Committee of Supply 2025 debate, Day 3: Grace Fu on sustainability, resilience and ‘our everyday’

Singapore is preparing coastal protection legislation to set out the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders and safeguard land for coastal protection measures. Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu said it is more effective to build up flood resilience at the system level where coastal stakeholders play their part alongside the government to ensure the protection standards are met. The government will consult stakeholders and table a Coastal Protection Bill in the second half of 2025. PUB is developing a Code of Practice that will provide a set of design standards, as well as operation and maintenance requirements, for coastal protection measures, said Ms Fu. It will consult the industry this year and aims to release it by the first half of 2026. Speaking in parliament on Tuesday (Mar 4), Ms Fu highlighted Singapore’s efforts for flood, coastal and heat resilience, saying they are important parts of the country's national adaptation plan. The plan will serve as a long-term living strategy for Singapore to continue thriving in the future, she said. Singapore will launch a S$25 million Weather Science Research Programme to improve its ability to forecast better. Ms Fu stressed that the journey towards a sustainable and resilient Singapore is not just about preparing for long-term challenges but also about “everyday behaviour”, as every effort "strengthens our resilience and secures our future”.