Singapore, 27 June 2025 – PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency will be carrying out a Risk Assessment Study (RAS) to evaluate the impact of rising sea levels on some of Singapore’s offshore islands. A tender for the RAS was launched today and the study is expected to commence by 2026.
Offshore islands to be studied under the RAS
2 The RAS will also explore potential coastal protection measures and formulate timelines for the measures to be further developed and implemented. Eight offshore islands will be studied under the RAS:
• Pulau Tekong off the northeastern coast;
• Southern Islands1 and Kusu Island directly south of Singapore;
• Sisters’ Islands2; and
• Pulau Bukom, Pulau Hantu, Pulau Pawai and Pulau Senang in the south-west.
They were selected based on PUB’s preliminary assessment of the potential impact of sea level rise on these islands and their developments.
3 The study of coastal protection measures for other islands will dovetail their respective agencies' development plans or upcoming studies for synergies. For instance, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Ketam will be included as part of PUB’s future site-specific study for the north-eastern coast, which will include Punggol and Pasir Ris. Semakau Landfill will be studied by the National Environment Agency when it carries out a study on the development options for the island.
4 The Third National Climate Change Study, released in January 2024, projected that mean sea levels around Singapore could rise by up to 1.15 metres by 2100. Site-specific studies have commenced progressively on mainland Singapore. There are four ongoing studies (City-East Coast, Jurong Island and both sections of the north-west coast), with the studies for Sentosa Island and south-west coast due to commence by 2026.
5 Ms Hazel Khoo, Director of PUB’s Coastal Protection Department, said: “Rising sea levels will pose risks to Singapore's offshore islands. Some are home to rich biodiversity and heritage, and are spaces enjoyed by many, while others serve industrial and defence purposes. Through the RAS and in collaboration with other public agencies and stakeholders, we aim to better understand the vulnerabilities of each island, so that we can plan forward and develop appropriate coastal protection measures. This will ensure that we preserve these precious spaces for current and future generations.
6 The findings from the RAS will inform the staging of future site-specific studies for the offshore islands.
-END-
Footnotes:
[1] Southern Islands refer to St John’s Island and Lazarus Island
[2] Sisters’ Islands comprise of Pulau Subar Laut and Pulau Subar Darat
