ENVISION Magazine Issue 8

E X P L O R I N G H U M A N I T Y ’S E N V I R O N M E N T

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From blueprint to realityM any Asian countries face the challenge of promoting

environmentally sound development. Regional headlines bemoan struggles with air, water and land pollution, while leading policymakers

begin to embrace notions like green growth and sustainable development as the way forward (see also, ENVISION Issue 3). Delivering a high quality of life in developing cities is no easy task.

Singapore’s early days were no different, with the young nation facing many serious environmental issues and geographic constraints. Luckily, early interventions, careful planning, and visionary leadership helped shift the course of development from one hallmarked by pollution to a future that is clean and green.

March 23, 2015 marked the passing of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Throughout the nation’s 50 years of development, Mr Lee’s vision shaped numerous aspects of its environmental quality.

He said in Parliament in 1968, “The improvement in the quality of our urban environment and transformation of Singapore into a garden city - a clean and green city - is the declared objective of the government. Giving everyone, regardless of their status, equal access to greenery, clean air, and water is a matter of social equity - a source of unity and national pride for the nascent nation.”

Together with other members of the country’s pioneering leadership team, his plans for a clean and green city delivered the reality of Singapore today. His insistence on good governance and attention to detail helped transform the fledgling nation from polluted, swampy mudflats to a First World country with an excellent living environment and a high quality of life.

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From the edItorIal team

Mr Lee Kuan YewFounding Prime Ministerin Parliament, 1968

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From the edItorIal team

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Mr Lee’s contribution to protecting and sustaining Singapore’s environment was most significant: annual tree planting events, cleaning up the Singapore River within a period of 10 years, improvement of catchments with the aim of the country becoming water self-sufficient, proper sanitation, re-location of street food hawkers into citizen-cherished hawker centres, making long-term investments in waste management infrastructure, anti-littering measures, urging citizens to play an active part in making a clean and green nation. One would be hard-pressed to find an aspect of the environment untouched by Mr Lee’s vision and efforts.

Singapore’s journey is a familiar one that many nations’ leaders confront. It is easy for governments to fall into the trap of conventional development thinking, and the perceived “trade-offs” of environment versus economics. This can lead not only to ecological damage, but also major health and social costs.

But what if looking after the environment was second nature to us? What if businesses thrive because they care for our Earth? Disarmingly simple questions like these signal the potential for a paradigm shift, and they’re raised in the latest iteration of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015 (SSB), which builds on Mr Lee’s strong legacy.

The SSB is a vision document, charting guiding principles and key thrusts of activity at the nexus of government policy, business action, and civic participation into its next era. In honour of Singapore’s 50th milestone, ENVISION snapshots the nation’s state of progress in areas of environmental protection, and its continuing efforts to be a sustainable, prosperous and endearing home for its inhabitants.

Whether it is research yielding novel uses for waste materials, the hotel industry increasing its recycling efforts, or government leading efforts to slash vehicle borne air pollution, there are many successful initiatives underway.

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From the edItorIal team

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When it comes to technology and education, local institutions of higher learning (IHL) have also been instrumental in evolving what’s possible. We take a comprehensive look at the active players in this sector.

This issue also delves into the backstory of cultural and behavioural evolution. These details often serve as a footnote on the environmental journey, yet are just as vital as the most cutting edge technology in getting positive environmental outcomes. After all, the best laid plans of policymakers come to naught if they lack social support and buy-in.

If countries are to build an environmentally active and gracious community, what helps shape and cement aspects like values, beliefs, attitudes and perceptions amongst organisations and citizens at large? What drives participation, engages people, and what tools and techniques help bring about the desired results? What assistance can creative interventions provide?

Beyond these social aspects, there are looming shifts in the international business community. These will have implications for both developing and developing economies worldwide and transform “business as usual” into anything but. Are most businesses prepared though, and what are the new benchmarks of leadership in this shifting landscape?

While instruments such as national plans, strategic roadmaps and blueprints serve as guiding forces for governments and businesses alike, as with Lee and Singapore’s experience, leadership and forward-thinking are vital ingredients. Anticipating what’s coming, increasing the participation of stakeholders, and building on pioneering achievements will be crucial to providing a high quality of life in the challenging decades ahead.

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For advertising queries, contact

Trevor TehTel: +65 6281 8888 Email: [email protected] Visit us at multinine.com.sg

Produced and designed by

Tel: +65 6438 1998Visit us at switchsg.sg

PublisherNational Environment Agency (NEA) 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building #13-00 Singapore 228231

CEORonnie Tay

DCEO AdvisorKhoo Seow Poh

Editorial Committee ChairOng Eng Kian

Editorial Committee MembersRam Bhaskar, Dulcie Chan, Chua Yew Peng, Derek Ho, Fong Peng Keong, Koh Kim Hock, Leonard Lee, Ong Soo San, Tan Wee Hock, Wong Chin Ling, Evon Wong Editorial LeadChris Tobias

Special thanks toAhmad Zhaki Bin Abdullah, Usha Brockmann, Caitlind Brown, Rajesh Chhabara, Bonnie Chia, Allison Choy, Frank Chua, Eleanor Goh, Amy Ho, Khoo Hock, Nilesh Jadev, Greg Lavery, Lee Pei Shan, Vernia Lim, Anmari Neumann Van Nieuwenhove,

For feedback, comments, and contributions, please email [email protected]

IssN 2251-3922 (print format)IssN 2251-3930 (PdF/e-flipbook format)

Nicol Ng, Carrie Sim, Lynn Sim, Catherine Soh, Karen Sum, Alfred Tan , Tan Lay Pheng, Teo Chang Ching, Tong Yee, Catherine Young, Chelsea Zhao

NEA Contributors and AssistanceBay Meng Yi, Chan Chin Kai, Jacin Chan, Leanne Lim, Loo Deliang, Sharon Ong, Gwen Tan, Nick Tan, Charissa Tang, Tan Wei Wei

MEWR and NCCS AssistanceGwyndalyn Ko, Deborah Lee, Christopher Tan, Tan Tze Ee, Jeremy Tay

Cover Photography byKeshav Sishta Comments and opinions made by external contributors and parties

interviewed by ENVISION magazine do not necessarily reflect the views

or policies of the National environment agency (Nea) nor the singapore

Government. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy

of the information contained therein, the Nea bears no responsibility for

correctness of content from external parties, unintentional errors,

or omissions. all adverts on this magazine are displayed purely with an

intention of advertisement and no endorsement or approval by the Nea

of any product, service or supplier should be implied, nor will any liability

be accepted in this regard. all materials remain the copyright of the Nea,

unless otherwise stated and no reproduction is permitted without the

written authorisation of Nea and/or the contributors.

ENVISION magazine is printed on environmentally friendly paper stock.

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GLOBAL BRIEFING20 Plan for progress How can quality of life be promoted

in rapidly developing Asia?

SPECIAL FEATURE22 Blueprint for the future Creating a sustainable city with high environmental standards is no easy task. As Singapore turns 50, ENVISION looks at the nation’s plans and progress

BUSINESS STRATEGY30 Reaching the plus point Leading businesses moving beyond

sustainability to improve restorative practices and seize competitive edge

32 Business for the better The global advance of benefit

corporations gains momentum

34 Value added Business leaders are becoming more

profitable and sustainable using three steps - and they’re not cost-centre activities. What could this mean for leading Asian businesses?

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4038 CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

38 The art of action How creative approaches can influence environmental culture

40 Youth truths An interview with Tong Yee on

how youth environmental attitudes are formed and what engagement strategies really work

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BEHAVIOURAL & USER INSIGHTS 46 Shaping habits Harnessing user insights to change behaviour

ENGAGEMENT 50 More than 60 minutes How Earth Hour became an iconic event using cutting edge campaigning and social media, and what can be learnt from the experience

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 54 Tailpipe solutions Actions underway to curb vehicular emissions to prevent hazards to public health

HACKS 58 Inspiring International Ideas Creative and innovative environmental solutions sourced globally

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SPECIAL REPORT 71 Higher purpose An inside look at greening Singapore’s IHLs

72 Nanyang Technological University74 National University of Singapore76 Singapore Management University78 Institute of Technical Education80 Ngee Ann Polytechnic82 Singapore Polytechnic84 Temasek Polytechnic86 Republic Polytechnic

TECHABILITY 62 Getting to the bottom of things International cooperation eyes advances in IBA and slag recycling technology

64 Ninja polymers can work wonders Researchers claim Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) could end up being a life-saver

INDUSTRY INNOVATION 65 More profitable turnover Award-winning hotels advancing new 3R innovations and cost savings

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OPPORTUNITIES 88 Looking for a change? Roles for professionals serious about

helping safeguard, nurture, and cherish our environment

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Urban areas in asia are often ci ted as pollution poster children with a diminished quality of life. From epic smog events to urban fringe landfill mountains, rampant pollution of waterways and

flooding from waste-clogged drains, examples like these are common across the region. Why? Asian economies are still moving fast and regional cities are growing at unprecedented rates, driven by populations seeking new opportunities and ever advancing industries. As these bustling centres of commerce and culture expand, they quickly outstrip basic urban planning and environmental management measures, assuming there were any to begin with. According to the UN, of the world’s 28 megacities (those with over 10 million inhabitants), 16 are located in Asia, and the number is set to grow by 2030. Even in cities

with smaller numbers of people, rapid growth can see many environmentally negative trends accelerate, and the quality of human life diminish rapidly in a short span of time. Environmental mishaps like deforestation, haze, and water pollution can also spill across national borders. Amidst mounting complex problems like these, governments at both the local and national level around the region have faced difficulties.

Visible costsBeyond environmental calamities such as loss of biodiversity or widespread contamination of agricultural land, pollution has profound economic and social effects. Take air pollution: the OECD notes that it caused nearly 200,000 deaths in 2010 in the region alone, with a cost of over

how can quality of life be promoted in rapidly developing asia?

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US $280 billion. Air quality in the region has only gotten worse since then. With growing price tags like this one, the notion of economic growth versus environmental protections has lost what little argumentative ground it ever may have had. If there is any silver lining on the smog cloud, problems like poor air quality have made pollution visible, and hence, it’s an issue of public outrage that can’t be easily pushed away by politicians or industrial sway. Whether rich or poor, foul air has a negative effect on quality of life. Unlike other types of pollution, this toxic problem doesn’t drip quietly down a drainpipe somewhere as it happens.

Regional improvements on the moveBecause of issues like these, public awareness of pollution around Asia is increasing. Clamour for environmental protections and better urban planning is likewise on the rise. There is also an international push for improvements. Whether it’s the UN championing the sustainable development mantra, OECD harping the notion of green growth (see also, ENVISION Issue 3), or tech players advocating “smart cities” with better IT tools and sensors, there is no shortage of strategies to get quality of life indicators back on track. Encouragingly, it is also being widely accepted by policymakers and business elites that environmental protections and economic development can quite comfortably go together. Because of this, recent years have seen much progress around the region. Japan has long been improving its approach to sustainable development and progressing its urban planning and management of industrial activities. It has ramped up many environmental policies, including comprehensive legislation on waste and material management, promoting green purchasing, and recycling of various waste streams. The country has also championed a wide range of cleantech and smart city solutions aimed at diversifying energy production, efficiency, and management. South Korea emerged as the green growth icon of the region. The national vision has shifted from one based on fossil fuels to one that embraced sustainability, encouraged low-carbon development and enhanced the well-being of citizens. Energy efficiency technology and investment has advanced, the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project has moved into full swing and water quality has improved several points. Air quality also saw some reductions of particulate matter. Developing countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and others are increasing green growth measures, with tangible progress being made to national strategy and legislation. While there is a long road ahead, initiatives like these demonstrate increasing action among nations to better balance their development while ensuring environmental factors and quality of life carry weight.

Steadfast progress in sustainable developmentAs a dense and urbanised city-state, Singapore has spent

much effort on enhancing environmental sustainability since its independence in 1965. The country made rapid strides to improve its planning, infrastructure, governance, public policy, environmental protections – and accordingly - the quality of life of its inhabitants. In 2011, a Siemens-Economist Intelligence Unit study put Singapore as the greenest city in Asia, and in 2015, the Arcadis sustainable cities index placed it 10th globally. Today, many sustainability and liveability initiatives remain integral to Singapore’s planning and development. The latest release of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015 (see next article) highlights the many ways the nation is tackling gritty environmental issues like waste management, air quality, and making its industry more sustainable while ticking many quality of life indicators. With this strong track record, Singaporean expertise is increasingly sought after for masterplanning and pollution control technology for new cities in the region and beyond. Like South Korea and Japan, the country is exporting its experience while continuing to ensure environment and quality of life remain top planning considerations.

Rapid scaling requiredAs millions living in poverty are heavily affected by pollution around the region, there is still enormous ground to be covered. Converting economic development onto a sustainable trajectory is at a largely nascent stage. In too many places throughout Asia, quality of life has taken a back seat to economic development. Improving urban planning, governance structures, tightening legislation to ensure environmental protections, building national strategies that prioritise environmental concerns while giving industry clear directives, coordinating government and industry activities, and investing in pollution control and remediation infrastructure can all be tapped upon to improve the situation. In the coming years, many destinations will need to do both damage control for what has already happened while simultaneously planning to ensure history does not repeat itself.

as a dense and urbanised city-state, singapore has spent much eFFort on

enhancing environmental sustainability since its independence in 1965. the

country made rapid strides to improve its planning, inFrastructure, governance, public policy, environmental protections

GloBal BrIeFING

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Creating a sustainable city with high environmental standards is no easy task. as singapore turns 50, ENVISION looks at the nation’s plans and progress

blueprintFor the Future

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The year 2015 Marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s history. Not only has the country reached 50 years of age: it has transformed from a fledgling nation troubled by high unemployment, urban slums, poor

infrastructure, lack of sanitation and an unskilled labour force to one of the cleanest, greenest and most prosperous cities in Asia. In the humblest of beginnings, events like the Keep Singapore Clean Campaign in 1968, the decision to site polluting industries away from residential areas in the 1970s and the regulation of air pollution through the 1971 Clean Air Act laid the foundation for environmental protection. These were bold steps for a newly industrialising country. In the 1980s, the Singapore River was transformed from a heavily polluted shipping lane to a beautiful urban water catchment area and the vibrant urban destination that it is today (see ENVISION Issue 1 for the story of this evolution). Amidst its Asian contemporaries, Singapore presents a rare case study of how making environmental considerations a development priority can serve as an urban “X” factor for improving quality of life. From an environmental management point of view, this transformation was no accident. It was the result of leadership vision, careful planning and execution, coordination of policies and infrastructure, and increasing cooperation across the lines of government, business and citizens. The most recent iteration of the government’s Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015 (SSB) aims for Singapore to be a liveable and endearing home and a competitive and sustainable city, with an active and gracious community. With these outcomes in mind, many environmental protection facets of the SSB involve the work of the National Environment Agency (NEA).

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A LIVEABLE AND ENDEARING HOME

Over the years, Singapore transformed its housing landscape from one that provides shelter and essential services such as clean water and sanitation, to a vibrant space that also caters to the varied needs of residents. Some 85 per cent of the population lives in public Housing Development Board apartments (HDB). The vision for housing encompasses a continuous drive towards sustainable development that puts residents at the heart of efforts. A guiding concept is one creating a lifestyle where residents can live, work and play in their own neighbourhood. Through the planning, design and operation of housing areas, it becomes increasingly easy for residents to embrace a sustainable lifestyle, one which enables saving money and living comfortably even while caring for the environment. With this in mind, there are many initiatives already underway through this home-centric approach, and new facilities being developed:

Centralised chutes for recyclables: All new BTO flats will come with a throw point on every floor for recyclables. Residents at Treelodge@Punggol have enjoyed this convenience since 2007. There are two throw points on each floor of every block, one for general waste and the other for recyclables, leading to about three times the recycling rate of housing estates without the facilities. NEA is also exploring the possibility of introducing recycling chutes to new private condominiums.

Enhancing water and energy efficiency – labelling schemes and minimum standards: Mandatory labelling schemes for home appliances require suppliers to provide information on the energy consumption of their products. Such information helps consumers compare the efficiency and lifecycle costs of different models and make better-informed purchasing decisions. With these efforts, today about 7 in 10 Singaporeans say that they would purchase energy-efficient appliances. Minimum standards have also been introduced to prevent inefficient appliances from entering the market, protecting consumers from the high cost of using such appliances.

Building 20 new hawker centres: Hawker centres are a big part of the Singapore way of life, with a wide selection of affordable food that reflects the rich culinary heritage. To nourish this tradition, 20 new hawker centres will be built in existing residential estates. The new centres will include tray return, central washing and accessibility features. For convenience, some will be co-located with facilities like Community Clubs, clinics and childcare.

Maintaining high standards of public cleanliness: To maintain consistently high standards of cleanliness, the Department of Public Cleanliness (DPC) was established in 2012 to integrate public cleaning contracts for public areas, including roads, drains and parks. NEA also deters littering with a firm enforcement regime, and works with its partners to encourage people to play their part in keeping Singapore clean.

Striving for a quieter living environment: As the city grows, construction work may also affect residents. To reduce this impact, a no-work rule on Sundays and Public Holidays for construction sites close to residential or noise-sensitive buildings was passed in late 2011, leading to a drop in noise complaints. NEA also requires that major construction projects close to residential buildings develop noise management plans. The public sector will further take the lead and require Noise Impact Assessments for major infrastructure projects, so that the necessary measures are put in place early as we work towards a quieter living environment.

Noise barrier installed above MRT construction project

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A Vibrant and Sustainable City

What if businesses thrived because they cared for our earth? With guiding questions like this in mind, Singapore is planning ahead to make better use of its limited resources to continue to meet the diverse needs of a growing population, and to support a vibrant economy. The nation’s resource constraints – land, water and energy – have always served as motivation to find better ways to plan and design the city. It has also optimised the use of these resources to support its growing needs. In the decades of its development, Singapore’s success with export-oriented industrialised growth has made the country one of the world’s major commercial hubs. Its manufacturing industries are an important part of the diversified economy, and contribute about 20 per cent of Singapore’s GDP. It is therefore imperative to implement strategies that ensure that industries use resources sustainably and contribute to a liveable environment. Although Singapore contributes less than 0.2 per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions, every country, no matter how small, needs to play its part to address climate change. For this reason and more, the country is committed to continuing to reduce carbon emissions in the years ahead. NEA has helped champion initiatives in waste, energy, and air quality like:

Waste management infrastructure: The city’s four waste-to-energy (WTE) plants incinerate 7,870 tonnes per day of waste (taking 2014 figures). In the process, these plants contribute about 2–3 per cent of the electricity generated in Singapore. To provide capacity for the future, NEA is building a fifth plant by 2018, providing an additional capacity of at least 2,400 tonnes per day.

Co-location of water and waste management: Singapore is co-locating its upcoming Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) with the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (TWRP) to optimise land use and realise process synergies as a water–energy–waste nexus. Electricity from the IWMF can be used to power TWRP’s waste water treatment and water reclamation processes while the treated water from TWRPcan in turn be utilised by IWMF for cooling and washing applications.This co-location concept will enable the IWMF to send pre-treatedfood waste for co-digestion with sewage sludge at TWRP to derivehigher biogas yield. It will also allow the dewatered sludge to bedisposed of at IWMF after digestion. Situated within a 68 ha plot in Tuas, the IWMF is expected to be completed by 2024 to meet Singapore’s long term solid waste disposal needs.

Semakau – the offshore landfill island: The ash from incineration and non-incinerable waste (such as treated toxic waste) is disposed of at Semakau Landfill. Construction of Semakau Landfill Phase 2 will be completed in 2015, and will help meet the waste disposal needs of Singapore up to 2035 or beyond. Furthermore, Semakau Landfill will also host the pilot of the first in the region hybrid micro-grid to test how renewable energy from sea, sun and wind could be combined to provide a stable source of electricity.

Local recycling industry: Through recycling, waste materials are given another lease of life. Local recycling industries, currently located at Sarimbun, Tuas, Jurong and Sungei Kadut, extract valuable materials from waste, to be used as raw materials for new products. The NEA, JTC and URA are currently studying the feasibility of a Multi-Storey Recycling Facility to recycle more waste on a smaller land footprint.

Recycling incinerator bottom ash (IBA): Apart from recycling, NEA is extracting more value from waste such as from IBA. In addition to recovering metals through magnetic separators at the WTE plants, NEA has awarded a contract for the development of a metals recovery facility to recover residue metals from IBA. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2015. NEA is also conducting a study to develop environmental guidelines and limits that are relevant in Singapore’s context for the safe utilisation of Incineration Bottom Ash (IBA) as land reclamation material.

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Singapore Packaging Agreement (SPA): This voluntary agreement is an important part of NEA’s efforts to reduce packaging waste, which is about one-third of Singapore’s domestic waste by weight. In all, 162 signatories have joined the current SPA, including industry associations, companies, non-governmental organisations and waste management companies. Since the launch of the first SPA in 2007, the signatories have cumulatively reduced about 20,000 tonnes of packaging waste, which translates to savings of more than S$44 million in material costs of locally-consumed products. NEA will be extending and enhancing the SPA to 2020. The extended SPA will contain new initiatives, such as a packaging benchmark database to allow producers to understand the potential of reducing the amount of packaging they use. NEA will also be introducing a logo for products with reduced packaging so that consumers can make informed choices, and choose products of companies that have made effort to reduce waste.

Large commercial premises waste reporting and reduction plans: Since April 2014, NEA has made this mandatory for large commercial premises like hotels. Waste reporting raises awareness of the potential for improvements and encourages building owners and managers to take action. NEA also works closely with companies to design waste management programmes that suit the operating environment.

3R Fund: This co-funds waste reduction and recycling projects, with a focus on waste streams with low recycling rates such as food, plastic and glass. It has supported many successful projects, including at the Shangri-La Hotel, City Square Mall and NUS. Its 20 ongoing projects are expected to reduce, reuse or recycle 25,000 tonnes of waste on an annual basis.

Food waste recycling initiatives: To supplement existing efforts to reduce and recycle food waste, NEA will be exploring the feasibility of such treatment pilots at two hawker centres where food waste will be separately collected for on-site treatment. A district-level will also be conducted at Clementi, where segregated food waste collected from various premises will be sent to an off-site facility for co-digestion with used water sludge.

Encouraging energy efficiency: This will both mitigate global climate change and enhance local energy resilience. Since April 2013, over 165 energy-intensive companies in the industry sector have been required under the Energy Conservation Act (ECA) to implement energy management practices. This helps businesses focus their attention

on energy management and ensures they implement basic energy management practices. Under the ECA, companies have to submit energy use reports and energy efficiency improvement plans to NEA. The first round of submissions was completed on 30 June 2014 and will inform efforts to help companies improve energy efficiency.

National voluntary partnership programme for recycling e-waste: NEA will be forming a national voluntary e-waste recycling partnership programme. This will bring together stakeholders from the entire electronic waste value chain, such as producers, retailers and recyclers, to increase e-waste recycling awareness and provide more convenient e-waste recycling avenues. For the longer term, NEA will be studying options for a regulated system for treating and recycling e-waste.

Growing the energy efficiency community of best practice: The Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP) Programme is a voluntary programme to help companies learn and share best practices. 207 companies are now EENP Partners, and 56 EENP Awards have been given to companies, energy managers and public buildings that have demonstrated excellent energy management practices and results.

Training for energy efficiency practitioners: The Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM) programme equips facilities personnel with the knowledge and skills for better energy management. SCEM training grants have been awarded to over 1,200 candidates.

Energy efficiency incentive schemes: Several of these have been put in place to encourage businesses to make energy-efficient choices, including Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE), which supports companies investing in new facilities or facility expansion projects to integrate energy and resource efficiency improvements at the design stage; Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe), which helps companies carry out detailed energy audits; and Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET), which helps owners and operators of industrial facilities to offset part of the cost of investing in energy efficient technologies or equipment.

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Air quality regulations: NEA imposes strict regulations and provides guidelines through the Code of Practice on Pollution Control. Industries that pollute the air are required to install their own pollution control equipment to ensure conformance to our emissions regulations. The emissions limits are regularly reviewed and benchmarked against international good practices. NEA is also working with agencies such as Economic Development Board (EDB) and Energy Market Authority to help the industrial and power generation sectors improve their processes and decrease their emissions of pollutants.

Source Emission Test Scheme: Companies have to monitor their own emissions regularly and ensure that they comply with Singapore pollution standards. NEA has started implementing an emissions monitoring system for real-time emissions monitoring and is working with companies to connect them to the system.

Greener vehicle and fuel standards: NEA has implemented new or higher emissions standards for new vehicles in recent years and will continually review them for further refinement of objectives.To further reduce vehicles’ environmental impact, NEA will introduce new regulations on the composition of petrol and diesel fuel supplied in Singapore from 2017. (see also “Tailpipe Solutions” article in this issue for more about greener vehicles)

Making industries best-in-class: Singapore aims for international benchmarks where companies can attain best-in-class sustainability practices. Beyond existing programmes that help industries to improve their practices, NEA and EDB will put a special focus on working with companies with resource-intensive operations. This will require partnerships between plant owners, design consultants, and engineering, procurement and construction companies. The Government is also reviewing existing incentive schemes on water, energy and waste to help companies improve their resource footprint and environmental sustainability.

Piloting environmental studies for industries: Currently, as part of their building approvals process, certain industrial developments have to undertake a pollution control study to address their pollution impact, or a quantitative risk assessment study to assess hazards and risks associated with their use or storage of hazardous chemicals, or both. Building on these processes, the government will pilot studies for selected industrial developments to determine how environmental assessment processes for such developments can be enhanced.

Raising productivity and standards in labour-intensive industries: Since 1 September 2014, licences have been required for all general cleaning businesses. This ensures better training and employment conditions for cleaners, including a progressive wage model to mandate better wages in tandem with higher productivity. NEA has also been working with partners in the waste management industry to develop initiatives like technology innovation and adoption, a training roadmap, and new Singapore standards.

Research funds for environmental technology: To help build momentum for a green growth economy, NEA’s $27 million Environment Technology Research Programme funds are applied to research in waste management. Its scope will be expanded to include pollution control, public health and energy efficiency. NEA also manages a $16 million Innovation for Environmental Sustainability fund for companies seeking to undertake test-beds related to energy efficiency, environmental protection and public health.

Environmental sensors and integrated monitoring: A variety of air and coastal water quality sensors and measuring stations are being introduced to help monitor the environment. These and other sensors will become part of the new Integrated Environment System. It will draw on real-time and historical data, and allow NEA to work with other government agencies and private companies to develop new analytic and predictive abilities for environmental variables.

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Air Quality – Pollutants Standard Index: In April 2014, NEA revised the Pollutants Standard Index (PSI) to integrate data on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the index. The PSI is now reported hourly around the clock. This helps alert members of the public to deterioration in air quality, such as during periods of transboundary haze, and helps to inform activity choices.

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What if looking after the environment was second nature? A community is more than the sum of its parts. When connected in the right ways, societies thrive. People grow closer and are more empowered to act in favour of a liveable and sustainable future, independently as well as collectively. In a recent survey for the SSB, almost three-quarters of respondents felt that looking after the environment was a shared responsibility, and about a fifth believe that individuals have the most responsibility to do so. The survey also found that:• 87 per cent of Singaporeans practise energy-saving habits to conserve electricity • 88 per cent only purchase what they need to reduce waste • 62 per cent recycle more often to reduce waste • 85 per cent hold on to trash until finding a bin

To enable Singaporeans, interest groups and other stakeholders to come together to celebrate community life and work together towards a more liveable and sustainable Singapore, NEA helps by:

Educating the next generation: Nurturing responsibility must start early, and one example is the Keep Singapore Clean Movement which was launched in schools in 2014. The movement will allow students to be responsible for keeping the places they frequent clean (such as the classroom, the school compound, or common areas in the neighbourhood) and thus show care for the people living and working around them.

Keeping Singapore clean, one act at a time: The urban environment is shaped not just by volunteers, but by a larger community of people who care about their neighbourhoods and shared spaces, and take action to show it. One example of this proactive spirit manifests in the Keep Singapore Clean movement. The movement, which aims to inculcate positive social norms and incite community action, was initiated by the Public Hygiene Council, Singapore Kindness Movement, Keep Singapore Beautiful Movement and NEA. The “Turning Hot Spots to Bright Spots” programme involves the Public Hygiene Council identifying littering Hot Spots and working with the community to improve the cleanliness of these community spaces, leaving them as role model Bright Spots. Since 2012, the Public Hygiene Council has already created around 350 Bright Spots island-wide, and has a target of 500 Bright Spots by 2015.

Engaging the community: Those who have grown up in Singapore will remember at least one, if not a few of the environmental campaigns over the years. Many were launched in the nation’s early years, including the Keep Singapore Clean Campaign that started in 1968. Today, there are many campaigns and programmes for a greener and more gracious society. Many events are also organised throughout the year to raise awareness across every segment of the community, including Clean and Green Singapore, and Youth for the Environment Day.

Encouraging volunteerism: Many primary and secondary school students with a passion for the environment also seek training from NEA to become Environment Champions, organising environmental programmes in their schools and community. Youths from institutes of higher learning and youth interest groups also participate in the green drive as Youth Environment Envoys, aspiring leaders and agents of change for environment ownership and sustainability.

The Public Sector Taking the Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiative: Introduced in 2006 to improve resource efficiency within the public sector, much progress has been made under this initiative administered by NEA. As one example, 14 large government buildings embarked on air-conditioning plant retrofits to improve their energy efficiency, resulting in S$6 million in total annual savings. In coming years, agencies will set more ambitious targets and put in place better organisational processes. A Public Sector Sustainability Report on progress and outcomes will be published every three years. In each ministry, a Sustainability Manager will coordinate efforts within the ministry and its statutory boards. This will help agencies to develop and submit plans to achieve the sustainability targets. Best practices will be shared through a Sustainability Manager network.

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An Active and Gracious Community

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Encouraging Corporate environmental responsibility through CSR: As businesses grow and flourish, it is increasingly important that they understand the environmental impact of their activities. To help companies understand the benefits of being more sustainable and start them on their own journey, Singapore Compact has developed a one-stop resource portal – Enabling CSR Journeys. In addition, the NEA, Singapore Compact and SBF are looking to nurture a league of local CEOs who will champion sustainability and share their sustainability journey experiences to inspire others.

Hosting Hackathons: As smart devices become more popular, more Singaporeans are making use of mobile apps, which can help people make more sustainable choices or even improve business operations. Their potential as a tool for change has opened doors, and agencies are now exploring crowd-sourcing as a new way to develop green apps. As part of these efforts, three Hackathons have since been organised to bring the ICT community together to work on new, collaborative ideas. To date, three Hackathons over 144 hours including 450 participants have churned out many unique and exciting green app prototypes.

Learning from and working with the world: Singapore’s flagship event is a biennial trio of events – the World Cities Summit (WCS), Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) - last championed by NEA. Events like these provide a platform for government leaders and industry experts to share their rich experiences on sustainable urban solutions and environmental management.

Speakers at the CleanEnviro Summit 2014

International cooperation for sustainable development: Many environmental issues require cooperation to be resolved. Recognising this, Singapore collaborates actively at many levels. At the bilateral level, it has ongoing cooperation with neighbouring countries to address issues like air pollution, water quality and waste management. It also plays an active role at the regional level in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) environmental forums and works closely with other member states to address issues such as transboundary haze pollution and water resource management. As a responsible global citizen, Singapore also supports global efforts, including the United Nations’, to chart a sustainable development pathway for the world.

THE JOURNEY FORWARD

With all these varied efforts, many people today view Singapore’s environment positively. In a survey of 2,000 residents in mid-2014, close to 80 per cent viewed Singapore as a liveable and sustainable environment. Through public dialogues, focus group discussions and surveys, close to 6,000 people contributed to developing the latest SSB, envisioning the future and how it could be made into reality. What features here is but a sliver of the efforts underway to help ensure a positive environmental future in the country. But many global challenges remain. For instance, Singapore is vulnerable to long-term risks arising from climate change. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, understanding potential impacts and vulnerabilities, and planning early for climate change adaptation strategies will provide a long-term insurance policy for the country. In addition, world population and economic growth pose increasing pressure on global supplies of water, energy, food and raw materials, most of which Singapore imports. Securing access to these resources at competitive prices, while concurrently improving resource efficiency, are two major national areas of focus. For solid waste, limited landfill space dictates a vision of “Towards Zero Waste” to reduce consumption and encourage re-use of materials, and where recycling offers a second life for discarded materials. Meeting these challenges will mean building on the foundations already laid, and expanding and improving on the initiatives underway. The end goal is to ensure that Singapore remains a liveable city, both now and far into the future.

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reaching the plus point

leading businesses move beyond sustainability to seize advantage

The noTion of inCorPoraTinG sustainability into corporate decision making and operational practices has gained traction in the last decade. This shift is increasingly important for a number of reasons.

Climate change is already biting supply chains. Resource scarcity is driving up costs. In some communities, license to operate is under increasing pressure due to pollution and poor business practices. Legislation and compliance costs can also be a major factor to contend with. Smart businesses have already gotten on the sustainability bandwagon to alleviate risks like these.

More than the risk management exerciseIncreasingly, leading companies and early movers are looking beyond

these simplistic motivations. They’re realising there is more that can be done - for business, environment, and society - and that this synergistic mix can be used for their benefit. The dawning realisation is that merely doing less bad is not going to fix environmental challenges that can negatively impact their businesses. Environmentally positive practices need to take shape to reverse historic damages incurred. These leaders also recognise building strong relationships with communities in their target markets and beyond can foster brand loyalty and strong drive for their products and services. They also know that influencing positive behaviour with their customers can serve as a force multiplier for change. By proactively redefining their strategy and engaging in areas like these, leading businesses do more than mitigate risks. Through restoration and improvement approaches, the competitive landscape can be altered to their advantage because they will naturally have a better working relationship with their stakeholders and understand how environmental factors underpin their businesses.

Growing momentum with major corporatesIn recognition of the ideological shift from sustainable business to “business positive”, a number of concepts have emerged. Perhaps one of the more lucidly defined and increasingly discussed is Net Positive business. It has been adopted as the title for a working group of forward thinking organisations, convened by the global sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future. To better understand how business moves forward in this new direction, Forum for the Future, together with the Climate Group and WWF UK, established a working group of companies to share experiences, successes, and strategy. The Net Positive Group was established in 2013 and included BT, Capgemini, Coca-Cola Enterprises, The Crown Estate, IKEA

DEFINING THE POSITIVE BUSINESS APPROACHThe group lead by Forum For The FuTure has idenTiFied neT posiTive businesses as ones which adopT These principles:

The organisaTion

aims To make a

posiTive impacT in iTs

key maTerial areas.

The posiTive impacT is clearly

demonsTrable iF noT measurable.

as well as aiming To have a posiTive impacT in iTs key maTerial

areas, The organisaTion also shows besT pracTice in corporaTe

responsibiliTy and susTainabiliTy across The specTrum oF social,

environmenTal and economic impacT areas, in line wiTh

globally accepTed sTandards.

The organisaTion invesTs in innovaTion in producTs

and services, enTers new markeTs, works across The

value chain, and in some cases, challenges The very

business model iT relies on.

a neT posiTive impacT oFTen requires a big shiFT in

approach and ouTcomes, and cannoT be achieved by

business-as-usual.

031Issue 8

Group, Kingfisher and SKF. The initial task was to work through what was meant by Net Positive by defining the principles of such an approach, as well as to articulate the business benefits. This group has now entered Phase 2, focusing on measurement and communication, and has been joined by other leading corporates including the Tui Group, Dell and Pepsico.

Positive benefitsForum for the Future identifies that the benefit is already being realised among participants. Convening these organisations with shared ambition yields a far greater collective understanding of what it takes to be Net Positive. There has also been delivery of successful individual corporate programmes amongst participants (which is increasingly coming out in their sustainability reports). However, this is a start: as the group grows in momentum, there will hopefully be increasing pressure on businesses to aim for transformative, as opposed to incremental change. And as the group demonstrates how a Net Positive impact can actually be measured, there will be increasing energy behind this movement. Companies engaged in Net Positive report many of the benefits usually associated with a sound sustainability strategy, such as enhanced reputation, increased sales, cost reduction, competitive advantage through differentiation, engaged staff, supply security and a better licence to operate. But there are additional business benefits that a Net Positive approach delivers, including:• Supply security is enhanced when the organisation does less harm and seeks positive impacts on key natural assets. • Opportunities to invest in innovations that generate benefits for customers and/or suppliers are created.• Organisations take a systemic view and look further into the future, which opens up space for innovative new products, propositions, business opportunities and sectors.

neT posiTive is delivered in a robusT

way and no aspecT oF a neT posiTive

approach compensaTes For unaccepTable

or irreplaceable naTural losses, or ill

TreaTmenT oF individuals and communiTies.

reporTing on progress is TransparenT, consisTenT,

auThenTic and independenTly veriFied where possible.

boundaries and scope are clearly deFined and Take

accounT oF boTh posiTive and negaTive impacTs.

any Trade-oFFs are explained.

organisaTions enTer inTo wider

parTnerships and neTworks To creaTe

bigger posiTive impacTs.

every opporTuniTy is used To deliver

posiTive impacTs across value chains,

secTors, sysTems, and ThroughpuT To

The naTural world and socieTy.

organisaTions publicly engage in

inFluencing policy For posiTive change.

where key maTerial areas are

ecological, robusT environmenTally

resToraTive and socially inclusive

meThods are applied.

an inclusive approach is adopTed aT

every opporTuniTy, ensuring aFFecTed

communiTies are involved in The

process oF creaTing posiTive social

and/or environmenTal impacTs.

• This not only creates competitive advantage and increases commercial returns, but also helps identify current investments, products and markets which are not fit for the future.• The scale of Net Positive commitment means it cannot be achieved by a sustainability team alone. Integration of sustainability into core business functions delivers the most effective coherence and focus, which could help improve overall collaboration in the business.• The organisation is forced to look beyond its own operations to work on shaping the context which it operates in. That means working with supply chains, customers, and the private, public and third sectors, allowing it to make step-change reductions in its impact.• Working towards outcomes that are positive for the environment and society as well as shareholders, helps the business develop new relationships with policymakers, customers, staff and suppliers.• A public Net Positive commitment moves an organisation into a leadership space, sending a clear message that it takes sustainability seriously. While it is admittedly early days, and there are other similar concepts kicking around, one has to wonder if the situation isn’t similar to the circumstances ahead of the circular economy taking off in the UK and Europe in recent years. There is clear interest and buzz, and it is only a matter of time before thought leaders and early movers settle on a recognised approach, established value case, and common terminology. Businesses aiming for the next level will ride this wave as it moves beyond the notion of sustainability, and increasingly engage in transformative initiatives across their value chains. As more companies embrace this ideology, the more competitive industries will become in the years ahead.

BusINess strateGY

business For the better

the global advance of benefit corporations gains momentum

hisToriCally, broad-Minded businesses with environmental and social concerns high on their agenda faced a conundrum: what

to do when the market pushes for profit at all costs? One slip against quarterly forecasts or a recession could be detrimental to a company’s sustainability initiatives.

Often, this kind of dynamic would play out with a company having to make painful choices like layoffs, or scrapping environmental initiatives in order to meet forecasted profits to shareholders.

In other cases, management shifts aimed at achieving ever higher revenue targets could sideline CSR and sustainability programmes, or eliminate them entirely. These changes in the corporate climate could end positive and beneficial business activities, effectively changing what the brands stood for.

Shifting corporate structures and practicesHowever, difficulties like these are becoming a thing of the past. Changes in corporate structures, new legislation, and the rise of a new breed of business leaders have seen increasing interest in so-called benefit corporations. So what is a benefit corporation, and how does it differ from business as usual?

Sitting on a spectrum between non-profit organisations and traditional corporate structures with a pure profit agenda, benefit

corporations are a happy medium. The business can still pursue profit, but in their articles of incorporation and other legal documents, they have sustainability “baked in” as a priority.

Both short and long-term considerations of the business, its stakeholders and environment must be given careful deliberation by management. The goal is to create a business that creates positive benefit for all of its stakeholders.

Setting up a benefit corporationDepending on where a business is incorporated, becoming a benefit corporation can take shape in several ways.

In some jurisdictions (such as many US states and elsewhere in the world), local legislation exists to support benefit corporations as an entity in a formal legal sense. Aligning the business to the legal statute, amending the articles of incorporation with the stakeholder considerations as noted, and reviewing and updating internal processes and policies will do the job.

In jurisdictions with no existing legislation, benefit corporations may be established by similar amendment of company paperwork, as well as alignment to a third-party standard in lieu of legislation.

In both instances, companies are required to issue an annual benefit report outlining their progress in delivering social benefit for stakeholders.

033Issue 8

While there are different standards available, one getting significant traction and attention is B Corp, offered by B Lab, a US-based non-profit.

Once a benefit corporation has been established, it may also become a Certified B Corp by conducting a performance assessment, demonstrating it has met local legal requirements, and making an official declaration.

Global tractionThe movement towards benefit corporations in the more formal sense has gained momentum since the great recession in 2007-2008. Many companies are reconsidering why they’re in business, how they should operate, who their businesses should benefit, how they benefit, and why. But how big of a change is underway?

the ranks of certified B Corps, there are also SMEs from a wide range of backgrounds. While the assessment may be rigorous, it would seem manageable enough that even smaller enterprises can get on board.

B Corps are also found in many countries outside of the US, including some in Asia – though at the time of writing there are none noted in Singapore (opportunity for first mover advantage anyone?).

Entering a new eraThrough structures such as benefit corporations, businesses have yet another avenue by which to pursue a wider, more sustainable and positive agenda. Over time, and in combination with other shifts in the

while big brands like patagonia and ben & Jerry’s are represented amongst

the ranks oF certiFied b corps, there are also smes From a wide range oF

backgrounds. while the assessment may be rigorous, it would seem manageable enough that even smaller enterprises

can get on board.

B Lab notes that as of 2014, 21 US states had passed benefit corporation legislation, and 15 more had them in the works. Over 1,000 companies in 30 countries and 60 industries have become certified B Corps, and as many as 16,000 businesses are using their assessment to measure and improve their performance.

It is increasingly recognised that businesses going through the rigorous assessment can differentiate themselves from companies wishing to “greenwash” their corporate image by less scrupulous means.

Interestingly, while big brands like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s are represented amongst

business landscape, benefit corporations may well become the new normal.

The argument goes that with this enhanced level of activity and credibility present, impact investors will increasingly seek companies providing maximum benefit to society and environment, talent will seek out companies to live their values in the workplace, and customers will vote with their wallets for brands making positive impacts and great products.

With that kind of business case, it’s hard to imagine the growing shift to benefit corporations as anything less than unstoppable.

034

Business leaders are becoming more profitable and sustainable using three steps - and they’re not cost-centre activities.

What could this mean for leading asian businesses?

Around the world, compliance sustainability is under pressure, including within Dow Jones Sustainability Index leaders. Cost cutting is shrinking staff and budgets. Sustainability reports are merging into integrated reporting. The desire to embed sustainability throughout the company is seeing corporate/central sustainability budgets and decision-making handed to business units/sites.

This is perhaps unsurprising. Compliance and reporting are treated by senior executives as a necessary evil (ie a cost centre) which must improve its productivity and tighten its belt – just like every other cost centre. Sustainability initiatives needn’t be positioned as such however, and leaders are increasingly shifting how they view its role in their organisation.

Adding financial value through sustainability

Recent projects with a range of leading companies demonstrate the reinvention of their sustainability functions from reporting and compliance, to adding value within the core activities of the company.

The overarching logic is that the sustainability function is responsible for the long term future of the organisation – while just about everyone else in the company is

focussed on short term targets (and in doing so may harm the long term future of the company).

Within this remit, consistently there are three major areas of additional financial value that sustainability functions can and should provide input and guidance on.

Operational cost reduction

First, sustainability teams can and should be the corporate conscience on company-wide

contributorDr Greg Lavery, Ceo, lavery/Pennell

non-labour resource efficiency. This includes energy efficiency, waste reduction, transport and logistics efficiency, materials efficiency, packaging optimisation, circular resource use and supply chain efficiency.

In the Next Manufacturing Revolution report, co-authored with the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing, it was found that, on average, manufacturers in the UK were improving at 1 per cent to 2 per cent per annum on the above topics. But best practice companies are improving at around 8 per cent p.a. As an example of what is achievable, Toyota Motor Europe has improved its energy, water and waste per vehicle by over 70 per cent in total over the last 20 years.

It was also found that fully embracing resource efficiency is worth an average additional 12 per cent in profits for UK manufacturers – as well as generating substantial environmental and social benefits.

Growing revenues

Second, through client work and the Next Manufacturing Revolution report, evidence gathered shows that:

1. More sustainable products can and do achieve a higher price than equivalent less sustainable products

2. The sales of more sustainable products grow at a faster rate than conventional products (see Exhibit 1)

exhibit 1

BusINess strateGY

035Issue 8

Sustainability teams should assist in setting ambitious targets and develop strategies related to sustainability. Henkel’s sustainability strategy is to have every new product performing significantly better on at least one of their five sustainability themes or else it will not be developed. Henkel has been doing this for well over a decade giving them a significant market advantage over Unilever, P&G and other FMCG competitors, who are eagerly trying to catch up through their own ambitious sustainability programmes.

Beyond this strategic role, sustainability functions can also help to boost revenues in a range of practical ways, including:

• Assisting product development to ensure that products are as sustainable as possible. At one leading FMCG company, for example, the regional Head of Sustainability is the first person consulted about a new product and has sign-off.

• Providing product sustainability information for sales staff (and distributors’ staff) to use with consumers/customers. For example, recently we encouraged a sporting goods manufacturer to translate a 10g per shoe weight reduction into the impact that it will have on a runner’s time for a 10km race. This will give shop floor staff a simple story to use with consumers which is a more compelling expression of sustainability achievements.

• Enhancing relationships with current and potential key accounts. Most large customers will have a sustainability team you can work with to explain your company’s sustainability activities and identify areas for collaboration which can reduce costs for both parties (e.g. through better transport and logistics and reduced packaging) as well as increase customer loyalty. Often the sustainability teams within clients are higher up the hierarchy than purchasing staff.

Risk minimisation

Third, while risk reduction is traditionally within the remit of sustainability teams, rarely is this translated into profit improvements.

For example, if a company buys and/or sells large volumes of energy or commodities then it will have a hedging strategy in place. This is a cash payment that can be reduced by reducing the company’s exposure to price

volatility through resource efficiency (to reduce the exposure to prices by reducing the amount used) and switching to more sustainable inputs which are less price sensitive (such as bio-based materials and renewable energy). Reducing the cost of hedging is a direct profit improvement.

The hard evidence

While many sustainability teams are now starting on the three big areas of opportunity discussed above, a number of companies appear to already have mastered profitable sustainability. Patagonia, Unilever, Interface Carpets, Ecover and Body Shop are synonymous with financial success and recognised for bold sustainability leadership.

How did they do it? Work was recently commissioned by Interface, the world’s largest producer of carpet tiles, to answer this question. The findings were surprising: leading profitable sustainable companies took three simple steps to achieve success and capture the full range of value available from a greener approach:

1. They REDUCED their material and resource consumption 2. They REPLACED their inputs with more sustainable alternatives3. They RE-OFFERED to customers, developing innovative new products/services,

new marketing propositions and capturing market share growth

We recognised this to be a new industrial model, as illustrated in Exhibit 2. The logic for this new model is compelling: increased profits, more jobs and reduced environmental impact.

What was found at Interface illustrates the power of this new industrial model: in its continental European manufacturing plant, it has reduced energy and yarn usage per unit of production by 40 per cent and 12 per cent respectively since 1996, switched to 100 per cent renewable energy for its Scherpenzeel site, and replaced 43 per cent of its raw materials with bio-based or recycled alternatives. This has reduced Interface’s costs by €7.6 million p.a., as well as reduced life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 35,500 tCO2e p.a. and enabled the company to remain the world’s leading manufacturer of carpet tiles in a highly competitive industry.

The full report on the New

Industrial Model, which

presents the findings

and provides additional

case studies, is available at

http://bit.ly/1yUrvJs

exhibit 1

exhibit 2

issUes like GrowinG volUMes of waste, littering, and exploding energy consumption are common environmental problems faced in growing cities. Getting these under wraps means getting public buy-in,

and realigning behaviours to environmentally preferable ones. Merely presenting a convincing case with factual arguments seldom helps the public make desired changes. With that in mind, US watershed grassroots leader Mark Contorno has raised a pertinent query: could it be that our failure to tackle environmental concerns is not a result of information shortage, but rather our inability to imagine? Behaviours are driven by factors like identity, emotions, values, framing of messages and a general awareness of why these behaviours are important. If an environmentally disconnected public gets a factual broadcast, it may not capture their imagination or conjure the emotional and mental space needed for the required action. The culture for response may not be active. Environmental educator John Caddy has argued that by engaging the heart, the mind will follow, as human nature is both emotional and cognitive. The work of authors and researchers Chip and Dan Heath echoes themes like these as well (though largely applied to other disciplines). Caddy believes this problem is addressed by developing an “ecological consciousness”.

What helps spur this ecological consciousness? How can emotional resonance with the public be cemented? The arts may well be the answer. Globally, there is a surge of interest in environmental themes. This may be in response to increasingly visible and severe environmental problems like air pollution, or the effects of climate change. A variety of artistic mediums and platforms are being used to capture the imagination, hearts and minds of the public. In Singapore’s 50th year of nationhood, the country is likewise amidst this cultural emergence and embrace of the arts, including for environmental ends. In recent years, developments have signalled the arrival of environmental-themed art in a variety of public platforms involving a number of players. Will efforts like these help the general public realise the relevance of the environment in their daily lives and the role they can play? Singapore may not have yet reached the point where art like this has realised its full potential. But perhaps the real question is: how can the interest in these art forms be amplified to drive behaviour change? This could see environmental art better employed as a strategic tool than just a creative curiosity.

the art oF actionhow creative approaches can influence environmental culture

039Issue 8

Featured in the iLight Marina Bay festival, CLOUD is an interactive sculpture created from 6,000

upcycled light bulbs by Canadian artists and collaborators Caitlind r.c. Brown & Wayne Garrett. As these

bulbs are phased out in various countries, the sculpture gains new meaning as a beacon of transitional

technologies and changing futures – where are we going next? On a symbolic level, it uses the universal

language of environmental imagery: despite cultural differences, rain clouds are understood by people all

around the world.

In “Climate Couture” - which

featured at the ArtScience Museum

- artist Catherine Young collaborated

with Singapore-ETH Future Cities

Lab to explore the future of fashion

with the impacts of climate change.

Visitors were exposed to a wide

range of conceptual fashion, aimed at

provoking thought about what their

environmental future will be like.

The Bubble (depicted) is a futuristic,

climate controlled personal chamber

designed to ensure climate change

does not affect daily lifestyle.

Drama Box’s three-part Community Art Project

on the environment. Taking place near the defunct

Bukit Timah Railway Station and a nearby stretch

of 1.km of railway, the performance looked at

relationships with nature. Participants journeyed

through a series of exhibitions, installations,

puppetry performance and movement

choreography pieces, and a sharing session

to reflect on making positive changes to their

behaviour and habits to preserve

their environment.

Brazilian-born and Paris-

based photographer Sebastião

Salgado, who is represented by

Sundaram Tagore Gallery, has

spent his life’s work documenting

impacts of globalisation in over

100 countries. His visually

impactful images deal with

environmental shifts and human

impacts. His recent exhibition at

National Museum of Singapore

was extended due to record

attendance and interest in

his work.

Cultural deVeloPmeNt

Organised by the National Environment Agency

(NEA) for the fifth year in 2014, the Eco Music

Challenge is a national song writing competition

that encourages music talents of all ages to submit

original compositions with the aim of inspiring

more people to cherish their environment and

conserve resources.

Project X-pired, a collaboration between The Food

Bank Singapore and Edible Art Movement, helped

to raise the awareness of food wastage in Singapore.

Held at City Square Mall, the event featured art

pieces made from expired food, performances,

and an exhibition on food wastage in Singapore.

The Singapore Art Museum has featured several

environmental pieces at recent Biennale and

“Unearthed” exhibitions. Artist Adrian Ho

paints themes of development and deforestation

in Malaysia. Bounpaul Phothyzan makes and

documents enormous installations in Laos to

highlight developmental landscape changes.

Singaporean artist Yeo Chee Kiong muses on the

urban effects of climate change in his installations

with “melting” architectural elements. Mojoko and

Eric Foenander explore the same with superheroes.

040

Much of the Singapore narrative is tied to the Singapore “success story” and being successful is an integral part of our own being. But our definition of success has evolved perhaps a bit too narrowly, and is seen as what one acquires, owns and achieves. Basically, the more we are able to consume, the more successful we are seen to be. If this is indeed true, then having our identity and purpose tied intimately to this “consumption of success”, cannot possibly be a good thing for our environment.

How do you think the average Singaporean defines “environment” in relation to this self-concept?I think there’s a distinct difference between “nature” and the “environment”. Where nature, to me, is defined as the pristine natural landscape and eco-system of life that exists without man; the environment is conversely what nature is with respect to man; putting humans and human activity at the centre of how we perceive nature. Nature can too easily be seen as a tool or commodity for man’s consumption, not an entity to be respected and cherished in and of itself, but valued in respect to its usefulness to us. I do not know whether this is how all Singaporeans see nature, but looking at the little untouched nature is left in Singapore, it might not be far off. It is very much, and will likely continue to be, about our necessary development

Tong Yee co-founded the School of Thought (SOT) to promote innovation in education and civic learning in both private and public sectors. SOT has since evolved to become The Thought Collective (TTC) - a group of social enterprises reputed for building social and emotional capital at the forefront of social innovation in Singapore. As social innovator, he is known for his ideas in engaging youth and the public, and finding new ways to address our social problems. He also is a member of the National Youth Council, SG50 Committee (Education and Youth), a lead in the ACCORD committee and Advisory Committee member for Youth Corps Singapore.

How do you think Singaporeans define themselves as people?Across many focus groups we’ve done in Singapore for all manner of issues, it is clear family is still a really big thing. Singaporeans see themselves as part of a family and fiercely protect those familial values - and this is all good.

But a second trend observed through interaction with communities is that Singaporeans see themselves as consumers. Not necessarily producers of enterprise, culture or politics, but excellent (and critically discerning) consumers of the same. And as far as the environment is concerned, I think this is a very dangerous way that we see ourselves.

Cultural deVeloPmeNt

youthtruths

tong Yee shares how youth environmental attitudes are

formed and what engagement strategies really work

041Issue 8

over some ideology of conservation. I know that we can almost all recognise the value of protecting the environment, but there is indeed a smaller group that believes in the protection of nature.

Why do you think this tension exists?This might seem predictable, but as a city state that cleared 95 per cent of our primary rainforest… it is apparent that we have chosen to sacrifice nature in an effort to create a better living environment for us all. But if you ask me honestly, then I would also say that I genuinely do not expect that we could have made any other decision. Given our size and geography, I’m not sure how we are going to protect “nature” per se. Our nature reserves like Sungei Buloh are what they are. A final vestige to preserve some level of natural legacy and inheritance for future generations; but it is backdropped against the world-renowned urbanisation that has put Singapore on the map; and arguably given our citizens a level of comfort and convenience that they are unwilling to let go of.

Do you feel people are disconnected from their environment? To some extent, yes. Our view of trees and water have become commoditised or framed in the context of a new condo development or a walk through the Botanic Gardens. In many ways, the image of a natural environment has become a status symbol, and even a point of aspiration for the wealthy. With most people growing up in our cityscape and having had little connection with actual nature, I don’t think anybody is actually to blame for such a worldview though. Personally, I do think it is going to take an exceptional encounter with the sheer beauty of untouched nature, or the calamity of ignored nature that is going to have us really wake up and connect with these issues.

You mentioned in an interview elsewhere that in a number of areas, youth apathy and emotional disconnection is something that needs to be overcome to increase participation. What techniques do you think help bridge that?A strong emotion or mood that I see among a lot of young people, with regard to environmental issues, is apathy or perhaps more resignation. It’s the idea that “I am but a cog in the machine, that I can’t begin to change things.” When people are young, they’re still growing into the identity of a leader and don’t necessarily have a confidence of how they can lead change.

We do a lot of work on identity evolution: “Who is it that you are?”, “Are you constituted of nature?”, or “Are you just the consumer that you think that you are?”. We ask fundamental but profoundly powerful questions like “What is your identity?”, “A student? A citizen?”, “And if you are a citizen, what does that mean?”

If you draw out questions and experiences like these, and facilitate the necessary conversations that should follow, youth start to grow a lot more healthily into the identity of who they think they can be. Once their identity has matured, then there is the real chance to do some of the advocacy work in areas like the protection of the environment or even nature.

Do you find that in the course of your work, certain environmental or nature beliefs emerge from your conversations with young people?Most of the time the stereotype is largely true: that young Singaporeans grow up in a concrete jungle and that they have very little relationship with nature, and their beliefs are going to be superficial. It is no one’s fault; in the same way that it is not the fault of Sudanese that they are less familiar with the lives of Icelanders.

What’s fascinating is the growing number of privileged ones who travel and get a very deep experience - the ones who go on pilgrimage treks to try and find themselves. And when they inevitably chance upon nature, they are going to feel very small; that Ion Orchard isn’t the be all and end all. I think that this exposure to nature has been deeply humbling for them.

There are also those who travel to “packaged nature” like a Niagara Falls trip or something - they stand at a distance next to the souvenir stands and remain as consumers of nature. They are not going to get much. It really isn’t about the money that we put in to experiencing nature - that just makes it comfortable. If it is a comfortable experience of nature, then I don’t really think we are experiencing nature. At least that is what environmentalists tell me.

What approaches do you think could be used to channel this fascination to get their involvement?That’s the challenge. In some ways, youth view activities - say a beach cleanup day - as a show. It doesn’t change their identity or lifestyle. They don’t believe that they can make a difference, or that they can change broader culture by doing it, or that what they do has an impact. They feel they’re just a drop in the ocean. Or a statistic that somebody up there needs to show.

But, if they make the authentic choice to relook their identity and habits, and make their everyday life choices consistent with the environmental values they claim to have, then it is real for them. Only then does it have the integrity that brings the kind of participation and advocacy and leadership that I am sure we all want to see. Until they make the personal choice to mature in their identity and responsibilities, then “involvement” seems like a crock.

So they feel its tokenism and they’d rather not do it?Yes, and that’s where the current narrative is. But it’s interesting, from a policymakers point of view, by youth participating in a beach cleanup day or whatever, they’re actually starting off a new movement, or getting the critical mass for a worthy cause. The involvement is a good thing and is getting results. But youth don’t see it that way. Having the actions come first before any real intent or choice is like an arranged marriage. If you are lucky, people eventually make the choice to commit and love, but for the most part, it is a game of obligation and resentment.

One-off events don’t generate genuine buy-in with young people because young people are already cynical about their own lives. They do not trust their own lip service. They aren’t cynical

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Cultural deVeloPmeNt

about protecting the environment or nature. They are cynical about believing that they themselves will follow through what they commit to.

What could help them see otherwise?My guess is, it would be how any other movement has grown or advanced, and that would be through role models. Role models can help change the beliefs in the sense of showing people that this is the level of success that has been achieved, and this is how it is possible to live innovatively and with courage. That’s visionary and exciting for young people to see, and especially true if role models exist among peers and weren’t selected from a pool of student counsellors or something.

So who do people look up to environmentally?I’d be hard pressed to name one environmental role model in Singapore. But it could be just me. In any case, I don’t think that youth are looking for celebrities in that sense anyway. In fact, it feels like that’s a publicity stunt, and youth are very savvy to that approach. The role models they might look for would be the typical HDB auntie and how she does what she does for the environment - an authentic local hero. Stories like these aren’t getting out enough. Youth may or may not learn much from their parents, and in some respects, the generations aren’t so different in the area of environment. So to have the local example is quite powerful for more than just youth.

When we see youth take individual action and mobilise - say in recent examples during haze to distribute masks - what do you think catalyses those youth taking the initiative?When the haze first hit, there were two profiles of youth that we saw. First were those who had come back from overseas, who had experience of how communities had rallied together and took measures from there. They began to use social media to do something new in response and it worked. The other group that responded were youth who had access to a critical mass of local young people to operationalise what should be done, to run together with a leader and get things moving. So there was a publicity and storytelling role and a logistics and networking role that came together.

The thing in common was that both these groups of youth had either their social or Singaporean identity well developed. Identity can be galvanised in crisis, and it can strongly root people in the belief that advocacy works. I mean, many Singaporeans get the sense that they love Singapore, but they’re rarely tested. It’s a waste for me that in the occasional crisis Singapore faces we do not put out a call to action more. Putting action where our convictions are is deeply transformational.

How do you think this could be replicated or scaled up society-wide?I wish I could tell you - I’m asked often. I find the question tantamount to asking “Whether our marriage is going to last forever?” or “How do you think we can better grow our love

for each other?”. The answers are always obvious or even rhetorical.

The quality of my marriage has less to do with how I plan to scale it, but dependent on how I live day to day. Hopefully, my attitude and sincerity to really learn how to love my environment is an authentic inspiration for others.

What techniques do you think will help Singaporeans of all ages better understand and embrace their roles in protecting their environment?You’re inherently talking about culture change. People have become so used to people picking up trash for them and efficiency in general. In a sense, how can people learn if they don’t know the price of their own choices?

So things like no cleaner days at schools or in HDB developments are helpful to raise the awareness?Yes, absolutely. It is probably not a great political option but I guess that is why I am fortunate that I am not a politician. Taking this line of thinking to its extremes, to the point that people actually get it, is a call that I myself would rue to make. Humans take some time before they get over the righteousness of their own ways and decide that there needs to be not so much a change of administration but rather a deeper reflection of personal character.

What do you think are the most successful platforms or media to communicate the importance of environmental protection? For young people, it’s about authentic experiences. Conversations are powerful for them. Extended conversation where they learn and gain personal insight is even better. This may seem counterintuitive in that youth are often perceived to want short three minute Youtube clips and so on. But what’s missing now is deeper engagement, all the better with role models, and platforms that make young people less a consumer of environmental awareness but rather a producer of

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environmental solutions. Trails and learning journeys can be a powerful way to experientially build in the narratives, and I’d love to help environmental players scale their immersive experiences to a larger audience.

What do you think characterises Singaporean expectations of their environmental quality? I believe our survival, success and efficiency narratives are really strong. At least for now, everything else comes second to that. Our environment is framed in these contexts.

What’s missing locally is a stand for the environment independent of the success narrative. Our expectations that there should be no floods, less heat, abundant water, cheaper electricity, preserved forests are largely framed in our primary need for efficiency, survival and success.

Do you feel there’s a need to locally contextualise our environmental narrative, and tie it back towards survival, success and efficiency? Maybe that will have locals connect with the issues more?I guess it can be a start. Having such a utilitarian narrative around nature is at best necessary, but hardly ideal.

What emotions underpin these “utilitarian” narratives? Ambition, anxiety, fear, even perseverance, are all in the mix. The most powerful one that is sadly missing right now is gratitude. Cultures that hold gratitude for the environment will protect it. That much I am sure of.

This is not Singapore’s strong suit in my view. Besides the earliest generations that is. They have gratitude because they’ve witnessed Singapore’s dramatic development. But right now,

many people are mired in a culture of entitlement which doesn’t bode well.

Do you think society can progress beyond? Let me answer by way of personal anecdote. If you asked me eight years ago about environment or nature, I would understand it intellectually and factually, but personally I wouldn’t have as much care for it or agenda. It was interesting because my very first batch of interns that were working with me did something profound: they got me drinking water. I used to drink everything else but water. And as I began working through my own resistance to water, I realised that I was in many ways leading a sort of callousness in the way I was living my life. I was living as though I had very little regard for the value of my own life - as if putting anything good in my body, would somehow validate its worth.

That began my own journey of self-reflection and eventually healing. But it’s interesting because as I learnt to drink water and eat healthier, I’ve noticed a genuine gratitude emerge. And as I began to care for the gift that life is, I began to genuinely notice the life all around me. Now, I travel to experience nature more. I live a very different identity now than how I was then.

Now, is that going to be the average progression for people in Singapore? I’m not sure. But in some ways it echoes what I’ve seen with the youth. I think that there could be something bubbling away quietly, but how that takes shape as a more significant social trend or cultural emergence has yet to be really identified I think.

It sounds like the research done in recent years on Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) in Asia. In a sense, many of these emergent lifestyle and eating trends are also connected to things like recycling, or choosing more environmentally preferable products and services. It feels like whatever environmentalists or the likes of NEA are doing now, it’s really pioneering work. It’s challenging of course and even discouraging, but I do think its making a dent.

With the country reaching its 50th milestone, projecting forward, what do you think are the kinds of environmental developments Singapore will see as a nation and a society entering a maturity phase?Well, I have a wish. Singapore is immensely successful in our hard capitals. But we are still finding our way and learning with the soft capitals. We should be immensely proud of our eco-friendly infrastructure, but I’m not sure we can be proud of our environmental culture as a nation yet. You know how there’s the expression about the way to judge a society is how it treats its weakest member? I believe the same goes for nature.

It would be a wonderful day when we can look at our nation as a society and see our nature and environment as one of our top priorities. Perhaps idealistic, but I think if we do indeed find that right balance. I think that’s one indicator of how we know we have arrived. That’s a very powerful vision for 2065.

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everyone has inGrained habits. From brushing your teeth in the morning or checking your Facebook when travelling

to work, people need habits to function normally and to carry out day-to-day tasks easily. Some of habits are bad, such as smoking, and other habits like exercising regularly are good. Taken together, the daily routines of individuals and our society as a collective whole can generate significant environmental and social impact.

NEA has harnessed behavioural insights and design thinking tools to better understand how students and youth make decisions, and to implement effective ways to encourage them to form positive habits and values for the environment.

Some of the first successful projects under this scheme, completed with Marsiling Primary School and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, show how these tools can be put to work in educational environments.

shaping habitsharnessing user insights to change behaviour

DEFINING THE TERMS:

Behavioural insightsthe term ‘behavioural insights’ was coined by the uK Behavioural Insights team in 2010 to help bring together ideas from a range of inter-related academic disciplines (behavioural economics, psychology, and social anthropology) that seek to understand how individuals make decisions in practice and how they are likely to respond to options. their insights enable the design of policies or interventions that can enable people to make better choices for themselves and society.

Design thinkingdesign thinking is a human-centric process that considers how people behave and interact, in order to achieve innovative and successful project outcomes. It has an emphasis on iterating many possible solutions and perfecting a final one through testing prototypes, measuring efficacy, and improving throughout the process (see also, ENVISION Issue 2 for more on how the process works).

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Creating a lifelong habit for cleanliness Marsiling Primary School is a neighbourhood school with a niche in environmental education. “Project Buddy Clean” was jointly developed with NEA and the school, with alignment to MOE’s Character & Citizen Education framework. This project delivered a holistic set of behavioural interventions targeted at personal, social and structural levels to shape behaviour and habits.

At personal level, inculcating a strong sense of responsibility in children is essential, especially if they are to grow up with respect and consideration for others in the area of littering, public hygiene and cleanliness. Taking this a step further to also improve community building, social objectives included developing a sense of belonging to the school and creating a unique identity of senior-junior relationships. A new school-wide norm of cleaning (structural) was established to foster shared responsibility for taking care of the cleanliness of common spaces.

This project was adapted from Beppu-Chou Elementary School in Japan, which has no cleaners. Instead, cleaning is a weekly activity in which senior students are empowered to take the lead with junior students, and teachers play an assisting role.

In Marsiling Primary School, Primary 5 students (seniors) were empowered to lead Primary 3 students (juniors) in conducting fortnightly area cleaning in the classrooms, corridors, hall and canteen from Jan-Sep 2014. Teachers, students and cleaners’ roles were redefined to shift the responsibility to students.

Litter counts during recesses and online surveys were carried out with Primary 3 and 5 students as the intervention group, and Primary 4 and 6 students as the control group at pre-, mid- and post-project phases to determine if there was a shift in student attitudes towards taking responsibility for the cleanliness of the school and developing empathy towards the cleaners.

Litter count dropped 40 per cent

for the intervention group whereas the control group remained about the same. Over the same period, the online survey results showed that the students had improved in terms of responsibility towards the cleanliness of the school and showing appreciation of the cleaners.

The Primary 3 students have shown less improvement compared to Primary 5 students due to the latter’s significant role as mentors in the project. Marsiling Primary School will enhance the

programme to impact the Primary 3 students more and will also be rolling out this project to other levels in 2015.

Heartened by the project’s success, NEA worked with the teachers of Marsiling Primary School to jointly develop the “Project Buddy Clean Resource Kit” (see Resources box for download), which contained lesson plans, materials for teaching and useful tips, to help interested schools take up the project. The project was extensively covered by news media. Schools are encouraged to take up this project as part of the Keep Singapore Clean Movement activities.

Results after initiation of Project Buddy Clean at Marsiling Primary School:

n more Primary 5 students (71.2 per cent, up from 59.2 per cent) strongly agreed that cleaners are part of the school community

n more Primary 5 students (61.1 per cent, up from 31.9 per cent) strongly agreed that through cleaning activities they appreciate the cleaners better

n more Primary 5 students (86.3 per cent, up from 75.4 per cent) strongly agreed that it is the shared responsibility of students, teachers and cleaners to keep the school clean

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the new recycling bin could be considered and implemented by other tertiary institutions.

ConclusionIn the case of Project Buddy Clean, NEA and MPS sought to shape both students and school-wide habits of taking shared responsibility for school cleanliness through a holistic and integrated approach which showed promising results. At NP campus, a simple infrastructure redesign with strong salient trigger was sufficient to nudge existing waste disposing behaviour towards recycling. Applying user and behavioural insights were integral in the conceptualisation and development of both projects without which effective behavioural and environmental outcomes would not have been achieved. Building on these successes, NEA will work with more educational institutions to take up these projects.

Nudging recycling behaviour on campusRecycling can often face many issues due to factors like user apathy, poor infrastructure, lack of clear communications, and food contamination of recyclable materials. To improve recycling rates and reduce contamination of recyclables in Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) campus, a new project revisited the design of bins.

NEA had earlier conducted an observation analysis of recycling and found out that the low recycling rate in NP was attributed primarily to infrastructural barriers. These included insufficient recycling bins, recycling bins that were hard to recognise, lack of prominent visual reminders, and lastly inadequate knowledge of the correct recyclables, especially in the plastic waste stream.

To address the infrastructural barriers, a new commingled recycling bin

prototype was developed, tested and refined with the users through student focus group discussions.

The key difference was that the new recycling bin was much more prominent compared to existing rubbish bins, which served as a strong trigger to nudge recycling behaviour. The project did not increase the number of recycling bins or change their positioning.

NP replaced the old recycling bins with the new ones paired with a separate rubbish bin each across campus in October 2014 to tie in with the new academic semester. Post-project findings revealed that the recycling rate increased by 48 per cent and contamination rate reduced from 60 to 34 per cent.

With the successful implementation of the new recycling bin design, NEA would distil the insights from the re-design of the recycling bin and operational procedures of campus recycling into a guide so that

tinyurl.com/lk2unvn

Video Project Buddy Clean was conducted in marsiling Primary school, where Primary 5 seniors led Primary 3 juniors to conduct fortnightly cleaning in the classrooms, corridors, hall and canteen. the focus is to inculcate the right values and practise social-emotional skills in the cleaning process. Check out the video to see how it shaped up on the ground.http://youtu.be/dku44lpdFKQ

RESOURCESResource KitContaining activity plans, materials, and useful tips on conducting a cleanliness project, the Project Buddy Clean resource Kit helps interested schools in implementation.

Results after the redesign were the recycling collection weight increased 48 per cent and contamination rate fell from 60 to 34 per cent. The project was conducted at 20 locations over 20 weekdays.

Pre-Project Post-Project

Amount of recyclables total: 133.75kg total: 198kg (plastic: 90.25kg; (plastic: 130kg; metal: 68kg) metal: 43.5kg) 48 per cent increase in amount of recyclables collected Contamination rate 60 per cent 34 per cent[no. of contaminants / no. of recyclables & contaminants] x100 per cent For highly utilised locations, the contamination rate fell further

Old recycling bin

New design of recycling bin paired with a rubbish bin

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more than 60 minuteshow earth hour became an iconic event using cutting edge campaigning

and social media, and what can be learnt from the experience

w haT beGan on a dark night in Sydney in 2007 has exploded to become a global movement. In the span of seven short years, Earth Hour went from Sydney’s launch to 7,000 cities in 162

countries and territories - a prolific growth rate. As a campaign, Earth Hour has evolved to something far greater than a 60 minute event that switches the lights off. Increasingly, the annual event is seen as a catalyst for major environmental activities and a rallying point for ordinary people to take action as part of a larger movement. But what were some of the strategies that helped in its transformation and continued success? How did campaign strategy adapt along the way? How could hundreds of millions of people be taken “beyond the hour” - to keep environmental priorities top-of-mind in their daily lives long after the event’s conclusion?

Mainstreaming the messageThe event was born out of the need to mainstream environmental messaging to boost critical mass and participation. While WWF, Earth Hour’s parent organisation, had a long history of reaching out to the estimated 20 per cent of the public actively aware of environmental issues, the campaign’s goals centred on stretching beyond the converted.

The campaign was formulated with involvement of the Earth Hour team, WWF Australia, Fairfax and Leo Burnett to reach out to the estimated 80 per cent of the public who may or may not know much about their environment, but might be persuaded into action if they were activated and involved. It was conceived that an hour of time to switch out the lights could give pause for people to step outside their usual routines and have conversations they might not have otherwise. Earth Hour is not just about the hour itself: it’s retrospective to look back over what has been achieved, reflect and communicate with people around you, and make plans for the future. It was a simple, easy action, but with a profound result.

Open structureWhile on the one hand Earth Hour could be dismissed as crude tokenism, the event was experiential, non-dogmatic, and highly adaptable. So whether your city was facing water shortage or rising tides, the thrust of Earth Hour and the chance to be engaged to do something could apply to anybody. It was designed for easy entry.It was also devised as a decentralised, “open source campaign” with few expectations as to how it might evolve. As the years went on, globally the campaign was guided and led by the Earth Hour Global team (now based in Singapore). WWF

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and other partners may help with executing some of the events, but more often, other players have gotten involved. In that way, the event was structured for organic growth from the onset.

Campaign management structureThe Earth Hour Global team provides support and coordination to local WWF teams and various on-the-ground community teams helping to orchestrate the annual events and campaigns in cities and countries across the world. Using an internal enterprise social network platform powered by Yammer (Microsoft), everyone can rapidly learn what they need to know and get up to speed that much faster. It was found that an internal social network is very useful, and the platform is very user-friendly to enable easy adoption and understanding. The Yammer platform was also used to crowdsource and test ideas, share media, files, and other resources. From an organisational perspective, it was to encourage collaborations and interactions between teams and get everyone on the same page before rolling a campaign out. The Earth Hour Global team noted the importance of making everything as people-centric as possible. Much thought is given to the user and how they will use a digital tool, benefits from its use, and other considerations.

Besides Yammer, Earth Hour Global also makes use of Dropbox to amalgamate media from each event globally as it happens. During Earth Hour weekend, live pictures and videos from 162 countries were uploaded to Dropbox allowing the Earth Hour Global team to immediately use the material to produce live event b-roll for media broadcasting and outreach. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones that work the best, and are often the most cost-effective.

Evolving from an event to a movementEarth Hour is more than an annual event – it is a movement that culminates in an hour of inspiration across the world held towards the end of March each year. Depending on the city or country, people from governments to youth groups, communities, banks, hotel chains, or even individuals helped to organise an event in their area. There is no particular profile of person or organisation recruited to collaborate – Earth Hour belongs to everyone, any individual or community group can take it and create an inspiring environmental campaign out of it. Whether actions were promoted through customised YouTube (such as in the innovative ‘I Will If You Will’ campaign), or if the global team of organisers and supporters used internal social networks like Yammer to share media and resources, Earth Hour’s worldwide success was built with social media at its heart.

The Earth Hour Global team devised simple toolkits, guides and talking points for any event organisers. These materials were publically available on their website, and people were allowed to use them in their own ways. While there are very basic brand guidelines to be maintained, participants had free rein in using the logo and material freely to promote Earth Hour and its mission in “Uniting People to Protect the Planet”. In the campaign’s history, only twice were these guidelines infringed upon, and the public was quick to police the inappropriate promotions into being taken down. In many ways, actions like these demonstrate the rallying power and ownership taken by the public to ensure the brand and event stayed true to its intentions. The power of the people and public became the critical foundation for Earth Hour’s future successes in achieving bigger and more tangible impacts – beyond just the events – for the environment.

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Historical highlights of the global campaignsEvery year, Earth Hour has a different theme devised to elicit public participation. In 2009, during the lead-up to the Copenhagen Climate Summit, Earth Hour’s theme was “Vote Earth: Your Light Switch is Your Vote”. This online and offline campaign provided a customisable toolkit that could be translated into any language. This helped ensure iconic images and messages could travel between languages and cultures, with a unified visual aesthetic. While it was one of Earth Hour’s most successful campaigns from the digital perspective, for the millions who participated in the campaign, the unfortunate outcomes in Copenhagen made many wonder if decision makers were paying attention. Another innovative milestone was in 2012 with the “I Will if You Will” YouTube challenge. The Earth Hour Global team recognised that people want to do something for their environment, but also want to be incentivised with something fun. Therefore, it created a global campaign with a potential viral, “fun” factor. Earth Hour teams around the world localised the campaign and secured celebrities, sponsors and partners to pick up an “I will” pledge and drove the campaign through social media. Environmental pledges such as energy saving measures were met with unique offers by their sponsors once targets were reached. Social icons and ordinary people alike performed a myriad of stunts: from tree plantings, to wild tuna tagging, to swimming with sharks. In the process, the Earth Hour campaign garnered prolific online attention and campaign traction.

Major, unexpected milestonesBut beyond mere stunts, there were significant milestones reached, due in part to the attention brought by Earth Hour campaigns to galvanise public support. For instance in 2012, WWF-Russia capitalised on a new law deeming that any initiative with 100,000 signatures on a petition must be discussed in Parliament. The WWF-Russia team used the uniting spirit of Earth Hour to secure 122,000 signatures to support legislative change on marine protection against oil spills, an initiative that had been struggling for seven years. People felt more empowered that they were able to make a difference as part of a larger movement, and that their “vote” of participation counted. The marine protection laws were enacted in Russia following this initiative. Building on this success, in Argentina in 2013, the same technique was applied by local campaigners, resulting in setting up the biggest marine protected area in Argentina of 3.4 million hectares. Then subsequently in Madagascar, an Earth

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Globalising actionIn the coming years, the Earth Hour Global team aims to continue extending the event beyond official organisers and to better understand what participants actually want to achieve. They hope to further enable both small community projects and large environmental outcomes, and focus messaging on climate change to speed global understanding of this important issue. The ongoing success of Earth Hour has been attributed in part to strong advocacy to achieve results, educating people and involving them in things like people-powered petitions. Finding human elements to get people motivated are critical. The campaign is not just a dry policy exercise, but a dynamic and global conversation. To achieve a successful tipping point, understand the importance of timing, knowing who the best partners are to achieve your goals, and how to work with them to market the campaign. Building on this knowledge and successes to date, the organisers hope to further amplify, multiply, and globalise the power of the masses to take action in achieving tangible results and continuously growing the Earth Hour movement.

One of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns on Earth Hour Blue was the WWF-Singapore sponsored overseas wildlife conservation campaign ”Stop the Killing” which got rapid local support in part through competitive spirit and the interest in being first to have a campaign funded. Organisers noted that at least 90 per cent of donors were locally based, and the participant sentiment was clear: be the first to the goal. Not everything can, nor should be planned for: some things just work in the real world. In another innovative example, WWF-China created an app for their Earth Hour China 2014 “Quest for Blue Sky” campaign that featured a special filter which allowed participants to colour skyline images blue, erasing pollution from their photographs. This Earth Hour initiative had 66.8 million digital interactions, and was one of the biggest digital engagement environmental campaigns in China. In Indonesia, the focus was less on apps or donors. Instead, grassroots involvement was aimed at maximising mass public participation and youth engagement activities. The WWF-Indonesia’s Earth Hour team learned to best leverage the open-source aspect of the campaign which allowed the movement to grow rapidly and organically, especially on the social media front and among the young.

What has been achieved?eaRth hOUR bY nUMbeRs (2014)

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Hour Forest was planted with donated money and trees to help the country reforest after a destructive cyclone hit. Encouraged and inspired by the tangible environmental outcomes achieved, in 2014 the Earth Hour Global team took a step further and launched Earth Hour Blue, the world’s first crowdfunding and crowdsourcing platform for the planet, to use the power of the crowd to support Earth Hour projects around the world. This innovative, customised crowdfunding platform was created in collaboration with Paypal and Crowdonomics. In tandem with that, the creative campaign of “Use Your Power at earthhour.org” was prominently communicated globally. On the Earth Hour global homepage where Earth Hour Blue was hosted, it asked people to take one of the three actions: 1) Celebrate Earth Hour 2) Back a crowdfunding project 3) Add your voice to a crowdsourcing campaign With the launch of Earth Hour Blue, the brand has evolved into the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, harnessing the power of its millions of supporters worldwide to crowdfund and crowdsource innovative actions and solutions to climate change and to deliver tangible environmental outcomes for the planet.

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sinGaPore’s vehiCle PoPUlaTion has increased significantly over the years as a result of rapid urbanisation, economic growth and increasing personal wealth. Despite government policies such as Certificate of Entitlement

(COE) and Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) to curb unrestrained growth, over the last decade alone, there was an increase of about 30 per cent to around 95,000 vehicles in 2014. Correspondingly, this has resulted in increasing emission of harmful pollutants.

The problem of vehicular emissions is compounded by the fact that pollutants are emitted at ground level – in close proximity to the breathing zones of people. Vehicular emissions contribute to an increase in concentrations of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, and particulate matter. These pollutants can cause health problems, degrade the overall quality of life and even result in death if not kept within certain safe levels. It is estimated that every µg/m3 decrease in PM2.5 and ozone emissions will translate to a health benefit of tens of millions of dollars for each pollutant.

In order to pre-empt any deterioration in air quality, measures have been introduced to curb vehicular emissions.

Comprehensive control of vehicle emissionsThe National Environment Agency (NEA) has worked

closely with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to control vehicular emissions in Singapore. The measures adopted can be broadly categorised as tightening vehicle emissions standards, encouraging adoption of cleaner vehicles, improving fuel quality, strict enforcement of regulations on vehicle emissions and regular mandatory vehicle inspections.

When applied together, these measures help to ensure that clean emissions are maintained across the entire cycle of vehicle use: from their import, purchase, and replacement, to the fuel used to power them, and to ensure they are maintained and run properly by their owners.

tailpipe solutionsongoing actions to curb vehicular emissions to prevent public health hazards

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Policy measure: Early Turnover Scheme (ETS) enhancementsLaunched in April 2013 and enhanced in March 2014, the Early Turnover Scheme sought to encourage the early replacement of old, pollutive Pre-Euro/Euro I commercial diesel vehicles with newer and cleaner Euro V models in order to meet Singapore’s 2020 air quality targets. Since the start of the scheme, about 5,700 vehicles have turned-over to more environmentally friendly models, contributing to the 27 per cent decrease in Pre-Euro/Euro I vehicles on the road. Building on this momentum, the ETS will be extended to an additional 62,000 Euro II and III commercial diesel vehicles from August 2015 with the following incentives:

• Bonus COE of 10 per cent for light goods vehicles (LGV) and 90 per cent for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) if they move to a Euro V and its equivalents

• Additional 3 and 10 per cent COE bonus for Pre-Euro/ Euro I/Euro II/ Euro III LGV and HGV respectively if they move to even cleaner Euro VI models and its equivalents

Through this scheme, which runs until 31 July 2017, vehicle owners benefit from financial incentives and will also enjoy certainty in the payment amount for a new vehicle as he does not need to bid for a COE.

Policy measure: Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS)Complementing the ETS, the CEVS targets carbon emissions from vehicles through a feebate structure. With the further tightening of the emission bands in 2015, all new cars and imported used cars registered from 1 July 2013 with low carbon emissions of less than or equal to 135g carbon emissions per kilometre (CO2/km), will qualify for significant rebates of between $5,000 and $30,000 given as an offset against the vehicle’s Additional Registration Fee (ARF). Cars with high carbon emissions equal to or more than 186g CO2/km, will incur a corresponding registration surcharge between $5,000 and $30,000. The rebate and surcharge amounts will be 50 per cent higher for taxis to encourage taxi fleets to move towards low carbon emission models given their much higher annual mileage.

Policy measure: Tightening emission standards for new vehicles• Emission standards for new petrol vehicles have been tightened from Euro II to Euro IV emission standards from 1 Apr 2014. They will be further tightened to Euro VI emission standards from 1 Sep 2017.• Emission standards for new diesel vehicles have been tightened from Euro IV to Euro V emission standards from 1 Jan 2014. They will be further tightened to Euro VI emission standards from 1 Jan 2018.• Emission standards for new motorcycles have been tightened from Euro I to Euro III from 1 Oct 2014.

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Policy measure: Improving fuel quality Currently, there are only regulations on sulphur and lead in petrol, and on sulphur in diesel. New regulations on the composition of petrol and diesel will be introduced in 2017, which will result in benzene in petrol and polyaromatics in diesel being tightened. The new regulations will be benchmarked against the Euro V specifications and this will help reduce ambient levels of pollutants and carcinogenic emissions as well as help meet the 2020 air quality targets.

Policy measure: Strict enforcement of regulations on vehicle emissions NEA takes stringent action against smoky vehicles on the roads. Under the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, it is an offence for any vehicle to emit visible smoke, which typically contains fine particulate matter and other pollutants, while in use on the road. Owners of smoky vehicles can be fined up to $2,000 for the first offence and $5,000 for subsequent offences. The emission limits for motor vehicles are regularly reviewed and tightened to raise Singapore’s air quality over time. On 1 Jan 2014, the in-use exhaust emissions standard for the smoke emissions test was revised from 50 Hartridge Smoke Units (HSU) to 40 HSU. After a six-month grace period to allow for adjustments by the vehicle owners, the new HSU limit was applied to all vehicles in Singapore, including those coming through land checkpoints, on 1 July 2014. Under the same regulations, leaving the engine of a motor vehicle running when it is stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions can also result in the motorist being fined up to $5,000. NEA conducts periodic enforcement exercises to address air pollution arising from such idling vehicle engines. In the last three years, NEA has taken action on over 8,000 cases of idling vehicle engines, ranging from advisories and warning letters to fines. Members of the public who spot idling vehicles on the road are encouraged to report them to NEA, providing details such as vehicle registration number, location, date and time of the incident via the channels listed below. Motorists can also email video taken from their in-vehicle cameras.

NEA hotline: 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632)• Email: [email protected] • iPhone/Android application: myENV

Policy measure: Regular mandatory vehicle inspections To complement NEA’s enforcement on the ground, all in-use vehicles are required to undergo mandatory periodic inspections at authorised inspection centres. Vehicles are tested on their noise and exhaust emissions on top of their road worthiness. In-use petrol vehicles need to comply to a CO limit of 3.5 per cent by volume while in-use diesel vehicles are required to undergo and pass the Chassis Dynamometer Smoke Test (CDST). The CDST was adopted on 1 Jan 2007 for the mandatory periodic inspection and replaces the Free Acceleration Smoke Test (FAST) as it measures emissions under simulated driving conditions with loads and is therefore more representative of the smoke that would be emitted by the vehicles on the road.

diesel specifications

singapore specification

property (from 1 Jan 2017)

sulphur, max (ppm) 10

cetane number, min 51

density @ 15°c, max (kg/m3) 845 *

polyaromatics, max (wt%) 8

T95, max (°c) 360 *

petrol specifications

singapore specification

property (from 1 Jul 2017)

sulphur, max (ppm) 10

aromatics, max (vol%) 35%v/v (pool average, max)^

42 per cent v/v (cap limit, max) ^

olefins, max (vol%) 18%v/v (pool average, max)

21%v/v (cap limit, max)

benzene, max (vol%) 1

lead, max (g/l) 0.005

oxygen content, max (wt%) 3.7

oxygenates 22

- ethers (≥c5), vol%, max

reid vapour pressure @ 37.8°c, max (kpa) 60

distillation 46.0

- evaporated at 100 deg c, min (%v/v) 75.0

- evaporated at 150 deg, min, (%v/v)

^ Companies have until 1 December 2018 to comply with the regulations on aromatics

057Issue 8

WASTE ELIMINATION AND RESOURCE RECLAMATION

inspiring international ideasCreative and innovative environmental solutions sourced globally

Breaking down plastic with light researchers at university of North dakota created a fructose based-plastic polymer, and then decomposed it using ultraviolet light in a matter of hours into the molecular solution it originated from: a process which otherwise could have taken centuries. Creating such a readily degradable and reusable plastic could open up new directions for products that do not rely on fossil fuels for their creation. researchers are exploring commercialisation of the material. more at http://tinyurl.com/nzwwyrh

Worm gut bacteria to eat plasticselsewhere, Beijing scientists are looking into biodegradation of polyethylene plastics using bacteria found in the digestive tracks of waxworms, also known as Indian mealmoths. this exciting breakthrough means there may finally be a way to break down polyethylene in the environment. Check out the research at: http://tinyurl.com/owbk9nv

Concrete recycling robotFrom hungry worms to hungry robots: a swedish design student designed the ero robot to quickly munch concrete walls, aiding in speedy, energy efficient recovery of recyclable materials like concrete and metal used in construction. If commercialised, the technology could have massive implications for developing cities in asia. It could also be transformative to the construction and building industry and a huge productivity improvement. more on the concept here: http://tinyurl.com/n37c5rl

UK food waste eliminating restaurantNew “pre-industrial” food concept silo restaurant in the uK relies on natural farming systems, a broad range of cooking techniques, and carefully arranged “package-free” supply chains to become a zero waste restaurant. meals are carefully crafted from raw, unprocessed sources, and all leftovers are composted. truly a unique dining concept. What could wasteful restaurants around the world and in space-constrained asia learn from these methods? more at: http://tinyurl.com/nrcdwlq

Food donation programme In the us, non-profit Food Cowboy is working to eliminate food waste from events, restaurants and grocery store supply chains by connecting would-be food donors with charities that need the food, and providing logistics solutions to ensure timely delivery. In a country with both enormous food waste that winds up in landfill, and several million people still suffering from food insecurity, this seems like both a logical and long-overdue solution that could deliver serious benefits. Its an excellent idea for asian cities with heavy food waste issues. Get the round up at: http://tinyurl.com/qzfbrot

haCKs

058

Ocean CleanupIf cleaning up the factory floor isn’t enough for you, dutch wunderkind Boyan slat decided as a very young boy to do something about ocean plastic pollution… and made enormous strides through setting up the ocean Cleanup, getting over us$2 million in crowdfunding, and furthering development of a plastic harvesting ocean-ready prototype. Cleaning up marine pollution in a decade? It certainly looks possible. Get on board at http://tinyurl.com/pfgqgjd and check out the video.

Terracycle factory zero waste boxesaiming to make business and industrial recycling as idiot-proof as possible, us recycling innovator terracycle created zero waste boxes for a wide range of common materials, from batteries to baby bibs. different separation options and price points exist, so lazy companies unable to source-separate can pay a premium to have the material sorted for them, while highly segmented manufacturers can recycle separated materials at a discount. Check out more on the programme (currently underway in us and Canada only, but ripe for replication elsewhere): http://tinyurl.com/njo5qlw

MEASURING AND CAPTURING GREENHOUSE GAS

A year in the life of Earth’s CO2

Nasa has greatly improved the resolution of its climate models and beefed up its computer power. It recently condensed a year’s climate model into a three minute video showcasing how carbon moves in the atmosphere and affects weather. see the video here: http://tinyurl.com/pbz8a2c

Carbon capture and storage project sites worldwideWhile still emergent, carbon capture and storage technology is promising should it be able to sequester the greenhouse gas from industrial and energy plant smokestacks. a new registry provides an interactive map showcasing the status and details of different projects underway worldwide: http://tinyurl.com/plue8h3

059Issue 8

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

Plants generate electricityWork is underway in europe to develop technology that captures “waste” electrons from soil bacteria that interact with plants, thereby creating a new source of energy. Check out more on the tech here: http://tinyurl.com/m9dt9kg

Hydrogen refuelling in the UKa pilot site providing hydrogen fuel sourced from a solar electrolysis process is now available for public use. Brought to existence by a consortium of companies, vehicle fleets now have a new source of fuel. there are plans for another location to open soon. Plug into more news here: http://tinyurl.com/lrx8z2a

Bio-methane bus in BathIn other gassy British news, a bus powered by “poop” – or rather methane emissions derived thereof— now plies the streets of Bath in the uK. Interesting to think how a human waste product can drive mobility. Get off the pot and get on the bus: http://tinyurl.com/kyqqzbg

Cow powerCombine cattle, flatulence, and a high-tech “backpack” and what do you get? a prime source of energy and less greenhouse gas emissions as it turns out. researchers in argentina are taking a page out of sci-fi with this one, but considering how much harmful greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock worldwide, one hopes they quickly scale the technology: http://tinyurl.com/m8kl2fa

Clear solar panelsCould solar panels be one day as common as the window you look at to the outdoors? according to researchers in michigan, a new solar coating technology not only exists, but is prime for commercialisation in many applications. see the new solar: http://tinyurl.com/owpe6nq

3-D printed vertical wind turbinesa uniquely designed, 3-d printed, portable vertical wind turbine recently got crowdfunding, and may signal an exciting new direction for renewable energy. meant for powering small electronic devices in field outings, the device offers a unique alternative to hauling battery packs or power generators when you’re off to the great outdoors. What other 3-d printed solutions might be possible? Get spinning: http://tinyurl.com/o4c5flp

Solar bitcointhe bitcoin craze took an interesting turn with the advent of solarcoin, a new digital currency that represents one mWh of solar energy generated. solar generators get production readings independently verified and claim solarcoin for their efforts. Check out this interesting project: http://tinyurl.com/ouegn65

haCKs

060

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS

NEW ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY

Cigarette butts turned into supercapacitorsCiggie leftovers may have found a new life as energy storage units in a wide range of devices, if south Korean researchers perfect this technology. smokin’ idea: http://tinyurl.com/p2o4cul

Lead acid batteries to solar panelsPerovskite-based solar panels are one of the most efficient PV technologies available, and mIt researchers may have found a way to use materials to make them from commonly discarded car batteries. one battery might be able to panel up to 30 households. let the genius shine through: http://tinyurl.com/pmk6jm4

Terracotta aircona new low-tech terracotta pot made by a swiss designer could be on its way to cooling bedrooms and workspaces near you soon. Chilling idea, very simple, and a low-energy solution. Could it beat the well-loved aircon in smaller applications? see the design here: http://tinyurl.com/kr9qkyl

Sustainable Group Buy AppBuying “green” products can be an expensive proposition for smaller organisations which may not be able to benefit from volume discounts. a new aggregator service in New York City aims to get around this problem by bringing small players together to buy en masse, thereby bringing down the cost. users can try the website, or there’s an ios app as well. Great idea for breaking down barriers to accessing green products, and highly replicable elsewhere. Check out the website http://tinyurl.com/kc2tcnk or the ios app: http://tinyurl.com/mmk4855

Nature is speaking…and word has it, humans are on the way out. Check out the videos produced by Conservation International giving nature a voice, and humans a haunting reality check about their place in the world: http://tinyurl.com/pdfkb33

061Issue 8

getting to the bottom

oF thingsInternational cooperation eyes advances

in IBa and slag recycling technology

Experience with technologyThere is much that can be learnt from Japan’s experience with the technology. As shown in Figure 1, Japan processes approximately 35.4 million tons (Mt) of MSW per year (information presented in 2011 by the Japan Environmental Facilities Manufacturers Association). From this amount, 31.8 Mt/year are combusted in 1,256 incineration plants, whereas 3.6 Mt/year goes through gasification–melting process in 96 facilities available around the country, according to the data released by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.

in many parts of Asia, securing new landfill sites for growing volumes of municipal solid waste is difficult due to high population density and rapid urban development. Countries like Singapore have finite land area to begin with while others,

such as Japan, have large uninhabitable mountain areas creating geographic restrictions. Given constraints like these, emphasis has been placed on reducing the volume of municipal solid waste (MSW) through thermal treatments such as incineration and gasification-melting in both countries. With policymakers aware that incineration ash utilisation is an urgent issue, researchers from Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre (R3C) of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Japan have been interacting since 2013. The two parties formalised a research partnership on environmental safety of incinerator bottom ash (IBA) and other waste management topics through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in July 2014.

Material Flow of MSW Thermal Process in Japan kt/year in 2011

By Japan Environmental Facilities Manufacturers AssociationFigure 1

contributorRieko Kubota, International Project Coordinator, NIes

062

After the combustion of MSW, incineration bottom ash (IBA, 2.6 Mt/year), incineration fly ash (IFA, 1.1 Mt/year) and recyclable metals are generated. Even though a great amount is still disposed into landfills, ash melting at more than 1,300 degrees Celsius (Figure 2) is the most commonly used technology in Japan for ash recycling. In fact, out of the 1,256 incineration plants, 103 are equipped with ash melting systems.

Slag and IBA recycling optionsAs a result, 20 per cent of IBA and 14 per cent of IFA are melted and slags are produced as main products of this process. Gasification–melting treatment also produces slags. A total of 632 kilotons of slags were produced in Japan in 2011 from ash melting and gasification melting processes. Other options for ash reuse or recycling are sintering, cement feeds and smelting feeds. Even though melting technologies constitute the most expensive treatment options due to the high power input, they pose the highest degree of material recovery and recycling. Through melting in high temperature, toxic heavy metals such as lead and cadmium in MSW are evaporated from the molten ash and dioxins are decomposed. The gasified heavy metals are condensed in the melting furnace fly ash which can be accepted as smelting feeds. As a result, quite low concentration of the metals remains in slags. From this perspective, melting treatment can be regarded as an element separation process.

As shown in Figure 3, slags are glassy stone or sand-like materials which allow safe recycling for civil engineering purposes. Two types of slags are produced depending on the cooling system. A rapid water cooling system results in very small size slags, around 1 to 2 mm in size, whereas a slow air cooling system produces slags of 10 mm or larger size. More than 80 per cent of this slag is recycled every year for construction purposes such as aggregates for road, concrete and bricks, soil stabiliser, final cover system in landfills, base material in engineering works, backfilling, frost heave control, etc. (Figure 4).

Testing recycled materialsConsidering that slags are waste derived materials, several tests need to be conducted before their application. In Japan for example, in order to use slags as aggregate for concrete, the Japanese Industrial

Standard (JIS) A 5031 “Melt–solidified slag aggregate for concrete” standard should be passed. This applies to precast concrete made of coarse or fine aggregates and tests both physical (density, water absorption, stability, etc) and chemical properties (leaching and acid-extractable content of hazardous substances). Through testing, structural stability and environmental and health safety can be guaranteed. For slags destined for road construction, JIS A 5032 “Melt–solidified slag materials for road construction” should be strictly followed, which covers hot asphalt mixtures and base material, similar to the JIS A 5031. It also tests both physical (granularity, abrasion loss, density, etc) and chemical (leaching and acid extractable content of chemicals) parameters. Recycling of slags appears to be a safe and environmentally friendly method, but its elevated cost may prevent this technology from spreading. Alternative methods for reusing or recycling ashes should also be considered, which will require collaborative research or international efforts.

International cooperationTo help expand international R&D efforts and encourage technology innovation, the R3C-NIES Workshop on Waste Management Technology was held in 2013 to exchange knowledge on incineration technologies, utilisation of IBA and current research on environmental safety standard of IBA. Under the new MOU, R3C and NIES plan to organise biennial technical seminars on waste management research and explore the opportunity of joint research in the near future. Both research institutes aim to collaborate not only in incineration ash utilisation issues, but also other research topics, such as gasification, energy recovery technology, environmental measurement analysis on both heavy metal and organic substances, decentralised septic tank, and resource recovery/landfill mining with a view to improving the viability of these technologies.

teChaBIlItY

063Issue 8

064

ninJa polymers can work wonders

researchers claim Polyethylene terephthalate (Pet) could end up being a life-saver

researChers froM Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) and California’s IBM Research

have successfully converted PET into a non-toxic biocompatible material with superior protective properties. The specialists claim to have managed to “crack the code for safely destroying bacteria” by using the plastics as a nanomedicine - something a thousand times smaller than a grain of sand - that can attack fungi resistant to antibiotics. The breakthrough ‘opens new applications’ for the nearly 3 billion kg of PET bottles and jars available for recycling in the USA every year, IBM asserts. The immensity of this volume is unsurprising given that US citizens consume 1,500 plastic water bottles every second. Even so, only one in every five PET bottles is recycled, leaving 1.4 billion kg of plastic waste to be sent to landfills. Enter the new “ninja polymers”, which can give them a meaningful purpose.

Selective targeting“The polymers will change how we fight drug-resistant superbugs,” IBM explains. Some existing drugs “can have trouble differentiating between healthy and infected cells”; but with the new PET innovation, they are “drawn like magnets” to the bacteria’s surface. The key to this novel PET-based solution is that it can be applied to ‘selectively target’ fungi strains without harming surrounding

contributorKirstin Linnenkoper,

associate editor, recycling International

healthy cells, comments IBN’s executive director Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying. She notes that, once mixed with water and heated to normal body temperature, the polymers self-assemble, swelling into a synthetic hydrogel that is easy to manipulate. When applied to contaminated surfaces, the hydrogel’s positive charge attracts negatively-charged microbial membranes “like stars and planets being pulled into a black hole”. Not unimportantly, the molecules biodegrade in the body naturally.

Precise polymersThe “precisely-tailored” polymers mimic what a healthy immune system does, explains IBM polymer chemist Jim Hedrick. Acting quickly, they essentially keep the bacteria from developing any resistance. In fact, this is the “first-ever” type of medicine to be biodegradable, biocompatible and non-toxic, potentially making it an “ideal tool” to combat serious health hazards. Hedrick stresses that the transformation of PET, or waste plastic from a bottle, creates “entirely new molecules”. This is hailed as a significant leap as plastic bottles are typically recycled by mechanical grinding and can mostly be reused only in secondary products like clothes, carpeting or playground equipment, the IBM crew argues. In further studies conducted by Singapore’s IBN, testing has showed the sustainable nanomedicine was able to eradicate over 99.9 per cent of Candidiasi - which counts as the fourth most common blood stream infection in the USA - after just a single hour of incubation.

Attacking MRSA Given the promising results to date, the researchers are confident that they have found a way to dramatically reduce the huge number of MRSA victims. Labelled “practically invincible”, this infection kills more than 19,000 US citizens every year alone, and represents a growing danger to the public at large, asserts Bob Allen, senior researcher at IBM. Previously only picked up at medical facilities such as hospitals, the MRSA infection can now be contracted practically anywhere - even at the supermarket or the gym.

More creative ways“We have been using antibiotics since World War II but superbugs have evolved much faster than we were able to make new antibiotics,” says Allen. “Specialists have tried all the antibiotics in the arsenal, but they don’t work. This means we have to think of more creative ways of killing the bacteria.” Creative possibilities arise with the success of the project, he asserts. “Can you imagine a hospital where every touch surface was coated with a very thin layer of some anti-microbial polymer that could kill on contact?” Ying adds: “We hope to eventually apply this technology clinically.”Both research teams are currently in talks with pharmaceutical companies with the aim of enabling the PET polymers to jump from the lab into the real world.

An earlier version of this article has previously been

published in Recycling International. Please visit:

www.recyclinginternational.com

teChaBIlItY

065Issue 8

award-winning hotels advancing new 3r innovations and cost savings

a CCordinG To Global hoTel indUsTry esTiMaTes, a hotel guest may generate up to 1kg of waste per night. Multiply that by number of guest nights, and a hotel can face a hefty waste management bill. The hospitality industry spends enormous amounts of money on materials that can wind

up as waste, and then again on subsequent waste disposal costs. All the resources (such as raw materials for F&B, consumables, energy, water, manpower and time) that a hotel puts into their business processes will result in either products and services which can generate revenue, or waste which costs money to treat or dispose of. In such a highly competitive industry, the latter makes poor business sense. This needn’t be the case however. From a business point of view, improving resource efficiency and cutting out waste can have noticeable financial benefits. There is money to be made from selling recyclable materials. From a customer perspective, guests are also increasingly savvy to green features of a hotel. Offerings like recycling bins in rooms can be a basic expectation. Hotels can realise reputation and marketing advantages by successfully communicating environmental efforts like these to green-minded travellers. But what are the best ways to eliminate waste in a hotel or conference venue, and get on the bandwagon to these benefits? Several recent 3R Award-winning hotels have opened their doors to share secrets on strategy and operations, including Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Mandarin Oriental, and ibis Singapore on Bencoolen. From the penthouse to the back of the house, take a look at how these leading hotels are seizing the opportunity.

INdustrY INNoVatIoN

To learn more about innovative, cost-saving

waste elimination efforts, check out the 3R

Guide for Hotels: www.nea.gov.sg/3RGBH

066

067Issue 8

INdustrY INNoVatIoN

BE IN TO WIN!to understand your needs and serve you better, we invite you

to participate in a short survey on ENVISION magazine.

all fully-completed surveys will be entered in a draw

for one of 30 pieces of 8 GB seI thumb drives.

Closing date: 31 august 2015.

Best of luck and thanks for your feedback!

tinyurl.com/msa5z3w

survey link

071Issue 8

higherpurposean inside look at greening singapore’s Ihls

insTiTUTions of hiGher learninG (IHL)s like universities and polytechnics form an important part of any nation’s sustainability efforts. They are the future of the workforce, a hotbed for talent, testing grounds

for technology, and centres of cutting-edge research. The majority of Singapore’s IHLs have sustainability efforts underway in one shape or form, largely shaped by their sector foci, research expertise, and stakeholder events.

Zooming in on best practice, ENVISION presents a comprehensive state-of-play of these green efforts. Criteria examined include reporting, campus infrastructure and operations, academic specialities and programmes, research/technology R&D, and student and staff initiatives as detailed in information provided by IHLs.

sPeCIal rePort

072

nanYang technOlOgical UniveRsitY (ntU)

7,000 staff studying and working on the campus,

of whom 10,000 and 600 respectively live on site.

Building diversity makes the campus a representative

testbed for a city.

While Ntu continues to build new academic

buildings and residential halls, they are ensuring that

these new developments achieve the highest level

of environmental performance. of 18 Green mark-

certified projects on campus, eight achieved

Platinum status.

New residential halls will have a full suite of

energy-efficient features such as lower energy

air-handling units, smart lighting and a bioswale as

a test-bed for water management. the buildings’

design also includes materials like green cement and

recycled concrete aggregates. the learning hub has

adopted a passive displacement ventilation system

as a more sustainable alternative to conventional

air conditioning.

Ntu is also making a bold statement in

renewable energy by putting up 5 mega-watts peak

of solar panel installation, the largest single location

installation in singapore, which will produce 3-5 per

cent of its current electricity consumption and save

about $1.5 million in annual electricity costs. the first

phase (3.5 mWp) was completed in 2014 and the

remaining will be completed by end of 2015.

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

sustainability is one of the five major research areas

or “peaks of excellence” in which Ntu aims to make

a global mark. seo is established with a vision to

shape leaders and support solutions to address

some of the major sustainability challenges facing

singapore and at Ntu.

the seo promotes the ground-up development

of innovative ideas across the different colleges

and schools. so far, there have been two rounds

of seed-funding grants where deserving proposals

received about $50,000 each for one year. seo

also collaborates with academic experts to develop

the right pedagogical content to educate the next

generation of leaders in sustainability.

today, all first-year Ntu undergraduates take a

compulsory module in environmental sustainability.

starting from academic year 2014, Ntu introduced a

new undergraduate programme, environmental earth

systems science, and a minor in environmental and

urban studies.

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

the ecoCampus leverages on the research expertise

of the following research institutions:

energy research Institute @Ntu

the energy research Institute at Ntu (erI@N) is

an umbrella research institute that works on clean

energy (wind, solar, fuel cells, electromobility,

and energy storage) and energy efficiency (green

buildings, and green ships/ports).

Nanyang environment and Water research Institute

(NeWrI)

NeWrI is an “eco-system” of research groups,

centres and institutes which provides a contiguous

value chain from education and research through

translation, development and application. It

unifies Ntu’s environment and Water technologies

(eWt) efforts and serves as a one-stop centre for

industry and research partners to access Ntu’s eWt

capabilities. NeWrI consists of world class research

centres in this domain such as the dhI-Ntu Centre

(dhI-Ntu), singapore membrane technology Centre

(smtC), residues and resource reclamation Centre

(r3C) and advanced environmental Biotechnology

Centre (aeBC).

earth observatory of singapore

the earth observatory of singapore conducts

fundamental research on climatology and earth

sciences (earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis & climate

change) in and around southeast asia, towards safer

and more sustainable societies. the eos research

aims to fill a gap of much-needed information on

climatic forces in southeast asia, which will allow

better prediction.

together with singapore’s economic development

Board (edB) and JtC Corporation, the ecoCampus

initiative will transform Ntu’s 200-hectare campus

into a test bed for cutting-edge green technologies,

complementing the vibrant r&d community in the

adjoining 50-hectare Cleantech Park.

SUMMARY

Ntu is ramping up its efforts to transform into

one of the world’s most environmentally friendly

university campuses. under the new ecoCampus

initiative, Ntu aims to cut its energy and water use,

carbon footprint and waste by 35 per cent by 2020.

Ntu is already an internationally recognised

leader for sustainability research, having attracted

more than s$1.2 billion in competitive research

funding in the area, and has a number of

world-class energy-related research institutes

and academic centres of excellence such as the

earth observatory of singapore (eos), the energy

research Institute @Ntu (erI@N) and the Nanyang

environment and Water research Institute (NeWrI).

In addition, Ntu’s sustainable earth office (seo)

is leading the university’s initiatives to spearhead

sustainability in research, education, collaborative

projects, commercialisation and outreach.

Ntu’s ecoCampus initiative, anchored at

seo, will leverage on the research centres and

also explore synergies with industry partners to

advance sustainability research and create a global

leadership position for singapore in sustainability.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

Ntu is a member of the International sustainable

Campus Network (IsCN), a global forum to support

sustainable campus operations and integrating

sustainability in research and teaching. Ntu reports

its sustainability progress to IsCN, and was also

featured in developing skills for Future leaders

report (for download at: tinyurl.com/p8875xh).

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

the Ntu campus has more than 100 buildings with

more than one million square metres of built-up

area. It currently has about 33,000 students and

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073Issue 8

symposium (s3) and the sustainability lecture series,

which serve as valuable inputs into the forums

organised at the World Cities summit in singapore.

KEY CONTACTS

Nilesh Y Jadhav

Program director, ecoCampus

Nanyang technological university

[email protected]

+65 65923547

Professor alexander Zehnder

Chair, sustainable earth office

Nanyang technological university

[email protected]

Green buildings

erI@N was involved in the design of the Cleantech

two, achieving a high energy performance of the

building from its inherent design. It developed “cool

coatings” that can reduce the heat gain from building

rooftops and façade in collaboration with industry

partners such as akzo Nobel, sky Cool and Nippon

Paints, cutting indoor temperature by up to 20°C.

With sGl Carbon as the industry partner, a

test-bed of energy efficient ‘chilled ceiling’ cooling

concept technology has cut energy use for cooling by

about 26 per cent. It has been operational since late

2012 at the erI@N’s office in the Cleantech

one building.

erI@N has also worked with industry partners

such as toshiba to develop outdoor-air cooled

data centres, which can achieve up to 50 per cent

reduction in energy use. experiments are ongoing to

cool data centres without air conditioning at the high

Performance Computing Centre at Ntu.

energy information management and analytics

erI@N has worked with research partners such

as NXP to develop wireless and autonomous

sensors and sensor networks to collect data across

buildings in a quick and non-intrusive way. under

the ecoCampus programme, a campus-wide smart

energy monitoring and control system is being

researched and developed with research partners

such as Wifinity.

renewable energy and smart grids

to optimise renewable energy, energy market

authority of singapore has launched the “Intelligent

energy systems” pilot project on the Ntu campus.

the new system will help to enhance the capabilities

of the current grid, making it more receptive to load

changes, adding sensors/information devices such

as smart meters and offer dynamic pricing plans

to consumers. the system will also embed new

electricity generation from renewable energy and

storage sources.

erI@N is working with partners like murata

to develop and test smart energy management

systems allowing for improved grid stability and

self-sufficiency while incorporating renewable energy

sources. It integrates dC renewables (like solar PV

and fuel cell), storage battery and grid power into

one system, intelligently managing the distribution.

the system operates autonomously by deciding how

to distribute grid power and electricity from solar PV

or storage batteries to household appliances, and

control energy allocation through bidirectional dC-aC

inverters and bidirectional dC-dC converters.

low-carbon urban mobility solutions

a variety of low-carbon urban mobility technologies

are under development such as hybrid electric

buses with partners like Volvo and aBB based on

the ‘Charge and Go’ strategy using battery pack and

a back-up diesel engine, creating a 24/7 electric

solution with opportunity charging.

autonomous vehicles with wireless flash

charging are being customised for shorter distances

to supplement public transport. erI@N, with

industry partners elbit and Navya, aims to develop

an autonomous transportation model (atm) with

a supercapacitor which charges in less than two

minutes. the charging system is powered through

the solar panels and charges wirelessly to the on-

board supercapacitors.

research with industry partner Peugeot is focused

on a cost efficient PleVs suitable for single users in

tropical conditions. It includes a centralised system

that enables users to check the availability and

location of sharing vehicles and book them by using

mobile apps.

user behaviour aspects of energy conservation

user-behaviour based energy savings will be piloted

at the Ntu Campus along with industry partner

GdF-suez. the project will involve gamification of

the energy conservation concepts that will engage

students and staff via mobile apps focused on

making energy savings.

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

an undergraduate student club called earthlink

organises a number of activities on campus to

educate students about environmental issues in a

fun and exciting way. these include an annual event

called Greenfest, special events for World Water

Week, earth hour, as well as beach clean-ups.

ecoCampus also coordinates many secondary

school visits and facilitates introduction to different

kinds of technologies and research for younger

students. there is also a networking platform for

nominated staff “energy officers” from 13 Ntu

schools to share best practice. there are also plans

to involve researchers and practitioners from many

agencies to learn from ecoCampus experience as an

open learning platform.

the Building Working Group (BWG) was

established in 2012 and is comprised of Ntu leaders

from engineering and social science disciplines,

and essentially includes the Ceo of Ntu’s office of

development & Facilities management (odFm).

the seo at Ntu has organised several sustainability

outreach events such as the singapore sustainability

sPeCIal rePort

073Issue 8

natiOnal UniveRsitY Of singapORe (nUs)

SUMMARY

as a global university centred in asia, Nus strives to

deliver transformative education and high-impact

research. Its campus community, which comprises

over 37,000 students and about 10,000 staff,

study, work, live and play on three campuses. It is

committed to protecting the environment and seeks

to incorporate sustainability in all aspects of campus

life – from research, education, operations, planning,

construction, and instruction to public service.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

Nus aims to develop an excellent infrastructure

through the adoption of sustainable master planning,

design and construction principles. In 2012, it

became the first educational institution to receive

the prestigious Green mark Champion award.

Conferred by the singapore Building and Construction

authority, building owners are required not only

to have over 10 projects rated Green mark Gold

and above, but also more than three projects rated

GoldPlus and at least three projects rated Platinum.

sustainability in building retrofitting/operations

Nus is applying a similar approach to building

retrofitting, and is emphasising energy efficiency

in its operations. an energy task Force comprising

representatives from several campus infrastructure,

student residential and sustainability-related offices,

targets energy reduction. some of the strategies

adopted include energy management policies

(for example, pay-per-use scheme for facilities),

space management optimisation to minimise new

construction (thus resulting in energy savings),

investment and management of energy-efficient

and green infrastructure (for example, green roofs

and vertical greenery, and centralised energy-

efficient chiller plants), sustainability education of

staff and students (through campus-wide

sustainability programmes), and leveraging the

research network to facilitate test bed projects

(for new energy-efficient technologies).

three canteens are eco-Foodcourt certified, and

Nus has shared its operational best practices in

the International alliance of research universities

(Iaru) Green Guide for universities (for download

at: tinyurl.com/ntmc8kk). It presents key issues,

recommendations and lessons learned by Iaru

universities of which Nus is a member, and

addresses the challenges and opportunities of

campus sustainability, with a particular focus on

environmental aspects.

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

Nus offers cross-faculty degree programmes in

sustainability-related domains:

Bachelor of Environmental Studies

a unique programme, it adopts a broad-based and

interdisciplinary approach to effectively address

the societal and scientific needs for understanding

complex, modern environmental issues such as

climate change, alternative energy and the building

of liveable high-density cities.

Bachelor of Engineering

(Environmental Engineering)

this is designed to develop technically-competent

graduates with the ability to analyse and solve

environmental engineering problems in a global,

societal, and environmental context consistent with

principles of sustainable development.

Master of Science

(Environmental Management)

a multi-disciplinary integrated programme, it takes

a broad-based approach to education in the field of

the environment.

Master of Science

(Building Performance and Sustainability)

a multi-disciplinary educational programme offering

graduates of different disciplines, who are engaged

in design, construction, commissioning, operation and

maintenance of building systems and services, an

opportunity to acquire knowledge and practice in the

broad field of Building Performance and sustainability.

Master of Science

(Integrated Sustainable Design)

this is a one-year post-professional degree

programme for individuals with an interest in the

sustainable development of the built environment. It

offers insights, knowledge and skill-sets for a holistic

approach to sustainability, encourages strategic

thinking in the process of decision making, with an

emphasis in the asian context, and understanding of

the interdependency of buildings in urban networks.

specialisation

students also have the opportunity to learn more

about a particular sub-discipline within their main

discipline, by opting for a specialisation. examples

of courses with majors or specialisations in the

environment are:

• Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)

with Specialisation in Environment

and Energy

• Bachelor of Engineering

(Mechanical Engineering) with Specialisation

in Energy and Sustainability

elective modules

Nus offers the opportunity for students to broaden

their knowledge and capacities with a significant

degree of depth by taking on a specific area of

interest, even if it is unrelated to their selected

degree majors. examples of modules are global

environmental change, urban climates, pollution

minimisation and prevention, strategies for

sustainable architecture, climate change law and

policy, environmental business sustainability, and

sustainable process development.

hands-on learning

students are also afforded hands-on experiences as

a means of applying classroom concepts, such as the

building of a zero-energy house and participating in

the solar decathalon.

residential colleges

apart from the traditional method of imparting

knowledge and skills, Nus provides environmental

education and cultivates the sustainability culture in

students through an additional unique channel - the

residential Colleges (rC).

two rCs (tembusu College and ridge View

074

this environmental-cum-social clothes recycling

campaign seeks to encourage the Nus

community to recycle their old and unwanted

clothes. Clothes recycling bins are placed

near student residences, and the items

collected are sold for recycling in developing

countries. Proceeds go to beneficiaries

within the south West Community

development Council, voted for by the

students themselves.

• Plastic Bag tax scheme

a first in singapore, this scheme encourages

consumers to reduce usage of plastic bags, by

implementing a mandatory 10-cent charge

per bag in canteens and selected food and

retail outlets. Proceeds go to the Nus

sustainability Fund.

• Nus sustainability Fund

raised from the proceeds of the Plastic Bag tax,

this initiative provides funding and mentorship for

environmental projects within Nus.

• Project Box and Project tumbler

Both initiatives encourage individuals to bring

their own reusable take-away containers and

tumblers when they buy food or drinks.

Individuals are rewarded with stickers which can

be used to redeem discounts on future purchase

of food and drink.

KEY CONTACTS

amy ho

director,

Nus office of environmental sustainability

[email protected]

residential College) provide a new residential

learning experience to undergraduate campus living

with an underpinning sustainability theme. Incoming

freshmen take some classes at the rCs as part of

university-level degree requirements, and participate

in extracurricular activities.

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

as a research-intensive university, Nus formed the

Integrated sustainability solutions (Iss) Cluster to

co-ordinate and orchestrate a unified university-wide

response on multi-disciplinary issues relating to

sustainability or climate change. Incorporating

inputs from 13 research groups/clusters, Iss’

activities include:

• exploratory science (primarily basic science

studies and research)

• Future technology (low technology readiness

levels and some work involves innovation

research in systems integration)

• Policy Implementation (disciplines in the

arts, social sciences, economics, law, policy and

business practices)

• energy sustainability (underlies all research

institutes and groups as energy considerations

in security and resilience are common to

these disciplines)

examples of projects undertaken are:

• National solarisation Centre (NsC)

solar energy research Institute of singapore

(serIs) is investing s$3 million over three years

to establish the NsC to build competencies

that enable large-scale solar energy adoption

in singapore.

• Floating Photovoltaic (PV) test Bed Project

led by the singapore economic development

Board (edB) and the Public utilities Board (PuB),

serIs is managing the floating PV test bed project

at tengeh reservoir which, when completed, will

be one of the largest floating PV systems at a

single location in the world.

• World harbour Project

the tropical marine science Institute (tmsI)

participates in the World harbour Project to

promote sustainable ways to develop ports and

harbours through the use of green engineering

techniques. researchers from cities involved in

the project hope to enable urban development

while protecting the marine environment

and biodiversity.

• Industry Collaboration

the Nus environmental research Institute

(NerI) collaborates with industry partners,

shimadzu (asia Pacific) and Wong Fong

engineering Works, on environmental sciences

and waste management. NerI and shimadzu

will establish a joint facility called the Nus-

shimadzu advanced Facility for ecoanalytics

(NusaFe) while Wong Fong will collaborate

with NerI to develop innovative solutions for

waste management.

• sustainability, environment, and energy

research (seer) @ Nus

the Nus energy office, among other activities,

conducts a yearly symposium series seer@Nus

to bring together government, industry,

civil societies, and academics to share on

environmental research, technology and policy.

Newly slated projects include:

• autonomous vehicle test bed at one-north

in collaboration with singapore-mIt alliance

for research and technology, a*star, and

st Kinetics.

• development of a zero-energy building project

by the school of design and environment.

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

office of environmental sustainability (oes)

the Nus community continually finds ways to

enhance the environmental sustainability of its

campus. oes rolls out various initiatives throughout

the year which promote and reinforce the concept

and importance of campus sustainability, such as:

• sustainaBle Nus Campaign

oes launched a campus-wide sustainability

campaign to raise awareness, facilitate action,

and expand the culture of sustainability in

Nus. sustainaBle Nus captures multiple

facets of greening the campus, such as

energy and water conservation, recycling,

green transportation, energy-saving guidelines

for office and laboratory spaces, and appreciating

biodiversity, all in one identity. It aims to

empower (I am aBle!) individuals of the campus

community to take action confidently towards

building a sustainable campus.

• e-Waste we-recycle

to promote the recycling of used and

unwanted electrical items, oes also organised

Nus’ inaugural electronic waste (e-waste)

recycling drive in 2014 which saw a staggering

34,448kg of e-waste collected.

Nus students against Violation of the earth (saVe)

this student group actively promotes environmental

awareness and action on campus with initiatives like:

• Green Wardrobes

sPeCIal rePort

075Issue 8

singapORe ManageMent UniveRsitY (sMU)

SUMMARY

smu has a wide range of environmental related activities underway. among

these are investments in new green campus infrastructure, multiple environment

related research areas, and increasingly vibrant student and campus events.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

Green buildings are also seeing increased implementation on campus. the new

law building was designed by mKPl architects Pte ltd to meet BCa’s Green mark

Platinum standards. through the implementation of passive design elements

coupled with innovative green technologies, the building is designed to reduce

energy consumption, whilst achieving the desired occupant comfort.

some of the key features include a central atrium that promotes natural

ventilation through the stack effect, a vertical green wall that will reduce the

urban heat island effect, high-velocity low-speed fans for non air- conditioned

space, usage of green concrete that consumes less natural resources through

material replacement, as well as a well-shaded external façade and a high-

efficient central air-conditioning system to reduce energy consumption.

the newly established smu labs, a flexible space designed for students by

students, has also seen attention to reducing waste and resource consumption.

many building materials, fixtures and furniture have been recycled. a large

quantity of existing, high-energy consuming halogen light fittings were replaced

by florescent t5 and led light fittings. standalone split aircon cassette units were

installed which can be operated with no dependency on the central aircon chiller

plant. the newly reinstated toilet uses water saving sanitary fixtures like cistern/

WC infra-red control tap fittings. timer controlled external signage light fittings

were installed to minimise energy use.

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

the operations management discipline in lKCsB has a course on sustainable

operations to study how a company can use its operations to improve

environmental performance and contribute to business success. students will learn

how citizens, governments, customers and employees are creating pressures for

more sustainable development and how operations managers are responding

with waste reduction, pollution prevention, and product stewardship. students

will also study specific tools and methods such as environmental management

systems, life cycle analysis, green buildings, green purchasing, design-for-

environment, recycling, remanufacturing, and industrial symbiosis. they will also

make a successful strategy for sustainable operations by incorporating it into a

company’s business strategy, improving planning, product and process design,

supply management, risk management and both internal and external

reporting systems.

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

several staff research specialities are tied to environmental sustainability themes,

including:

• Increasing incentives for recycling of materials: improving material logistics and

localisation of recycling networks and facilities

• Choice architecture to promote resilience in consumption decisions:

understanding decision-making affecting energy consumption, reducing it, and

what interventions may be successful in the asian context

• electricity management strategy, load banking, and financial models

• sustainable transportation: financial models and switching station methodology

for electric vehicles’ battery use

smu also has several research collaborations with external parties which include:

• dhl-smu Green transformation lab: established in 2013, the Green

transformation lab is a joint initiative by smu and dhl aimed at accelerating

the evolution of sustainable logistics across asia Pacific. leveraging smu’s

multi-faculty academic excellence and dhl’s sustainability services, expertise

and capability in supply chains, the Green transformation lab is focused on

creating solutions that help companies transform their supply chains,

becoming greener, more resource efficient and sustainable.

• Collaboration with mPa: smu and maritime and Port authority of singapore

(mPa) signed a memorandum of understanding on 25 November 2014 to

promote research and innovation for a clean and green Next Generation Port.

076

students will learn how citizens, governments, customers and employees

are creating pressures For more sustainable development and how

operations managers are responding with waste reduction, pollution

prevention, and product stewardship.

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

smu Verts

the smu Verts club promotes environmental issues and conservation through

awareness campaigns, partnering with environmentally-passionate students,

and engaging the smu community in events and hands-on workshops held

frequently throughout each year. they are a touch point for collaboration with

government agencies like the Nea and ministry of the environment and Water

resources, and NGos like Nature society and the singapore environment Council.

the club has also assisted with public consultation events for the sustainable

singapore Blueprint 2015. smu Verts’ former President Victor lee also won the

ecoFriend award and the inaugural smu-dhl environmental sustainability award

in November 2014 for his campus efforts.

smu Grow

smu also recently launched smu Grow, a university-wide urban farm programme

which invites students, staff and faculty to connect physical spaces within the city

campus with food, sustainability, business and the environment.

the rollout includes conducting workshops for staff and faculty that introduce

sustainable living through growing foods in environmentally-friendly ways, having

planter boxes up for adoption, serving healthy meals to staff, and running a logo

design contest. It dovetails with the 80-hour community service required of smu

students, and built into the annual community service project smu Challenge

that delivers food and household needs to Queenstown residents. It will also be

woven into co-curricular activities and classroom modules. Food from each harvest

will be brought to the community organised by the Centre for social responsibility

(C4sr), and Grow welcomes individuals and groups to garden and grow food for a

good cause at smu.

sPeCIal rePort

077Issue 8

institUte Of technical edUcatiOn (ite)

SUMMARY

Ite takes an active role in promoting environmental

awareness and green practices. Its environmental

initiatives and programmes are guided by both its

corporate social and environmental responsibility

policies, which call for the use of skills and

resources to care for the community and build a

sustainable environment, and its environmental

sustainability strategy which focuses on culture,

competency and collaboration.

Ite promotes environmental sustainability with

an integrated, multi-faceted, forward-looking and

dynamic approach. It combines long-term strategic

plans with regular ground activities, while engaging

both the larger community and innovative

commercial enterprises.

the main objectives are:

• to provide an innovative and dynamic

environment for Ite staff and students

• to connect with industry players, enabling Ite to

provide an authentic learning experience

• to be well-attuned to topical issues including

environmental and community sustainability

Ite incorporated environmental sustainability as

one of the key strategic programmes under the Ite

Innovate Plan 2010 – 2014. With the established

framework in environmental sustainability, the

next phase will be deepening of commitment.

New environmental initiatives will focus on taking

affirmative action, such as encouraging recycling

and reuse through its online portal for exchange

of used items, developing green procurement

practices and encouraging more student-led

initiatives. these initiatives aim at instilling

greater awareness among Ite’s stakeholders, and

encourage them to embrace green practices and

develop new competencies for the green economy.

With the objectives in mind, the environmental

sustainability Framework is created based on a

three-prong formulation of culture, competency and

industry collaboration by:

• creating awareness of environmental

sustainability issues, and related global and

industry development;

• instilling responsible environmental sustainability

practices; and

• developing competency for green economy.

For its efforts Ite was conferred the President’s

award for the environment in 2014 and the Public

sector lee Foundation singapore sustainability

award by the singapore environment Council

in 2013.

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

While a formal sustainability report containing

environmental performance data has not

been produced, a “Green Footprint” e-book is

produced every other year (2012, 2014) outlining

management directives, key achievements and key

environmental activities organised by Ite.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

of Ite’s three mega campuses, Ite College West and

Ite College Central, which were completed in 2010

and 2012 respectively, have achieved the BCa Green

mark Platinum award for incorporating green building

designs and construction. the first Ite mega campus,

Ite College east, completed in 2004, was certified

BCa Green mark Gold, the highest level of Green

mark Certification at the time. some of the green

building technologies adopted include extensive

green walls and rooftop gardens, photovoltaic panels

to general electrical power, and rainwater harvesting.

In February 2013, Ite achieved the Iso 14001

environmental management system (ems)

certification and adopted a common environmental

management (em) Framework across Ite

headquarters and the three Colleges. this ems

framework encompasses an overarching em manual,

em Procedures, and a handful of Working Instructions

which are readily available within a common ems

database and accessible by all staff.

Various efforts and initiatives have also been

developed and put in place to monitor and track

environmental performance vis-à-vis the various

pedagogic and training-related work activities. For

example, every school/department would conduct

an “aspect & Impact” assessment to evaluate and

consider ways to better manage and curb the various

environmental impacts, as a result of their respective

work activities.

apart from this, an environmental management

Committee (emC), which comprises representatives

from Ite headquarters and the three Colleges, was

also formed to monitor and manage energy and

water consumption. energy and water consumption

are monitored on a monthly basis and are compared

against usage trends from preceding periods.

together, these measures have been adopted for

Ite to better understand its operating conditions and

explore potential avenues for further improvements.

recognising the efforts in building an efficient

infrastructure and a robust ems framework, Ite

headquarters & Ite College Central, at ang mo Kio

drive, was awarded the BeI asia Green Building

awards 2014 – educational Institution.

there have been further efforts to establish green

It practices through improved data centre design

and use of cloud computing. there is a one-stop

online service for both staff and students, and the

organisation also practise electronic filing

and approval.

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

to ensure students are ready for careers in the

green economy, environmental sustainability (es) is

emphasised in the new Career-cluster Framework.

seventy-five per cent of Ite courses have green-

related topics, for example:

• electronics waste recycling and proper disposal

of hazardous electronics equipment are

incorporated into the electronics courses.

• students in the Nitec in automotive technology

learn about proper disposal of used oil.

• the Nitec in Info-Communications technology

(Cloud Computing) covers cloud computing

technology extensively.

• skills for the green economy such as photo

voltaic cells and renewable energy technology

078

079Issue 8

are incorporated into courses such as electrical

engineering and Facility technology. a number of

green-related topics are also included as course-

specific electives to enhance the respective skills

required for the green economy. these are modules

such as Clean energy system (60-hr), Water-efficiency

in Building (45-hr), Green Building technology (54-

hr), energy audit and management (99-hr), and

Green It Fundamentals (60-hr) to prepare students

in the info-comm courses for the green economy.

additionally, there is also a 40-hour “lifeskills”

elective on environmental education for all

Ite students.

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

efforts have been made to enhance Ite teaching

staff’s environmental competence through projects

such as the Green energy mobile office & school

(Gemos), developed by lecturers and students

from Ite College West, together with singapore

environment Institute and Green energy Industries.

this portable, air-conditioned office has a built-in

compact, integrated solar-hydrogen-Fuel-Cell self

sustainable Power system that is powered by

sunlight. In the day, the office is powered by solar

energy, and at night by the stored electricity.

eighty students gained a priceless authentic learning

experience in this advanced green energy

technology project development that was shared

at many events.

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

each campus has student-run environment and green

clubs, and a variety of school sponsored events. In

2013 and 2014 alone (the period covered by the

latest Green Footprint), these included events like:

• Ite annual eco-Conferences: keynote speakers on

important environmental issues

• Youth environmental Networking session and eCo

ambassador awards

• Youth for the environment day: waste

minimisation and litter pick-up

• kNow Cleaners’ day: appreciation event with

students in charge of campus clean-up efforts

• International day for Biological diversity:

gardening and planting activities

• World environment day: tree planting and sky

garden workshops

• monthly recycling and garage sale days with

proceeds benefitting needy student fund

• Coastal cleanup events

• eco sharing session: reaching out to

neighbourhood schools to share

environmental projects

• National Climate Change Youth Conference:

deepening understanding of climate change and

emphasising the role of youths in addressing it at

the individual, national and global levels

• Youth environmental stewardship programme:

sharing about environmental issues and

lifestyle improvements

• eco tampines Central light Bulb Project: installing

energy efficient fittings and bulbs in households

• eco-Friendly Bio Pond development: students

designed eco-friendly pond management

solutions and found ways to recycle materials

• WWF Green leader Initiative

• Clean and Green singapore: community outreach

sharing green innovations and supporting the

launch of sustainable singapore Blueprint 2015

with Prime minister lee hsien loong

• singapore World Water day and Water

Innovation Challenge

• singapore International energy Week: feature of

student projects and youth dialogue forum

• litter Free sports Fiesta: anti-littering themed

sports event

• Variety of externally sponsored environment

awards and competitions won, both at school

and student levels

KEY CONTACTS

For environmental sustainability initiative related

strategies, please contact:

dr Goh mong song

deputy Principal (academic),

Ite College West

Chairman, Ite environmental

sustainability Initiatives Committee

[email protected]

For building infrastructure related information,

please contact:

lim Cheng siong

senior director,

Campus development & estates

[email protected]

sPeCIal rePort

079Issue 8

080

ngee ann pOlYtechnic (np)

such as offices and classrooms, and with

scheduled replacement with building upgrading

• New buildings are certified to BCa’s Green mark

scheme and boast energy efficient equipment

and devices – Block 73 won Platinum award

in 2011

• Block 18 upgrade included a remote energy

monitoring and detection system. data collected

will serve as a benchmark for the energy usage in

this building and to track the effectiveness of

energy savings initiatives. It will serve as a pilot

project for potential roll-out to other buildings.

• NP is working towards existing buildings with

more than 10,000m2 of air-conditioned space to

be certified to Gold Plus standard by 2020

• the electrical engineering (ee) division of

the school of engineering has designed and

implemented an energy management system

for its staff office, leading to savings of 30

per cent. ee will be sharing this practice with

other offices to promote implementation.

Water Conservation

• Water faucets being changed to sensor operation

or with water conservation features as an on-

going effort when buildings are being renovated.

• em will install water meters for every building to

better track the water consumption and to

address wastage.

• rainwater harvesting will be installed for Block 58

during its upgrade and use NP’s ceramic

membrane technology for rainwater recycling

under its Phase 7 development plans.

Waste recycling

• General wastes are collected and recycled such as

ink cartridges, paper, plastic bottles and

aluminium cans.

• a pilot waste recycling scheme was implemented

at three schools and the estates & management

office which oversees the project worked with

the general waste recycling contractor to

implement a “social enterprise project”. In

this project, cleaners from the contractor’s

company collected plastic bottles and aluminium

cans which were sold and the profits were used

to host tea parties for the cleaners. the scheme

was a success as the cleaners enjoyed the tea

parties and felt appreciated for their efforts.

this scheme will be extended to other parts of

the polytechnic.

Campus enhancement

• @ NP is a project to create ecological pockets of

lands into mini-“Botanic Gardens” with tagging of

flora and the hope to attract butterflies. three

such gardens have been created and five are in

the works.

• a vertical green wall will be installed at Block 51.

this is intended not just for aesthetics but will

be able to keep the building cool and hence

save energy.

• tV screens around the campus as an interactive

platform for engaging students on activities

and dissemination and sharing of information and

knowledge. six screens have been piloted in four

food courts and another two buildings.

• the estate management (em) office has piloted

the eco-office scheme and will share practices

with units to promote implementation.

• Green@NP apps have been created by students

and staff to allow instant capture of images and

reports on faulty devices such as leaking taps,

illegal smoking, illegal dumping or any instances

where the campus environment could be

improved to the estates and management

(em) office.

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

diploma Programmes

NP’s school of engineering runs three diploma

courses directly related to the environmental focus

which are environmental & Water technology,

sustainable urban design & engineering, and Clean

energy management.

environmental modules

several schools have incorporated environmental

modules into their courses:

• solar cell fabrication technology module

(school of engineering)

• Clean technology modules

(school of engineering)

SUMMARY

environmental activities in NP began in 1992

through the voluntary set up of the Campus Green

team (CGt) by a team of enthusiastic lecturers

who wanted to champion the green movement

amongst staff and students. over the past 21 years,

environmental activities sprouted spontaneously,

largely driven by the CGt members and student

clubs such as the environmental rangers Club (erC)

and the Green Volunteers (GV). NP’s partners in

these activities included hsBC, Bayer, NYC, Nea,

PuB, NParks, lien Foundation, NYaaC, secondary

schools and Junior Colleges.

In 2011, NP’s environmental activities were

formalised as a strategic initiative under its

environment Blueprint, and clustered under

themes of NP Community, education, environment

and technology. the NP environment steering

Committee (NPesC) was set up to take stock of

past activities, and rationalise and develop the

Blueprint to ensure that such activities could be

sustainable over the longer term. a team of Green

Champions (GC) across all academic schools/

divisions and administrative departments was

also set up to work closely with the NPesC to

strengthen its programmes. a sharepoint site was

set up to allow the NP community to post activities,

discuss issues via an interactive platform and share

ideas for collaboration. NP won the prestigious

President’s award for the environment in 2014.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

the campus has implemented a wide variety of

environmental management technology, including:

energy Conservation

• motion sensors in common areas such as

stairways, toilets for lighting and ventilation

led lights replacement for renovated spaces

080

081Issue 8

• Idea Blueprint & Idea launchpad

(school of Interdisciplinary studies)

• environmental modules in Business & social

enterprise diploma, early Childhood education

diploma and Child Psychology & early education

diploma (school of humanities & social science)

environmental Concepts

environmental concepts feature in many other course

areas including school of Film & media studies,

landscape design & horticulture diploma,

Chemical & Biomolecular engineering,

molecular Biotechnology and Veterinary Bioscience.

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

Centres of Innovation

environmental & Water technology (eWt) was

set up in october 2006 with funding from sPrING

singapore, and develops novel or innovative solutions

for the industry through consultancy and applied r&d

projects. eWt has patented three technologies and is

in the process of patenting another four. It will work

with em to showcase its rainwater harvesting system

both as a practical solution and as a teaching aid.

NP staff and student researchers have invented

a technology to convert waste glass into new

resources such as wall and floor tiles, this technology

uses much lower energy as compared to melting

of glass to re-produce new glass. also, work was

done on the “Food Guzzler” which yielded cooking

gas from food waste collected from the canteens

using an anaerobic process, and a patented novel

membrane distillation system that can produce

double the output of water at 30 per cent the energy

consumption of conventional systems.

marine & offshore technology (mot) was also

setup at the same time as eWt under the same

framework of funding by sPrING, and focusses on

innovative solutions for the maritime industry such as

ballast water treatment.

solar technology Centre was created with partial

funding by edB to explore projects related to solar

technology. the Centre is also used as a teaching

facility for students in the Clean energy management

course and other courses under the electrical

engineering division of the school of engineering.

Quantum dot Photovoltaics under the electronic

and Computer engineering division of the school of

engineering is developing this technology.

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

staff

staff activities are driven through Green Champions.

s21 sub-Committee also exists which organises

nature walks, family days to encourage healthy

lifestyles and voluntary community visits to charitable

organisations such as old folks’ homes to inculcate

staff well-being and bonding.

student school programmes

academic schools organise activities to create

awareness such as beach cleanups, aBC Water

programme (sungei ulu Pandan), park adoption

(hindhede Park), and recycling workshops.

student green groups and other activities

these include environmental rangers Club (erC)

and Green Volunteers (GV) which are focused on

organising environmental activities for their

members from different schools.

Ideawerkz

an NP-wide platform to nurture students to propose

innovative ideas which help them to hone their

skills in planning, organising and implementing

programmes - has funded 17 projects since 2011

involving 52 students with total funding of $9,000 to

work on environmentally related projects.

singapore Junior Water Prize Competition – NP has

been the national host for this event since 2008. the

winning entry vies for the stockholm Junior Water

Prize in sweden in august every year. the 2012 sJWP

winner also won the 2012 stockholm JWP in

august 2012.

KEY CONTACTS

alfred tan

senior manager

(student development)

school of design & environment

Ngee ann Polytechnic

tel: 64608084

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singapORe pOlYtechnic (sp)

InnoVillage

awarded BCa Greenmark Platinum in 2011 for

the project, the structure currently houses sP’s

department of technology, Innovation & enterprise,

start-ups, a café and meeting rooms. more than 80

per cent of construction materials in InnoVillage are

made from recycled railings, doors, windows and

shipping containers that were due to be scrapped.

InnoVillage is also designed to utilise natural

ventilation and daylighting through the use of

solar tubes. motion sensors, light dimmers and a

61KW solar photovoltaic (PV) system ensure that

energy usage and wastage is kept to a minimum.

the estimated energy savings for InnoVillage is

almost 120,000 kWh per year, enough to power 360

three-room hdB flats for a month.

Near the entrance of InnoVillage, there is also a

vertical garden. Plants are grown vertically to cool

the building by deflecting sunlight away from the

building. It can also isolate noise and provides a

vibrant and calming aesthetic for the building.

tree planting

since 2010 each year except 2013 saw 15 new trees

being planted by staff, alumni, students and even our

Board of Governors. so far, a total of 60 new trees

have been planted.

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

social Innovation Project

all year two students in sP take the social Innovation

Project (sIP) module, which aims to find ways to

improve the lives of people. sIP brings together

students of different courses to design a product,

service or solution to help a group of people or

community with immediate issues on several

themes, including the environment.

students working on the environment theme

have the opportunity to work with partner

organisations such as the National Climate Change

secretariat on issues such as climate change and how

to prepare singaporeans to accept the situation and

adapt accordingly.

using a teaching method known as design

thinking, students empathise with the end users

and study the environment and surrounding factors

carefully before proposing solutions. at the end of the

sIP module, students present their ideas and propose

solutions to the partner organisations who may then

adapt or use their ideas.

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

solar heat absorbing paint

sP researchers have developed a paint that

can absorb the heat of sun rays and lower the

temperature of buildings. the paint can be a cheaper

and cleaner alternative for industries that uses a lot of

hot water such as laundromats or food manufacturers

as it can heat up water using just the sun. sP is now

working with industry partners to incorporate the

solar paint into their building designs or

system processes.

Composting with worms

Composting is a process of converting food waste

into renewable forms of energy. sP researchers

SUMMARY

a Presidential award for environment winner in

2011, sP’s sustainability efforts are coordinated by

a Go Green Committee made up of representatives

from each of the 10 academic schools and various

administrative departments. the committee meets

quarterly and organises events like the Carbon

Footprint Challenge, eco-office Challenge, amazing

Green race, Go Green awards and annual tree

planting day for the whole of sP. Green features

on campus include solar panels and a windmill to

provide alternative clean energy. the solar panels

can generate 330 kilowatts of power each day

based on three hours of sunlight, enough to power

a three-room hdB flat for a month.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

recycling bins are located all around campus

to remind staff and students to do their part in

recycling precious resources such as paper,

plastic and metal.

Community gardens

In addition to the abundant and rich flora on

campus, there are 11 community gardens

that produce fruits, vegetables and spices for

consumption, including papaya, star fruit, chillies

and capsicums. the community gardens earned sP

the Community in Bloom Gold award in 2010 and

the Community in Bloom Platinum award in 2012.

the awards from National Parks Board were in

recognition of sP’s effort in allocating plots of land

on campus to encourage community gardening.

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083Issue 8

right now for the race in october 2015. the concept,

design and building of the car are done by students.

KEY CONTACTS

sharon tan

[email protected]

and students from the school of Chemical and life

sciences have optimised and automated the process

of composting with worms, using spent coffee

ground and sawdust. through the identification of

key stages in composting, they have envisaged

an integrated worm system that alleviates manual

labour and promotes larger-scale composting. sP is in

discussion with industry players with keen interest in

mechanising their composting processes.

Waste-to-resources: development of biocomposites

from spent coffee ground

sP researchers used wastes as resources to develop

into sustainable materials. Coffee wastes collected

from starbucks @sP and recycled plastics have been

used as raw materials to develop biocomposite

materials that were subsequently made into food

serviceware. these materials reduce dependency on

petroleum and are more eco-friendly as they use

waste as precursors for materials development.

eCoasis

the eCoasis is designed as an integrated ecological

system which simulates water collection, filtration,

retention and recycling using natural resources like

sand and plants. No chemicals or additives are added

to treat the water. It also serves as an outdoor living

lab for students from the diploma in environment

management and Water technology where they

conduct water analysis and for the diploma in

landscape architecture students to study how nature

can be seamlessly integrated.

solar PV data Centre

(economic development Board Cert project)

singapore Polytechnic has been selected by the edB

to set up a data centre that is capable of monitoring,

collecting, analysing and recording the data of 10

solar PV systems around singapore. the data analysis

will help designers, installers and users to understand

their performance.

48.88kW solar photovoltaic test bed

this test bed consists of two different systems: one

with 10 different PV technologies and another with

13 different installations. the main objectives of

this edB project are to study the performance of

various PV technologies in the tropical region and to

investigate the impact of different installations on the

energy yield in singapore.

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

engineering show

the annual engineering show features projects or

technologies from staff and students. one recurring

theme each year focuses on the environment. over

the years, students have developed projects such

as an “intelligent” recycling bin that sorts trash,

a system that is able to filter and clean pond

water without chemical and concrete made up

of recycled woodchips.

Go Green awards

the annual Go Green awards day is an affirmation

of the importance of the environment to sP. the

awards recognise the different academic schools and

departments for their green efforts in the Carbon

Footprint Challenge, eco-office Challenge & amazing

Green race. Winners receive a certificate and a small

token of appreciation.

singapore International Water Festival

With the exception of 2013, sP has been partnering

the Public utilities Board in organising the singapore

International Water Festival since 2009. staff and

students will gather for a series of fun and

engaging activities that serve to educate sP and

secondary school students on the importance of

water conservation.

sP Green Book

as part of sP’s 60th anniversary celebrations in 2014,

the Go Green Committee published a book that takes

readers on a journey of the lush community gardens

and greenery in the sprawling 38-hectare campus

while capturing the flora and wildlife on campus.

the book has also incorporated 10 Qr codes which

showcase online videos of various aspects of sP’s

green efforts and achievements. the 120 page book

is the combined effort of 80 staff and 60 students

over two years.

World solar Challenge 2013

students from sP’s diploma in mechanical

engineering, diploma in energy systems and

management and diploma in electrical & electronic

engineering came together to build a solar car for the

World solar Challenge 2013. the 3,000 km race over

six days across the australian outback is considered

the most challenging and competitive solar car

race in the world. sP completed the race during this

edition. the building of the car also allowed students

to appreciate a clean alternative source of energy

while putting their engineering skills to the test.

World solar Challenge 2015

sP will once again be taking part in the World solar

Challenge 2015. a new solar car is being built

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084

teMasek pOlYtechnic (tp)

and schools in the campus, and our administration

offices attained Iso14001 and eco-office certifications

from the singapore environment Council in 2001 and

2011 respectively.

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

Diploma in Clean Energy

Diploma in Green Building and Sustainability

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

Photovoltaic test-bedding Projects for strengthening

teaching and learning effectiveness

this is a collection of test-bedding projects supported

by edB, under Clean energy research & test-bedding

(Cert) Program. a 77.6kWp photovoltaic system with

seven different photovoltaic technologies

was constructed for technical evaluations on multi-

generation Photovoltaic system, Y Frames with

Bifacial Photovoltaic modules, and Building

Integrated Photovoltaic system.

development and deployment of “energy smart”

laboratory Kit at energy system laboratory

an energy system laboratory was set up at tP for the

students to acquire knowledge in renewable energy,

smart power grid and energy management through

operating a “lIVe” 77kWp photovoltaic system as

well as through project assignment. a team of

about 16 senior year students under supervision of

Intraix Pte ltd, Institute for Infocomm research, Cer

staff, CerC staff and INe staff collaborate to develop

various energy management solutions that could be

deployed in the new laboratory with the aims

of optimising its energy consumption.

Clean energy research Centre

tP’s Clean energy research Centre provides r&d

capability and technological know-how to the

clean energy industry, as well as offering high-

tech infrastructure to support the tP’s diploma in

Clean energy. the Centre focuses on clean energy

generation, energy storage and efficient power

management and distribution for a variety of

industrial applications such as portable power, electric

vehicles and distributed generation. It also has

full design and fabrication capabilities in fuel cells

and power electronics, as well as state-of-the-art

equipment for conducting applied and industry-

relevant r&d. the Centre is a partner for developing

cutting-edge technologies and is also a specialist

training centre for the emerging renewable

energy industry.

technology highlights include: redox-flow

lithium batteries as a new concept and

implementable solution for large scale energy

storage, a revolutionary amr-based energy

monitoring system for a smart home, micro-thermo-

photovoltaic generator, high performance lithium-ion

battery power system for long endurance in deep

water operation, duralite 50 portable fuel cell power

system, smart telemetry system for e-mobility,

active battery management system, and the e-hub

portable li ion power system.

the Centre also has the following patents: self-

humidifying technique - end plate assembly for

proton exchange membrane fuel cell and fuel cell

assembly; purge-free design - fuel cell apparatus

and method of operation; gas diffusion layer with

functional patterns - diffusion medium for use in fuel

SUMMARY

situated next to Bedok reservoir, temasek

Polytechnic is a leading institution of higher

learning in singapore. to support student learning

and personal development, the campus is fully

equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including

a modern library with digital resources, 61 lecture

theatres, air-conditioned classrooms, training

laboratories and Centres of excellence that simulate

industry operations. the campus commenced

operation in 1995 with a built gross floor area (GFa)

of 209,176m2. When fully completed in 1997, the

built GFa was slightly expanded to 239,067m2

accommodating some 12,000 students. the current

campus expansion programme is expected to add

another 85,900m2 when completed in 2015. By

then, it will accommodate a student population of

16,000. In this context, there are many academic,

research, operational areas that touch

on environmental themes.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

all new buildings developed under the campus

expansion programme were designed to meet

BCa’s Green mark Platinum certification. tP is

planning to rejuvenate the older parts of the

campus in the years ahead, with the intention of

meeting BCa’s Green mark Gold Plus certification

at the minimum. meanwhile, we have upgraded

all toilets with water saving fittings and will

progressively upgrade light fittings in learning

spaces and offices from t8 to t5.

tP has a comprehensive waste recycling

programme being practiced across all departments

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085Issue 8

cell and method of making the diffusion medium;

dual airflow design - fuel cell assembly; hydrogen

generator - solid fuel as hydrogen source and related

hydrogen generator using this fuel; e-bike - bicycle

frame and bicycle

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

Project Blue Wave

Project Blue Wave is a conservation movement

organised by People association Water Venture,

supported by Nea, PuB, and seC to promote a

clean and blue water landscape in singapore. on

4 october 2013, the first of the three Project Blue

Wave waterway clean-ups (Pasir ris, sembawang

and Jurong lake) was launched by dPm teo Chee

hean at Pa Water Venture Pasir ris. Invited by Pa,

four student leaders from diploma in Clean energy

recruited and led a team of 17 tP students and

volunteered as the Project Blue Wave facilitators.

their main roles were to facilitate the beach clean-up

and climate change awareness sharing games and

activities to about 300 participants who are mainly

primary and secondary school students and residents.

Pre-feasibility study technical evaluation on replacing

the Glass Canopies at railway square

Bus Interchange, sydney, with Glass –

Gl Photovoltaic Panels

two students were undergoing practicum exchange

at school of Photovoltaic and renewable energy

engineering, university of New south Wales from

1 June 2014 to 18 aug 2014. under supervision

of dr richard Corkish, the head of the school, they

were involved in the pre-feasibility study technical

evaluation of an initiative by sydney City Council

to replace the glass canopy at railway square Bus

Interchange with appropriate photovoltaic systems.

design and Installation of a 20 solar led outdoor

lamps for PKh Youth training Centre, aoral, Cambodia

Invited by a singaporean Non-profit organisation,

Project Khmer hope, a team of 10 students from

diploma in Clean energy embarked on an overseas

community project to install 20 sets of solar outdoor

lamps at a newly constructed youth training centre

in aoral. this new facility provides accommodation

and also training to local Cambodian youths from the

surrounding villages in basic engineering skills and

english Proficiency. harvesting the clean solar energy

readily available in Cambodia, 20 solar lamps were

installed to provide sufficient lighting for the residents

to see and walk around the compound within the

PKh aoral Youth Centre in the evening.

design, Configuration and Installation of a 1.2 kWp

Photovoltaic outdoor laboratory

the project was carried out as a major project in

collaboration with st margaret’s secondary school to

design, configure and install a 1.2 kWp standalone

photovoltaic system to power an outdoor laboratory

at the school. since completion in November 2013,

the outdoor laboratory has been used to enhance

student learning through hands-on outdoor science

experiments and activities. For her commendable

effort the project student, Koh Jia Wen, was awarded

the Bayer Young environmental envoy 2013.

PV sustained bio-retention rain Water harvesting and

tio2 Photo-catalysis Water sterilisation system

the project was carried out as a major project in

collaboration with tampines North Primary school.

Combining Bio-retention system and tio2 Photo-

catalysis water treatment system, a natural water

harvesting process and an energy efficient industrial

water sterilisation process, powered by a 240kWp

standalone photovoltaic system, the project team

designed and installed a unique clean energy

enabled tool-washing and irrigation facility for

supporting an educational farming project within

the campus of tampines North Primary school.

upon completion of the project the team leader,

Poh Jun Jia, was awarded the Bayer Young

environmental envoy 2013.

Green Building Photo Competition

the diploma in Green Building & sustainability

at temasek Polytechnic, with support from the

singapore Green Building Council, organised a Green

Building Photo Competition for secondary school

students in 2014. the aim is to equip students with

an understanding of the role that buildings play in

environmental sustainability.

BIm Competition 2014

three students from the diploma in Green Building

& sustainability participated in the annual BIm

competition, “education: Project Collaboration”

category held in september 2014 and won the

Bronze medal. they designed a mixed-development

comprising sports and recreation facilities and

commercial block at the given site.

KEY CONTACTS

low han Kuan

67806059

[email protected]

sPeCIal rePort

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086

RepUblic pOlYtechnic (Rp)

automobiles and power generation for homes and businesses. they combine

hydrogen and oxygen to make energy, creating water in the process.

two of the main obstacles that have prevented wide-scale

commercialisation of fuel cells are the hydrogen storage capacity and the cost

of these systems. Currently several approaches are used to store and deliver

hydrogen, including compressed gas, cryogenic liquids, carbon sorbents,

complex hydrides and chemical hydrides, but physical storage of hydrogen is

bulky and can therefore make it inefficient and impractical to use as a fuel.

rP researchers have developed a unique system which can generate

hydrogen gas on-demand with quick start-up at room temperature, to be

used in fuel cells. their system uses chemical hydrides, which have high

hydrogen content and are also safer to use than the alternatives. results have

shown a 30 per cent improvement in hydrogen capacity over other systems

that use chemical hydrides. rP has developed a new concept – the effective

Platinum utilization Index – to measure how efficiently the platinum catalyst is

being used, and improve platinum utilisation by 21 per cent, compared with

commercial catalyst used in similar conditions.

android app for renewable energy, energy audit and Green mark scheme

students created an app that helps to promote and teach electrical knowledge

and energy safety features to the public. It also has some in-depth features

that can be used in some areas of energy audit.

STUDENT AND STAFF INITIATIVES

several annual environmental initiatives have taken place in recent years like:

International Costal Cleanup singapore (ICCs) - (from 2012-2014)

rP students and staff will pick up coastal litter

rP Conservation Week -event at republic Polytechnic

lunchtime talks open to all students

KEY CONTACTS

dr tan lay Pheng

[email protected]

shaaron tan

[email protected]

SUMMARY

rP is committed to the prevention of pollution and conservation of resources to

ensure a sustainable environment. It was the winner of the prestigious Building

and Construction authority’s Green mark Platinum award in 2006. rP’s campus

is the first building project in singapore to make use of a purpose built thermal

energy storage (tes) system designed to reduce its energy bill substantially.

It also has an active energy and water conservation programme and a waste

management programme in place. last but not least, rP is designed to be a

paperless campus.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS

there are a number of campaigns on campus aimed at improving

environmental performance. Begun in 2006, ongoing programmes include:

energy and Water Conservation Programme

to promote a green campus and maintain/improve the energy/water

conservation programme

Waste management Programme

to establish a waste management programme

recycle your Packet drinks

Bring Your own mug

staff/student can get a discount if they bring their own mug at the

rP food courts

ACADEMIC SPECIALTIES AND PROGRAMMES

rP offers two diplomas on environment/sustainability:

Diploma in Environmental Science

Diploma in Green Building Energy Management

RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY R&D

Portable hydrogen generator and fuel cells

In recent years fuel cells have garnered significant attention as a potential

source of “clean” energy with a wide variety of applications – from

miniaturised portable power (effectively substituting the battery), to

086

087Issue 8

Nea launched ENVISION magazine because it believes informed discussions are crucial for achieving a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful world.

It’s now easier than ever to read compelling articles on environmental management by accessing its tablet- friendly edition.

For the latest environmental news and perspectives, get ENVISION now:

Read ENVISION on your tablet

Previous Issues

tinyurl.com/pbfbv6j

PdF

tinyurl.com/pbfbv6j

New Issuu e-Flipbook for tablets

to understand your needs and serve you better, we invite you to participate

in a short survey on ENVISION magazine. all fully-completed surveys will

be entered in a draw for one of 30 pieces of 8 GB seI thumb drives.

Closing date: 31 august 2015. Best of luck and thanks for your feedback!tinyurl.com/msa5z3w

survey link

BE IN TO WIN!

out now!

088

The national environment agency (nea) is the leading government body responsible for sustainability and cleanliness in singapore. committed to encouraging individuals to reduce the ecological impact of their actions, it develops and spearheads numerous initiatives through partnerships with the people, public and private sectors. if you care passionately about the environment and making a difference, why not join us? candidates are invited to apply at nea.gov.sg/careers or the singapore public service Job portal, careers.gov.sg.

SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST (CLIMATE MODELLING AND PREDICTION)We are seeking established scientists with a strong background in meteorology or a related field. responsibilities include:• as part of a team, carry out research to better understand climate variability and change in southeast asia• Provide scientific/technical guidance and training to junior team members• Publish research outcomes in peer reviewed publications and present findings at international meetings• to provide scientific advice as required Candidate Requirements:• a Phd (or equivalent research experience) in meteorology, mathematics or a physical science• Knowledge and understanding of climate science and/or tropical meteorology• demonstrated ability to undertake research work both individually and as part of a team.• Proficiency in scientific computing• Proven record of success as demonstrated by publications in peer –reviewed journals• ability to supervise and coach less experienced team members in conducting research (for senior research scientists)• Good written and verbal presentation skills. executive engineer / senior engineer (environment technology office)

Job Requirements:• Bachelor or masters degree in engineering or related discipline (electrical, Computer and/or electronic engineering preferred)• have a keen interest in supporting the development and application of technology in the areas of pollution control and public health• at least 3-5 years of relevant work experience demonstrated track record in project management (experiences working with on-line instrumentation and control systems, wireless sensing network, remote monitoring and control systems are desirable)• able to plan, organize, lead and coordinate activities in the work environment to achieve the objectives

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PROJECT FACILITATION)You will be part of a dynamic team to assist in developing Nea’s infrastructure projects, including upcoming incineration plants, hawker centres, cemetery and crematorium facilities. You will be responsible for:• manage the life cycle of Nea development projects• Conduct project feasibility studies with departments including cost-benefit analysis, risk identification and assessment and options analysis• establish and review project cost and space norms• manage development budget preparation and expenditure utilisation• Conduct joint presentation to the development Planning steering Committee on result of feasibility studies and make recommendation on project options • Work on the tender process and award• track project execution

Job Requirements:• degree in Finance, Building, Project management or Quantity surveying • at least 5 years of experience in public sector project management• Familiar with PssCoC and public sector financial and procurement guidelines• Persuasive and able to work well with others • Performance driven and result oriented• high cognitive ability to discern patterns and connect the dots• Innately curious and willing to learn

ASSISTANT MANAGER / ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PROGRAMME MARKETING) You will be working in the Corporate, NGos & marketing dept and be responsible for the following:• Plan, develop and manage integrated marketing communications for Nea’s programmes • Plan and optimise the use of media and social media platforms to effectively engage target audiences to promote and raise environmental ownership and action • manage a pool of external agencies effectively • explore and develop strategic partnerships to facilitate audience engagement

Requirements:• degree in marketing / mass Communications or relevant discipline• 5-8 years of experience in a marketing communications / advertising role with good integrated marketing communications & campaign experience• Candidates with more work experience will be considered for a more senior position

ASSISTANT MANAGER (POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT – QUALITY SERVICE UNIT)You will be responsible for:• handle public feedback and responding to public queries in accordance with Nea’s service standard

• Gather and analyse feedback / complaints received on pollution control matters• draft reports and replies for feedback, appeal and enquiries to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and service standards• handle all feedback, appeal, enquiries from People, Private and Public sectors on pollution control matters and these cases are attended to within service standards• track and analyse volume, nature and trend of feedback and appeal received• design and implement possible information collection methods to evaluate its effectiveness• handle or co-ordinate media requests, replies to forum-page letters, talking points etc.• document institutional knowledge on unique cases of feedback for training and future reference.

Requirements:• degree in engineering• Keen interest in pollution control issues • a good team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills• meticulous, analytical with good writing skills • able to handle adverse situations • Preferably with experience in engineering

SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (RADIATION PROTECTION)as a scientific officer in the radiation Protection and Nuclear science department, your duties include:• enforce the radiation Protection act and regulations• license and inspect non-ionizing irradiating apparatus and premises with such equipment • Provide non-ionising radiation measurement services, review policy and control measures • Plan, lead and supervise measurement team in various measurement projects• assess ambient background level of non-ionising radiation

Requirements:• degree in Physics or engineering • strong analytical abilities, good writing, presentation, communication and interpersonal skills• experience with instrumentation and statistical analysis will be of advantage • highly motivated, meticulous and able to work under pressure and tight deadlines • Positive work attitude and able to work effectively both in a team and individually with minimal supervision• may be required to perform inspections outside of office hours, and at elevated premises such as rooftops

METEOROLOGIST (WEATHER SERVICES DEPARTMENT)You will provide advisories, early warnings and alerts of meteorological, environmental and geological hazards to the general public and key customers such as the civil aviation sector. officers will also have opportunities to participate in international conferences and seminars.

089Issue 8

oPPortuNItIes

Professional training in meteorology will be provided. after a stint in operational forecasting, officers may also pursue other areas such as climate and weather research where they may be offered a postgraduate scholarship in Climate science or related studies. Requirements:• degree in Physics, mathematics or meteorology.• Good knowledge in Information technology and experience in scientific programming, including scripting languages in unix/linux environment is preferred.• able to perform shift work including on weekends and public holidays. ENGINEER/SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (IONISING RADIATION CONTROL)as an engineer or scientific officer in the radiation Protection and Nuclear science department, National environment agency, you will:• regulate the safe use of radioactive materials and ionising irradiating apparatus through the administration of the radiation Protection act and its regulations • Benchmark and review current regulatory regime and standards with international best practices • develop procedures and guidelines on radiation protection • Provide technical support and advice on radiation protection matters

Requirements: • degree in Physics, engineering or equivalent • Good communication and interpersonal skills • Good analytical, writing and presentation skills • able to work in a team as well as independently with minimal supervision • highly motivated, meticulous and attention to details

SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS (CORPORATE BRANDING & PUBLIC COMMS)as part of a dynamic team, you will develop integrated corporate branding, public communications and online media strategies, and oversee the implementation of these programmes using variety of communications platforms and outlets. Interested applicants should submit at least three samples of their written work together with their application.

Requirements:• degree in mass Communications or relevant discipline• minimally 8-10 years of experience in public relations , corporate communications or marketing communications• Candidates with more work experience will be considered for a more senior position• experience in developing and implementing integrated public relations and communications programmes• excellent oral and written skills• Good analytical skills, resourceful and able to work independently as well as supervise a team

SENIOR EXECUTIVE / EXECUTIVE (STATISTICS)as a senior executive / executive in Nea’s research & statistics department (rsd), you will seek to strengthen Nea’s policies and programmes in environmental data and statistics. You will be involved in the collection and compilation of environmental statistics, conduct research and analyses in support of rsd’s mission, and manage the communication of the results of rsd’s research to policy-makers and the public.

Requirements: • degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, or any relevant discipline in the sciences• Candidates with relevant working experience or prior experience in public sector research statistics units (or equivalent) will be highly preferred • demonstrate a keen interest and familiarity in environmental issues

• Candidates proficient in/familiar with using statistical analysis software (such as sas, sPss, stata) will be considered favourably. • experience/proficiency in econometric/economic analytics, and/or behavioural sciences will be of added advantage

MANAGER / SENIOR EXECUTIVE, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS (MEDIA RELATIONS)as part of a dynamic team, you will actively engage the media to enhance Nea’s reputation through integrated media relations and marketing communications programmes to profile Nea and its diverse range of initiatives and programmes. Interested applicants should submit at least three samples of their written work together with their application.

Requirements:• degree in mass Communications or relevant discipline• minimally 2 to 6 years of experience in media relations, public relations or corporate communications• experience in developing and implementing integrated public relations and communications programmes• excellent oral and written skills• Good analytical skills, resourceful and able to work independently as well as in a team• Candidates with more work and supervisory experience will be considered for a more senior position

MANAGER, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS (SOCIAL MEDIA & ONLINE COMMS) You will actively engage Nea’s stakeholders to enhance its reputation by conceptualising, implementing and monitoring social media initiatives to profile and strengthen the Nea brand. You will assist the team to manage Nea’s social media and online assets. Interested applicants should submit at least three samples of their recent work (written) together with their application.

Requirements:• degree in mass Communications or relevant discipline• minimally 4 to 6 years of experience in corporate communications or marketing communications• experience in social media and online communications management and a good understanding of online communications engagement• agency experience in social media engagement would be an advantage• excellent oral and written skills• Good analytical skills, resourceful and able to work independently as well as in a team• Knowledge of Photoshop/Illustrator, Fireworks required

MANAGER / SENIOR EXECUTIVE, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS (PUBLIC COMMS & BRANDING) You will actively engage Nea’s stakeholders to enhance its reputation, and conceptualise, implement and monitor public communications and branding initiatives to profile and strengthen the Nea brand and its diverse range of programmes via corporate collateral, online platforms and events. Interested applicants should submit at least three samples of their written work together with their application.

Requirements:• degree in mass Communications or relevant discipline• minimally 2 to 6 years of experience in corporate communications, marketing communications, branding or advertising• experience in developing and implementing integrated public relations and communications programmes • experience in corporate branding/identity work and corporate collaterals/ publications development

• excellent oral and written skills• Good analytical skills, resourceful and able to work independently as well as in a team• Candidates with more relevant work experience will be considered for a more senior position

Operations Manager (NEA Operations Centre)Your roles will include, but not limit to the following: • manage the daily operations of the ops Centre with the assistance of a team of operations specialists• assist the head (operations Centre) in the implementation and review of the standard operating procedures, manage incidents/reports in accordance with the standard operating procedures, and work with the operations divisions/departments in managing incidents• develop an in-depth knowledge of the various contingency plans and standard operating procedures to respond to a situation or crisis

Requirements:• degree in any discipline with at least 10 years of working experience with military background preferred• Good writing skills• Broad-based experience in the area of operations/intelligence training or planning will be an advantage• able to perform shift work (2 shifts) and evening duties• able to work independently and a team player

EXECUTIVE (HUMAN RESOURCE BUSINESS PARTNER)You will be responsible for: • Plan, manage and co-ordinate all the hr functions• Partner hr policy teams to develop, implement and evaluate hr policies• Consolidate and analyse statistics in support of the departments’ decision making process• attend to hr related requests or queries from external and internal stakeholders• review of work processes to enhance hr services and increase productivity• talent attraction via engagement, attraction and outreach

Job Requirements:• degree in human resource management with at least 2 years of experience in human resource and related fields • Good written and verbal communication skills • able to relate well to staff of all levels• meticulous, independent and resourceful• outgoing and pleasant personality• able to work efficiently and effectively as a team• highly self-motivated

SENIOR EXECUTIVE (CORPORATE, NGOS & MARKETING)You will be responsible for the following:• strategise, develop and implement engagement and marketing programmes targeted at corporations and NGos to promote environmental initiatives and participation• explore and develop strategic partnerships to facilitate audience engagement and co-develop new initiatives with corporations and NGos • Conceptualise, develop and manage resource materials and collateral catering to corporate and NGo sectors• manage a pool of partners/vendors/external agencies where needed

Requirements:• degree preferably with at least 3 years of relevant experience• experience in business development / B2B (business-to-business) marketing/NGo engagement would be an advantage

10 – 14 JULY 2016 SANDS EXPO AND CONVENTION CENTER

MARINA BAY SANDS, SINGAPORE

Join the largest gathering of senior government officials, regulators,

industry leaders, investors, international organisations

and researchers in the discussion on the environmental challenges

and opportunities in growing cities

Organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore,

CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS) is the world leading’s forum for

environmental leaders, policy makers and industry practitioners to discuss

and shape environmental solutions for rapidly growing cities.

CESS reinforces collective commitment towards the environmental

agenda through a series of high-level dialogues across nations.

The event also serves as a distinctive platform to match environmental

solutions and create opportunities for partnerships and business exchange.

Clean Environment Leaders Summit The Summit gathers the world’s top leaders to discuss global environment issues and shape thought leadership, as well as policies in developing sustainable environmental management solutions.

Clean Environment Regulators Roundtable An exclusive by-invitation session designed for senior environmental management practitioners and policy makers to exchange environmental regulatory experience and discuss currentand emerging challenges faced in managing environmental issues.

Clean Environment Convention This convention will have parallel sessions on Waste Management and Cleaning to address the environmental challenges faced and solutions available for urban cities.

Technology Showcase Showcase of the latest and innovative cleaning and waste management technologies at the Integrated Expo, Innovation Pitching Session as well as Site Visits.

Business Connections Forge partnerships and explore business opportunities at Networking Sessions and Business Forums.

highlights of cess 2014*

20,000DELEGATES

128 mayors and city leaders

26 ministers

including

& regions representedCOUNTRIES133

participatingCOMPANIES1,000

register your interest at email: [email protected]

Organised By: Held in conjunction with: Held in: Strategic Partners:

Who Should Attend:

• Opportunity to address future challenges for a liveable and sustainable environment in this global forum

• Share experiences, best practices and discuss innovative and practical environment solutions for Asian cities

• Engage with practitioners in the marketplace on best practices, latest environmental technologies and services

• Networking opportunities and business forum to forge partnerships and business deals

Why Attend:

• Ministers, Governors & Mayors • Policy Makers & Regulators

• Technical Experts & Practitioners • Academia & Researchers

• Venture Capitalists, Investors • CEOs, Business Strategists & Industry Leaders • Heads & Senior Officials from International Organisations

s$14.5 bilBUSINESS announcements

* Jointly with the World Cities Summit and the Singapore International Water Week

Supporting Partners: Supporting Organisations: