2 - Decarbonisation and Closing the Waste Loop

Decarbonisation and Closing the Waste Loop

SDC is working towards reducing its energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions, to ensure that Sentosa continues to develop as a sustainable leisure destination. We will support our Island Partners on decarbonisation initiatives, track Sentosa’s carbon emissions, trial new solutions, as well as work together with guests, the island community and technology partners to meet its collective climate goals.

SDC and Temasek signed an MoU to harness Temasek's expertise in studying and testbedding sustainability solutions

To understand the overall carbon profile of Sentosa and what decarbonisation measures and solutions can be most efficiently deployed, SDC has been involved in a study with Temasek since June 2021.

While SDC Group’s share of Sentosa’s overall carbon footprint is estimated to be only between 6% to 8%, SDC is in a privileged position where we can influence the island’s carbon profile as its master planner, landlord, precinct operator, brand ambassador and custodian of Sentosa.

Singapore’s first carbon neutrality-driven business alliance, the Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network (SCNN), was established in this regard. This is a collective public-private effort to achieve Sentosa’s sustainability goals, including carbon neutrality by 2030. Together, SDC and the network of industry players will develop Sentosa-wide sustainability solutions through the sharing of resources and expertise, while also leveraging economies of scale and a common network to introduce large-scale solutions.

These efforts include the development of green MICE offerings, sustainable events, as well as guidelines for reducing disposables. SDC also collaborates with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to increase the use of locally-sourced produce across Sentosa’s hotels and restaurants. In addition, SDC is also actively exploring solutions for on-site decarbonisation, such as installing solar panels on rooftop and unconventional spaces.

Established in September 2021, the network comprises 17 founding members, including SDC and major businesses in Sentosa: Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, Capella Hotel Singapore, C Side (Bikini Bar, Coastes and Sand Bar), Far East Hospitality Management Singapore, FOC by the Beach, Madame Tussauds Singapore, Mount Faber Leisure Group, Ola Beach Club, Resorts World Sentosa, Rumours Beach Club, Sentosa Golf Club, Scentopia, Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Siloso Beach Resort, Tanjong Beach Club and W Singapore-Sentosa Cove.

As of March 2024, the SCNN has grown by 76% to a total of 30 members, with the addition of: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore, Co+Nut+Ink, Gogreen Eco Adventure, Baristart Coffee, Big Tiny, Tipsy Unicorn by Tipsy Collective, Skyline Luge Singapore, Lazarus Sea Sports Centre by Camelot, Mega Adventure Park, Quayside Isle, Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett, SOL by Bespoke Dining Club.

Collectively, these members account forabout 95% of the island’s estimated carbon profile, thus potentially bringing about the largest reductions in Sentosa’s carbon emissions. The formation of the network follows Sentosa’s island-wide carbon profiling initiative, which began in 2020, to establish Sentosa’s island carbon profile baseline and guide future carbon mitigation and abatement efforts.

Inaugural SCNN meeting among member Island Partners

Waste Management

To encourage guests to recycle and empower guests to adopt an eco-conscious lifestyle, SDC has collaborated with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to roll out smart Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs). The main goal of the RVMs at Sentosa is to encourage guests to do their part for the environment and cultivate a habit a recycling.

Reverse Vending Machines deployed around Sentosa

Food Waste Digester at Sentosa Cove

In Year 2023, SDC had launched an island-wide Sentosa Disposables Policy & Playbook, aiming to eliminate 2 million single-use plastic bottles annually. SDC recognises the importance of implementing new initiatives within the Group to play a part in minimising the number of disposables used. For example, at SDC’s Human Resource department, disposable water bottles are not provided during internal staff events or meetings conducted.

In addition to reducing disposables internally, it is also important to encourage guests to reduce waste and adopt a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. To reduce the amount of waste generated at Sentosa, SDC has pledged to reduce food wastage and the use of disposables by supporting the National Environment Agency (NEA)’s “Say Yes to Waste Less” Campaign. Through this campaign, SDC aims to create a more sustainable future by encouraging all Island Partners to adopt and implement the campaign on their premises, as well as at the Group’s own operations to encourage guests to cultivate a habit of reducing food wastage and using lesser disposables. For example, at Sentosa Golf Club’s food and beverages establishments, disposables such as one-time use utensils and plastic bottles are not provided to all guests. Water stations are accessible for all to use instead.

SDC, Sentosa Cove Resort Management and Sentosa Golf Club (SGC) have installed food waste digesters to recycle waste into compost. In addition, SGC has digesters to convert horticultural waste into mulch for landscaping uses around the golf courses