Speech by Second Minister S Iswaran at the Ecocampus Initiative Launch Ceremony

Professor Freddy Boey,

Provost, NTU,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1.               I am pleased to join you for the launch ceremony of the EcoCampus initiative.  I would like to first congratulate Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on the EcoCampus initiative, which is a testament to the strong collaboration between academia, the private sector, and government agencies in the area of sustainable urban development.

The rise of smart, sustainable cities presents exciting opportunities and diverse challenges

2.               With growing urbanisation, the number of cities across the globe, and especially in Asia, is rapidly increasing.  From 1999 to 2011, the percentage of Asia’s urban population increased from 36%

[1]

to 45%.  By 2050, Asia’s urban population is projected to increase from 1.9 to 3.3 billion, with China and India accounting for 60% of the increase.

[2]

3.               This will lead to greater demand for resources like energy, water and food, while having to manage climate change considerations.  For instance, continuing to meet growing demand for energy through conventional fossil fuels will contribute to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Challenges such as these make sustainability a strategic imperative for cities around the world.  Many city authorities are therefore keen to plan and build “Smart and Sustainable” cities, which enjoy strong economic growth, while leveraging technology and intelligent solutions to create highly liveable and sustainable urban environments.

Singapore’s continued commitment to sustainable development

4.               On our part, Singapore continues to take active steps to promote sustainable development.  As a small city-state, we have had to continually develop solutions to address our constraints in energy, water and land. For example, Singapore has turned our vulnerability in water supply into a strength.  Despite having little land to collect and store rainwater, we have invested in research and technology, and developed solutions in NEWater and desalinated water to complement the

local catchment and imported water. On the energy front, the use of renewable energy will help reduce our reliance on imported fuel mix and our carbon footprint.  To that end, EDB is working with key government agencies through the “SolarNova” programme to aggregate demand for solar deployment across Government buildings and spaces.  It seeks to catalyse the adoption of 350 Mega-Watt-peak (MWp) of solar energy in Singapore and grow the industry through public sector-led demand.

5.               We have also put in place broader plans and programmes to overcome our resource constraints, grow the cleantech industry and promote environmental sustainability.  Let me share two examples. 

6.               First, the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB) was launched in 2009 to articulate the strategies and initiatives for Singapore to achieve strong economic growth and a good living environment.  One of its key priorities is to improve resource efficiency and minimise waste so that we can continue to grow and develop while managing our resource constraints.  Good progress has been made under the SSB, and the Government is currently reviewing and updating it to ensure that the SSB remains forward looking.

7.               Second, the Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO) was established in 2007 to develop the cleantech industry.  Since its inception, over $360 million has been allocated to EIPO to support Research Centres for Clean Energy, competitive grant calls, clean energy scholarships and start-ups.  Notably, the Energy Research Institute at NTU (ERI@N) – a key driver behind the EcoCampus – is funded through EIPO.  Over the years, ERI@N has played an important role in our clean energy landscape, performing R&D with strong industry relevance.  Among its many tie-ups with industry is a joint Future Mobility Lab that was set up with BMW Group in April last year to study and develop sustainable solutions in the area of electric mobility.  I am confident ERI@N will continue to explore and pursue new collaborations with industry to develop and pilot innovative energy solutions.

Singapore as a reference city for green growth and a Living Laboratory

8.               Our plans, programmes and initiatives have helped to establish Singapore as a model for green growth, and a Living Laboratory for companies to trial and commercialise sustainable urban solutions.

9.               To support these efforts, government agencies have taken the lead in facilitating the R&D and test-bedding of sustainable urban solutions within their developments.  At JTC’s CleanTech Park, companies performing R&D in clean technologies are allowed to demonstrate estate-level cleantech solutions within the Park.  The Park also facilitates collaborations with our universities, given its proximity to the NTU campus.  To date, JTC has collaborated with NTU, SMEs and budding enterprises on more than 14 test-bedding projects in CleanTech Park.  We are also heartened to see that CleanTech One is showing positive developments after its official opening just last August.

10.           In addition, we seek to harness opportunities arising from a growing number of international companies who choose to locate their key operations in Asia in order to tap into its growing market for sustainable urban solutions.  In this regard, we continue to welcome companies to use Singapore as a base to develop and customise sustainable urban solutions for the region, and as a springboard to neighbouring markets.  For instance, Panasonic has set up their Energy Solutions Development Centre in Singapore to serve the Asian region, and is working with Government agencies to establish Asia’s first total energy solutions test-bed in Punggol Eco-Town.  In addition, EDF and Veolia have established Centres of Excellence in Singapore to conduct research and innovation in sustainable cities, and to co-develop system modelling and decision modelling tools for urban design. 

11.           Looking ahead, EDB will ramp up its efforts to promote sustainable development through its Living Lab platforms by engaging key stakeholders to shape their ambitions, supporting demonstration projects, and facilitating deployment of novel technologies.  The EcoCampus is a prime example, with its ambitions to be the greenest campus in the world.

EcoCampus

12.           As a high-impact integrated Living Lab, the EcoCampus will create exciting green-collar jobs, raise our international standing, and inspire Singaporeans to adopt sustainable practices.  It offers opportunities for systems-level test-bedding, which will enable us to assess innovative technologies at both the building and district levels, and establish best practices for Singapore and the tropics.

13.           Many companies are keen to tap on the opportunities in the EcoCampus to refine new technologies and solutions before scaling up for markets in Asia and the rest of the world.  To date, 33 proposals have been submitted for the first phase of demonstration projects, all of which involve industry players.  This is a positive start.  As partnership across government agencies, industry and academia will be critical to realising the EcoCampus’ goals, we welcome strong industry participation in the EcoCampus, be it in terms of R&D, piloting lead demand, or commercialisation of innovative urban solutions. 

Conclusion

14.           As the region’s first, the EcoCampus will be a model in resource efficiency for future developments in Singapore.  I look forward to the EcoCampus building on the strong partnership among the government, academia and industry to develop sustainable urban solutions that are eventually commercialised and adopted in Singapore and beyond.

15.           I wish NTU and its partners every success as they continue to push the boundaries of innovation and scale new heights.

16.           Thank you.

[1]

Urban Millennium, Special Session of the General Assembly for an Overall Review and Appraisal of the Implementation of the Habitat Agenda.  2001.

[2]

World Urbanization Prospects, 2011 Revision. UN Department of Economic & Social Affairs, Population Division. Released March 2012.