Find out more about the Singapore Green Bond Report for FY2023.
- Singapore’s Green Agenda and Public Sector Green Bonds
- Singapore Green Bond Framework and Report
- Singapore Sovereign Green Bonds
- Singapore Statutory Boards Green Bonds
Climate change is a global existential challenge. Singapore, being a low-lying city state, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Singapore is fully committed to the global climate action, and will play its part as a responsible member of the international community.
In 2021, Singapore launched the Singapore Green Plan 2030 (“Green Plan”), a whole- of-nation movement to advance the national agenda on sustainable development. The Green Plan charts concrete targets over the next 10 years, strengthens Singapore’s commitments under the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, and positions us to achieve our long-term aspiration of net zero emissions. In 2022, Singapore announced our commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The green transition will be a new engine for jobs creation and growth across the economy. This includes the greening of traditional sectors such as aviation, energy, and tourism, as well as the emergence of new sectors such as green finance, carbon services and low-carbon technologies. The Government will work in partnership with the private sector to provide an enabling environment for businesses and workers to take advantage of these new growth opportunities.
To support Singapore’s decarbonisation efforts and deepen Singapore’s green finance market, the Government announced at Budget 2022 that the public sector will take the lead by issuing up to S$35 billion of green bonds by 2030, comprising green bonds issued by the Government as well as Statutory Boards.
These public sector green bond issuances will serve as reference for the corporate green bond market, deepen market liquidity for green bonds, and attract green issuers, capital, and investors. This paves the way for greater private sector green finance activity.
Related Pages
Key Features of the Singapore Green Bond Framework
The Framework is aligned with international principles and market practices. It is developed and structured in alignment with the core components and key recommendations of the International Capital Market Association (“ICMA”) Green Bond Principles 2021 and the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum ASEAN Green Bond Standards 2018.
Use of Proceeds: The Framework lists eight categories of green projects that may be financed by the Singapore sovereign green bonds.
-
Renewable Energy
-
Energy Efficiency
-
Green Buildings
-
Clean Transportation
-
Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management
-
Pollution Prevention, Control and Circular Economy
-
Climate Change Adaptation
-
Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Land Use
Project Evaluation and Selection: A Green Bond Steering Committee (“GBSC”) undertakes key decisions related to the green bonds issued under this Framework, including the evaluation and selection of projects. The GBSC is chaired by the Second Minister for Finance, and comprises senior government representatives from various government bodies1.
Management of Proceeds: The Government deploys the net sovereign green bond proceeds to only GBSC-approved projects, and will fully allocate the funds within 2 to 3 years of issuance. The unallocated proceeds pending allocation will be held in cash or invested in other short-term liquidity instruments.
Reporting: Until full allocation and in case of material changes, the Government will commit to annual allocation reporting, and impact reporting on environmental benefits and, where possible, social co-benefits of the Eligible
Green Expenditures. This is to provide timely and updated information to investors and other interested parties.
The first Singapore Green Bond report was published in September 2023, which details the allocation and expected environmental impact of Singapore sovereign green bond for the Financial Year 2022.
External Review: In line with market practice, Sustainalytics, an independent ESG research, ratings and analytics firm, has provided a Second-Party Opinion on the Framework. Sustainalytics has independently assessed the Framework to be aligned with the ICMA Green Bond Principles 2021 and the ASEAN Green Bond Standards 2018.
Documents
- Singapore Green Bond Framework
- Second-Party Opinion
- Singapore Green Bond Report, Financial Year 2022
- Morningstar Sustainalytics' Impact Report (21 September 2023)
- Singapore Green Bond Report, Financial Year 2023
Press Releases
-
25 September 2024 - Publication of Second Singapore Green Bond Report
-
21 September 2023 - Publication of First Singapore Green Bond Report
1These government bodies are the Ministry of Finance, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Accountant-General’s Department, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, and Ministry of Transport.
Singapore sovereign green bonds, also known as Green Singapore Government Securities (“SGS”) (Infrastructure), are used to finance major, long-term green infrastructure in Singapore that qualify under the Framework. Borrowing for such infrastructure spreads the costs across the generations that would benefit from these projects.
Examples of eligible green SINGA projects include the upcoming Cross Island Line and Jurong Region Line. Our rail network expansion will enhance connectivity and encourage more commuters to take mass public transport, which together with walking and cycling, are the greenest ways to move.
The Singapore Government borrows prudently and adheres to stringent safeguards.
(a) In order to qualify for financing via Green SGS (Infrastructure), infrastructure projects will need to meet the high bar to qualify as nationally significant under SINGA, as well as the green eligibility criteria stated in the Framework.
(b) The issuance of such green bonds is subject to the overall legislative gross borrowing limit and the annual effective interest cost limit under SINGA 2.
Related Pages
-
Overview of Singapore Government Borrowings
Details on how Green SGS (Infrastructure) fits within the Singapore Government’s existing suite of borrowings. -
Bonds & Bills – Monetary Authority of Singapore
Details on Green SGS (Infrastructure) such as the issuance calendar, auction updates and bond return calculator.
- 21 May 2024 – Pricing of 30Y Green SGS (Infrastructure)
- 17 May 2024 – Launch of 30Y Green SGS (Infrastructure)
- 24 August 2023 – Pricing of the Reopening of 50Y Green SGS (Infrastructure)
- 21 August 2023 – Launch of the Reopening of 50Y Green SGS (Infrastructure)
- 4 August 2022 – Pricing of Inaugural Singapore Sovereign Green Bond
- 1 August 2022 – Launch of Inaugural Singapore Sovereign Green Bond Issuance
2
The gross borrowing limit of S$90 billion and annual effective interest cost threshold of S$5 billion apply to the overall SINGA programme, which comprises the issuance of both Green SGS (Infrastructure) and SGS (Infrastructure).
Singapore Statutory Boards play a vital role in Singapore’s Whole-of-Government green financing efforts.
In line with market practice, Statutory Boards that intend to issue green bonds will develop and publish their own green bond frameworks, taking reference from the Singapore Green Bond Framework. Statutory Boards’ respective frameworks must align with internationally recognised market principles, standards, and best practices.
- National Environment Agency (“NEA”) published its Green Bond Framework in August 2021. Proceeds from NEA’s green bonds are used to finance sustainable infrastructure development projects including the Tuas Nexus Integrated Waste Management Facility, NEA’s flagship waste management project.
- Housing & Development Board (“HDB”) published its Green Finance Framework in March 2022. The net proceeds from HDB’s green finance transactions are used to finance or re-finance green building projects.
- PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, published its Green Financing Framework in August 2022. Proceeds from PUB's green bonds finance planned and future green projects that support PUB's efforts to ensure a resilient and sustainable water supply for Singapore, which remains critical amidst the challenges of climate change.
- Land Transport Authority (“LTA”) published its Green Bond Framework in July 2024. Proceeds from LTA’s green bonds are used to finance new or existing projects to deliver a more sustainable land transport ecosystem.
Related Pages