AGP Executive Report

Autonomous Mobility in Singapore: Pony.ai, with ComfortDelGro, has opened its public robotaxi service in Punggol from 22 June, letting riders book driverless trips via the Zig app across key hubs like Punggol Coast and Punggol MRT—an expansion beyond the earlier invite-only pilot. Climate & Aviation Policy: The EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation rules are pushing sustainable aviation fuel blending from 2% in 2025 to 6% by 2030, reflecting the shift from voluntary pledges to binding decarbonisation requirements. Waste & Circular Economy: Recykal raised $23m in a bridge round to scale its deposit return system, behavioural-change waste solutions, and international rollout—aiming to boost recycling rates through a digital clearinghouse and reverse logistics. Coastal Resilience in Singapore: New mandatory coastal protection guidelines for landowners were launched, with sea levels projected to rise by 2.15m—raising the bar for how Singapore prepares for climate-driven flooding. Biodiversity & Habitat Pressure (Regional): India’s Jairam Ramesh pressed for clarifications over the Great Nicobar transshipment port at Galathea Bay, warning of ecological devastation and questioning ownership, competition safeguards, and funding.

Water Stewardship: Singapore’s semiconductor and data centre players are cutting heavy water use for cooling and production by ramping up recycling and improving efficiency, including separating wastewater streams for reuse, easing pressure on limited local water resources. Biodiversity & Wildlife Monitoring: Camera-trap surveys in Changi found five critically endangered leopard cats; authorities relocated them as the coastal landscape changes, highlighting how “eyes” from camera traps can guide conservation planning with minimal disturbance. Marine Conservation: Indonesian scientists developed a new way to detect “walking sharks” using seawater samples and genetic traces, helping map presence without diving and supporting better protection of Raja Ampat habitats. Public Health Nutrition: HPB is set to roll out a late-2026 campaign to normalise asking for less salt and sauces, building on earlier efforts to reduce sugar and saturated fat. Built Environment Governance: BCA and partners are pushing integrated facilities management to uplift Singapore’s facilities management sector, aiming for better integration of operations and data across services. Food Systems (Regional): A Singapore-developed ambient, shelf-stable meal solution was showcased at a Maldives forum on strengthening institutional food systems for island archipelagos.

Water Stewardship in Industry: Singapore’s semiconductor and data centre players are cutting heavy water use for cooling and production by recycling and splitting wastewater streams for reuse, easing pressure on limited local water resources. Marine Life Monitoring: NParks reports Singapore’s 2026 coral mass-spawning was muted, with reduced egg-and-sperm release at Raffles Lighthouse possibly linked to past marine heatwave impacts and earlier bleaching events—flagging reef resilience concerns. Climate Risk Funding Watch: Pakistan’s next federal budget again trims most climate allocations (mitigation and adaptation), with only disaster management spared—raising alarms for flood and heat-wave readiness. Local Coastal Protection: New mandatory coastal protection guidelines for Singapore landowners were launched, with sea levels projected to rise by 2.15m, pushing property owners toward stronger preparedness. Regional Water Infrastructure Recognition: Manila Water’s Upper Wawa Dam won Water Project of the Year at Global Water Awards during Singapore International Water Week, spotlighting resilient water supply investment. Biodiversity Discovery: A scarab beetle found on Pulau Ubin is new to science, adding to Singapore’s nature knowledge base.

Singapore Water Week spotlight: MWSS in Singapore received a “Water Project of the Year” honour for Manila Water’s Upper Wawa Dam, highlighting sustainable, resilient water infrastructure and long-term water security. Local nature discovery: NParks’ Pulau Ubin biodiversity update found a scarab beetle new to science from surveys at Chek Jawa, alongside other newly documented species, reinforcing the island’s conservation value. Coastal protection rules: Singapore launched new mandatory coastal protection guidelines for landowners, with sea levels projected to rise by 2.15m, and a new rulebook set to take effect from 2028. Waste & recycling push: CNA revisited why recycling remains costly and how that affects Singapore’s zero-waste push, alongside discussion on strengthening penalties for littering and improving recycling habits. Urban resilience tech: A Singapore deployment shows autonomous, electric logistics shuttles running 24/7 at a hub, cutting emissions and improving reliability for greener operations. Dengue watch: Singapore reported dengue cases hitting a 2026 high, with red-alert clusters spreading across northern neighbourhoods.

Coastal Resilience Rules: PUB has launched a new Coastal Protection Code of Practice for Singapore’s coastal landowners, spelling out what they must do as sea levels rise—mandatory from 2028, with leaseholders planning for up to a 2.15m increase (or at least 0.7m for shorter remaining leases). Local Governance & Water Infrastructure: The move follows earlier legislation making coastal protection a shared responsibility, reinforcing that climate risk is now a planning and infrastructure issue, not a distant one. Tourism & Mobility Shift: HarbourFront Centre will close on July 27 as the Singapore Cruise Centre relocates to 5 HarbourFront Avenue, with ferry and cruise operations continuing with no route changes. Waste & Recycling Pressure: Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan is set for review as recycling rates dip and Semakau landfill lifespan is expected to be extended—highlighting the need to change recycling habits. AI at Work (Workforce Readiness): Microsoft’s Work Trend Index says Singapore workers are among the most active and responsible AI users, but leadership alignment remains a gap.

Urban Climate & Water Security: Singapore’s PUB is pushing flood-proofing and water efficiency, including a new guidebook for building owners and a push to develop water-saving solutions for wafer fabrication and data centres, as the city plans for a resilient water future. Waste & Enforcement: A Tuas South Way site supervisor was jailed for allowing chicken compost dumping at a waste-management facility staging ground, underscoring tighter controls on illegal waste disposal. Regional Energy & Climate Finance: The Philippines’ climate targets are at risk without long-term low-emission plans, while Singapore’s PM Wong and Turkey’s Erdogan reaffirmed ties that could support trade and transport cooperation. ASEAN-Russia Energy Cooperation: Russia pledged energy security, nuclear cooperation and fertilizers to ASEAN at the Kazan summit, with the Kazan Declaration mapping 16 areas to deepen cooperation. Local Nature Education: Singapore Children’s Book Festival winners included an Earthkeepers title about giant clams, highlighting marine biodiversity for young readers. Wellness Tourism Push: Therme Singapore broke ground on a S$1b thermal wellness resort opening in 2030, positioning experience-led tourism as a growth area. Workplace Speak-Up: A Singapore-focused piece on psychological safety argues that fear of consequences still blocks people from speaking up at work.

Urban Wellness Push: Therme Singapore broke ground at Marina South for a S$1 billion, 2030 opening—an “urban wellness” thermal destination spanning 720,000 sq ft with pools, treatment rooms and landscaped recovery spaces, signalling Singapore’s bid to grow higher-value wellness tourism. Water & Flood Resilience: PUB is rolling out a guidebook to help building owners and developers flood-proof premises, as Singapore continues to tighten practical resilience measures for climate-linked risks. Waste & Litter Enforcement: NEA increased anti-littering patrols after online photos of rubbish near Boon Lay MRT, while experts argue zero-waste plans should focus on changing recycling habits and use penalties only as a last resort. Food Safety & Pesticide Risk: China rejected Indian chilli shipments over excessive pesticide residues, adding to a wider regional pattern of rejected produce (including Japan’s mango bans), raising pressure for stricter testing and safer farming practices. Climate Finance & Energy Transition: A World Economic Forum index says the global energy transition is getting more fragmented and security-driven, with transition readiness slipping despite record clean energy investment—an important reminder for Singapore’s own decarbonisation planning. Biodiversity Science: Scientists identified 166,000 sq km of coral reef that may survive climate stress, underscoring both hope and the urgency of protection.

Recycling push in Singapore: CNA spoke to experts on why the current co-mingled “blue bin” system keeps contamination around 40% and how Singapore may need more differentiated streams plus stronger incentives—so better recycling is easier, not just more demanding. Zero-waste behaviour focus: Another expert view says Singapore’s zero-waste plan review should prioritise changing household recycling habits, with penalties only as a last resort. Water and climate resilience: PUB launched a guidebook to help building owners and developers flood-proof premises, as Singapore continues to strengthen resilience planning. E-waste enforcement gap: Bangladesh’s weak oversight is leaving it a net importer of hazardous e-waste, with rules in place but enforcement falling short and heavy metals entering the environment and food chain. Waste-to-resources abroad: A Malaysian-Singaporean firm is studying a Davao City waste-to-resources project that could turn waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) after a recent landfill slide. Maritime sustainability tech: Singapore’s maritime ecosystem also shows up via a Suez Canal LNG-powered mega-ship transit, highlighting lower-emissions shipping options for long-haul trade.

Urban Nature & Liveability: Singapore Botanic Gardens’ new Nature Immersion Trail at Saraca Stream invites slower, multi-sensory walks with 12 prompt stations, including a nature-therapy style stop for visitors to feel tree roots. Water & Waste Planning: Singapore is set to review its Zero Waste Masterplan as recycling rates dip and Semakau landfill lifespan needs extending, alongside moves to revise household refuse collection fees from 1 July 2026. Coastal Resilience: A new rulebook will spell out landowners’ role in defending coastlines against sea level rise, becoming mandatory from 2028. Transport & Built Environment: LTA’s CCL Stage 6 works under Keppel Viaduct include trenchless underpass linkways and load-transfer preparations, with stations slated to open on 12 July. Climate Finance & Carbon Markets: A Tanzania–Singapore carbon credits MoU under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement focuses on how “correspondingly adjusted” credits are authorised and transferred for Singapore’s emissions offsets. Energy Transition Signals: WEF reports global energy transition readiness has dipped, while India improves sharply—highlighting the mix of infrastructure gains and rising geopolitical risk. Regional Shipping Risk: Thailand’s proposed Land Bridge aims to bypass the Malacca Strait after Hormuz disruptions, but local communities near mangroves and fishing areas raise livelihood concerns. Green Industry Debate: Reuters reports iron-ore miners are bullish on energy-transition steel demand, while “green steel” faces cost and policy hurdles.

Water Security in Singapore: PUB’s new S$120m Tengah service reservoir, planned since 2016 and finished in Nov 2025, is set to start operations this year, supplying treated drinking water to about 42,000 homes and an upcoming industrial precinct—another example of long-horizon planning for demand. Waste & Recycling Policy: NEA says Singapore’s overall recycling rate fell to 52% last year (down from 59% in 2019), and will review the Zero Waste Masterplan to extend Semakau Landfill’s lifespan as it’s projected to reach capacity by 2035. Dengue Watch: Singapore reported dengue cases hitting a 2026 high, with red-alert clusters spreading across northern neighbourhoods. Coastal Resilience Rules: A new rulebook on how landowners can defend coastlines against sea-level rise is set to be mandatory from 2028. Water Tech Pipeline: Jacobs is studying feasibility for a future Singapore desalination plant, while PUB is also backing water-efficiency solutions for wafer fabrication and data centres. Green Finance: MPACT priced $200m fixed-rate senior green notes due 2033, with proceeds earmarked for eligible green projects under its green finance framework.

Waste & Research: Singapore launched TREASURES, a new national research centre on residue and toxic industrial waste management, with S$35m funding to help extend Semakau landfill life as recycling rates slip. Household Waste Fees: NEA will revise refuse collection fees from 1 July 2026, raising monthly charges for HDB/non-landed homes and landed properties, with U-Save rebates for eligible HDB households. Coastal Protection Rules: A new coastal protection code of practice will guide landowners on inspection and maintenance, with updated requirements to reflect sea-level rise and new technologies. Water Security: SIWW2026 opens in Singapore with a focus on municipal, industrial and coastal/flood resilience, bringing 2,000 delegates to push water solutions. Climate Investment: 100x100 launched its second $100m climate fund to build 50 low-emissions companies across India and Southeast Asia. Seafood Sustainability: Seafood Expo Asia’s 2026 conference programme in Singapore spotlights AI, sustainability, aquaculture’s future and consumer trust. Energy & Shipping: A major LNG-powered container ship made its maiden Suez Canal transit, underscoring how cleaner fuels are reshaping global shipping routes.

Singapore Water R&D Push: Singapore will invest close to S$100m under RIE 2030 to develop advanced municipal and industrial water technologies, including an energy-positive used-water treatment research facility and new work for wafer fabrication and data centres. Urban Liveability Funding: S$115m is also earmarked for R&D to optimise Singapore’s land, sea and underground spaces while scaling nature-based solutions for climate-ready, more liveable cities. Regional Water Tech at SIWW: De Nora is showcasing multi-barrier water solutions at Singapore International Water Week, targeting safer circular reuse for municipal and industrial users. Dengue Collaboration: Six regional groups signed an MoU in Singapore to strengthen dengue prevention and control, with a focus on shared campaigns, digital knowledge-sharing and policy recommendations. Green Steel Verification Hurdles: Southeast Asia’s “green steel” drive faces reporting and verification gaps, with inconsistent carbon accounting and weak supply-chain traceability complicating EU CBAM-ready claims. AI Data Centres and Power: Galaxy Data Center secured US$250m to expand gigawatt-scale AI data centres across Southeast Asia using its Singapore hub, while STT GDC opened in South Korea and expanded in Jakarta. Local Waste Enforcement: NEA is increasing anti-littering patrols after online photos showed rubbish near Boon Lay MRT station. Food Security Link: Singapore and Bhutan deepened agri-food ties as Singapore hosted the first Mini Bhutan Market at Shangri-La Singapore.

Water Security Push: PUB will receive nearly S$97m under RIE 2030 to develop water-saving solutions for wafer fabrication and data centres, plus a new water treatment research facility due in 2027 and the Tengah Service Reservoir to serve about 42,000 households. Coastal & Flood Resilience: At SIWW2026, DPM Gan Kim Yong warned climate change is bringing more dry-wet extremes and could put nearly a third of Singapore at risk of coastal flooding, while future demand could rise sharply by 2065. Desalination Feasibility: PUB has appointed Jacobs to study a potential dual-mode desalination plant, including options to fit treatment infrastructure into taller developments or underground spaces. Dengue Update: NEA reported 119 dengue cases in the week ending June 13, the highest weekly total so far in 2026, with 12 active clusters and four red-alert hotspots. Solar Supply Chain Watch: Wood Mackenzie’s 2026 solar PV module ranking puts China’s Longi at the top, while protected high-barrier markets are gaining momentum, including Singapore-based Elite Solar. Coral Climate Hope: Scientists identified about 166,000 sq km of coral reefs that can survive and recover from climate change, offering new targets for protection planning. Green Energy Investment: IEA data says Southeast Asia hit a new high of US$17b in renewable energy investment in 2025, though grid spending and permitting remain bottlenecks. EV Growth: EV sales are outpacing expectations, with electric cars reaching 25% of new car sales globally in 2025 and 63% by May 2026.

Dengue Defence: Six regional groups, including the Singapore Dengue Alliance, signed an MOU at the 9th Asia Dengue Summit to step up knowledge sharing and coordinated action against dengue’s rapid spread, with Wolbachia and the Sterile Insect Technique highlighted as proven tools. Urban Liveability & Air Quality: London won the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2026 for transforming a derelict rail site and delivering a major clean-air push, including an Ultra Low Emission Zone and other measures that link social, environmental and economic goals. Water Trust-Building: Seoul is promoting its “Arisu” tap water at Singapore’s World Cities Summit and Singapore International Water Week, pairing public trust campaigns with AI-led planning for future water infrastructure. Waste & Cleanup Leadership: The Maldives will host the World Cleanup Day Leaders Academy Asia 2026, with participation including Singapore, to build leadership and translate regional cooperation into local waste-reduction action. Green Building & Energy: Rectitude secured more orders for its SuperSun AIMS micro-grid systems across Singapore, pointing to growing adoption of temporary BESS for construction carbon mitigation. Marine Tech for Biodiversity: China’s marine “black tech” is using underwater robots and ocean monitoring stations to track reef health and protect habitats, including hawksbill turtles and recovering coral ecosystems.

Urban Sustainability & Reuse: Singapore is seeing more adaptive reuse of state properties, with SLA reporting over 20 tenders launched in 2025 to repurpose older buildings into co-living, community hubs and lifestyle spaces—an approach framed as both more efficient and more environmentally resilient than demolition. Climate & Water Security: NUS researcher He Xiaogang won the inaugural Global Climate Research Prize for methods that use floodwater during dry periods, aiming to strengthen long-term water security as wet and dry extremes swing faster. Coastal Risk: A new report highlights how climate change is accelerating coastal erosion, with South-east Asia’s shorelines already shrinking—raising pressure on tourism and coastal communities. Cleanliness Enforcement: NEA says it will tighten enforcement at Boon Lay MRT after online complaints about littering and overflowing trash, including stepped-up patrols. Green Cities Convening: World Cities Summit 2026 opened in Singapore, with leaders pushing cities to “ACT now” on liveability, sustainability, AI use, and climate action. Marine Tech for Conservation: China is deploying underwater robots and ocean monitoring stations to track reef health and support marine ranching, showing how tech is moving into real-world ecological protection.

Maritime Decarbonisation: A new Sea Cargo Charter disclosure says 29 major ship charterers/operators cut carbon intensity in 2025, with biofuels and wind-assist gaining momentum even as the group still misses IMO targets. AI Safety in Singapore: IMDA and Microsoft signed an MOU to deepen AI safety and security work, including research on agentic AI and multilingual safety, plus public resilience against misinformation. Green Building Costs: Rising electricity bills are pushing more private developers toward greener building designs, with Singapore aiming for 80% of buildings to meet higher energy-efficiency standards by 2030. Urban Planning & Utilities: Singapore says it avoided about $300m in construction costs since 2024 by spotting underground utility clashes earlier, and is rolling out a centralised submission portal to reduce repeated road openings. Clean Cooking Transition (Region): Bhutan is getting carbon-financed support for cleaner cooking, targeting households still reliant on firewood and LPG. Carbon Markets in Africa: A report highlights African governments moving carbon markets toward state-controlled registries and rules for measuring and monetising forest carbon.