SINGAPORE – By the end of this century, sea levels off Singapore could rise by up to 1.15 meters, and by two meters by 2150. When combined with storm surges and high tides, water levels could reach five meters – an existential threat to a city-state where nearly 30 per cent of the land lies less than five meters above sea level.

Billions for the Protective Wall

To counter this danger, the government has injected an additional US$5 billion into the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund in the 2025 Budget. A Coastal Protection Bill is due in the second half of the year to formalise responsibilities, secure land, and enforce standards. At the same time, the national water agency PUB is preparing binding guidelines for coastal developments and a handbook on flood-resilient building design, both slated for release in 2026.

Eight Segments, Decades of Work

Singapore’s coastline has been divided into eight sections, each undergoing site-specific studies. Currently in focus is the City–East Coast stretch, with the planned “Long Island” – an 800-hectare reclamation project designed both as a protective barrier and a freshwater reservoir. Construction is scheduled to begin in the 2030s.
Further studies are underway for Jurong Island, the north-west coast, and soon Sentosa and the south-west. By 2026, eight offshore islands – including Pulau Tekong and the Sisters’ Islands – will also be systematically assessed for climate risks.

Seawalls, Mangroves and Modelling

Singapore is betting on a blend of engineering and nature-based solutions: seawalls, dikes, floodgates and revetments are being combined with mangroves and coastal ecosystems. A new Coastal-Inland Flood Model will simulate compound risks from storm surges and heavy rainfall. The government has already raised the minimum elevation for new developments from three to four meters above mean sea level. Strategic infrastructure like the Tuas Mega Port and Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 are being built at five meters or higher.

Society and Finances on Board

The public is also being drawn in. Through initiatives such as “Our Coastal Conversation” and design competitions, citizens – particularly the young – are invited to shape creative, liveable shorelines. Funding comes from the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund, government bonds, and past reserves. Early investments have gone into drainage projects such as the Syed Alwi Pumping Station and the upgrading of the Bukit Timah Canal, with larger coastal works expected later this decade.

“Not an Option, But a Necessity”

Since Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2019 placed coastal defence on par with national defence, the stakes have been clear: Singapore treats coastal protection as a matter of survival. Faced with stark projections, the nation is committing to long-term resilience, technological innovation and global best practices.

Singapore knows that protecting its coasts is not optional – it is the condition for the country’s very existence. (zai)