Lim Tuang Liang emphasizes collaboration with agencies and the public sector to push Singapore towards its sustainability goals.
SINGAPORE: Solar panels are becoming a common feature on public buildings and residential flats, yet questions around their placement—such as safety concerns and accessibility for firefighters—remain a significant challenge. It is issues like these that fall under the purview of Singapore’s first Government Chief Sustainability Officer (GCSO), Lim Tuang Liang.
Appointed to lead public agencies toward achieving the country’s net-zero targets, Mr. Lim has already reached out to multiple agencies to understand their operations and the unique hurdles they face. In his first interview since starting the role on January 1, Mr. Lim shared how his team analyzes these challenges to identify interventions that could benefit all parties involved.
“If agencies are not meeting their goals, we engage them to understand the obstacles. Sometimes the challenges go beyond the scope or resources of a single agency,” he said. His role as GCSO, he explained, allows him to listen to the various difficulties faced by agencies and help facilitate collaboration to solve them.
Addressing Agency Challenges
Mr. Lim likened his position to that of a conductor overseeing an orchestra. “The policy planners compose the music, individual agencies play their sections, and as the conductor, I ensure coordination and harmony,” he said. By addressing the internal challenges of agencies, Mr. Lim believes it will provide insights into the wider societal challenges ahead, helping to identify areas where broader solutions can be implemented.
He also discussed engaging corporate partners who have contributed ideas for sustainability, directing them to the relevant government agencies for further action. “We’ve been able to guide these partners to the right agencies so they can continue developing their ideas,” he added.
The Public Sector’s Role
Before becoming GCSO, Mr. Lim served as Chief Science and Technology Officer at the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE). In his new role, he sees tremendous potential for the public sector to contribute to reducing carbon emissions, particularly given that government bodies are large emitters through operations like wastewater treatment and waste incineration.
The government’s purchasing power also presents an opportunity to accelerate green initiatives across various sectors, including construction and information technology, which are major sources of emissions. Mr. Lim emphasized the role of government procurement in setting higher standards for sustainability, even if it means paying a premium for greener solutions.
“We are prioritizing sustainable designs and solutions, and if necessary, we will pay a bit more for these options,” he explained.
Additionally, the team has introduced guidelines to phase out single-use plastics at government events, promoting reusable alternatives instead. “We will see event organizers encouraging participants to bring their own utensils, creating a market for sustainable options,” Mr. Lim stated.
With his background in science and technology, Mr. Lim is also focused on steering the community and businesses toward more sustainable practices. By implementing policies that integrate sustainability into the core of government operations, he hopes to lead Singapore toward a greener future.
