The development of Singapore into a Garden City began all the way back in the 1960s when the Prime Minister at the time, Lee Kuan Yew, suggested the creation of softening the harsh urban environment with green spaces. Since then, Singapore has evolved into a bustling metropolis nestled in a lush embrace of tropical greenery.
In 2021, the country's government launched its Green Plan 2030 — the next step that is focused not only on creating and maintaining green spaces, but also on placing importance on sustainability, conserving the natural heritage and involving the local community.
Some key programs of the Green Plan include setting aside 50% more land, around 200 hectares, for nature parks. This will all be within a 10-minute walk to a respective household and aim to plant one million more trees across the island to absorb more CO2, resulting in the population enjoying cleaner air, and cooler shade.
The Green Plan charts ambitious and concrete targets over the next 10 years, strengthening Singapore’s commitments under the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement. The city-state is getting ready to achieve the long-term net zero emissions aspiration as soon as viable.
For all the hard work, Singapore is widely recognised as the most eco-friendly city in Asia.
