Singapore
Capital:
Singapore
Land Area:
687km²
Inland Water Area:
10km²
Length of Coastline:
268km
Since 2009, Singapore has been implementing Integrated Urban Coastal Management (IUCM) based on the Integrated Coastal Management framework advocated by PEMSEA which takes into account Singapore’s unique urban context. The IUCM has four guiding principles: (1) proactive planning and management by optimizing the use of coastal resources, including coastal spaces in a sustainable manner; (2) a Whole-of-Government approach to ensure consultative planning and coordination of policies in coastal and marine land use and planning; (3) active partnerships through community engagement and public awareness programs and; (4) science-based management through research, monitoring, habitat restoration and enhancement programmes.
A multi-agency initiative has been established to formalize and improve existing coordination and cooperation among different agencies related to the protection and conservation of the coastal and marine environment. This initiative facilitates the approval of coastal development projects after passing strict and holistic assessments on developmental and environmental aspects.
Aiming at further protection and sustaining of the coastal and marine environment, the National Environment Agency has continued to formulate and implement stringent enforcement programmes to ensure full compliance with Singapore's Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and the Environmental Public Health Act (EPHA). The EPMA regulates and controls discharge of wastewater, trade effluents, oil and chemicals into inland waters, drains, land and sea, thereby preventing pollution to the marine and coastal waters. The EPHA regulates the collection, treatment and disposal of solid wastes, including hazardous wastes to prevent pollution of inland and coastal waters.
Singapore’s marine conservation and management strategies are also captured under the Marine Conservation Action Plan (MCAP)—an evolving plan grounded in science to meet the current and future conservation needs of Singapore’s coastal and marine environment. In 2018, Singapore also celebrated 25 years of partnership building with the community in nature conservation. The first community stewardship initiative began with a ground-up project in 1993. Over time, many programmes have been initiated involving more than 40,000 volunteers, citizen scientists, nature advocacy groups, academics and others.
Focal Points:
Mr Ranjeet Singh (National Focal Point)
Divisional Director (International Policy), Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Singapore to the United Nations Environment Programme
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
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Integrated River Basin Management Project Newsletter - Edition 5
"Steering the Flow" is the fifth edition of the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project's newsletter, highlighting key milestones and meetings for the last quarter of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. From the IRBM Project's participation in the 2024 East Asian Seas Congress and The Pavilion for People at the 2025 World Economic Forum, to the launch of the State of River Basin Guidebook and the ongoing assessment of the interplay between water use conflicts and the water-energy-food-ecosystem security nexus in ASEAN river basins — the IRBM Project is set to steer the governance and management of priority river basins in ASEAN Member States.
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Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia
The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and ESCAP Subregional Office for
East and North-East Asia jointly organized a session titled “Harmonizing Oceans: Transboundary Strategies for Climate Resilience in North-East Asia”. This session highlighted the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the Coastal and Marine Spatial
Planning (CSMP) regime in North-East Asia and beyond in fostering regional resilience against climate impacts and promoting ecosystem conservation.Key topics included:
- Understanding Climate Change Impacts: Examining how climate change affects marine ecosystems in this region.
- Applying CMSP Strategies: Sharing successful CMSP strategies and their role in climate-related conservation efforts (e.g., blue carbon, community-led habitat restoration).
- Enhancing Transboundary Cooperation: Discussing how multi-stakeholder engagement can strengthen regional conservation initiatives.
Additionally, the session underscored capacity building and knowledge exchange, providing a platform for member States and relevant stakeholders to share best practices and enhance skills for managing MPAs and addressing regional marine environmental challenges.
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PEMSEA eBulletin - January 2025
Dear PEMSEA community,
Welcome to 2025!
We hope you have recovered from the successes and challenges in 2024 and are ready to step into the new year with firm resolve to work with us in driving synergistic actions and building resilience across the East Asian Seas region.
This January, we’re excited to share updates on our ongoing efforts! Check out our recent study on Harmonizing Blue Carbon Accounting, comparing practices in Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and VERRA international standards and discover why harmonization is key to effective climate action. Celebrate the milestones of the Marine Plastics ODA Project and the plans for 2025 as we ramp up efforts to tackle marine plastics aligned with global, national, and local targets.
Learn how the East Asian Seas region is fighting the Triple Planetary Crises (TPC) through regional partnerships and stronger collaborations. Discover Yancheng City, a pioneer in digital-green transformation and PNLG’s newest member. Finally, join PEMSEA and the Philippines in celebrating Zero-Waste Month, promoting sustainable waste management for a cleaner, zero-waste future!