the newest waste-to-energy plant, which was operational in December 2021, does its job on a daily basis, as part of the annual Go Green SG movement that aims to rally citizens, organisations and the community to take climate action.

Other sustainability tours and workshops include visits to facilities such as the Singapore Food Agency’s Marine Aquaculture Centre and a trip to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Project Wolbachia mosquito production facility. Some are free, while others are paid tours.

Last Tuesday, while giving reporters a tour of the TuasOne plant, which is owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mr Mitsuru Tada, its head of the waste-to-energy business unit, said he hopes the public visits will give people a better understanding of waste management in Singapore.

The Republic generates more than 20,000 tonnes of waste a day, of which about 58 per cent is recycled. The remaining 8,400 tonnes or so has to be incinerated, and transported to Semakau Landfill, which is expected to reach full capacity by 2035.

Mr Tada said: “We want to be able to contribute to the National Environment Agency’s target of reducing landfill volume. The most efficient way of doing so is to reduce the waste volume. So if people segregate their waste as much as possible, more waste can then be brought for recycling.”

According to the latest NEA figures, domestic recycling rates for 2022 dipped to an all-time low of 12 per cent, down from 13 per cent in 2021.

NEA said that the plant showcases Singapore’s efficient waste disposal system, and hopes those who visit it will be motivated to do their part and reduce waste as well.  

More than 100 partners from groups such as government agencies, corporations and non-governmental organisations have joined the Go Green SG movement, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE).

For the first time, the Singapore Tourism Board is collaborating with MSE to organise the month-long event, to showcase various sustainable and immersive experiences that Singapore has to offer for both local and international visitors.

More than 250 activities have been organised thus far, some of which are internal events for MSE’s partners to promote sustainability within their organisations, while others are external activities for members of the public.

One example of a tour available to the public would be a visit to ComCrop, an urban farm situated on the rooftop of an industrial building in Woodlands.

The visit is designed to allow people to better understand how local farms bring fresh produce to supermarkets and ensure Singapore’s food resilience, said ComCrop’s chief executive Peter Barber.

Spanning more than 3,000 sq m, the farm is able to produce 20 tonnes of vegetables a month across its five greenhouses, with produce ranging from lettuce to kale, and basil to rosemary and mint.

Asked why ComCrop decided to open its farm to the public, Mr Barber said: “We’d like to let people see what we’re doing here, so that they know we’re growing really healthy, fresh produce locally.”

He stressed the need for support from the public to safeguard food security, which is especially crucial during supply shocks or times of crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic, where countries might not be exporting their produce as regularly.

“So the more you can support local produce, the bigger the industry can get, which will also mean things can get more affordable, and more varieties can then be made available in the supermarket.”

Members of the public can find out more about the available programmes and register their interest at www.gogreen.gov.sg

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Follow our news, recent searches, commentary: why impose a sustainable aviation fuel levy on passengers flying from singapore, advertisement.

As a major aviation hub, Singapore can leverage travellers transiting through to pay for the move towards sustainable aviation fuel, says NUS Energy Studies Institute’s Roger Fouquet.

Singapore Airlines planes at Changi Airport in February 2020. (File photo: iStock)

This audio is AI-generated.

Roger Fouquet

SINGAPORE: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is planning to introduce a levy on air travel to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Starting in 2026, the levy will be set to ensure that 1 per cent of the aviation fuel used in Singapore is SAF. Thereafter, CAAS aims to raise the SAF target to 3 to 5 per cent by 2030.

CAAS anticipates that an economy class passenger on a direct flight from Singapore to Bangkok, Tokyo and London to be S$3, S$6 and S$16 respectively. While the levy will remain constant in any year even with fluctuations in the actual price of SAF, it will vary according to the distance travelled and class of travel. Given that premium class passengers take up more space and make the plane less fuel-efficient, they will pay higher levies.

The reaction to CAAS’s announcement has been mixed . Some netizens have complained about having to pay more to travel. Others are concerned that the money will simply go into a private company’s profits.

On the other hand, some netizens see the levy as a positive step, understanding the need to pay more for sustainable alternatives. Inevitably, introducing a green tax is unlikely to be popular, but there are reasons for it.

A POLLUTING INDUSTRY

Aviation in Singapore is responsible for large amounts of pollution. According to 2023 data from the International Energy Agency, Singapore’s aviation fuel use was about 9.8 million tonnes of oil equivalent. This translates into about 28 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is exceptionally high for the country’s size and population.

In 2021, Singapore generated 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. How can that be?

Officially, fuel bunkers for international aviation lie outside Singapore’s jurisdiction and responsibility - since a 1947 treaty to promote the aviation industry. As a result, these 28 million tonnes of emissions from international air travel are not counted. However, if they were included, national emissions in Singapore would increase by 56 per cent.

Certainly, these emissions are not only caused by Singaporeans. Changi is a major international hub. This fact can be a problem or an advantage, if harnessed effectively. Before discussing how, it is worth noting efforts to decarbonise aviation.

CNA Explains: What is sustainable aviation fuel and will it change how we fly?

Commentary: What's the problem with biofuels?

Carbon pricing on air travel.

Aviation is seen as a hard-to-decarbonise sector. For instance, contrary to cars, electric planes are in their infancy and there are doubts about their potential to ever have sufficient power or range to compete with current jumbo jets.

This is why strategies to deal with the growth in air travel include blending aviation kerosene with biofuels and imposing forms of carbon pricing on air travel .

It is important to remember that carbon dioxide emissions inflict a cost on us all, particularly on lower-income countries vulnerable to climate change . The objective of carbon pricing and other environmental taxes is for the polluter to pay for the damage caused.

At present, few countries impose environmental taxes on air travel. Instead, air travellers can voluntarily pay for offsets from their carbon dioxide emissions. However, a Swedish study published in 2022 found that less than 5 per cent of air travellers pay to offset the damage they cause.

Commentary: Are carbon credits a growing ‘lemon’ problem?

Will buying carbon offsets really help to make your flight greener?

Encouraging the growth of sustainable aviation fuel.

With that in mind, authorities are prioritising the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel to decarbonise the aviation sector . SAF is produced from waste fats, oils and greases, municipal solid waste, agricultural and forestry residues. Compared with conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 per cent.

At present, SAF only accounts for 0.1 per cent of aviation fuel consumption . The main reason is that it is not yet commercially viable. The growth of SAF and its associated industries needs to be subsidised.

Singapore’s ambition is to develop a SAF industry that can reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. Because Changi Airport is a major hub, it can leverage travellers transiting through Singapore to pay for SAF.

As SAF development will benefit from economies of scale, foreign travellers would be helping to drive down the costs and to develop Singapore’s SAF industry.

Crucially, it is imperative that SAF is genuinely “sustainable”. They are not meant to compete with food crops, require incremental resource usage such as water nor lead to deforestation and biodiversity loss. It will be important to monitor how much carbon and environmental damage is generated from the production, distribution and use of SAF.

SAF is no silver bullet. It is doubtful that SAF will replace existing aviation fuel for a long time. Given its hard-to-abate status and global air travel potentially tripling over the next 25 years, emissions from aviation are likely to continue rising to 2050 and beyond .

As a low-lying island, Singapore has much to lose from climate inaction. It cannot make other countries reduce their emissions. Nevertheless, it can lead the way and inspire others to follow. Thus, Singapore needs to go green for its survival.

Fortunately, Singapore’s air travellers are affluent and can afford modest increases in their tickets, despite the complaints. These premiums may encourage other countries to follow and incentivise the use of SAF.

Given that the aviation industry could be the single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, it is essential for Singapore to be at the forefront of efforts to make air travel more sustainable.

Roger Fouquet is Senior Research Fellow at the Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore.

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Delta’s work to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 while delivering a more sustainable future of travel is year-round and focuses on what we fly, how we fly and the fuel we use. While we’re making changes that are within our control today, like reducing single-use plastics and reducing fuel consumption, Delta is also working on long-term solutions to fully decarbonize its operations and the industry. During Earth Month and beyond, there are a number of ways Delta is making progress on its path to net-zero and bringing the Delta people and customers along on the journey.  

THIS MONTH 

Delta teams will celebrate Earth Month through a series of engagements and activations that unite its people with Delta’s bold vision for a more sustainable future of travel.  

CHaRM CORPORATE CHALLENGE: Throughout April, GREEN UP, Delta’s sustainability focused business resource group, is partnering with Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), to facilitate an Atlanta-based corporate recycling challenge – in which Delta placed first last year for the highest number of recycled materials.  

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: April is also Global Volunteer Month with many volunteer opportunities throughout the month available to Delta employees, including a garden cleanup in ATL, a beach cleanup in MIA, a park cleanup in NYC and more. 

EMPLOYEE TRAVEL GUIDE: Throughout the month, Delta’s social media channels will feature a new Employee Travel Guide highlighting a Delta employee’s first-hand recommendations for traveling more sustainably and more sustainable travel experiences.  

EARTH MONTH COLLECTION ON IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT: Travelers on Delta can explore our planet from the skies with a curated “Earth Month” collection on Delta Studio. Enjoy a selection of documentaries and content designed to educate and inspire on Delta’s industry-leading in-flight entertainment. 

A year ago, Delta outlined our short, medium, and long-term aspirations to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. As we continue to work toward each, 2024 will see progress in a number of areas: 

EMBEDDING SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS THE BUSINESS: Teams across every division have a significant impact on Delta’s sustainability goals because every employee can impact fuel, weight, and waste. This is why Delta introduced new operational sustainability KPIs to engage every employee and unify efforts in driving toward Delta’s sustainability goals. This includes key metrics like APU run-time between flights, which currently averages 65 minutes. Just one minute of run-time reduction systemwide could save ~1.2M gallons of fuel annually. It also includes weight efficiency through thoughtful adjustments to on-board service weight. 

DRIVING FUEL SAVINGS: Delta’s Carbon Council continues to make strides in fuel savings initiatives toward the airline's strategic decarbonization goals. Delta teams have collaborated to drive impact through reduced weight, enhanced landing procedures, and optimizations to flight routing and speed. This year, Delta’s Carbon Council plans to build on more than 20 million gallons of fuel saved in 2023. 

SCALING SAF: SAF is the most promising lever known today to accelerate the airline’s decarbonization goals. However, there isn’t nearly enough available to meet global demand, which is why Delta is doing its part to advocate with state and federal stakeholders for policies to increase production of SAF. This year, Delta is specifically advocating for SAF incentive programs in Michigan and New York, as well as working to support the Minnesota SAF Hub dedicated to scaling the SAF industry in Delta’s hub state of Minnesota.  

MODIFYING EXISTING FLEET: Over the last several years, Delta has been working on adding enhanced winglets and lightweight landing gear to its fleet to make them as efficient as possible. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Delta will finalize its modifications of the split-scimitar winglet upgrade on the 737-800 fleet. This milestone will mark the completion of Delta adding the most advanced winglet technology available to all existing fleets that can be modified.  

REDUCING SINGLE-USE-PLASTICS IN FLIGHT: Delta began testing a transition to paper cups on board transcontinental flights in December 2023 – a milestone that would, when fully implemented, eliminate nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastics onboard annually and bring Delta one step closer to minimizing single-use plastics on board by 2025. Pending the results of the testing, the paper cups would begin rolling out across the Delta network by the end of 2024. 

THIS DECADE 

2030 and 2035 are milestone years in Delta’s strategic roadmap to meet all of its sustainability goals. Efforts and milestones that Delta is making progress toward over the next decade include: 

THE RISE OF EVTOL: Delta’s goal to have five strategic partnerships with revolutionary tech players by 2025 was kicked off by its investment in Joby Aviation, a company pioneering home-to-airport transportation with its eVTOL aircraft. Delta and Joby are looking to the Delta hub airports in New York and Los Angeles where this service will be offered to Delta customers. We imagine that this decade, Delta passengers will be able to book an eVTOL ride from Manhattan to JFK, bypassing congested New York traffic as they travel to the airport by air with Joby, before boarding their Delta flight. 

IMPLEMENTING SAF: As we continue to build on our momentum in advocating for government incentives to scale the SAF industry, Delta hopes to see the SAF market continue to scale as collaboration across the value chain continues to grow. With policy to support the production of SAF and to offset the green premium, Delta would be able to use SAF more broadly throughout the operation, and to meet the goal of 10% SAF by end of 2030 and 35% SAF usage by 2035.  So far, Delta has signed offtake agreements for more than 200M gallons of SAF, which is about halfway to the 2030 goal.  

FLEET RENEWAL: Every new aircraft that is introduced into the Delta network is more fuel efficient than aircraft being retired.  For example, Delta’s recently announced order for 20 next-gen A350-1000s that will start taking delivery in 2026 for international operations will be up to 20% more fuel efficient than retiring widebody aircraft.  As Delta plans to take delivery of new aircraft over the next decade, these aircraft will contribute to even more fuel savings.  

THIS CENTURY  

Next year, Delta will celebrate its 100-year anniversary. As the company gears up to celebrate this milestone, Delta is also looking forward to the next 100 years of flight. That’s why Delta is partnering with technology and innovation leaders throughout aviation to re-imagine the future of flight through Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab. Beyond just financial investments, Delta is pairing its operational expertise with innovators to inspire new ideas and spur industry advancement – the Lab is a place to showcase advancements and a movement to galvanize everyone with a stake in creating the more sustainable future of flight. 

HYRDROGEN POWERED AIRCRAFT: Delta has partnered with Airbus in their ZEROe program, which is working toward the world’s first hydrogen powered commercial aircraft. The partnership includes exploring hydrogen technology as well as understanding airport infrastructure realities and the full ecosystem required to produce and supply hydrogen as a safe and reliable potential fuel source.  

REVOLUTIONARY AIRCRAFT DESIGN: Delta has also partnered with Boeing and NASA on their Sustainable Flight Demonstrator program to explore a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW), which would revolutionize aircraft design and provide step-change fuel efficiency improvement. Delta is partnered to ensure the longer and more aerodynamic wing design is still operable and reliable.  

“Sustainability is a business imperative at Delta, and while Earth Month is a moment in time to galvanize around sustainability efforts, Delta works year-round to set the company up for a more sustainable future of flight,” shared Amelia DeLuca, CSO of Delta Air Lines. “I am so inspired by the people at Delta who work every day to help make a better, more sustainable Delta for futures to come.” 

Read more about Delta’s sustainability strategy.

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What we know about the container ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge

• The ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday was the Singapore-flagged Dali.
• The container ship had been chartered by Maersk, the Danish shipping company. 
• Two people were recovered from the water but six remain missing, authorities said.

A container ship crashed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing its collapse into the Patapsco River.

A livestream showed vehicles traveling on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just moments before the impact at 1:28 a.m. ET.

Baltimore first responders called the situation a "developing mass casualty event" and a "dire emergency," per The Associated Press.

James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore Fire Department, said in a press conference that two people had been recovered from the water.

One was uninjured, but the other was transported to a local trauma center in a "very serious condition."

Wallace said up to 20 people were thought to have fallen into the river and some six people were still missing.

Richard Worley, Baltimore's police chief, said there was "no indication" the collision was purposeful or an act of terrorism.

Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, declared a state of emergency around 6 a.m. ET. He said his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary.

"We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," Moore added.

Understanding why the bridge collapsed could have implications for safety, in both the shipping and civil engineering sectors.

The container ship is the Singapore-flagged Dali, which is about 984 feet long, and 157 feet wide, per a listing on VesselFinder.

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said that the ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port, ABC News reported.

The crew notified officials that they had lost control and warned of a possible collision, the report said, per the outlet.

The Dali's owner is listed as Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm, and its manager is listed as Synergy Marine, which is also headquartered in Singapore.

Shipping news outlet TradeWinds reported that Grace Ocean confirmed the Dali was involved in the collapse, but is still determining what caused the crash.

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Staff for Grace Ocean declined to comment on the collision when contacted by Business Insider.

"All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution," Synergy Marine said in a statement.

The company did not respond to a request for further comment from BI.

'Horrified'

Maersk chartered the Dali, with a schedule for the ship on its website.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," the Danish shipping company said in a statement.

Maersk added: "We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed."

Per ship tracking data, the Dali left Baltimore on its way to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, at around 1 a.m., about half an hour before the crash.

The Port of Baltimore is thought to be the largest in the US for roll-on/roll-off ships carrying trucks and trailers.

Barbara Rossi, associate professor of engineering science at the University of Oxford, told BI the force of the impact on one of the bridge's supporting structures "must have been immense" to lead to the collapse.

Dr Salvatore Mercogliano, a shipping analyst and maritime historian at Campbell University, told BI: "It appears Dali left the channel while outbound. She would have been under the control of the ship's master with a Chesapeake Bay pilot onboard to advise the master.

"The deviation out of the channel is probably due to a mechanical issue as the ship had just departed the port, but you cannot rule out human error as that was the cause of the Ever Forward in 2022 just outside of Baltimore."

He was referring to the incident two years ago when the container ship became grounded for a month in Chesapeake Bay after loading up cargo at the Port of Baltimore.

The US Coast Guard found the incident was caused by pilot error, cellphone use, and "inadequate bridge resource management."

Claudia Norrgren, from the maritime research firm Veson Nautical, told BI: "The industry bodies who are here to protect against incidents like this, such as the vessel's flag state, classification society, and regulatory bodies, will step in and conduct a formal investigation into the incident. Until then, it'll be very hard for anyone to truly know what happened on board."

This may not have been the first time the Dali hit a structure.

In 2016, maritime blogs such as Shipwreck Log and ship-tracking site VesselFinder posted videos of what appears to be the stern of the same, blue-hulled container vessel scraping against a quay in Antwerp.

A representative for the Port of Antwerp told BI the Dali did collide with a quay there eight years ago but couldn't "give any information about the cause of the accident."

The Dali is listed as being built in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

Watch: The shipwreck at the center of a battle between China and the Philippines

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