AGP Executive Report

Transboundary Haze & Heat: Singapore’s PSI stayed in the moderate band on Oct 2, but experts warn “Godzilla” El Niño could keep heat and haze hanging around longer, with relief more likely only around December as winds shift and the north-east monsoon brings rain. Regional Wildfires & Water Stress: On Borneo, El Niño-driven drought is drying peatlands and rivers, leaving communities struggling to find safe water as peatland degradation worsens the crisis. Haze Accountability: A new look at the legal mess says Malaysia and Singapore have limited legal recourse against Indonesia’s haze, with ICJ action blocked by jurisdiction hurdles and ASEAN rules offering little litigation pathway. Energy Transition Watch: Singapore is studying nuclear fusion as a low-carbon option under the newly renamed METI, while Temasek says it remains upbeat on AI spending despite bond-market stress. Data Centres & Cyber Risk: Aon and Wotton Kearney flag tighter APAC cyber rules and tougher breach duties that could raise insurance and compliance costs for firms. Local Policy Signal: Singapore’s competition watchdog forced businesses to post public apologies after the biggest fake-review enforcement action, targeting AI-generated reviews trained to mimic real Google ratings. Climate Finance Focus: ERIA and Vietnam’s ISPAE convened a regional workshop pushing more proactive, well-financed disaster resilience across ASEAN.

Haze & Transboundary Pollution: Malaysia and Singapore are still grappling with haze from Indonesian wildfires, with experts noting limited legal routes such as the ICJ because of jurisdiction hurdles and gaps in existing haze agreements. Heat-Resilience: A new push for “cool roofs” highlights how reflective roofs can cut urban heat, ease air-conditioning demand, and protect public health—especially in low-income homes. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Costs: Singapore’s world-first green flight levy starts for tickets booked from Oct 1 for Jan 1 departures, adding charges to fund measures to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel adoption. Climate Impacts on the Ground: A Singapore-led Garsha Eco Pad Yatra in India’s Himalayas found communities facing worsening floods, unstable slopes, and disappearing familiar seasons linked to climate change. Water Monitoring Tech: SUTD researchers unveiled a biomimetic autonomous drone that can land on water and sail using wind energy to monitor remote waters for weeks. AI & Energy Demand: A study warns AI data centres could consume about 1% of global electricity by 2030, adding pressure to grids.

Climate & Resilience: Singapore’s haze situation eased as NEA reported the 24-hour PSI returned to the moderate range across all five regions, with PM2.5 in the normal band—though smoke drift from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan still keeps haze risk in play. Energy Transition: Singapore is exploring nuclear fusion as a low-carbon option under the newly rebranded Meti, with Minister Tan See Leng saying fusion could create long-term economic opportunities even before any reactor is deployed. Regional Climate Impacts: A Garsha Eco Pad Yatra involving nearly 1,000 participants from across Southeast Asia and the Himalayas highlighted worsening floods, unstable slopes and disappearing seasons linked to climate change. Cross-border Environment Governance: Indonesia’s West Java suspended a Singapore-based BDx data centre project near Jatiluhur Dam over environmental permit concerns and local water-reserve worries, underscoring how approvals can hinge on environmental impact assessments. Air Quality & Public Safety: Reports also noted unusual funnel-cloud sightings in Woodlands and Clementi during storms—another reminder that extreme weather can show up fast and unpredictably. Sustainable Industry: Bracell says it cut carbon emissions intensity by 47% per ton of pulp since 2020 and is strengthening environmental monitoring and renewable energy use in Bahia.

Haze Watch: Malaysia’s air hit the worst on global pollution lists, with Kuala Lumpur leading and Singapore close behind as smoke from Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra hotspots pushed unhealthy conditions; NEA reported PSI easing after thundery showers, but haze risk remains. Transboundary Fires: Malaysia’s DOE pointed to hundreds of hotspots across Kalimantan and Sumatra driving the haze, with stepped-up inspections and patrols in peatlands and landfill areas. Marine & Climate Risk: A new look at the Blue Economy argues ocean growth must be measured and managed because human impacts already cover most of the ocean, threatening food security and livelihoods. Energy Transition & Finance: Renewable energy and storage are being packaged as investable assets, with Singapore-based Lake Energy highlighting new ways to finance solar, wind and batteries. Data Centres Under Pressure: Indonesia ordered Singapore’s BDx to halt a 640MW AI data-centre project over missing permits and pending environmental impact assessment. Pollution Accountability: Shell was charged in Singapore over oil and oily mixture leaks into sea waters from Pulau Bukom, including alleged delays in reporting. Green Tech Spotlight: Forbes Asia’s “100 to Watch” highlights AI, robotics and green tech startups, including solutions aimed at environmental problems.

Haze Watch: Singapore’s air quality improved slightly overnight but stayed largely unhealthy, with 24-hour PSI still in the unhealthy range across central, eastern, western and southern areas (about 112–121) while the north eased to moderate (around 97); NEA said haze from Kalimantan and southern Sumatra continues, with dry conditions keeping risk elevated. Recycling & Waste: As the Beverage Container Return Scheme transition period nears its Oct 1 end, Singaporeans are sharing how reverse vending machines are changing habits—some collectors say returns now bring noticeably higher payouts, turning recycling into a more profitable routine. Nature & Health: A new ASICS conservation warning flags how modern life leaves people moving far less, linking low activity to mental wellbeing and calling for small daily movement. Innovation & Climate Tech (regional): Vietnam and Singapore both feature in fresh innovation rankings and infrastructure discussions, while broader coverage highlights how extreme heat and El Niño are driving climate risks across Asia.

Haze Watch: Rain brought brief relief from Borneo wildfires, but Singapore still saw shifting PSI levels—improving to high-moderate to low-unhealthy in the latest update after earlier unhealthy readings across regions. Public Health: A Singapore study flagged more emergency visits for respiratory cases even with small PM2.5 spikes, underlining how haze risk can rise quickly. Local Environment Policy: The Pest Control Steering Committee reviewed mosquito control progress and territory-wide rodent prevention, with food-waste recycling updates also on the agenda. Energy & Climate: PacificLight started work on a S$1.2b, 670MW gas-and-storage plant on Jurong Island, pairing an 80MW battery with a hydrogen-ready design—scheduled for commercial operations in 2029. Sustainability Tech: NUS researchers unveiled an electronic skin that senses and visualises pressure in real time, pointing to smarter healthcare and robotics. Packaging Shift: Purple Planet Packaging will distribute home-compostable cling films made from tropical fruit waste, with Singapore distribution via Freshning Pte Ltd.

Haze & Air Quality: Singapore’s 24-hour PSI slid into the unhealthy range across all five regions on 29 Sep, with central hitting 155 at 7am (and up to 164 later), as smoke haze from Indonesia’s southern Sumatra and Kalimantan drifted in; NEA warned conditions could stay high-moderate to mid-unhealthy even with showers. Local Environment Tech & Food Security: Illinois ARCS won a S$10m NRF grant to build AI “agricultural digital twins” for Singapore and Southeast Asia, aiming to help farmers simulate responses to climate and management changes for stronger food security. Nature & Wildlife: Singapore welcomed its first okapi calf in Southeast Asia at Rainforest Wild Adventure, adding to the city’s growing conservation spotlight. Sustainability & Built Environment: A new discussion on Singapore’s “development vs retention” mindset highlights how land value often pushes demolition, raising questions about preserving what already exists. Data Centres & Cooling Efficiency: LG showcased modular cooling for AI data centres at Data Centre World Asia 2026, focusing on scalable expansion and lower energy use as power constraints reshape infrastructure plans.

Haze Watch: Singapore’s air quality eased back to moderate early Sept 28, with the 24-hour PSI in the central region at 80 at 6am, after hitting the unhealthy band the day before; by evening, however, haze returned—southern and central areas climbed to PSI 103 and 104 at 8pm, while hourly PM2.5 stayed elevated (central up to 149), as smoke drifted in from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan. Wildlife & Nature: A yellow-bellied warbler was spotted at Dairy Farm Nature Park and confirmed as a first wild record for Singapore, drawing dozens of bird photographers to verify the rare sighting. Regional Environment: Indonesia’s ongoing wildfires and peatland burning continue to fuel transboundary haze, with satellite monitoring estimating hundreds of thousands of hectares affected. Conservation Science: A Frozen Zoo “biodiversity banking” push highlights how cryopreserved wildlife DNA can support future species recovery and research.

Energy & Grid Resilience: PacificLight’s PLM Power is building Singapore’s first gas-fired plant paired with an 80MW battery energy storage system on Jurong Island, aiming to boost reliability as peak demand rises. Sustainable Transport Materials: LTA is trialling WoodFlex pedestrian path paving made from recycled wood chips and cement, designed to stay porous so air and water reach tree roots. Haze Watch: After Sunday showers, Singapore’s 24-hour PSI fell back to the moderate range, though NEA warns smoke haze risk remains. Wildlife Conservation: Rainforest Wild Adventure welcomed Southeast Asia’s first okapi calf, a rare endangered species birth. Public Health & Cleanliness: 15 hawker centres will close for cleaning from Sept 28 to Oct 4. Local Environment Governance: NEA reported air quality returning to moderate levels after earlier unhealthy readings. Energy Investment Push: Schneider Electric says most Singapore firms plan higher sustainability spending, focusing on energy resilience. Local Community Question: A Hindu beach celebration drew online debate over whether such public-space gatherings are allowed.

Cross-border waste enforcement: Malaysia’s border agency AKPS has re-exported 436 e-waste containers to their countries of origin, with another 578 scheduled to leave from October, as it targets clearing all 1,259 containers by end-2026. Regional capacity-building: Malaysia’s chief secretary says AKPS needs a world-class training academy for border management tech, including AI, to shift from “guarding checkpoints” to intelligence-led control. Local marine cleanliness push: Singapore’s Public Hygiene Council has extended its national anti-litter drive to coastal and marine areas via an MOU with Resorts World Sentosa, tackling how land rubbish washes into the sea. Heat and cooling in the tropics: Singapore introduced SS 726:2026, a national standard to help data centres adopt liquid cooling in humid conditions, aiming for better energy and water efficiency. Air quality watch: Singapore reported unhealthy haze/PSI levels in central and eastern regions, with overnight deterioration noted. Wildlife crime spotlight: A report highlights how social media is fuelling exotic wildlife trafficking networks, with demand for reptiles and birds driving illegal trade. Disaster recovery support: Singapore’s Home Team specialists helped identify Nepal flood victims after two families wrongly claimed the same body, using fingerprint comparisons.

Transboundary haze: Singapore’s air quality worsened on Sept 27, with 24-hour PSI readings in the central (128) and eastern (115) and western (106) regions turning unhealthy, as NEA warned dry conditions and smoke haze risk from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan. Wildlife under fire: IUCN says Indonesian Borneo wildfires are piling pressure on critically endangered orangutans, with fires burning inside habitats holding 52% of the remaining orangutan population and exposing them to smoke and fire impacts. Cooling for a warming world: UNEP climate leaders say scaling greener cooling needs more financing, highlighting alternatives like energy-saving air-conditioning and heat-reflective building measures as El Niño and extreme heat strain energy systems. Local health & environment link: Dengue cases in Singapore edged up after a three-week decline, with 74 cases reported in the week ending Sept 19, and NEA urging residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites during peak season. Regional disaster response: Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency fingerprint specialist helped resolve a Nepal flood body identification dispute during Operation Vanguard, underscoring cross-border support as climate-linked disasters intensify.

Haze & Air Quality: Singapore’s 24-hour PSI slipped back into the unhealthy range in the central area, hitting 104 at 8pm and 108 at 9pm (with hourly PM2.5 elevated across central, east and west), as smoke haze from Kalimantan and southern Sumatra drifted in under south-easterly or south-westerly winds. Public Health: Dengue cases in Singapore edged up after three weeks of decline, with 74 reported in the week ending Sep 19 (2,424 cases year-to-date), while NEA continues to urge residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Wildlife Under Threat: IUCN warned that Indonesian wildfires are burning inside habitats covering 52% of Borneo’s orangutan population, including 13 of the 20 largest remaining populations—raising risks of respiratory harm and wider ecological disruption. Climate Extremes Beyond SG: Reports also highlight worsening El Niño-driven heat and drought risks across Asia, with knock-on effects for food security.

Extreme Heat Watch: A new study warns Super-El Niño could add up to 451,000 heat-related deaths worldwide by Feb 2027, with emergency action urged for the most at-risk regions. Singapore Cooling Standards: Singapore has introduced a national standard (SS 726:2026) to help tropical data centres adopt liquid cooling, targeting energy and water efficiency as humidity and heat strain air-cooling. Public Transport Crackdown: The Land Transport Authority announced higher fines for disruptive bus behaviour, including loud audio and littering, with penalties up to S$5,000 for serious offences. Blue Economy Boost: NParks and NUS launched a S$60m National Institute for Marine and Ocean Sciences to strengthen Singapore’s coastal resilience and research capacity. Wildlife Conservation: Malaysia saw a rare comeback of leatherback turtles, with 195 eggs laid and moved to hatcheries for incubation. Regional Climate & Land Fires: Indonesia plans a new agency to strengthen peatland and mangrove management to prevent forest and land fires.

Biodiversity & Wildlife: Singapore welcomed Southeast Asia’s first okapi calf at Rainforest Wild Adventure (Mandai Wildlife Group), born July 27 to first-time parents Kisala and Xandor; the endangered “forest giraffe” is now about 48kg and is being closely cared for in the Hidden Forest. Air Quality & Public Health: Malaysia cancelled the Kuching Marathon as haze from Indonesia’s Kalimantan and Sumatra fires pushed PSI above unhealthy levels; in Singapore, NEA reported 24-hour PSI in the moderate range (61–79) with showers expected to help clear smoke. Water Sustainability: NUHS’ Ng Teng Fong General Hospital won PUB’s Singapore Watermark Award for recycling dialysis water to irrigate plants, saving about 9 million litres yearly. Urban Environment & Construction: HDB will scale up robotics and automation at more BTO sites from 2027, including screeding robots using lasers to cut manpower needs. Recycling & Circular Economy: Singapore’s beverage container return scheme hit major milestones, with new Tuas sorting facilities collecting tens of millions of bottles and cans for recycling. Local Governance & Haze Impact: Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh said this year’s haze affected him more than in past years, though heavy rains and wind shifts improved conditions for house visits.

Transboundary haze: Malaysia is studying a dedicated haze law, looking at Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014 model, with an Asean plan to review a haze fund and science diplomacy paper before a December meeting. Air quality watch: Singapore’s PSI readings stayed mostly moderate in recent updates, with thundery showers expected to help, after earlier unhealthy pockets. Wildlife crime: Hawks arrested a fifth suspect in a wildlife trafficking case targeting rhinos on World Rhino Day, widening the net. Renewables/SAF push: Hong Kong-based EcoCeres, backed by Bain Capital, is reported to target a ~$1b IPO to scale sustainable aviation fuel production. Climate accountability: Australia’s coal lobby faces scrutiny over interim work on fugitive methane emissions estimates, as global bodies question whether methane from coal mines is being undercounted. Local sustainability tech: Singapore’s Tuas sorting facility and recycling efforts continue to ramp up, with millions of bottles and cans collected for recycling. Blue economy research: NParks and NUS unveiled a $60m marine science institute to strengthen Singapore’s coasts and blue economy.

Haze Watch: Singapore’s 24-hour PSI stayed moderate (62–76) on Sept 24, with NEA warning of possible smoke haze from Kalimantan and southern Sumatra as hotspot counts in Kalimantan jumped to 792 (Sept 23). Clean Energy & Water: Wood Mackenzie flags a looming renewables “repowering or retire” crunch: 2.5 TW of wind and solar projects could face end-of-life decisions by the 2040s, shaping future power prices. Floating Solar Push: Trinasolar will supply 562MWdc Dầu Tiếng 5 floating solar and storage in Vietnam, targeting ~808GWh/year of clean power. Local Sustainability Tech: MindWave and AQUAE are building AQUAEChain in Singapore to manage and track ALCI Credits end-to-end. Mobility Transition: The UAE topped GCC and ranked 22nd globally in electric mobility readiness, citing 2,800 charging points and a goal for 50% of vehicles to be EVs/hybrids by 2050. Food Waste to Value: NTU researchers fermented okara with oyster mushroom mycelium to boost protein and umami while reducing sourness.