Page 48 - Implementing ITU-T International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainable Cities: The Case of Singapore

Implementing ITU-T International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainable Cities –
The Case of Singapore

4.1.2. Environmental sustainability

The key theme assessed by the KPIs in the domain of environmental sustainability is the level of
ICT integration to support the city’s environmental sustainability. These KPIs also provide a
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baseline for future comparisons.
Data collected for the KPIs show that Singapore has a well-developed system for monitoring air
and water quality. Singapore is also implementing ICT programmes to better monitor and
manage progress in this area. It is noted that achieving efficient resource use via ICTs will be key
to its long-term environmental sustainability, given Singapore’s limited resources (including
spatial unavailability).

Suggested action for other aspiring
Measures adopted by Singapore smart sustainable cities
(based on Singapore’s experience)
Singapore has deployed a well-developed ICT- City stakeholders are encouraged to use ICT-based
based system to monitor air and water quality. systems to monitor the quality of water and air to
collect clear data used to inform environmental
policies. It is ideal to measure water delivery
efficiencies to preserve and fully utilize this limited
resource.

Singapore’s 2020 air quality targets are City stakeholders are encouraged to review and
benchmarked against the WHO Interim Targets implement the guidelines for air quality as
and Air Quality Guidelines. Data showed that air developed by WHO to help ensure suitable air
quality was within the “good and moderate quality to protect the health of their citizens.
“range for more than 87 per cent of 2015.

Further actions needed for Singapore and other aspiring smart sustainable cities

Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) monitoring
The release of GHG emissions into the atmosphere remains a matter of concern for
global leaders. Specific targets stipulated in the Paris Agreement, Sustainable
Development Goal 13 and the Connect 2020 Agenda are all directed towards lowering
GHG emissions. Considering these international instruments, aspiring smart sustainable
cities should incorporate relevant policies and standards into their smart city
framework to ensure that their transitions will help address global warming and other
climate change-related issues. Aspiring smart sustainable cities may also set up
e-monitoring systems within their territories and regulate GHG emissions per sector.

34 The Environmental Sustainability KPIs provide a baseline for comparison between regions, as well as
between different time periods for the same city. The latter helps identify the improvements the city
has made during a certain period.

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