Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, at the Singapore Discovery Centre's Sustainability Fest 2024 on 15 Mar 2024

Introduction

Defence Collective Singapore's CEO, Mr Joseph Tan, Distinguished Guests; a very good morning to all.

I extend my sincerest appreciation to all for joining us today as we embark on this journey towards a more sustainable future.

In 2022, we established Defence Collective Singapore, or DCS for short, by bringing together the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC), the Navy, Air Force and Army museums, as well as the upcoming NS-themed Gallery @ NS Square under a single collective.

DCS aims to bring Singapore's defence story to life and inspire us to defend what it means to be Singaporean. Events like the Sustainability Fest exemplify SDC's unwavering commitment to defending our shared future by fostering a greener and more sustainable culture for generations to come.

SDC's Commitment Towards Sustainability

Since its inception in 1996, SDC has been dedicated to fostering confidence, understanding and a desire to contribute to Singapore's future.

This includes aligning with plans like the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Just as MINDEF/SAF has taken concrete steps towards incorporating sustainable practices into our operations, SDC unveiled its Greenest Plan in 2020.

In Singapore, buildings contribute over 20 percent of our carbon emissions and consume more than a third of our nation's electricity.

Efforts to reduce a building's carbon emissions can significantly support Singapore's drive towards net-zero energy emissions.

SDC's Greenest Plan has guided the museum in integrating green technologies and climate-conscious initiatives into its operational practices, focusing on increasing renewables, improving efficiency, and inspiring behavioural change.

This includes the installation of over 4,096 solar panels at 10 systems across the museum, including the sheltered walkway, which currently holds the record for the longest sheltered walkway fitted with solar panels in the Singapore Book of Records.

Other efforts to reduce energy demands include implementing energy-efficient air-conditioning systems and installing real-time energy to track consumption patterns, further optimising SDC's energy usage.

As a result of these efforts, SDC has reduced its monthly energy consumption by almost 70%, from 295 Mega Watt hour in November 2020 to 93 Mega Watt hour in February 2024.  

This reduction represents annual savings that could power the electricity needs of over 570 four-room Housing Board flats– nearly an entire estate of HDB flats!

The Sustainability Fest marks a significant milestone in SDC's sustainability journey.

Starting in December 2019, SDC persevered with their multiple solar projects through the Covid-19 pandemic even as it stepped up to assist in MINDEF's national efforts to fight the pandemic.

Aligning to MINDEF's commitment to environmental sustainability, SDC set its sight on achieving the ambitious goal of becoming a net-zero energy museum within 5 years.

Such focus and dedication were key to SDC's unwavering commitment towards their sustainability goal. Today, I am pleased to announce that SDC has not only achieved its Net-Zero Energy goal last year in September 2023, but also exceeded its own target by generating an average of more than 30% excess energy for export from October 2023 to February 2024.

This accomplishment crowns SDC as the first Positive Energy museum in Singapore. Sarah Sutton, CEO of the international consultancy firm Environmental and Culture Partners, said that SDC "is considered the largest, and amongst the very first, positive energy museum in the world". Congratulations and well done!

Sustainability and Total Defence

As part of our collective of defence museums and educational efforts, SDC's integration of green and sustainable practices serves as a reminder that a mindset of sustainability underpins each pillar of our national Total Defence strategy.

Sustainable practices in energy use help mitigate our day-to-day environmental impacts. Efficient management of Singapore's finite resources builds resilience in our economy and in Singaporeans against the uncertainties of resource scarcity and disruptions.

Educational organisations like SDC has an important role to play in fostering a culture of sustainability by imparting knowledge, instilling values, and inspiring future generations to act on addressing environmental challenges urgently.

Highlights of Sustainability Fest

The Sustainability Fest, which has been running during this March school holidays, celebrates SDC's achievements and honours their spirit and commitment to sustainable practices and a green Singapore.

Visitors can enjoy various workshops where they can try their hand at making unique handicrafts using recycled and reclaimed materials. Different sustainable and eco-friendly materials also feature prominently in the interactive activities and booths.

SDC's Living Green Eco Tour will also be offered free to all members of the public for the next three months, from this Sunday until end of June.

Visitors will also get to enjoy free movies in a cooled 340-seater giant-screen cinema that is 100% powered by SDC's own solar panels.

I hope that these fun and educational activities will instil eco-awareness and empower visitors to embrace a greener and more sustainable lifestyle.

Closing Remarks

Once again, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to DCS and SDC on their remarkable achievement in shaping SDC to become Singapore's first Positive Energy museum, and being considered as the largest, and amongst the very first Positive Energy museum in the world.

It is a testament to DCS's commitment to becoming a frontrunner in the global fight against climate change, and a role model for environmental sustainability.

To everyone who has visited and will visit the Sustainability Fest this weekend, I hope you gain practical skills and insights to cultivate eco-friendly habits, shaping a sustainable future for us and our planet. I wish all visitors an enriching experience.