Increase attributed to economic recovery after Covid-19 pandemic, with industrial and power sectors as primary contributors
Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions surged to a record 57.7 million tonnes in 2021, marking a 9% rise from 2020. The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) attributed this increase to the resumption of economic activities after the pandemic’s initial impact. Emissions from most sectors rose, though the water sector saw a slight decline.
Industrial emissions made up the largest share, accounting for 44.4% of the total, while the power sector followed at 39.2%. The transport sector contributed 14.2%. The data underscores the significant challenges in reducing emissions, especially in sectors like industry and power, which were heavily impacted by economic activities restarting after Covid-19.
Despite the record rise, Singapore remains committed to its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The government aims to cap emissions at around 65 million tonnes by 2028 before beginning a gradual decline towards net-zero. This shift will require significant transformations across industries, the economy, and society.
Experts, like Ms. Melissa Low from the National University of Singapore, note that while the shares of emissions from most sectors remained stable, the increase in emissions from the transport sector could be linked to changes in consumer behaviors, such as a rise in online shopping and logistics.
The government is exploring strategies like solar energy deployment and the use of cleaner energy sources, but challenges remain in reducing emissions from sectors reliant on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have a much higher global warming potential than CO2.
