MEWR - Clean Air

Pollutants are released into the air whenever we switch on the TV, manufacture a product or drive a car. Without appropriate and adequate control measures in place, air pollutant emissions tend to rise with increased development and standards of living. In Singapore, power generation, manufacturing and transportation are the main sectors that generate air pollutants.

Singapore has consistently maintained a high ambient air quality standard through setting stringent emission regulations, promotion of energy efficiency initiatives and the use of environmentally friendly energy sources such as natural gas.

As a result, our ambient concentration of most major air pollutants (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter below 10 microns) has consistently stayed within US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Ambient Air Standards.

In addition, Singapore has managed to stay within the “Good” range of the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) for at least 85% of the days in the year from 2003 to 2007.

However, a pollutant of concern is particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5), which has been linked to respiratory effects such as bronchitis and asthma.

Like many other urban cities, Singapore cannot meet the USEPA standard for PM2.5. Since diesel vehicles account for about half of the PM2.5 present in our ambient air, stricter emission standards have been adopted for new diesel vehicles to help improve our air quality in terms of PM2.5.

Singaporeans can also do their part to keep our air clean for as long as possible by conserving electricity and taking public transport.

Key Targets

To maintain the Pollutant Standards Index for ambient air within the ‘good’ range for 85% of the year, and within the ‘moderate’ range for remaining 15%
Reduce the ambient Particulate Matter 2.5 level to within 15 µg/Nm³ by 2014

Strategic Thrusts

Reducing Emissions from Stationary Sources
Besides promoting industries with lesser pollution issues, MEWR incorporates pollution control considerations in land-use planning and siting of factories while regulating factories emissions.
Reducing Emissions from Mobile Sources
MEWR controls vehicle emissions in Singapore through the setting and updating of emission standards for new vehicles, as well as the testing and monitoring of emissions from existing vehicles. We have introduced the more stringent Euro IV emission standards for new diesel vehicles since October 2006. The more stringent Chassis Dynamometer Smoke Test replaced the Free Acceleration Smoke Test from January 2007 for mandatory periodic inspections of diesel vehicles. In addition, MEWR has also been promoting clean vehicle technologies through incentives such as the Green Vehicle Rebate scheme.