Additional $5 billion injected into Coastal and Flood Protection Fund

Another $5 billion will be injected into the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund, which was set up in 2020 to protect Singapore against rising sea levels and enhance flood resilience.

- Chin Hui Shan

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced this top-up in his Budget speech on Feb 18, saying it would be prudent for Singapore to set aside funds now to ensure that it can proceed with coastal and flood protection investments in the future.

The fund was first announced in 2020 with an initial injection of $5 billion to fund both coastal protection and drainage infrastructure.

PM Wong said Singapore needs to take steps to protect itself against climate risks even as it moves to reduce its emissions.

"If the world continues on a fossil fuel-based development trajectory over the coming years, global temperatures will keep rising, and that means we can expect a mean sea level rise of over 1m by 2100," he said.

A higher mean sea level, coupled with high tides and storm surges, would have a significant impact on Singapore, he said, adding that about one-third of Singapore will be vulnerable to coastal flooding.

Singapore will employ a range of solutions to protect its coastlines, including static structures like sea walls, to more specialised measures like barrages and tidal gates, as well as reclamation, PM Wong added.