One of Singapore’s most
iconic landmarks, the Supertree Grove, is a unique structure that combines
futuristic design with eco-friendly technology. It is located within Gardens by the Bay.
Q. Supertree Grove is known
for incorporating eco-friendly technologies. What environmental functions does
it serve and how does it contribute to Singapore’s sustainability?
In the central part of Singapore Island lies the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which vividly reflects the characteristics of Singapore’s tropical rainforest climate and preserves its original natural environment. The area includes Bukit Timah Hill, the highest point in Singapore at 163 meters above sea level, in a generally flat terrain. I’m curious to see the landscapes that showcase the ecological richness of this region.
Q. What does the scenery of
Bukit Timah Hill’s trekking trail look like? And could you show me images of
the flora and fauna in the nature reserve that highlight the tropical
rainforest climate and its ecological value?
Recently, South Korea has been experiencing
full-on spring weather.
It's chilly in the mornings and evenings, but during the day, temperatures rise to around 20°C, making it feel warm and causing noticeable temperature differences.
Thanks to spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, but with typhoon-like rain and wind forecasted for the upcoming weekend, the weather is expected to change drastically, so it might be hard to enjoy the blossoms for long.
Last year, cherry blossoms bloomed much earlier and were still visible around this time, but this year, some regions haven’t even seen them bloom yet — it feels like spring is getting shorter.
Perhaps due to climate change, summers and winters seem to be getting longer, with more extreme heat and cold waves.
In addition, this year has seen severe fine dust and yellow dust, resulting in many days with poor air quality.
Seeing the constantly changing weather and environment, I can feel that environmental issues are becoming a part of our daily lives.
Perhaps that’s why topics like renewable energy, reducing waste, and carbon neutrality are becoming increasingly important in Korea.
Singapore's Environmental Policies
2030 Singapore Green Plan 2030
Announced in 2021, this plan sets goals for sustainable development by 2030. Key areas include enhancing urban nature, promoting sustainable living, transitioning to cleaner energy, building a green economy, and preparing for a more resilient future
- Implementation of Carbon Tax
Since
2019, Singapore has implemented a carbon tax to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
The tax will increase progressively: SGD 25 per ton in 2024–2025, SGD 45 in
2026–2027, and SGD 50–80 by 2030. The tax applies to facilities emitting more
than 2,000 tons of greenhouse gases per year, encouraging companies to reduce
emissions.
Zero Waste Masterplan
Launched
in 2019, this plan aims to reduce waste by 30% by 2030 and significantly
increase recycling. To support this, recycling infrastructure such as the Blue
Bin program (shown in the image below) is being expanded.
- Green Mark Certification
Scheme
Introduced
in 2005, this scheme evaluates and certifies the environmental performance of
buildings. Buildings over 2,000㎡ must obtain this certification, promoting
energy efficiency and eco-friendly construction.
Question
Q. Do policies like the
carbon tax and the Zero Waste Masterplan actually help protect the environment
effectively?
