What this lesson teaches
I can judge how well Singapore's efforts keep its economy, society and environment sustainable.
Syllabus K329, Topic 5.3, Key Question 3. What are Singapore's efforts in sustainable development?
Make a guess
Singapore plants more trees along its streets. Is that mitigation, adaptation, or both?
- Neither, because street trees are just decoration.
- Adaptation, because the trees give shade.
- Both. Trees store carbon and cool the city.
- Mitigation, because the trees store carbon.
Show the answer
Both. Trees store carbon and cool the city.
Some actions do two jobs. Trees take in carbon, which cuts the cause of warming, and their shade helps people cope with heat.
Cleaning and greening improve daily life, mitigation cuts emissions, and adaptation makes food and water supplies more resilient.
Cleaning means reducing pollution through waste management and responsible behaviour. Greening adds shade, habitats and links between green spaces. Both need upkeep. Trees must survive, and bins must be used properly.
Mitigation cuts greenhouse-gas emissions. Green buildings use less energy through good design and efficient systems. Cleaner energy cuts emissions from power stations. Solar power helps, but Singapore has limited space for panels. Check actual results, including where the energy comes from and total demand.
Adaptation makes supplies more resilient. PUB uses several water sources. SFA buys food from many countries and supports local farms. These need energy, skills and money. Some actions do both jobs: plants store carbon and also cool the city. But with limited land, greenery must work alongside wider emission cuts and supply planning.
Sort these
What is each action's main purpose?
Groups: Cleaning and greening, Mitigation (cut emissions), Adaptation (cope with change).
- Buying food from many countries and supporting local farms
- Designing green buildings that use less energy
- Switching to cleaner energy for electricity
- Linking parks with green corridors
- Reducing litter through better waste collection and responsible habits
- Using NEWater and desalination alongside rainwater
Show the answer
Cleaning and greening
- Linking parks with green corridors Corridors join parks so plants and animals can move between them. Adding habitat and links between green spaces is greening.
- Reducing litter through better waste collection and responsible habits Cutting pollution in shared spaces is cleaning, which improves daily life.
Mitigation (cut emissions)
- Designing green buildings that use less energy Lower energy use means fewer emissions from power stations, so it cuts the cause.
- Switching to cleaner energy for electricity Cleaner power releases fewer greenhouse gases, which is mitigation.
Adaptation (cope with change)
- Buying food from many countries and supporting local farms Spreading food sources makes supply more resilient to shocks, which is adaptation.
- Using NEWater and desalination alongside rainwater Several water sources keep supply going in dry spells, so it helps Singapore cope.
- Cleaning and greening
- Less pollution, more shade and habitat.
- Mitigation
- Green buildings and clean energy cut emissions.
- Adaptation
- Varied food and water sources.
Step by step
Clean and green
Cut pollution and care for shared spaces.
Mitigate
Efficient buildings and cleaner energy.
Adapt
Reliable food and water options.
Real examples to use
Singapore Food Story 2
In 2019 Singapore set a '30 by 30' goal: grow 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030. In November 2025 it replaced that goal with Singapore Food Story 2. By 2035, local farms should supply 20% of the fibre Singaporeans eat (vegetables, beansprouts and mushrooms) and 30% of the protein (eggs and seafood). High-tech farms, such as vertical farms and fish farms, use little land to do this.
NEWater and desalination
NEWater, recycled from used water, can meet up to 40% of Singapore's water demand, and desalinated water up to 30%.
Singapore Green Plan 2030
This national plan, launched in 2021, sets targets for green buildings, clean energy, more parks and less waste.
Worked example: One building, two jobs
A building's efficient cooling cuts electricity use and emissions. This is mitigation. Its shaded waiting areas protect people from heat. This is adaptation. Check actual energy use and who can use the shade.
Watch out for this
NEWater removes the need to cut emissions.
NEWater secures water supply. It does not stop global warming, and it uses energy too.
Check your understanding
Which pairing identifies the main purpose correctly?
- A green building label: proof of lower energy use.
- A new food supplier abroad: mitigation, by cutting global emissions.
- Efficient buildings: mitigation; more water sources: adaptation.
Show the answer
Efficient buildings: mitigation; more water sources: adaptation.
Yes. One cuts emissions; the other manages risk.
Check your understanding
Which strategy builds Singapore's food resilience by producing food locally?
- Singapore Food Story 2: 20% of fibre and 30% of protein grown locally by 2035.
- Expanding NEWater, so farms have more water to use.
- Importing food from over 170 countries and regions, so the risk of one being cut off is spread.
Show the answer
Singapore Food Story 2: 20% of fibre and 30% of protein grown locally by 2035.
It uses high-tech farms that need little land.