2026 outlook

What's next for the environment — and the top stories of 2025

- Chin Hui Shan

The beverage container return scheme is slated to launch on April 1, 2026. Consumers will pay an extra 10 cents for bottled and canned drinks ranging from 150ml to 3 litres, but will receive a full refund of the deposit when they return the empty containers at designated return points.

(PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO)

The year 2025 was a challenging year for the environment.

Geopolitics eroded many national commitments to tackle climate change, even as climate disasters pummelled many countries around the world, including in Southeast Asia.

But despite the gloom plaguing the environment sector, some bright sparks have emerged.

The Straits Times highlights some areas to look out for in 2026, and several key developments in 2025.

Singapore has not wavered on its earlier commitment to have its power sector reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Following a number of key moves on the energy front in Singapore in 2025, it is likely that there will be more developments in the sector in the year ahead.

The energy sector accounts for about 40 per cent of Singapore’s total emissions.

Singapore has not yet made a decision on nuclear energy, but is monitoring developments on this front — especially for small modular reactors (SMRs). In 2025, the Republic made some progress in this area.

For instance, in July, a nuclear research and safety institute was launched at the National University of Singapore to build expertise in this area. Singapore in September also appointed consultancy firm Mott MacDonald to study the safety and feasibility of advanced nuclear technologies such as SMRs.

In October, the Republic signed agreements with various institutes in the US with nuclear expertise to facilitate information exchange.