These communities often have diverse and sometimes conflicting needs, expectations, and interests, and may lack the resources, skills, or trust to participate in sustainability initiatives.

One way to overcome this challenge is to partner with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have expertise, experience, and credibility in working with communities on sustainability issues.

NGOs can help sustainability professionals to understand the local context, identify the key stakeholders, design and implement appropriate interventions, and monitor and evaluate the outcomes.

However, partnering with NGOs is not a simple or straightforward process. It requires careful planning, clear communication, mutual respect, and continuous learning.

We will share some practical advice on how to partner with NGOs for sustainable community engagement, based on our experiences engaging with NGOs. We will outline the benefits and challenges of such partnerships, and the key steps and principles for success.

Benefits and Challenges of Partnering with NGOs

Partnering with NGOs can bring many benefits to sustainability professionals and their organisations, such as:

Access to local knowledge and networks.

NGOs often have a deep understanding of the social, cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of the communities they work with. They also have established relationships and trust with the community members, leaders, and other relevant actors.

This can help sustainability professionals to gain insights into the community needs, preferences, and concerns, and to identify potential opportunities and risks for their sustainability initiatives.

Increased legitimacy and credibility.

NGOs can act as intermediaries or facilitators between sustainability professionals and the communities, and help to bridge the gaps in expectations, perceptions, and values. They can also help to communicate the goals and benefits of the sustainability initiatives to the communities, and to address any doubts or objections they may have.

This can enhance the legitimacy and credibility of the sustainability professionals and their organisations, and increase the acceptance and support of the communities for their initiatives.

Improved efficiency and effectiveness.

NGOs can provide technical and operational support to sustainability professionals in designing and implementing community engagement activities, such as conducting assessments, consultations, trainings, or awareness campaigns.

They can also help to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of the initiatives, and to provide feedback and recommendations for improvement. This can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the sustainability initiatives, and reduce the costs and risks involved.

Enhanced innovation and learning.

NGOs can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to sustainability professionals, and challenge them to think creatively and critically about their sustainability issues and solutions. They can also share their best practices and lessons learned from their previous or ongoing projects, and facilitate learning and knowledge exchange among the partners and the communities.

This can enhance the innovation and learning capabilities of the sustainability professionals and their organisations, and enable them to adapt and improve their sustainability initiatives over time.

However, partnering with NGOs also poses some challenges to sustainability professionals and their organisations, such as:

Finding the right partner.

Not all NGOs are suitable or willing to partner with sustainability professionals or their organisations. Some NGOs may have different or incompatible missions, values, or approaches to sustainability.

Some NGOs may have limited capacity, resources, or experience to partner effectively. Some NGOs may have negative or distrustful attitudes towards sustainability professionals or their organisations, especially if they have a history of conflict or controversy.

Therefore, finding the right partner that shares a common vision, interest, and commitment to sustainability, and that has the relevant expertise, experience, and credibility to work with communities, can be difficult and time-consuming.

Managing the expectations and interests.

Even if the partners have a shared vision and interest in sustainability, they may have different expectations and interests in the partnership and the sustainability initiatives.

For example, sustainability professionals may expect the NGOs to deliver certain outputs or outcomes within a specific timeframe or budget, while the NGOs may expect the sustainability professionals to provide more flexibility or support.

The partners may also have different interests in terms of the scope, scale, or impact of the sustainability initiatives, or the allocation of roles, responsibilities, or resources. Therefore, managing the expectations and interests of the partners, and ensuring that they are aligned and balanced, can be challenging and complex.

Building and maintaining trust and communication.

Trust and communication are essential for any successful partnership, but they are not easy to build and maintain, especially in cross-sector and cross-cultural contexts. The partners may have different backgrounds, perspectives, languages, or styles of communication, which can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or conflicts.

The partners may also have different levels of transparency, accountability, or feedback mechanisms, which can affect the quality and frequency of information sharing and reporting.

Therefore, building and maintaining trust and communication among the partners, and ensuring that they are open, honest, and respectful, can be demanding and delicate.

Key Steps and Principles for Success

To overcome the challenges and maximise the benefits of partnering with NGOs for sustainable community engagement, sustainability professionals and their organisations should follow some key steps and principles, such as:

1. Identify clear reasons and objectives for partnering.

The first step is to identify why and what you want to achieve through the partnership and the sustainability initiatives.

You should have clear and compelling reasons and objectives that are relevant and meaningful to both parties, and that are aligned with each other’s mission, values, and strategies.

You should also have a common understanding and agreement on the scope, scale, and impact of the sustainability initiatives, and how to measure and report on them.

2. Conduct due diligence and select the right partner.

The second step is to conduct a thorough and systematic assessment of the potential NGOs, and select the one that best fits the criteria and expectations.

You should consider various factors, such as the mission, vision, and values of the potential NGOs; their expertise, experience, and credibility in working with communities on sustainability issues; their capacity, resources, and reputation; and the compatibility, trust, and rapport between the potential NGOs and your organisation.

You should also conduct site visits, interviews, or references checks to verify the information and validate the suitability of the potential NGOs.

3. Define and formalise the partnership terms and conditions.

The third step is to define and formalise the partnership terms and conditions, and document them in a written agreement or contract.

You should specify the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each party; the deliverables, outcomes, and indicators of the sustainability initiatives; the timeline, budget, and resources of the partnership and the sustainability initiatives; the governance, communication, and reporting mechanisms of the partnership and the sustainability initiatives; and the dispute resolution, exit, or termination clauses of the partnership and the sustainability initiatives.

You should also ensure that the agreement or contract is clear, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial, and that it is reviewed and approved by the relevant stakeholders of each party.

4. Implement and monitor the partnership and the sustainability initiatives.

The fourth step is to implement and monitor the partnership and the sustainability initiatives, and ensure that they are executed and evaluated according to the agreed terms and conditions.

You should coordinate and collaborate closely and effectively, and leverage each other’s respective strengths and resources. You should also communicate and report regularly and transparently with the NGO, and provide constructive feedback and suggestions.

You should also track and measure the progress and impact of the partnership and the sustainability initiatives, and use the data and evidence to inform decision making and improvement.

5. Learn and improve the partnership and the sustainability initiatives.

The fifth and final step is to learn and improve the partnership and the sustainability initiatives, and ensure that they are adapted and enhanced over time.

You should conduct periodic reviews and assessments of the partnership and the sustainability initiatives, and identify the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.

You should solicit and incorporate the feedback and inputs of the communities and other relevant stakeholders, and ensure that they are satisfied and engaged.

You should also celebrate and recognise the successes and contributions of the partnership and the sustainability initiatives, and share and disseminate the best practices and learnings with others.

Partnering with NGOs for sustainable community engagement can be a powerful and rewarding strategy for sustainability professionals and their organisations.

By following the key steps and principles that we shared , sustainability professionals can overcome the challenges and maximise the benefits of partnering with NGOs, and create positive social and environmental impacts for their communities.

Can we use this popular term “flatten the curve” to describe waste generation in Singapore? As there are differences between the pandemic and waste curve, we will adapt and use “flattening the curve” as a framing concept to mean two things: a peaking of the waste generation curve and at least 5 years of waste generation numbers lower than the peak.

As we flatten the curve on waste generation in Singapore, we should see a peak and lower amounts of waste generated over time, which would require efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle “waste” resources, and shift towards circular economy models of production and consumption.

The figure below shows the total waste generated, waste recycled, and waste disposed from 2000 to 2019 in Singapore (waste statistics derived from NEA and reports). Waste disposed is the amount of waste sent to the waste-to-energy plants and the Semakau Landfill, while waste recycled is the amount of waste recycled locally or exported for recycling. Waste generated is the sum of the waste disposed and recycled, and refers to the total waste output for Singapore.

Looking at the total waste generated numbers over time, it is obvious that we have flatten the curve on waste generation in Singapore. Waste generation reached a peak of 7,851,500 tonnes in 2013, and has 6 years of lower numbers after the peak. There is a 8% reduction in the amount of waste generated from the peak in 2013 to the amount of 7,234,000 tonnes last year.

Due to the stricter circuit breaker period where non-essential activities are stopped, and the closure of the travel and hospitality industries, we are likely to see much lower business and economic outputs in Singapore and thus further reduction in waste generation as a whole for 2020. There could be a substantial increase in the generation of hospital waste and plastic disposables in 2020, but this is likely to be offset by the overall slower economic activities.

How has Singapore flatten the curve on waste generation? Let’s look at the top 5 waste types in Singapore for 2019 and see how each waste type contribute to flattening the curve.

1. Construction and Demolition Waste

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste are the largest contributor to the total waste generated in Singapore, about 20% of total waste. The figure below shows that we have flatten the curve on C&D waste generation in Singapore. Waste generation reached a peak of 1,695,300 tonnes in 2013, and has 6 years of lower numbers after the peak. There is a 15% reduction in the amount of waste generated from the peak in 2013 to the amount of 1,440,000 tonnes last year.

Singapore has managed to flatten the curve for construction and demolition waste, perhaps through a combination of more sustainable buildings, construction methods, and prefabrication of components leading to less construction waste; and property cooling measures leading to less construction activities. Almost all the C&D waste in Singapore are recycled, with a 99% recycling rate in 2019, so this waste stream is not a problem for Singapore. However, there are still opportunities to further reduce the C&D waste generation through circular economy approaches for the built environment such as designing buildings for deconstruction, or developing a marketplace for used and reclaimed construction materials.

2. Ferrous Metal

Ferrous metal contribute about 18% to the total waste generated in Singapore. The figure below shows that we have flatten the curve on ferrous metal waste generation in Singapore. Waste generation reached a peak of 1,445,900 tonnes in 2014, and has 5 years of lower numbers after the peak. There is a 12% reduction in the amount of waste generated from the peak in 2014 to the amount of 1,278,000 tonnes last year.

Singapore has managed to flatten the curve for ferrous metal waste, perhaps through a combination of more products using plastic packaging rather than using metal; and less construction activities due to the property cooling measures. Almost all the ferrous metal waste in Singapore are recycled, with a 99% recycling rate in 2019, so this waste stream is not a problem for Singapore.

3. Paper/Cardboard

Paper and cardboard contribute about 14% to the total waste generated in Singapore. The figure below shows that we have flatten the curve on paper waste generation in Singapore. Waste generation reached a peak of 1,383,900 tonnes in 2010, and has 9 years of lower numbers after the peak. There is a 27% reduction in the amount of waste generated from the peak in 2010 to the amount of 1,011,000 tonnes last year.

Singapore has managed to flatten the curve for paper waste, perhaps because of the overall trend of digitalisation where people go online and paperless, and consume more digital products rather than print newspapers and magazines. Less than half of the paper and carboard waste generated in Singapore are recycled, with a 44% recycling rate in 2019, so this waste stream is a problem for Singapore. There are still opportunities to further reduce the generation of paper waste by switching to more online options over paper, and to recycle more paper waste through better education and engagement activities. However, the current market for paper collection and recycling is not favourable due to the import ban by China.

4. Plastics

Plastics contribute about 13% to the total waste generated in Singapore. The figure below shows that we have not flatten the curve on plastic waste generation in Singapore. Waste generation is still increasing over the years and might have peaked at 949,300 tonnes in 2018, but we still need to look at the next few years to see if there are further reductions.

Singapore has not managed to flatten the curve for plastic waste and only 4% of plastic waste is recycled in Singapore, so this waste stream is a big problem for Singapore. More efforts are needed to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic disposables such as plastic bags, disposable cups, plates and utensils, and bottled water, and also for manufacturers to reduce excessive plastic packaging for products. Packaging is one of the priority waste streams under MEWR’s Zero Waste Masterplan, which includes various strategies to tackle packaging waste such as mandatory reporting of packaging data and 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) plans for packaging.

5. Food Waste

Food waste contribute about 10% to the total waste generated in Singapore. The figure below shows that we have not flatten the curve on food waste generation in Singapore. Waste generation might have peaked at 809,800 tonnes in 2017, but we still need to look at the next few years to see if there are further reductions.

Singapore has not managed to flatten the curve for food waste and only 18% of food waste is recycled in Singapore, so this waste stream is a big problem for Singapore. More efforts are needed to reduce food waste generation through better education and engagement activities, introduction of legislation on excess food redistribution, and greater acceptance of “ugly food”. Food waste is one of the priority waste streams under MEWR’s Zero Waste Masterplan, which includes various strategies to tackle food waste such as mandating large commercial and industrial food waste generators to segregate and recycle their food waste.

Singapore has managed to flatten the curve on total waste generation, and also for waste streams such as construction and demolition waste, ferrous metal, paper and cardboard, but there are still gaps in tackling plastics and food waste. More efforts are required to flatten the curve for these two persistent waste streams.

The coronavirus pandemic is causing major economic and social disruptions, and impacts to the daily lives of Singaporeans. We should never let a crisis go to waste, as a crisis can result in permanent behaviour change. The pandemic has resulted in changes to how we work and live, and these temporary changes could shift our behaviours to a new normal after the pandemic. We can learn the lessons from this coronavirus pandemic to help us change our behaviours and become more green.

1. BYO (Bring Your Own) container for food takeaways

Singapore will introduce stricter stay at home measures for non-essential activities during the circuit breaker period from 7 Apr to 4 May 2020. During this period, all hawker centres, food courts, restaurants, and food and beverage outlets, will remain open only for takeaway and delivery. Singaporeans are encouraged to bring their own containers for food takeaway.

This one-month circuit breaker can be a useful period for you to prepare your BYO containers and practise how to dapao for your food. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic disposables generated for takeaways. Hopefully, this BYO experience will encourage you to continue BYO-ing after the circuit breaker period.

2. Support our local farms

Although food supplies from Malaysia will not be disrupted with the lockdown in Malaysia, this is a good opportunity to drive home the Singapore Food Story on enhancing Singaporeâ€s food security. The government aims to support local companies to grow enough food in Singapore to meet 30% of our nutritional needs by 2030.

Local produce grown in Singapore is safer, fresher and lasts longer. There is less spoilage and food waste, as the produce does not need to travel for long periods of time. It also means a lower carbon footprint to bring food to the table. During this pandemic, you can play a part to support local farms, buy local produce, and improve Singapore’s food security.

3. Reduce business travel

Due to the pandemic, Singaporeans are working from home and embracing online videoconferencing platforms and tools for meetings and webinars. Most overseas conferences are cancelled or postponed, while some conferences are instead held online through live video streams or using virtual reality. As a result, we see an increase in event organisers planning more new and innovative virtual conferences and courses online. This trend is likely to stay after the pandemic as people realised that these online videoconferencing and virtual reality options are quite effective too.

As you get used to more online videoconferencing platforms and tools, this allows you to be more comfortable in using these options to replace travelling overseas for business meetings or conferences when the COVID-19 situation has improved. This reduction in business travel would help to reduce the carbon emissions from air travel.

4. Embrace a more vegetarian diet

As the pandemic takes a toll on people’s finances and with more people feeling stressed and more anxiety, we can consider embracing a more vegetarian and plant-based diet and reduce our meat intake. Having more vegetarian meals could possibly reduce our food expenses and improve our health. Meat production, especially beef, is more carbon intensive than plant crops, so having more plant-based food helps to reduce carbon emissions too.

You can use this pandemic period to start embracing a more vegetarian diet and reduce your meat intake, especially beef. You do not have to be a strict vegetarian immediately, but can use this opportunity to explore more vegetarian food options and outlets for takeaways, or try more vegetarian recipes when cooking at home. You can increase your diet to more plant-based over time.

5. Practise sufficiency

In Singapore, overconsumption and wastage of resources seem to be a norm. We buy more stuff than what is necessary, use and throw away more waste. The coronavirus pandemic is perhaps a good time to ask ourselves whether we should practise sufficiency in our consumption. Sufficiency means to buy, take and use only what we need, rather than to over-consume and over-spend.

In this difficult and resource-constrained period, we are forced to recognise that there are other things to pursue in life besides consumption; things that are more important like relationships, health and happiness. Use this opportunity to constantly remind yourself about the idea of sufficiency and ask yourself whether you need to buy, take or use something in the first place. Whether it is good or bad times, try to buy, take and use only what you need.

During this coronavirus pandemic period, we can learn, explore and practise these 5 lessons to change our behaviours and be more green. While Singaporeans will eventually return to normal after this pandemic, we hope that the sustainable behaviours learned would not go to waste and would continue to be entrenched in our daily lives.

While we practise social distancing and stay at home due to the coronavirus emergency, this is a good time to read up and understand more about the other emergency – the climate emergency.

Here are 4 new books about climate change and what governments, businesses and individuals are doing and have to do more:

1. The Future We Choose

The authors of the new book, The Future We Choose, are Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, who led the negotiations for the United Nations during the 2015 Paris Agreement. They have outlined two possible scenarios for our planet – what life on Earth will be like by 2050 if we fail to meet the Paris climate targets, or what it will be like to live in a carbon neutral and regenerative world. They are cautious but optimistic, and argue for confronting the climate crisis head-on with determination and optimism.

2. What We Need to Do Now: For a Zero Carbon Future

Chris Goodall’s new book, What We Need to Do Now: For a Zero Carbon Future, sets out the ways for the UK to become carbon neutral by 2050. His proposals include building a huge over-capacity of wind and solar energy and storing the excess as hydrogen; using hydrogen to fuel our industry and transport; farming and eating plant-based alternatives to meat; maintaining woodlands; making the fashion and aviation sectors sustainable; and using technical solutions to capture carbon dioxide from the air.

3. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need

Bill Gates has written a book about climate change, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need, after more than a decade of studying climate change and investing in innovations to address the problems. He is optimistic and believe that we can work on a local, national, and global level to build the technologies, businesses, and industries to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

4. Our House Is on Fire: Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis

The book, Our House Is on Fire: Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis, is written by climate activist Greta Thunberg, her parents Malena Emman and Svante Thunberg, and her little sister Beata Emman. This is the story of how Greta decided to go on strike from school, and igniting a worldwide rebellion and global climate movement.

Sustainable Development Goals #16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Businesses can work together with governments, civil society and communities to implement lasting solutions to reduce violence, deliver justice, combat corruption and ensure inclusive participation at all times. Companies can promote inclusion and respect towards people of different backgrounds, ethnic origins, religions, gender, sexual orientations or different opinions. Companies must also substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms, and have accountable and transparent governance.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/peace-justice/

Sustainable Development Goals #17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Companies can partner with governments for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Companies can mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/globalpartnerships/

Social Enterprises are business entities set up with clear social and/or environmental goals, and where there is clear management intent and resources allocated to fulfil their social and/or environmental objectives.

The Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE) was set up in 2015 to develop the social enterprise sector in Singapore. raiSE supports over 400 social enterprise members in their social enterprise journeys, from set-up to growth and expansion. Here is a list of some social enterprises under raiSE that are related to the environment:

1. Better Trails LLP

Better Trails LLP is a social enterprise founded to promote the ethical and responsible use of the outdoors and green spaces. Better Trails organises recreation activities and provides environment education to community for a better outdoors. It also offers training opportunities to at-risk youths to be involved in meaningful outdoor activities as well as facilitating outdoors experiences for the underserved community.

2. Ecosoftt Pte Ltd

Ecosoftt (Eco Solutions for Tomorrow Today) is an innovator of solutions which enable water sustainability through total management of the water cycle for living communities. With this solution, communities can reduce their water footprint and wastage by 50% and recycle all wastewater for reuse on site. As an international social enterprise, it actively channels technology, expertise and financial resources towards water, sanitation and livelihood projects in rural communities.

3. Edible Garden City Pte Ltd

The mission of Edible Garden City is to champion local food production so that everyone across different financial and social strata has access to fresh and safe produce while re-connecting with nature, health and sustainability. Edible Garden offers design-and-build consultancy to businesses and private residences. With the profit, they funded a community garden to support and build a ready resource pool of like-minded individuals to help propagate the Grow Your Own Food movement.

4. Green Nudge LLP

Green Nudge is a social enterprise with an environmental focus and works closely with companies and event organisers to achieve a zero waste outcome. They provide a start-to-finish solution that meets the waste management needs of events and functions. Apart from events, they work to educate and advocate for environmental awareness through coastal cleanups, visits, learning journeys and workshops.

5. Kowabunga! Global Pte Ltd

Focusing on educating the young, Kowabunga! Global works closely with organisations and government agencies to develop programmes for children and youths to equip them with the skill sets for jobs that have yet to exist and to nurture their hearts to fill with compassion for the earth and humanity.

6. Seven Clean Seas Pte Ltd

Seven Clean Seas directly removes ocean plastic pollution from the marine environment. They operate in several countries including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Their goals are to clean, conserve and educate. To date, they have removed over 31,000kg ocean plastic pollution from Singapore beaches alone.

7. Sparkbox Pte Ltd (Secondsguru)

Secondsguru is a young social enterprise with a mission to promote environmental education and awareness. Its activities include talks and workshops for corporates and the community, and informational resources on Secondsguru.com where readers can access a curated calendar of eco-events, guides on eco-friendly lifestyles, information on sustainable brands, and other resources.

8. Sustainable Living Lab Pte Ltd

Sustainable Living Lab (SL2) addresses the innovation and sustainability needs of the 3P (Public, Private & People) sector. As practitioners of futures thinking, they implement cutting edge technologies and facilitate cross-sector collaboration for social impact. Their current focus areas are AI Literacy, Zero Waste and the Sustainable Development Goals.

9. Swapaholic Pte Ltd

Swapaholic is a social enterprise devoted to slowing down the fashion industry by providing sustainable consumption outlet for consumers. Swapaholic is a pre-loved fashion swap that encourages consumers to declutter and refresh their wardrobes without hurting our planet or their wallets.

10. The Fashion Pulpit

The Fashion Pulpit provides a swapping platform for clothes and accessories that is open to public, and as a result extend the lifespan of fashion items and minimise textile waste. They also conduct events around sustainability and style, empowering consumers to take charge of their consumption habits.

11. UglyFood Pte Ltd

UglyFood is a social enterprise that rescues “ugly” or unsold fresh produce, and encourages people to eat healthy while wasting less food. They divert fresh produce from the trash and transform them into delicious and nutritious products or resell at better prices.

12. Unpackt Pte Ltd

Unpackt aims to promote waste minimisation and reducing waste and recycling by bringing affordable and convenient zero waste solutions to consumers. Unpackt is a social enterprise which works with the marginalized community by providing employment and development opportunities for the low income, single mothers and senior workers to work towards an all inclusive community.

13. Wateroam Pte Ltd

Wateroam aims to build a world where no man shall face prolonged thirst. Wateroam develops portable water filtration solutions to help affected people in post-disaster sites and rural communities obtain clean drinking water. The solutions are highly mobile, fast-deploying, non-electricity dependent and self-sustaining.

14. Young Sustainable Impact Southeast Asia (YSI SEA)

YSI SEA empowers Southeast Asian youth to solve the region’s sustainability issues through a measurable impact. Its fully funded 5-month Innovation Program, brings Southeast Asian youths together, nurtures their ideas for solving sustainability issues in the region, and gives them a platform to establish their own start-ups by providing the resources and guidance.

Source credit: raiSE

Sustainable Development Goals #13 – Climate Action

Companies have to commit to taking urgent action to tackle climate change and its impacts. Companies can educate their staff about climate change, reduce their carbon footprint in the business operations, and invest in renewable energy.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/

Sustainable Development Goals #14 – Life Below Water

Companies can prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds in their operations, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. Businesses can spread the message about how important marine life is and the need to protect it, and also invest in conserving coastal and marine areas.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/

Sustainable Development Goals #15 – Life on Land

Companies can ensure that their operations do not result in significant degradation of natural habitats and the loss of biodiversity. Companies can partner with governments and local communities to protect ecosystems and prevent the extinction of threatened species. Companies can also finance sustainable forest management, and conservation and reforestation efforts.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/

Sustainable Development Goals #10 – Reduced Inequalities

Companies can ensure equal opportunity and eliminate discriminatory policies and practices in the workplace. Companies can also place greater efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, and invest more in health, education, social protection and decent jobs especially for young people, migrants and other vulnerable communities.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/

Sustainable Development Goals #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

Companies can partner with governments to develop and provide access to sustainable energy, housing, and transportation, and provide environmental services to reduce pollution. Companies can also build sustainable and resilient buildings.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/

Sustainable Development Goals #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

Businesses can find new solutions that enable sustainable consumption and production patterns by understanding the environmental and social impacts of their products and services, both of product life cycles and how these are affected by use within lifestyles. Businesses can identify hot spots within the value chain where interventions have the greatest potential to improve the environmental and social impact of the system as a whole. Businesses can also use their innovative power to design solutions that can both enable and inspire individuals to lead more sustainable lifestyles, reducing impacts and improving well-being.

Source and image credit: UN, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/

There are several registered charities and Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) in Singapore that are related to the environment and animal welfare sectors. These organisations operate on a not-for-profit basis to carry out activities, programmes and campaigns to champion various environmental, nature and animal causes.

Registered charities and IPCs are regulated by the Commissioner of Charities and fall under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in Singapore. The difference between charities and IPCs is that IPCs are charities which are able to issue tax deductible receipts for qualifying donations to donors.

Companies that wish to partner with registered charities and IPCs, or donate to them, can check out the Charity Portal for the full list of charities and IPCs, or refer to the list of selected charities and IPCs below:

__________

Charities

1. Zero Waste SG

Zero Waste SG is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to help Singapore eliminate the concept of waste, and accelerate the shift towards zero waste and the circular economy.

2. Action for Singapore Dogs Society

Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) is a non-profit organization with the mission to improve the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore with a strict no-kill policy.

3. BirdLife International (Asia)

BirdLife International is an international NGO that strives to conserve wild birds, their habitats and global diversity.

4. Centre for a Responsible Future

The Centre for a Responsible Future is a non-profit organisation that aims to inspire and support people and organizations in Singapore to make more humane, healthy, and sustainable choices through advocacy, education, and engagement.

5. Conservation International Asia-Pacific

Conservation International is an international NGO that works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity.

6. Marine Stewardship Council Asia

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organisation that recognises and rewards efforts to protect oceans and safeguard seafood supplies for the future.

7. PM.Haze

Peopleâ€s Movement to Stop Haze, known as PM Haze, is a non-profit focusing on outreach, research and advocacy on the transboundary haze crisis.

8. World Toilet Organization

The World Toilet Organization aims to improve sanitation conditions for people globally, through powerful advocacy, inventive technology, education and building marketplace opportunities locally.

9. WWF Singapore

WWF is an international NGO that serves to raise public awareness on critical conservation and footprint issues and garner support for local, regional and global initiatives to protect, conserve and create a sustainable planet for generations to come.

__________

IPCs

10. Animal Concerns Research and Education Society

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) aims to create a caring and socially responsible society where animals are treated as sentient beings.

11. Cat Welfare Society

The Cat Welfare Society aims to create a caring and socially responsible society where cats are treated humanely as sentient beings, where they are cared for responsibly as pets and treated with compassion as community cats.

12. Causes for Animals (Singapore)

Causes for Animals (Singapore) supports the needs of local animal welfare in Singapore, and employs programs and policies to promote best practice, ethical, sustainable and compassionate treatment of these animals.

13. Conservation International Singapore

Conservation International Singapore strives to protect local biodiversity, natural ecosystems and heritage through community engagement, environmental education, capacity development and multi-sector partnerships.

14. Nature Society (Singapore)

The Nature Society (Singapore) or NSS is a non-government, non-profit organisation dedicated to the appreciation, conservation, study and enjoyment of the natural heritage in Singapore, Malaysia and the surrounding region.

15. Restroom Association (Singapore)

The Restroom Association (Singapore) is non-profit organization which advocates for clean public toilets.

16. Singapore Environment Council

The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) is an independently managed, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which aims to foster lasting environmental and societal values that encourage and achieve environmental sustainability.

17. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) aims to prevent cruelty to animals and birds and to promote kindness to animals and birds.

18. Waterways Watch Society

The Waterways Watch Society (WWS) is a special, independent volunteer group, bringing people together to love our waters and to inspire stewardship for our environment.

Singapore is committed to develop a sustainable and liveable city, and is already known internationally as a city in a garden. To further improve our sustainability, the government has started several funding and incentive schemes related to energy efficiency, environmental initiatives, food production, green buildings, sustainable finance, sustainable transport, urban solutions, waste management, water technology, and workforce and business development.

Here is a list of 30 government funding and incentives for the environment to help businesses understand and navigate the various resources available:

Energy Efficiency

• Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F)
• Energy Efficiency Financing Programme
• Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) Training Grant
• Resource Efficiency Grant for Energy

Environmental Initiatives

• 3P Partnership Fund
• Call for Ideas Fund (CIF)

Food Production

• Agriculture Productivity Fund (APF)
• Singapore Food Story R&D Grant Call

Green Buildings

• Building Retrofit Energy Efficiency Financing (BREEF) Scheme
• Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) Building Energy Efficient Demonstrations Scheme (GBIC-Demo)
• Built Environment Accelerate to Market Programme (BEAMP)
• Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme (SGIS)
• Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH)
• Quieter Construction Innovation Fund

Sustainable Finance

• Sustainable Bond Grant Scheme

Sustainable Transport

• Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)
• Active Commute Grant (ACG)
• Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES)
• Green Port Programme (GPP)

Urban Solutions

• Cities of Tomorrow R&D Programme (CoT)
• Cool Ideas Enterprise

Waste Management

• 3R Fund
• Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Test-bedding and Demonstration Funding Initiative
• Closing the Waste Loop initiative

Water Technology

• Living Lab (Water)
• Competitive Research Programme (Water)
• Industrial Water Solutions Demonstration Fund (IWSDF)

Workforce and Business Development

• Productivity Solutions Grant (SkillsFuture Training Subsidy)
• Professional Conversion Programmes
• Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

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Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F)

The Energy Efficiency Fund (E2F) by NEA provides funding for businesses to improve the energy efficiency of industrial facilities, including for resource efficient design of new facilities and major expansions; energy assessment of existing facilities; adoption of energy efficient equipment technologies; and implementation of an Energy Management Information System. Funding is provided up to 50% of the qualifying costs (with other criteria on funding cap and qualifying period).

Energy Efficiency Financing Programme

EDB selected a third-party financier, Sustainable Development Capital (Asia) Limited (SDCL Asia), to pilot the Energy Efficiency Financing Programme, which provides companies with up to 100% upfront capital investment to implement energy efficiency projects, and the energy savings are shared between the stakeholders. The projects must involve installation and use of energy efficient equipment or technologies with a proven track record of energy savings in an industrial facility, and must result in measurable and verifiable energy savings.

Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) Training Grant

The Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) programme is designed for engineering professionals who intend to build their career as energy managers. The SCEM Training Grant is a co-funding scheme by e2i and is targeted at engineers or managers who manage manufacturing facilities and buildings and provide energy services or engineering consulting services. The Training Grant co-funds part of the SCEM training cost (inclusive of one exam fee per module) at the Professional Level. In addition to the Training Grant, the SCEM Programme is supported by Singapore Workforce Development Agency’s Absentee Payroll funding. Applicant companies can apply for the funding in the SkillsConnect system.

Resource Efficiency Grant for Energy

The Resource Efficiency Grant for Energy by EDB supports industrial facilities to become more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions. All Singapore-registered owners or operators of existing or proposed industrial facility are eligible for the grant, and proposed energy efficiency projects must achieve at least 0.5ktpa of carbon abatement that is measurable and verifiable by the end of the project. The amount of grant support will correspond to the amount of carbon abated, subject to a cap of 50% of the qualifying costs.

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Environmental Initiatives

3P Partnership Fund

The 3P Partnership Fund by NEA aims to encourage organisations and companies from the People, Private and Public (3P) sectors to work together to develop innovative and sustainable environmental initiatives that promote environmental ownership amongst the local community. A Singapore-registered organisation or company can apply for the funding and must involve at least one other partner from the 3P sectors. The 3P Partnership Fund works on a co-payment basis and first time application would receive no more than 60% of the supportable cost items.

Call for Ideas Fund (CIF)

The Call for Ideas Fund (CIF) by NEA provides co-funding for projects that seek to resolve environmental challenges and problems in the local community, and the development of mobile applications to enable open and easy access to environmental information so that the public can make informed choices and decisions in their daily lives. Funding support is up to a maximum of $20,000 or 80% of the total project cost for supportable cost items (whichever is lower).

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Food Production

Agriculture Productivity Fund (APF)

The Agriculture Productivity Fund (APF) by SFA support local farmers in their efforts to expand production capability, boost yield and raise productivity. Under the APF, the Basic Capability Upgrading Scheme supports the purchase of equipment that would help increase the farmâ€s productivity such as increase in production, manpower savings and resource savings. Under the APF, the Productivity Enhancement Scheme supports the adoption of automated, advanced and integrated farming systems. Funding support is subjected to the type of scheme and food category.

Singapore Food Story R&D Grant Call

The Singapore Food Story R&D Grant Call by SFA and A*STAR supports the national agenda of strengthening Singapore’s food security and achieving the national goal of “30 by 30”. The research themes include: Sustainable Urban Food Production to increase the productivity of local food producers beyond what is achievable by current best-in-class technologies; and Future Foods: Alternative Proteins to seek alternative and more sustainable methods to produce protein-rich foods and beverages. All Singapore-based institutions of higher learning, public sector agencies and not-for profit research laboratories as well as companies and company-affiliated research laboratories/institutions are eligible to apply. The funding support is subjected to the themes and scope.

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Green Buildings

Building Retrofit Energy Efficiency Financing (BREEF) Scheme

The Building Retrofit Energy Efficiency Financing (BREEF) Scheme, facilitated by BCA and participating financial institutions, offer financing to pay the upfront costs of energy retrofits of existing buildings, through an energy performance contract arrangement. BREEF can cover the cost of equipment, installation and professional fees. The maximum loan quantum is up to $4 million or 90% of costs, whichever is lower. The maximum loan tenure is 5 years and the interest rate is determined by the financial institution.

Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) Building Energy Efficient Demonstrations Scheme (GBIC-Demo)

The Green Buildings Innovation Cluster (GBIC) Building Energy Efficient Demonstrations Scheme (GBIC-Demo) provides building owners and developers the opportunity to strive for greater energy savings by demonstrating innovative energy efficient technologies that have not been widely implemented locally in upcoming projects or existing buildings. Funding support is up to 70% qualifying cost or $3million per project demonstration (whichever is lower).

Built Environment Accelerate to Market Programme (BEAMP)

The Built Environment Accelerate to Market Programme (BEAMP) was set up by BCA, JTC and Enterprise Singapore to bring inventors and companies together to fast-track the innovation process to solve built environment industry challenges. Enterprise Singapore offers grant funding support of up to 70% of the qualifying project cost for local SMEs and up to 50% for local non-SMEs (subject to funding cap).

Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme (SGIS)

The Skyrise Greenery Incentive Scheme (SGIS) by NParks facilitates the development of a more lush and pervasive greenery in our built environment by encouraging more intensive forms of landscaping on built structures. The funding support is up to 50% of the installation costs of rooftop greenery and vertical greenery (subject to cap of cost per square metre).

Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH)

The Landscaping for Urban Spaces and High-Rises (LUSH) programme by URA is a comprehensive urban and skyrise greening programme comprising both Landscape Replacement Areas requirements and incentives to further strengthen efforts in greening the city and to encourage more pervasive greenery within our high-rise urban environment. The programme encourages building owners and developers to provide well-planted and designed communal green spaces at both the ground and upper levels of buildings, such as sky terraces and roof gardens. URA may grant additional GFA exemption for selected spaces.

Quieter Construction Innovation Fund

The Quieter Construction Innovation Fund by NEA is an incentive scheme to promote wider adoption of quieter construction equipment and innovative methods, in order to mitigate construction noise impact to the public. Application is open from 1 Apr 2019 to 31 Mar 2021, and is for Singapore-registered company which is operating at an existing or proposed construction or demolition site, or supplying construction equipment. The funding support varies according to the types of equipment and their performance requirement.

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Sustainable Finance

Sustainable Bond Grant Scheme

The Sustainable Bond Grant Scheme by MAS encourages the issuance of green, social and sustainability bonds in Singapore and is open to first-time and repeat issuers. The qualifying issuance must be a minimum size of $200 million or a bond programme size of at least $200 million with an initial issuance of at least $20 million, and a minimum tenure of 1 year. The grant supports costs incurred in respect of the independent external review or rating done based on any internationally-recognised green, social, and sustainability bond principles or framework.

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Sustainable Transport

Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)

The Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF) by LTA provides funding support for conceptual-stage research and pilot trials, and facilitates innovation and technological advances in Singapore’s land transportation arena. The fund brings together the best ideas to meet the vision of building an efficient, sustainable and people-centred land transport system. Applications must be from Singapore-registered companies, tertiary institutions and research institutions. The length of the trial period of the proposed project is capped at a maximum of one year. The LTIF will fund up to a maximum of 90% of the costs per project.

Active Commute Grant (ACG)

The Active Commute Grant (ACG) by LTA supports the aim to make walking, cycling and riding public transport a way of life and a means of enhancing liveability in Singapore. To improve the cycling commute, adequate End-of-Trip (EOT) facilities such as showers, lockers and drying stations at destinations are important to provide a comfortable and convenient journey to work. The ACG provides support and encouragement for developers and building owners who wish to provide EOT facilities in their developments, and funding support is up to 80% of the construction costs of EOT facilities in offices, business parks and light/general industrial developments, up to a maximum of $80,000 per development.

Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES)

The Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) by LTA is the latest scheme introduced for cars and taxis registered from 1 Jan 2018 onwards. From 1 Jul 2018 to 31 Dec 2020, VES is based on a car or taxiâ€s carbon dioxide emissions, plus emissions of these 4 pollutants: Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, and Particulate Matter. The worst performing pollutant determines the vehicleâ€s band and its corresponding VES rebate or surcharge. Under the VES, a car or taxi registered under bands A1 and A2 will qualify for an emission rebate which will be used to offset the car or taxi’s Additional Registration Fee.

Green Port Programme (GPP)

The Green Port Programme (GPP) by MPA is a programme under Maritime Singapore Green Initiative to encourage environmental sustainability amongst ocean-going vessels calling at the Port of Singapore. Under the programme, 25% reduction in port dues will be granted to ocean-going vessels that use LNG as a marine fuel in the Port of Singapore, or exceed current IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index requirements.

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Urban Solutions

Cities of Tomorrow R&D Programme (CoT)

The Cities of Tomorrow R&D Programme (CoT) is a multi-agency effort, led by MND, to establish Singapore as a highly liveable, sustainable, and resilient city of the future, and as a vibrant urban solutions hub. This will be achieved through the integrated development of R&D in 4 key verticals: Advanced Construction, Resilient Infrastructure, New Spaces, and Greater Sustainability, and supported by 2 enabling horizontals of Urban Environment Analytics and Complexity Science for Urban Solutions. The CoT will support R&D across the value chain from upstream research to downstream technology deployment and adoption, with emphasis on projects that have a high potential for practical implementation and commercialisation. A total of $150 million has been aside to fund CoT, which is part of the Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) domain under the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Cool Ideas Enterprise

Cool Ideas Enterprise by HDB is an open innovation platform for innovators to co-develop solutions that improve the living environment and residents’ quality of life. Proposals should address any of the 5 domains: Energy, Urban Greenery, Living Environment, Waste and Water, and Building Technology. Funding support is provided up to 70% of the development cost.

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Waste Management

3R Fund

The 3R Fund by NEA is a co-funding scheme to encourage organisations to reduce waste disposed of at NEA’s incineration plants and disposal facilities through the implementation of waste minimisation and recycling projects. Any organisation in Singapore, including companies, non-government organisations, town councils, schools, institutions and managing bodies such as MCSTs can apply for the 3R Fund. Projects must result in an increase in the quantity of solid waste recycled or a reduction in the quantity of solid waste generated. The minimum tonnage eligibility is 100 tonnes reduced, reused or recycled over the whole project duration. Funding support is up to 80% of qualifying costs, subject to a cap of $1 million per project or per applicant.

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Test-bedding and Demonstration Funding Initiative

The Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Test-bedding and Demonstration Funding Initiative by NEA aims to incentivise industry and Institutes of Higher Learning to collaborate and translate their R&D outcomes into pilot scale or demonstration projects. Applicants may select any suitable premises to test-bed or demonstrate their WTE technologies, and encourages applicants to tap on the plug-and-play features of the recently completed NTU WTE Research Facility. Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), public sector agencies and not-for-profit research entities may qualify for funding support of up to 100% of the approved qualifying direct costs (QDC), plus 20% of QDC for overheads; and Singapore-registered companies and for-profit research entities may qualify for funding support of up to 70% of QDC only, without provision for funding overheads.

Closing the Waste Loop initiative

The Closing the Waste Loop initiative is an R&D programme by NEA to encourage collaborations with institutes of higher learning, research institutes and private sector partners, to develop technologies and solutions to tackle challenges posed by increasing waste generation, scarcity of resources and land constraints for waste management. The initiative focuses on resource and value recovery from key waste streams; diversion of ash and residues to conserve landfill space; environmental remediation of closed dumping ground and landfill; and data and analytic driven waste management solutions.

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Water Technology

Living Lab (Water)

The Living Lab (Water) is a scheme by PUB which ​aims to accelerate the commercialisation of new promising water technologies by incentivising their early adoption locally. Singapore-registered businesses and organisations, in the public or private sector, can apply for the grant. ​Grants are provided to support costs arising from the projects such as manpower, training, equipment investment and professional services costs.

Competitive Research Programme (Water)

The Competitive Research Programme (Water) is a funding scheme by PUB which aims to fund basic and applied R&D projects that possess potential in developing innovative and novel solutions for the water industry. PUB would launch Request-for-Proposals (RFPs) in specific areas and/or in the open category. All Singapore-based companies, tertiary education institutions, research institutes and public agencies are eligible for this funding. Grants are provided to support costs arising from the projects such as manpower, equipment investment, trainings and conferences.​

Industrial Water Solutions Demonstration Fund (IWSDF)

The Industrial Water Solutions Demonstration Fund (IWSDF) by PUB provides funding support for high-impact and innovative projects to treat and reclaim fresh water from industrial used water for process reuse. Companies with monthly water consumption of more than 10,000 m3 are invited to submit proposals for projects that yield at least 5% reduction in water consumption through reuse.

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Workforce and Business Development

Productivity Solutions Grant (SkillsFuture Training Subsidy)

The Productivity Solutions Grant (SkillsFuture Training Subsidy) by SkillsFuture Singapore helps companies to train and build a pool of skilled employees in areas that will help enhance business competitiveness. Approved courses are available for energy, environmental services and building sectors. The grant covers 70% of out-of-pocket training expenses incurred by companies, and is capped at $10,000 per company.

Professional Conversion Programmes

Professional Conversion Programmes by Workforce Singapore are career conversion programmes targeted at Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs), including mid-career switchers, to undergo skills conversion and move into new occupations or sectors that have good prospects and opportunities for progression. Sectors include waste management, and water and wastewater management. Salary support is provided up to 70% or 90% of monthly salary, and/or course fee subsidy of up to 70% or 90% of course fees (subjected to type of programme).

Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) by Enterprise Singapore helps Singapore companies upgrade their business, adopt technology and innovative processes, and grow their overseas presence, under three pillars: Core Capabilities, Innovation and Productivity, and Market Access. The grant scope incudes automation, process redesign, product development, pilot project and test-bedding, and standards adoption. Funding support is provided up to 70% of qualifying project costs.