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Speaking at the Sustainable Tech Forum 2024 organised by the Singapore Computer Society, Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Sustainability and Environment spoke about an inspiring vision for a sustainable digital future and elaborated on the Singapore government’s commitment to digital sustainability.
Amid escalating environmental challenges, the imperative for sustainable technological solutions has reached unprecedented importance. Sustainability is a critical issue that affects everyone, but as digital technology continues to advance, there is an opportunity for innovation and sustainability to go hand in hand.
Digital sustainability, encompassing both “Green ICT” and “ICT for Green,” is a pivotal focus for Singapore. The term captures the dual roles that digital technology plays in building a sustainable environment. First, it’s crucial to ensure that digital technology is adopted in an energy-efficient way. Second, digital technology can be a key enabler to help the rest of the economy go green.
With energy-intensive technologies like AI and blockchain, the tech sector is expected to contribute 15% – 30% of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, up from about 1.4% today.
Efforts have been made to green data centres (DCs). The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) launched the world’s first Tropical Data Centre standards in June 2023, allowing DCs to operate efficiently in Asia’s tropical climate.
IMDA is launching two initiatives to lower carbon emissions from software applications. The Green Computing Funding Initiative, an SG$30 million programme, drives research in optimising software design for energy efficiency. Green Software Trials will test carbon reduction techniques for software development.
The government, through GovTech, is consolidating standalone server rooms into centralised Government DCs certified for energy effectiveness. Green requirements are incorporated into ICT procurement to create a sustainable digital value chain.
GovTech is collaborating with the industry to jointly manage the government’s digital carbon footprint. Partnerships will develop best practices and solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of digital technologies.
Digital solutions, such as IoT devices and smart applications, enable resource optimisation in various sectors, reducing GHG emissions by up to 20%. IMDA and GovTech introduce initiatives to support companies adopting digital solutions for resource optimisation and carbon management.
Call Lade Enterprise reduced operational costs and carbon emissions by tracking and analysing truck emissions in real time under IMDA’s Advanced Digital Solutions (ADS) programme.
Digital workplace solutions and GovTech’s Open Digital Platform (ODP) aim to improve productivity, reduce travel-related emissions, and support resource consumption management for the whole-of-government.
Dr Janil Puthucheary invited everyone to join the nation on its transformative journey, where digital innovation becomes a driving force for positive change. Together, everyone was encouraged to contribute to shaping a thriving digital future that not only enables progress but also safeguards the very foundation of existence.
Singapore’s digital sustainability efforts are a commitment to ensuring innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. The minister extended his gratitude to all participants for being a part of the Sustainable Tech Forum, acting as a catalyst for ideas and partnerships that propel them towards a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
Singapore is committed to fostering a safe and sustainable digital environment, reflecting its forward-thinking approach to the future. With a keen focus on harnessing the power of technology for positive impact, the nation actively seeks to establish robust frameworks and initiatives.
In line with Singapore’s commitment to a secure digital environment, the Ministry of Communications and Information is spearheading the S$20 million Online Trust and Safety (OTS) Research Programme to address emerging online threats and build local capabilities. The Centre for Advanced Technologies in Online Safety (CATOS), hosted by A*STAR, will be instrumental in creating a collaborative ecosystem for a safer Internet.
