SINGAPORE \u2013 Protecting Singapore from climate impacts will be a major focus for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in 2026, with a <\/p>\n suite of new initiatives<\/p>\n <\/a> to address threats ranging from unbearable heat to rising seas. <\/p>\n These initiatives include girding coastlines <\/p>\n against rising sea levels<\/p>\n <\/a> and strengthening Singapore\u2019s food security, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on March 3.<\/p>\n More funds will also be invested in research that will deepen the understanding of how heat affects people and facilitate the development of novel cooling solutions, she added. <\/p>\n Efforts to improve people\u2019s resilience to heat will also be coordinated across the Government, she added during the debate on her ministry\u2019s budget. The total expenditure of MSE for the financial year (FY) 2026 is projected to be $3.69 billion, down from the $4.21 billion in FY2025. <\/p>\n Ms Fu said MSE will be designating 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation, and outlined the various initiatives that will be implemented on this front. <\/p>\n \u201cIt involves a comprehensive review of our adaptation measures across key domains such as heat resilience, coastal and flood resilience, and water and food resilience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n These measures will be formalised in Singapore\u2019s inaugural national adaptation plan \u2013 a report that the country aims to publish in 2027. Countries party to the Paris Agreement are obliged to submit these plans to the UN. <\/p>\n This renewed focus on climate adaptation comes as global climate action \u2013 or efforts to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gases \u2013 is under strain, she said. \u201cEconomic instability and geopolitical contestation, like the latest conflict in the Middle East, are clouding our focus on protecting our environment,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n Major carbon emitters may backslide on their climate obligations as they grapple with the global tensions on security, energy, trade and investments, she said. <\/p>\n \u201cIn an increasingly volatile world, we must prioritise building a climate-ready Singapore now. We must prepare our infrastructure, businesses and people today to be resilient in a climate-impaired future,\u201d added Ms Fu. <\/p>\n On addressing heat stress, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment\u00a0Janil\u00a0Puthucheary said MSE has set up a new office to spearhead the Republic\u2019s efforts in this area. <\/p>\n The Heat Resilience Policy Office will oversee heat management efforts across the country by coordinating action, overseeing research and representing Singapore internationally, he added.<\/p>\n The office will develop a heat resilience action plan across the infrastructure, health, economic and social sectors, and also extend proven cooling solutions to other sectors, said Dr Janil. This coordination will also prevent duplicative efforts. <\/p>\n He explained: \u201cSome issues that we will need to deal with include which areas, sectors or population segments are most at risk, and how can we further support these groups? <\/p>\n \u201cWhat additional research is needed for sectors to develop effective, tailored measures? How do we balance the need for additional cooling against the need to meet our emissions targets?\u201d<\/p>\n The use of air-conditioning can fuel climate change because it guzzles up energy and releases planet-warming refrigerants. <\/p>\n Responding to suggestions from Mr David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC) to have ventilated linkways and cooler waiting areas near common facilities, as well as to make public information on heat exposure and heat-related incidents, Dr Janil said his ministry will take these suggestions on board as the new office develops the action plan. <\/p>\n To ensure that the heat office\u2019s action plan is backed by science, a heat resilience research and development (R&D) programme will be launched under Singapore\u2019s Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 national research masterplan. <\/p>\n Under the programme, the new $40 million \u201cAdapting to Heat Impacts\u201d funding initiative is for research on heat impacts and strengthening various groups\u2019 ability to withstand rising temperatures and reduce heat illnesses.<\/p>\n The aim is to come up with tailored guidelines and solutions, especially<\/p>\n for vulnerable groups,<\/p>\n <\/a> including seniors, very young children and outdoor workers, said Dr Janil. <\/p>\n Other research areas could include studying how rising temperatures affect residents\u2019 quality of sleep amid warmer nights, students\u2019 learning at school and employees\u2019 productivity, MSE said. <\/p>\n Dr Janil noted that the new R&D programme will build on existing heat research.<\/p>\n For example, new cooling solutions can be tested on an <\/p>\n existing digital twin that simulates Singapore\u2019s urban climate<\/p>\n <\/a>. This digital twin was developed by the Cooling Singapore 2.0 project helmed by the Singapore-ETH Centre. <\/p>\n On international collaborations, Singapore will share its efforts while learning from solutions in other countries, said Dr Janil. For example, the local authorities in Brazil are piloting the digital twin to simulate city- and district-level climate change scenarios. <\/p>\n In her speech, Ms Fu gave the House updates on Singapore\u2019s coastal protection measures. <\/p>\n She said coastal protection studies for the north-western stretch of coastline between Tuas Checkpoint and Lim Chu Kang, where four reservoirs are located, have been completed. <\/p>\n The studies recommended replacing tidal gates and raising existing dykes at the reservoirs to prevent seawater from seeping into them, she said. <\/p>\n The elevated dykes will double as roadways for maintenance, and incorporate features to maintain ecological connectivity to the sea, national water agency PUB and MSE said in a separate statement. <\/p>\n Some of the northern section of the 24km coastline is already on higher ground, while the remaining areas can incorporate coastal protection measures in future developments, they said. <\/p>\n Construction of the measures for the north-west coastline is targeted to start from the mid-2030s. <\/p>\n Ms Fu added that Parliament will soon debate a proposed <\/p>\n coastal protection law,<\/p>\n <\/a> which requires private landowners to implement measures to shield their coastal areas from rising seas or face penalties.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we reshape our coastlines for the future, we will work hand in hand with stakeholders to co-create solutions that not only protect our shores and preserve the spaces and features we value most, but also provide opportunities to create new spaces.\u201d <\/p>\n While the Government is taking the lead in shielding the shores from climate impacts, the community and businesses will also have to do their part, said Ms Fu. <\/p>\n For example, schools can adjust their students\u2019 attire and classroom activities when it gets too hot. Sports organisations can adjust training schedules and make their facilities safer during extreme weather, she said. <\/p>\n Grassroots groups can also organise emergency preparedness drills for heatwaves, haze and flash floods to strengthen community resilience, she suggested. <\/p>\n \u201cEach of us can build resilience in ourselves and in our family \u2013 look out for our neighbours in times of haze, manage our household\u2019s food and water supplies (in contingencies), and familiarise ourselves with emergency response plans,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n