© Singapore Polytechnic

CC1S10: Sustainable Innovation Project

SIP PROJECT BRIEF

The Sustainable Innovation Project module provides you with a platform to propose an idea
that will have a positive impact on a user in need in Singapore. The Design Thinking tools
that you will learn will help you better understand the issue from the user‘s perspective,
before proposing a solution. If you are keen to implement your idea, we would love to
hear from you!

On 25 September 2015, 193 countries, including Singapore, adopted the UN Sustainable

Development Goals (UN SDGs) to end poverty, inequalities and dangerous climate change.

Each of these 17 goals has specific targets to be achieved by 2030.

Sustainable development has been integral to our development as a nation. We have

always been mindful of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We are confronted by many
complex challenges. What solutions will you come up with to build a better and more
sustainable Singapore?
You may consider project areas in this brief or get approval from your facilitator on other
issues you are interested in. We encourage you to choose a local issue/user in need that
is close to your heart. The project statement must be a local issue that is user-centric
and linked to the UN SDGs.

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CC1S10: Sustainable Innovation Project

1 Our People: Poverty and Inequality

Singapore’s Challenges
Singapore is known to be an affluent nation. Yet many young Project Statements:
Singaporeans are unaware of poverty and inequality issues.
Poverty is often ‘hidden’ in Singapore, as many of us may not How can we help needy
have encountered it personally. families in Singapore break
Middle-income earners may face financial strain, stress of
out of the poverty cycle?
caregiving and relationship issues. Overspending on online
shopping, travelling, purchasing a car, renovation and wedding How can we help middle-
loans are major reasons that Singaporeans end up in debt. This income earners get out of
is worsened by quick cash or loan approvals, which increases their debt cycle?
credit card debt.

Demographic changes (e.g., shrinking family sizes, rising divorce

rates, more non-traditional family structure) can give rise to
other challenges to families.

2 Our People: Education and Lifelong Learning

Singapore’s Challenges
Singapore’s education system is considered to be world-class, Project Statements:
with students consistently performing very well in international
tests. How can we enable students
in Singapore to have a well-
The over-emphasis on academic grades can also mean that non-
academic interests are overlooked. In addition, the competitive
balanced schooling
nature of the system has affected the mental well-being of experience?
students.
How can we encourage
Singaporeans (especially those who lose their jobs or leave their Singaporeans to cultivate a
jobs mid-career) also need opportunities to remain employable
and develop a mastery of skills. Continual changes in the way
spirit of lifelong learning?
we live, work and learn require Singaporeans to constantly learn
and relearn, and acquire new skills. This helps drive Singapore's
next phase of development towards an advanced economy
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2018).

3 Our People: Gender

Singapore’s challenges
Singaporean women take on many responsibilities, which make Project Statements:
balancing family and career challenging. Traditional mind set
about gender roles have resulted in a lower workforce How can we encourage
participation by women. We have to enable women to enter and Singaporeans to share
remain in the workforce. In addition, Singapore women still face
discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and voyeurism.
responsibility within the
Some may go unreported, Those in unhealthy relationships may household and family?
not know how to recognise it, protect themselves or exit from it.
How can we encourage
Societal expectations of men also result in men’s mental health Singaporeans to develop
and psychological wellness to be neglected in Singapore. Older
males tend to internalise their struggles while trying to live up to
healthy and mutually
a standard masculine role (The Straits Times, 2019). respectful relationships?

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CC1S10: Sustainable Innovation Project

4 Our People: Healthy Lives and Well-being

4.
Singapore’s challenges
Singaporeans are living longer and more affluently. More Project Statements:
Singaporeans are becoming obese and have chronic
illness such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. How can we encourage
With an increasing ageing population, the social and
healthcare needs of the elderly are also important.
Singaporeans/elderly to lead a
Singaporeans can take charge of their health through healthy life?
preventive healthcare.
How can we empower
Mental health is also an integral part of one’s well-being. Singaporeans/elderly to
Various national help programmes are available but not
everyone is aware of or inclined to use them. Three in
strengthen their mental and
four persons do not seek help. Samaritans of Singapore emotional well-being?
noted that suicide is a leading cause of death for those
aged 10 to 29, with males accounting for more than 66% How can we encourage
of all suicides in 2019. Societal stigma and discrimination Singaporeans to be more accepting
against persons with mental health issues still exist. of individuals with mental health
Also, the older adult population is not likely to
issues?
acknowledge mental illness or to access mental health
services. Many elderly people view mental illness as a
sign of weakness and are unlikely to admit to
experiencing such problems or accept those who do.

5 Our People: An Inclusive and Sustainable Singapore

5.
Singapore’s challenges
Some of us lament the loss of the ‘kampung spirit’. We Project Statements:
have become more self-centred and less gracious (e.g.,
not clearing tables after meals, not giving up seats to the How can we encourage
elderly). Furthermore, some Singaporeans hold
xenophobic views against foreigners, blaming them for
Singaporeans to be more caring,
problems we face. giving and gracious?

Also, marginalised groups like ex-offenders face hurdles How can we encourage
after stepping out of prison (e.g., finding a job, not being Singaporeans to be more inclusive
accepted by family/society). Persons with disabilities may
not feel included, accepted, or given opportunities to
towards people from marginalised
contribute or reach their potential by society. More can be communities?
done to make places accessible to them as well as others
like elderly and families with young children.

Our elderly may feel that they are not so valued in our
society or life becomes a routine after their retirement,
leading to a more pessimistic outlook in their lives. Rapid
changes in our society (e.g., the move towards a smart
nation) can also be challenging for our elderly. We can
also do more to enable the elderly to live independently
while remaining integrated in our society.

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CC1S10: Sustainable Innovation Project

6. Our Planet: Zero Waste and Responsible Consumerism

Singapore’s challenges with Sustainability

To maintain a safe living environment with a high quality Project Statements:
of life for current and future generations, Singapore’s
approach to sustainable consumption and production is How can we encourage
to become a Zero Waste Nation.
Singaporeans to lead a zero waste
As our affluence grows, so does our consumption of lifestyle?
goods and services. How we consume is influenced by
social norms, such as pressure to over-order food at How can we encourage
meals, keep up with fashion trends, or get the latest Singaporeans to be responsible
mobile phone model (Towards Zero Waste, 2021).
consumers?
We generate approximately 60,000 tonnes of e-waste
each. Despite recycling initiatives, plastics and packaging
contribute to our limited landfill space. (Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, 2018). We can do better with recycling
which stands at 60%. 40% of recyclables placed in our
blue recycling bins cannot be recycled. About 1.76 billion
plastic items are used each year without recycling.

7. Our Planet: Food Resources

Singapore’s challenges with Sustainability

Food waste is a major issue with an average 1.5kg of Project Statements:
food disposed of by each Singaporean household daily.
We are struggling to manage our waste. By 2035, How can we encourage
Singapore’s only landfill site will be completely full.
Singaporeans to reduce food
Are we food literate? The food choices we make can have wastage?
an impact on our health, environment and economy. How
many food miles have your food travelled before arriving How can we encourage
on your plate? What is the labourer paid for harvesting Singaporeans to be more food
your food?
literate?

8. Our Future: Food, Water and Energy Security

Singapore’s challenges with Sustainability

Singapore is constrained by limited natural resources. Project Statements:
Being land scarce, less than 1% of our land is used for
agriculture. We rely heavily on food imports which can be How can we encourage
affected by challenges such as climate change and
disruptions to global supply chains. We are encouraging
Singaporeans to conserve water (or
Singaporeans to produce 30% of our food needs locally. electricity)?

We also import almost all our energy needs and have How can we encourage
limited options for harnessing alternative energy (Ministry Singaporeans to support local food
of Foreign Affairs, 2018). Yet, our energy demand
continues to rise with our economic development.
production?
Singapore's household electricity consumption has
increased by about 17 per cent over the past decade. Our
water demand is expected to more than double by 2060.

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CC1S10: Sustainable Innovation Project

Suggested Resources

UN Sustainable Development Goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Straits Times Online Free account for SP students. Use the ST website or
download the app meant for Apple or Android.
CNA https://www.channelnewsasia.com/
Today https://www.todayonline.com/

Department of Statistics Singapore https://www.singstat.gov.sg/

Ministry of Social and Family Development’s https://www.msf.gov.sg/research-and-data/Research-
Research and Data and-Data-Series/Pages/default.aspx