In brief
Singapore announced on Tuesday that it will strengthen the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act and introduce new measures to hold companies accountable for haze that crosses borders. The measures include a specialist panel of law, audit and investigative firms to support cross‑border investigations and more scrutiny from investors, financiers and the market. The National Environment Agency has issued Preventive Measure Notices to companies that may have contributed to the haze in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Singapore announced that it would tighten its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act and introduce additional legislation to hold companies accountable for transboundary haze, according to a report by Xinhua.
The announcement was made by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu to delegates at the SEC Sustainable Procurement Forum, where she explained the intent to close enforcement gaps and strengthen corporate accountability, the government stated in a statement released to Xinhua.
"The measures aim to close enforcement gaps, strengthen corporate accountability and improve Singapore's ability to investigate and take decisive action against those responsible for transboundary haze," said Fu.
Fu also said the government would use a wider range of legal, regulatory and economic measures, including greater scrutiny from investors, financiers and the market, Xinhua reported.
In addition to tightening the existing Act, Singapore plans to establish a specialist panel consisting of law, audit and investigative firms to support cross‑border inquiries into identified companies' operations, corporate relationships and supply chains, according to the news agency.
According to Xinhua, the National Environment Agency has already issued Preventive Measure Notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to companies that may have contributed to haze during the recent prolonged haze that has affected Singapore for several weeks.
The measures are part of Singapore's broader commitment to sustainable procurement and climate resilience, as emphasized by the SEC Sustainable Procurement Forum, where industry leaders discussed ways to reduce environmental impacts across supply chains.
By fortifying its legal framework, Singapore aims to deter corporate practices that contribute to haze and to enhance its capacity to investigate transboundary pollution, the government added in the statement released to Xinhua.
While the specific penalties or enforcement mechanisms under the proposed amendments have not yet been disclosed, the announcement signals a shift toward more stringent oversight of companies operating in regions prone to forest fires and burning, which are primary drivers of haze.
Singapore's move comes amid growing international pressure on countries in the region to curb the use of slash‑and‑burn and other unsustainable land‑use practices that contribute to air pollution, according to Xinhua.
The announcement also coincides with efforts to align the city-state with global climate goals, as Singapore aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmentally responsible business operations.
As transboundary haze remains a recurring environmental challenge in Southeast Asia, Singapore's strengthened regulatory approach is expected to encourage other jurisdictions in the region to adopt similar measures, experts say.
The city-state's action, although focused on a specific pollution problem, reflects a broader trend of integrating climate and environmental considerations into national legal frameworks, analysts observed in a comment cited by Xinhua.
Following the announcement, the government is expected to release details of the amended Act and the composition of the specialist panel in the coming weeks, to provide clarity on the role of investors and financiers in enforcing corporate accountability, the report added.
With the tightening of laws, Singapore positions itself as a leader in regional environmental governance, underscoring the importance of robust legal tools in safeguarding climate and air quality, Xinhua concluded.
