Stronger legislation on environmental issues, beginning environmental education before children enter pre-school, and having a more proactive commitment from the private sector are necessary elements to help Singapore become a cleaner, greener and safer nation, according to findings from a public consultation exercise carried out by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC).
These, and other recommendations, were put forth in an outcome statement that drew on findings from 19 dialogue sessions conducted over three months as part of SEC’s ‘ENVision’ exercise. A total of 440 participants from the corporate, community and public sectors, as well as students, took part in this exercise, which was a response to a call made in January by Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Environment and Water Resources, to review Singapore’s priorities, plans and projects related to environmental sustainability.
A total of 14 key findings were presented as a result of this ENVision exercise. These included a call for better infrastructure – such as recycling waste chutes in housing estates, more natural light in home construction, and more cycling lanes – to support sustainable behaviour, developing Singapore as a hub for green technology by supporting research and development, and cultivating a “green reflex”. This reflex referred to the practice of keeping environmental concerns at the heart of all policymaking and community initiatives, said SEC chief executive Jose Raymond.
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We are confident that the visioning report will play an essential role in ensuring the success of a sustainable future due to its grounds-up approach, strategically targeted at every sector.
Jose Raymond, chief executive officer, Singapore Environment Council
The findings from the exercise were consolidated into an ‘ENVision statement’, which was formally presented to the Minister as the voice of the community. The statement aspires for a Singapore that is “a liveable, comforting and endearing home, an engaged and environmentally gracious community, and an economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable city”.
“We are confident that the visioning report will play an essential role in ensuring the success of a sustainable future due to its ground-up approach, strategically targeted at every sector,” noted Raymond.
The ENVision statement will form the basis of an upcoming review for the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB), Singapore’s national strategy for sustainable development that was first launched in 2009.
“I wanted this to be a truly ground-up statement, and I haven’t had anything to do with formulating this statement”, said Balakrishnan on Tuesday, addressing ENVision dialogue participants at an appreciation dinner organised to commemorate the end of the exercise. “It is yours, and yours alone,” he emphasised.
“The SSB will be finalised by the end of the year”, Balakrishnan noted. “It will be a whole-of-government effort, involving the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Land Transport Authority, PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, and the National Environment Agency. The Ministry of Trade and Industry will also be involved, because economic restructuring has to lead us on a sustainable path that avoids danger and creating opportunity for the future,” he added.
