The Green Green Grass of Home - Singapore Environment Council

Transcription

The Green Green Grass of Home - Singapore Environment Council
The Green Green
Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary
Celebration
Contents
04
THE SEED
02
ROOTS
Foreword
08
THE STEM
32
THE LEAVES
10
THE
BRANCHES
43
THE
FLOWER
46
THE FRUIT
06
THE
48
Acknowledgements
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Foreword by
Minister
Since its inception in 1995, Singapore
Environment Council (SEC) has been a key
member of the 3P sector and has tirelessly
contributed to a better living environment and
future for all of us.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Minister for the
Environment and
Water Resources
Just last year, it led the ENVision Exercise
which sought the views of 3P stakeholders
on Singapore’s environmental future.
The ENVision Exercise was instrumental in
providing invaluable inputs into the review of
the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint that was
ultimately accepted by government.
Over the years, SEC has also implemented
other initiatives that recognise and provide
opportunities for everyone to contribute to a
more liveable and sustainable Singapore.
For example, the School Green Awards
I EXTEND MY WARM CONGRATULATIONS AND VERY BEST
WISHES TO THE SEC ON ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND LOOK
FORWARD TO EVEN MORE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FUTURE.
encourages schools to take on greater
ownership in their environmental activities and
management, and the Singapore Environmental
Achievement Awards recognises overall
environmental stewardship by organisations
across Singapore and the region.
Our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew
had the great foresight to make environmental
protection a distinctive hallmark of Singapore’s
development. I firmly believe SEC will
continue to be guided by his vision and inspire
environmental stewardship in individuals in
Singapore, and around the region.
I extend my warm congratulations and very
best wishes to the SEC on its 20th Anniversary
and look forward to even more contributions
in the future.
FOREWORD 03
Foreword by
SEC Chairman
policy review was carried out to balance our
environmental and social needs. The Singapore
Green Plan was presented at the United Nations’
Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 which laid out how
Singapore wold become a model green city by 2000.
Ms Isabella Loh
SEC Chairman
The 1990s saw Asia and Europe experiencing
significant political and economic changes
leading to new markets and increased
environmental awareness. While the rapid
economic and urban development was a boon,
it gave rise to acts that would pose a major
threat to Mother Earth. Consumption excesses
contributed greatly to the haze, carbon emissions
and waste disposal challenges. In came the Kyoto
Protocol which called for measures to mitigate
the effects of climate change brought on by
human behaviour.
Singapore was growing at a rapid pace and
pursued technology-intensive industries.
The wafer fab, pharmaceutical and chemical
industries accompanied the successful
growth of the financial sector, fuelling further
infrastructural developments. Against the
backdrop of our economic successes, a major
Formed by the government in 1990, the
National Council on the Environment (NCE)
was restructured and renamed the Singapore
Environment Council (SEC) in 1995 with the
mandate to take the lead to drive greater
awareness of green issues through experiential
learning among our community.
Over the next decade, SEC has stayed true to
its mission by initiating relevant programmes
in response to the changing environment
landscape. From organising Singapore’s first
Car Free Day in 2001 to rolling out the “Bring
Your Own Bag Day” campaign in 2007, as well
as leading the way in the SEC Climate Portal in
2009, SEC would never rest on its laurels. We
are encouraged by programmes such as the
Singapore G1 2012 which attracted more than
20,000 people, making it Singapore’s biggest
ever, walk-for-green event. Our expectations
rise when we see close to half a million students
participate in the School Green Awards. And we
cannot help but challenge ourselves even further
when the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme
(SGLS) covers almost 3,000 products, stretching
across Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and Germany,
among others.
We intend to make significant inroads and
shift the mindsets of our stakeholders; moving
from unrestrained economic growth and
consumerism, to a more sustainable model of
living. As SEC celebrates its 20th Anniversary,
thanks and recognition must be extended to
the SEC Board of Directors for their guidance,
the SEC Secretariat for their dynamism and
unwavering commitment, and the steadfast
support of all other stakeholders, including
business associates, partners, the government
and the community at large.
When a community comes together, great things
happen. Much like how the roots, stems and
leaves in a plant work in unison to produce fruits.
Our efforts will instil the go-green mindset
in every Singaporean as we strive towards
realising a cleaner environment and a healthier
ecosystem. It is our fervent hope therefore, to
continue our endeavours indefinitely with our
green partners to achieve a greener world for all.
Thank you green partners and we wish Singapore
Happy 50th Birthday!
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
THE SEED
Plants start their life cycle with
seeds. Seeds are dispersed in
a variety of ways including the
wind, water, animals and by
the splitting of fruits. Seeds,
when provided with a conducive
environment of air, food and
water, will germinate.
THE SEED 05
The first Prime Minister of Singapore,
Mr Lee Kuan Yew, had big dreams for a small
city. It was his vision to fashion Singapore into
a clean and green city. “When I planted my
first tree at Holland Road Circus back in 1963,
it was to make Singapore green.” And with
these words of wisdom, the SEC inspires to
usher an era of green living in Singapore.
AFTER INDEPENDENCE, I SEARCHED
FOR SOME DRAMATIC WAY TO
DISTINGUISH OURSELVES FROM
OTHER THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES.
I SETTLED FOR A CLEAN AND GREEN
SINGAPORE.
SO IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE
WHOLE ISLAND BE CLEAN, GREEN
AND WITH EVERYONE OWNING
PROPERTY. IT WAS A FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLE ON WHICH I CRAFTED ALL
POLICIES, AND IT’S WORKED.
1963
Mr Lee Kuan Yew sowing the
seeds of a young Singapore
Mr Lee Kuan Yew
The Founding Father of Singapore
2013
Mr Lee Kuan Yew continuing
his unbroken 50-year tradition
of planting a tree
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
THE ROOTS
Roots hold plants firmly to the
ground and provide an anchor
to ensure strong winds do not
uproot them. Roots absorb water
and nutrients from the soil.
THE ROOTS 07
DURING THE VERY FIRST CLEAN AND
GREEN WEEK IN NOVEMBER 1990,
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE
ENVIRONMENT WAS CREATED. ITS
MAIN AIM WAS TO ENCOURAGE AND
CO-ORDINATE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
On 6 November 1995, that Council was
restructured and renamed to become SEC –
the Singapore Environment Council. Mr Teo
Chee Hean, Minister for the Environment,
said: “The SEC is the facilitator and umbrella
organisation for the environmental movement
in Singapore, and will help to unite all
environmental interest groups in the common
cause of keeping Singapore clean and green.”
The office at 21 Lewin Terrace served as a
base for a small workforce to carry out a
big undertaking.
Barely six months on, SEC brought together
green groups, students, researchers and the
business community for the first Earth Day
Conference on 20 April 1996, setting in motion
SEC’s effort and momentum of environmental
initiatives and programmes covering public
education, recycling, environmental research
and community projects.
Official launch of SEC’s
3-Year Plan by Minister for
the Environment,
Mr Teo Chee Hean
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
THE STEM
Stems hold plants upright and
support the branches and leaves
so they can get sufficient sunlight
to make food. It transports
water, mineral salts and food
throughout the plant.
THE STEM 09
FROM THE CRACK OF DAWN, SEC
HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE
HAD LEADERS WHO HAVE THE
FORESIGHT AND APTITUDE TO
STEER THE ORGANISATION IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION. LIKE A STEM
SUPPORTING A PLANT, THERE IS
ONLY ONE WAY TO GROW, AND THAT
IS UP.
Chairman:
Mr Ho Kwon Ping
Mr Heng Chiang Meng
1995
1997
2004
2008 - Present
Mdm Kay Kuok Oon Kwong
Ms Isabella Loh
Executive Director:
Mrs Kirtida Mekani
1995
Mr Shaw Chai Li Howard
1997
Ms Penelope Phoon-Cohen
2003
Mr Edwin Seah
2011
Mr Jose Raymond
2015 - Present
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
THE BRANCHES
Branches grow out to allow
as much sunlight exposure as
possible. They can be considered
the horizontal stem, maximising
the accommodation of leaves
that plants can hold.
THE BRANCHES 11
Nurturing the Environmental
Spirit from Young
IT IS VITAL TO INSTIL IN OUR
CHILDREN A SENSE OF THEIR
RICH ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE,
WHICH THEY MUST LEARN TO
PRESERVE AND APPRECIATE. THE
“GREENING SINGAPORE’S YOUNG
MINDS” PROGRAMME AND A STUDY
PROGRAMME ON REFORESTATION
TECHNIQUES AT BUKIT TIMAH
NATURE RESERVE GAVE RISE TO
A SOURCEBOOK “GREENING OUR
YOUNG MINDS”, AIMED AT PRIMARY
SCHOOL STUDENTS.
The unveiling of the Greening
Singapore’s Young Minds
programme on 19 April 1997
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Launched on 4 November 1997, the
book encompassed a spectrum of local
environmental issues, from nature
conservation to waste and sewage. And
because teachers found the book to be
informative and highly useful due to its
relevance to the syllabus and the interesting
activities which the pupils enjoyed, SEC saw
the need and potential to reach out to all
students in Singapore.
Students actively planting plants along the waterways of Sungei Ulu Pandan Wetland (left) and creating their own vertical
wall-garden (right)
The School Green Awards (SGA) recognises
the management and the environmental
activities of pre-schools, primary schools,
secondary schools, junior colleges,
international schools, special needs schools
and institutes of higher learning. Kicking off in
2000 with just 28 award winners, the number
grew to 170 in 2009. As at 2014, almost 90% of
mainstream schools in Singapore have come
on board.
Primary school students collecting newspapers from housing
estates (left) and college students donating their electronic
waste, old clothes and books for recycling (top)
THE BRANCHES 13
Students with special needs
learning to plant trees (top)
and water plants (bottom)
THE FACT THAT PARTICIPATION IS
BROAD-BASED IS IMPORTANT
BECAUSE THE SCHOOL GREEN
AWARDS IS NOT JUST ABOUT
PROJECTS – IT GOES BEYOND THAT.
Giant montage of clothes
created by students to stress
the importance of conserving
water (top) and secondary
school students participating
in a Beach Cleanup at Pulau
Ubin (bottom)
SETTING TANGIBLE TARGETS AND
WORKING TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE
TARGETS, HELPED TO DEMONSTRATE
THAT SAVING OUR ENVIRONMENT IS A
PRACTICAL AND ACHIEVABLE EFFORT.
AND THAT BY MAKING THIS PROCESS
A REGULAR HABIT, ALL OF US CAN
MAKE EVERY ACTION COUNT.
Ms Grace Fu
Minister, Prime Minister’s Office
Second Minister for Environment and
Water Resources
Second Minister for Foreign Affairs at
the SGA Ceremony on 5 November 2013
Recognising the efforts of
pre-schools during the SGA
Ceremony on 5 November
2013
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Engaging all Members of
the Community
WITHOUT CONFINING EDUCATION TO
SCHOOLS ALONE, THE TRAINING &
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DELIVERS
TALKS, WORKSHOPS AND TRAILS,
TAILORED FOR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC, ORGANISATIONS AND
GOVERNMENTAL BODIES.
Engaging the community
through upcycling workshops
THE BRANCHES 15
Our pool of customers include Singapore
Telecommunications Ltd, the Singapore Police
Force, Euromonitor International Ltd, the
Royal Bank of Scotland, Singapore Chinese
Girls School, MINDS – Lee Kong Chian
Gardens School and MINDS – Woodlands
Gardens School, among others.
The Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC
Waters) Learning Trails programme has
visitors from Hong Kong, China, India, Japan
and Thailand, discovering how the conservation
of water played a vital role in Singapore’s
history, in the “Singapore Water Story”.
Conducting talks at schools
Local students engaging
in hands-on activities at
Singapore’s reservoirs
while learning more about
our water resources
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Hong Kong students at Marina Reservoir enjoying the ABC Waters Learning Trails
Marina Reservoir hosting students from Hong Kong at the ABC Waters
Learning Trails (top and bottom)
THE BRANCHES 17
Students from Thailand admiring the greenery and testing the
water quality at MacRitchie Reservoir (right and bottom left)
and Jurong Lake (bottom right)
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Paving the Green Path
THE SEC STARTED SINGAPORE’S FIRST
CAR FREE DAY ON 19 APRIL 2001,
WHICH EVOLVED THROUGH THE YEARS
TO BECOME GREEN TRANSPORT DAY
ON 5 JUNE 2003, AND SUBSEQUENTLY
LENGTHENED TO BECOME GREEN
TRANSPORT WEEK.
Members of the public got to see the
latest in alternatives to commuting while
exploring technological advancements in
this field. Visitors marvelled at the Segway
Human Transporter and were made aware
of the viability of car-sharing schemes
utilising hybrid vehicles. With activities like
cycling and walkathon events for the brave,
the nimble and the young-at-heart, the
Transport Minister and Second Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mr Raymond Lim felt this
was an “important strategy in promoting
environmental sustainability in Singapore.”
Mohamad Maidin BPM,
Senior Parliamentary
Secretary for Environment
and Home Affairs,
commemorating the Green
Transport Day on 5 June 2003
THE BRANCHES 19
Mr Raymond Lim, Minister
for Transport and Second
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
flagging off the Eco-Chase
Race on 27 August 2006
during Green Transport
Week 2006
Educating the public about
greener modes of transport
during the Green Transport
Day exhibition from 15 to 24
April 2005
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
When the F1 came to Singapore, SEC found
it meaningful to balance-off the event with
our very own G1 (Green One) in 2010. The
Singapore Green One placed everything that
moved, on the green track with alternative
green transport, eco-friendly races for
schools and organisations, and walks and
cycling events. It was here too, that many
got to try the world’s first mass-produced
electric car.
Organisations showcasing their green technology creations and competing in trishaws (left) and electric buggies races (right)
28 secondary schools competing in Asia’s first Soapbox Derby
on the actual F1 track on 19 September 2010
Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, flagging off the Singapore G1 2010
THE BRANCHES 21
Deputy Prime Minister
Mr Teo Chee Hean (second
from right) launching
the roving exhibition on
climate change, together
with the Singapore
G1 2012, Singapore’s
largest environmentallysustainable lifestyle event,
on 2 September 2012
Mayor of North West
District, Dr Teo Ho Pin
flagging off the G1 2012
walkathon
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
The Written Word
OUR PUBLICATIONS ENGAGE PEOPLE
ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY TO
EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT
SINGAPORE’S ENVIRONMENT AND
HOW ONE CAN PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE
IN PROTECTING IT.
The Green Map of Singapore
showing open spaces,
ecologically sensitive sites
and places of interest
One of the SEC’s most iconic works – the
Singapore Green Map, published in June 2000
brings together all of Singapore’s eco-resources
into a single publication, and it is the first such
map in Singapore and the region.
SEC’s 2013 position paper, entitled
“Identifying and Mitigating the Wastage and
Inefficient Use of Plastic Bags in Singapore”,
was the result of feedback requesting for
the SEC to step in and mitigate plastic bags
wastage at supermarkets. By analysing
patterns of plastic bag usage, a broad range
of recommendations was targeted at policy
makers, retailers and educators.
SEC’s quarterly newsletter, Elements, featuring environmental issues
and green volunteering opportunities
Launched on 11 June 2009, the SEC Climate Portal served as
a source of information and solutions on climate change for
Singapore and the region
THE BRANCHES 23
Inspiring the Spirit of
Volunteerism
THE SEC IS A FIRM BELIEVER THAT
EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY HAS
A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT
OUR ENVIRONMENT. OUR GREEN
VOLUNTEERS NETWORK (GVN)
BRINGS TOGETHER VOLUNTEERS
FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WHO
ORGANISE AND CONDUCT BEACH
CLEAN-UP SESSIONS, GUIDED
NATURE WALKS AND TOURS OF
INCINERATION PLANTS.
The GVN also administered the first Clean Up
Singapore campaign, a year-round initiative
endorsed by the United Nations Environment
Programme, which attracted more than
30,000 volunteers from both the public and
private sectors.
The GVN helping to renovate
the Ubin Green House which
was launched on 24 March
2007
GVN cleaning up the coast
as part of the Clean Up
Singapore campaign
Green volunteers planting a
mangrove sapling
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
The GVN laid the foundation for the
SEC Earth Helpers programme. With the
registered number of Earth Helpers close to
800, they now facilitate educational trails,
monthly recycling drives, and even rescue
marine wildlife.
Earth Helpers relocating
corals away from the
construction work of the
Tuas Terminal
Earth Helpers happily
collecting items for the
recycling drive held every
month in the North West
district
THE BRANCHES 25
Honouring the 2012 Earth Helpers with a terrarium workshop held specially for them on 21 April 2012,
with Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West District, as the Guest-of-Honour
Earth Helpers of all ages keeping Singapore beautiful with Operation WE Clean Up!
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Envisioning the Future
BY INITIATING A SERIES OF PUBLIC
DIALOGUE SESSIONS TO DERIVE A
COMMON VISION AND SET OF VALUES
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BASED
ON THE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS
OF ALL SINGAPOREANS, SEC’S
ENVISION EXERCISE ENGAGED NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS,
SCHOOLS, THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC
SECTORS, AND THE COMMUNITY.
A Visioning Statement, which was presented
to the Ministry of Environment and Water
Resources on 27 May 2014 for incorporation
into the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint 2015,
was the result of 19 dialogue sessions among
440 participants.
SEC continued with a media advertising
campaign of several advertorials which drew
more than 100,000 views.
ENVision’s dialogue sessions engaged Singaporeans from all sectors, including
corporations (top), schools (bottom left) and the community (bottom right)
THE BRANCHES 27
ENVision’s Appreciation
Evening on 27 May 2014, with
Guest-of-Honour Dr Vivian
Balakrishnan, Minister for
the Environment and Water
Resources
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Green Celebrities
COLLABORATING WITH THE
SINGAPORE NATIONAL OLYMPIC
COUNCIL (SNOC), SEC LAUNCHED
THE GREEN CHAMPIONS
INITIATIVE WITH FAMILIAR SPORTS
PERSONALITIES LIKE SWIMMER,
MR JOSEPH SCHOOLING, PADDLER,
MS ISABELLE LI AND STAR STRIKER,
MR ALEKSANDAR DURIC.
In total, 20 athletes endorsed and promoted
environmental awareness through videos,
posters and activities. Mr C. Kunalan,
Singapore’s 100m record holder from 1968 to
2001, rightly said: “We may have many sports
to choose from, but we have only one Earth.”
Our pioneer Green Champions in 2013
THE BRANCHES 29
Mr Chris Chan, Secretary General of SNOC
and Mr Jose Raymond, Executive Director
of SEC, signing an MOU on 8 July 2013 to
launch the Green Champions initiative,
in the presence of the Acting Minister for
Manpower, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin (extreme right)
and Ms Isabella Loh, Chairman of SEC
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
LEVERAGING ON THE MASS
POPULARITY AND STAR POWER OF
SCREEN CELEBRITIES, THE GREEN
STARS PROGRAMME PUTS SEC IN THE
LIMELIGHT WITH EASILY IDENTIFIABLE
TV PERSONALITIES.
Whether you share your music preferences
with MTV VJ Utt Panichkul, or a movie
moment with Jaymee Ong, know that SEC’s
green movement is never far from the stars.
Guest-of-Honour,
Dr Teo Ho Pin together
with various Beam Artistes’
celebrities at the Green Stars
launch on 24 November 2014
THE BRANCHES 31
Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of
North West District (second
from right) taking a we-fie
with Beam Artistes, Utt
Panichkul, Jaymee Ong and
Paul Foster
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
THE LEAVES
Leaves come in many shapes
and sizes. They make food for
the plant and absorb Carbon
Dioxide in a process called
Photosynthesis.
THE LEAVES 33
Reaching Out to the Region
OUR ENVIRONMENT SEES NO
BOUNDARY NOR STATE LINES AND
AFFECTS EVERY LIVING THING ON
EVERY CONTINENT. IT IS WISE TO SHARE
AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER’S
EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE.
The Singapore Environmental Achievement
Awards (SEAA) recognises organisations that
have exemplary environmental practices.
Mr Sidek Saniff, Senior Minister of State for the
Environment understood that the effort would
“further increase environmental awareness
and understanding” in our local industries.
The SEAA presentation
ceremony (right) and
winners (bottom) in 2002
The pioneer batch of SEAA
award winners celebrating
their success in 1998
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
The Award became an important driver not just in the way business is
conducted in Singapore, but around the region. With more categories
created to accommodate the growing number of participants each
year, the SEAA now welcomes participants from as faraway as India,
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
Minister for the Environment
and Water Resources,
officiating at the
14th SEAA presentation
ceremony on 11 August 2011
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister
for the Environment and
Water Resources, at the
Singapore Green Summit
2009, an event combining the
SEAA presentation ceremony
with a gala dinner
THE LEAVES 35
Originally launched by the Ministry for the
Environment and Water Resources in May
1992, the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme
(SGLS) is now administered by the SEC. It has
since grown to become Singapore’s leading
environmental standard and certification
mark, earning international recognition.
SGLS passed the standards for the Global
Ecolabelling Network’s International
Coordinated Ecolabelling System and was
officially accredited by the Global Ecolabelling
Network (GEN). Being the only eco-labelling
body in Singapore that is a member of the
GEN, products under SGLS receive full
recognition and acceptance by other member
countries of GEN. With almost 3,000 unique
products certified across more than 25
countries, it is the region’s most established
eco-labelling scheme.
Guest-of-Honour,
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
Minister for the Environment
and Water Resources,
recognising excellence in
corporate environmental
leadership at the SEAA
ceremony on 22 August 2013
Mr Sidek Saniff, Senior Minister of State for the Environment,
gracing the Re-Launch of the SGLS and Green Label Exhibition
along with guest-star celebrities on 25 March 2000
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
SGLS’s global outreach continues through its
collaboration with Uzbekistan’s governmentlinked environmental organisation on
3 April 2012. The partnership with the
Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan has set
the wheels in motion, accelerating further
alliances with other environmental agencies
in the international arena. On 23 September
2014, a Memorandum of Understanding
between the SEC and the China
Environmental United Certification Center
was signed to cross-promote each other’s
eco-certification programmes.
Promoting eco-labelling
by collaborating with
international agencies, such
as the Ecological Movement
of Uzbekistan (top) and
China Environmental United
Certification Center (bottom)
THE LEAVES 37
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister
for Communications and
Information officiating
the AEJA ceremony
on 17 October 2013
Asia’s first journalism awards for the
environment tackled environmental
journalism at all levels of society, from the
professional journalists to the passionate
social media bloggers.
A Tale of Three Disasters,
the SEC Coca-Cola
Environmental Story of the
Year for AEJA 2014
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications
and Information recognised how the Asian
Environmental Journalism Awards (AEJA)
“presented a full picture of the realities on the
ground, made the public voice heard, and gave
insight on potential impact which otherwise
may have gone unnoticed.”
Ms Grace Chua then from The Straits Times,
who clinched the SEC-CDL Environmental
Journalist of the Year award in 2012, said:
“People don’t always see environment news
as immediately, directly relevant to their
lives. But it’s always relevant.”
The AEJA appreciates the many perspectives
of the community and most recently
expanded the outreach to include a category
for youths. The 2014 AEJA received a 78%
increase in submissions from 21 countries.
Winner of SEC Environmental
Photograph of the Year
category for AEJA 2014
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Turning our Vision of
a Green Singapore into Reality
WHEN YOU WORK, EAT OR SHOP,
YOU WOULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN
UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF SEC’S
ECO-ESTABLISHMENTS – PROJECT:
ECO-OFFICE, PROJECT: ECO-SHOP
AND PROJECT: ECO-F&B.
Project: Eco-Office is a joint initiative between
the SEC and City Developments Limited
(CDL) that promotes environmentally-friendly
practices in offices by increasing awareness
amongst staff, and making available a range
of knowledge-based and practical resources.
Managing Director then, Mr Kwek Leng Joo,
said: “Project: Eco-Office was born at a time
when little was being done to encourage
the uptake of eco-friendly habits at the
workplace. As a major landlord in Singapore
and a pioneer in the green movement, CDL
recognised the need to change the way
businesses work, think and manage precious
resources at the workplace. Together with
SEC, this initiative was introduced to reach out
to businesses and office workers.”
The pioneer batch of Green Office Label
recipients are the Ministry of the Environment
and Water Resources, National Environment
Agency, Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd and CDL.
Guest-of-Honour Dr John Keung, CEO of the Building and
Construction Authority, at the 7th Eco-Office Label Presentation
Ceremony on 16 February 2011
THE LEAVES 39
Project: Eco-Office actively participates in
both local and overseas exhibitions and
conferences, including Office Expo Asia,the
4th International Greentech & Eco Products
Exhibition and Conference in Malaysia and
Eco Action Day.
Today, all Singpost Post Offices display the
Eco-Post Office Label, for office initiatives
driven by habit and practice. At the end of
2014, Project: Eco-Office had reached out
to almost 50,000 professionals, managers,
executives and business owners in the
region, with PT Holcim Indonesia being the
first overseas office to be certified.
Project: Eco-Office collaterals
to remind staff to adopt
environmental-friendly habits
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Retailers and F&B outlets which are certified
under Project: Eco-Shop and Project Eco-F&B
respectively enjoy increased patronage from
customers who understand the principles of
going green. Tenants of Woodlands Xchange
were the first eco-shop owners to be certified.
And with food courts, cafes and restaurants
joining in, we witness an entire community
which affirms its support for the environment
by adopting green business practices.
Mr Desmond Kuek,
President and CEO of SMRT
Corporation Ltd and Ms
Isabella Loh, Chairman of
SEC signed an MOU on 1
July 2013 to roll out Project:
Eco-Shop, Singapore’s first
comprehensive EcoCertification programme
THE LEAVES 41
The pioneer batch of
shop owners receiving
Project: Eco-Shop’s
certification at
Woodlands Xchange,
Singapore’s first EcoMRT Station on
4 November 2013
Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of
Central Singapore District
(top row, third from right)
presented the certificates to
Ang Mo Kio Xchange tenants
on 7 November 2014
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
The university canteen at
NUS’ Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences is the first
recipient of Eco-Food Court:
Mr Joseph Mullinix, Deputy
President of Administration
at NUS receiving the
certificate on behalf of NUS
from Guest-of-Honour,
Dr Amy Khor, Minister
of State, Ministry of
Environment and Water
Resources on 19 January
2011
43
THE FLOWER
Often admired for their colourful
petals, flowers are the products
of plants. They attract insects
like bees and butterflies, which
facilitate pollination. Flowers
produce fruits and seeds.
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
August
2006
Highlights
January
2000
June
2000
1990s
November
1995
November
1997
2000
SEC is formed from
the restructuring of
the National Council
on the Environment.
The Singapore
Environmental
Achievement Awards
is officially launched.
The Green Volunteers
Network is initiated.
June
1999
SEC starts to
administer the
Singapore Green
Labelling Scheme.
April
2007
Together with the
National Environment
Agency, SEC
introduces the very
first Bring Your
Own Bag Day on
18 April.
June
2009
SEC rolls out the
Climate Portal on
11 June.
SEC launches the
Schools’ Green Audit
Awards, which later
becomes the School
Green Awards.
Singapore’s first Green
Map gets published.
2001–2003
April
2001
Singapore’s first
Car-Free Day takes
place on 19 April.
June
2002
Project: Eco-Office
was first launched by
the SEC and CDL on 5
June to mark the World
Environment Day.
June
2003
Green Transport Day
starts on 5 June, World
Environment Day.
The Green Transport
Week is jointly held
by the SEC, National
Environment Agency,
the Land Transport
Authority, SBS Transit
and SMRT Corporation.
2006–2009
2010
September
2010
The inaugural
Singapore G1 is
launched ahead of
the Singapore
F1 Grand Prix.
THE FLOWER 45
January
2011
April
2011
On 19 January, SEC introduces
Project: Eco-Foodcourt. The
programme expands to encompass
all dining establishments in 2013,
and is renamed Project: Eco-F&B.
July
2013
Project: Eco-Shop is
introduced on
1 July.
Earth Helpers are roped in
to promote environmental
volunteerism in Singapore.
January
2015
On 8 July, the Green
Champions programme
is launched.
October
2011
The SGLS meets the standards for
the Global Ecolabelling Network’s
Internationally Coordinated
Ecolabelling System and becomes a
member of the Global Ecolabelling
Network.
2011
September
2013
2012
January
2012
April
2012
September
2012
The Asian
Environmental
Journalism Awards
is launched on
16 January.
SEC signs an MOU
with the Ecological
Movement of
Uzbekistan on 3 April,
its first collaboration
with an overseas
government-linked
environmental
organisation.
SEC organises Singapore
G1 2012, Singapore’s
largest environmentallysustainable lifestyle event,
on 2 September.
SEC releases on 30
September, its position
paper on the findings of
consumer behaviour and
attitudes towards plastic
bags and reusable bags.
2013
February
2015
2014
February
2014
August
2014
September
2014
Project: Eco-Office
completes its first
overseas audit
in Indonesia.
SEC signs one of its
largest sponsorship deals
with StarHub, valued
at S$450,000.
2015
Between February
and April, SEC
organises 19
dialogue sessions
involving a total of
440 participants,
for the ENVision
exercise.
SEC’s Training and
Education arm is
inaugurated.
China Environmental
United Certification
Center signs an
MOU with SEC on
23 September.
November
2014
The Green Stars
are introduced on
24 November.
November
2014
A school from India
participates in the
School Green Awards,
along with a record
number of 344
academic institutions.
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
THE FRUIT
Fruits protect the seed while
ensuring the future and
continuity of its kind. They form
an important part of our diet and
are usually rich in vitamins.
THE FRUIT 47
A FRUIT DOES NOT SIGNIFY THE END
OF A LIFE CYCLE OF A PLANT, BUT THE
BEGINNING OF A NEW ONE. SEEDS WILL
ONCE AGAIN BE SOWED FOR ANOTHER
GENERATION. MUCH LIKE THE PLANT, THE
WORK OF THE SEC REGENERATES ITSELF.
Through different hands, through different
perspectives, SEC’s goal will however, remain
the same. And that is to continually provide
a path where everyone can step up to a more
sustainable future – through education,
through knowledge and through wisdom.
The SEC will stay relevant with constantly
refined programmes, so as to stay in harmony
with the changing needs of Singapore and
the region.
The Green Green Grass of Home
A 20th Anniversary Celebration
Acknowledgements
Credits
Our Chairman, Board of Directors and Secretariat of SEC would like
to thank all stakeholders for playing a key role in our success. We owe
much to our visionary pioneers, who planted the vision of a
green Singapore for us to cultivate.
Published By
Thanks also to our esteemed business associates and partners and
our dedicated staff for their unwavering support over the years. Most
of all, we appreciate our valued customers for giving us the continued
opportunity to serve all of you.
The thrill of our past achievements can only be superseded by the
excitement of our future. And it is with such motivation that we look
forward to greater opportunities for partnerships with like-minded
organisations both near and far.
Singapore Environment Council
Copyright © 2015 Singapore Environment Council
Editorial Team
Editor: Shirley Chua
Researcher: Goh Song Lin Rigel
Photo Credits
Page 05 (1963 picture) – The Straits Times © Singapore Press
Holdings Limited. Reprinted with permission.
Page 05 (2013 picture) – My Paper © Singapore Press Holdings
Limited. Reprinted with permission.
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