Singapore heads to the polls on 3 May, and economic fears look set to trump any concerns about climate change among voters when they cast their votes, according to street interviews conducted by Eco-Business.
To continue watching, subscribe to Eco‑Business.
There's something for everyone. We offer a range of subscription plans.
- Access our stories and receive our Insights Weekly newsletter with the free EB Member plan.
- Unlock unlimited access to our content and archive with EB Circle.
- Publish your content with EB Premium.
In the run-up to the poll on Saturday, none of the political parties have campaigned heavily on climate action, with issues such as cost of living dominating the rallies and campaign messages. A study of party manifestos by environmental non-profit SG Climate Rally (SGCR) found that almost all parties failed to meet the passing grade when evaluated for their commitment for climate justice.
Out of a score of 100, Singapore’s largest opposition party, Workers’ Party, was the only political party to cross the 50-point mark, scoring 57 for what SGCR describes as “stronger commitment to social support systems and labour protections” that are crucial for climate-vulnerable groups. But the study found its manifesto lacking in “fully developed policies on key climate fronts” such as transition plans for fossil fuel workers.
“
Most complain about the weather when it’s hot and take videos of “ponding” issues when erratic weather brings bursts rain. But it may be the last thing on the minds of Singaporeans when they vote.
Kiwi Lim, estate agent
The Singapore Democratic Party comes in second at 46 out of 100, and SGCR said that its 2025 campaign manifesto only contained updated summaries to its more detailed policy papers on climate-related issues which lack depth.
The incumbent People’s Action Party, led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who is seeking to extend the party’s unbroken 60-year rule in his first electoral test amid geopolitical uncertainty, had a score of 44 out of 100.
SGCR said: “While the PAP government has implemented numerous climate initiatives including carbon pricing and electricity imports, its policies fall short of the 1.5°C warming target and continue supporting high-emission industries like fossil fuels and aviation through tax incentives and airport expansion.”
In the upcoming elections, the opposition is vying for 92 out of a total of 97 seats. Wong is fielding a record 32 new candidates and has pledged leadership renewal.
The manifesto for Progress Singapore Party, another key opposition party, were found to lack substantive climate proposals, scoring poorly for industry, infrastructure, and nature protection. SG Climate Rally concluded that low scores for all of the parties reflect how policies fall short of ambition to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming pathway.
A survey by a local research institute that was conducted before United States President Trump sent the global economy haywire with a series of punitive tariffs found that Singaporeans believe climate change and worsening extreme weather to be a bigger concern than unemployment and economic recession and widening economic inequality. But does that sentiment hold true now? And do Singaporeans really care about climate change enough to vote for a party that promises bolder climate action?
Eco-Business interviewed a range of voters to gauge whether or not they feel that climate will be a key issue in the 2025 general election. Watch the video to find out.
