Committee of Supply debate 2022, Day 5: Grace Fu on new social compact for greener and low-carbon future

As Singapore takes steps towards a greener and low-carbon future, it will need to build a new social compact to prepare for changes in the way its people live, work and play, said Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 8), she urged citizens to reflect on the changes they are willing to make to their lifestyles. Across the economy, they must move boldly to transform and capture the opportunities from the green transition. “As a nation, we must thoroughly debate the tradeoffs and come to a consensus on the right balance to strike,” she said. Ms Fu said the Government will empower businesses, workers and households with targeted support. To help the manufacturing sector mitigate the impact of higher carbon tax, the Energy Efficiency Fund’s maximum grant support for investing in energy efficient technologies will be raised from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of qualifying costs from Apr 1. Singapore will also continue to invest in science and technology to unlock possibilities for a low-carbon future. The Government has allocated S$220 million for R&D in resource circularity and water technologies. The Government will also partner the whole of society to develop a shared ownership of the environment. It intends to provide more support to help more communities plan and develop sustainability initiatives in their towns. Ms Fu stressed that Singapore must “catch and ride” the green wave to thrive in a low-carbon future to remain relevant as an international hub for travel, business and finance, as well as thrive as a "city of green possibilities".