“Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources.

The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal. Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030⁹¹.”

Singapore also developed the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint in 2009, which outlines targets for a liveable and sustainable Singapore.

As a land and resource-scarce city-state, Singapore faces the challenge of balancing economic development and upholding environmental standards. The growing population translates to an increase in consumption of resources such as energy, water and food. This increase in demand will put pressure on resource prices and increase the potential for pollution if development is not well-managed⁹⁰.

• Singapore generated 7.67 million tonnes of solid waste in 2015, which equates to around 1,390kg of waste generated by each person⁸⁵
• 65 million tonnes of waste was recycled⁸⁶
• Overall recycling rate was 61%, a small increase from 60% in 2014⁸⁷
• Singapore’s portable water sales increased to 506.3 million m3/year in 2014 from 498.6 million m3/year in the previous year⁸⁸
• Electric consumption also increased to 46403.1 gigawatt hours in 2014 from 44923 gigawatt hours in 2013⁸⁹