Five receive President's Award for the Environment, Singapore's highest environmental accolade

Key Concepts

• President's Award for the Environment: Singapore's highest environmental accolade.
• Climate Resilience: Building a future that can withstand the impacts of climate change.
• Transboundary Haze: Air pollution that crosses international borders.
• Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Carbon Neutrality: Achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions.
• Green Building Designs: Construction practices that minimize environmental impact.
• Wildlife Bridge: A structure that allows animals to safely cross human-made barriers.

Award Recipients and Their Contributions

• Associate Professor Simon Tay: Spearheaded efforts to address transboundary haze issues in the region.
• Dr. Ng Chee Chew (posthumous): Recognized for his dedication to shaping Singapore's natural landscape.
• Mandai Wildlife Group: Awarded for organizational efforts in sustainability and conservation.
• CapitaLand Group: Awarded for organizational efforts in sustainability and conservation.
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU): Awarded for its campus-wide sustainability initiatives and research.

Mandai Wildlife Group's Sustainability Initiatives

• Educational Outreach: Reached over 300,000 visitors with sustainability education programs in the past year.
• Greening Operations: Implementing sustainable practices across its operations.
• Sustainable Sourcing: Using sustainably sourced cooking oil and seafood.
• Electric Vehicles: Transitioning to a fully electric fleet of trams and shuttle buses, aiming to replace petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. All animal transport vans will also be electric by 2030.
• Wildlife Bridge: A 44-meter wide bridge allowing animals to safely cross between forests.
• Conservation Projects: Supporting over 40 conservation projects in the region.
• Quote: "We see a green trend in people wanting to go full, more sustainable trouble and we this award. We hope that it will push us for the south in crisis. But the you know, efforts to make do spots a sustainable this nation."

Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) Sustainability Initiatives

• Campus as a Living Lab: Utilizing its 200-hectare campus (approximately 280 football fields) to implement and test climate-friendly solutions.
• Green Building Designs: Incorporating sustainable design principles in campus buildings.
• Solar Power: Utilizing solar power as a renewable energy source.
• Research and Development: Conducting research into green solutions, including extracting metals from batteries using food waste.
• Carbon Neutrality Goal: Aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
• Quote: "Oftentimes universities, also the country build a big role in society, told cultural and no value development. And so as a university, me really wanted to walk the talk in terms of pushing for sustainable practices so that we can save the up."
• Community Engagement: Inspiring its 40,000-strong community to participate in sustainability efforts.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The President's Award for the Environment recognizes significant contributions to Singapore's green journey and climate resilience. The award highlights the diverse efforts of individuals and organizations, from addressing transboundary haze to implementing campus-wide sustainability initiatives. Mandai Wildlife Group and NTU exemplify how organizations can integrate sustainability into their operations, education, and research, contributing to a more sustainable future for Singapore. The initiatives demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship and inspire others to take action.