They put forward ten recommendations, drawn from year-long dialogues on the ground, which included increasing carbon tax to be reviewed every five years; improving frameworks for the public sector to take the lead in environmental sustainability initiatives; as well as expanding climate education in schools.

“We reached out to diverse groups, from climate activists to businesses and even down to the oil refineries, and managed to get everyone on the same platform, so that we can hear each other’s viewpoints as we try to find common ground,” Ng shares.

The motion was passed with two amendments, and in her response to the debate, Grace Fu, the minister for sustainability and the environment, announced the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a sustainable development movement for a better and greener future. The plan builds on Singapore’s commitments under the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, along with its long-term net zero emissions aspiration.

“More than just its ambitious targets, I’m excited about the plan’s whole of society approach: the people, public and private—which was in the motion as well—to work together to effect change. The different ministries are also coming together to make sure that sustainability is at the heart of everything we do,” enthuses Ng.

“One area that many will focus on, and I’m glad it’s in the headlines today, is reducing our carbon emissions, which ultimately is the biggest challenge when it comes to climate change,” he adds, referring to Singapore’s public sector’s plan to raise its solar energy use to 1.5 gigawatt-peak by 2025—enough to power over 260,000 households annually—among other measures to bring down carbon emissions.

The Green Plan will be continually refined over the next ten years and requires everyone’s part to put in action. Some focus areas include creating an additional 1,000 hectares of green spaces by 2035; setting up 60,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points by 2030, with eight EV-ready towns by 2025; shaping Singapore as a leading centre for green finance; and producing 30 per cent of our nutritional needs locally and sustainably by 2030. An Eco Stewardship Programme will enhance environmental education, while the New Enterprise Sustainability Programme enables local companies to adopt sustainability practices.

See also: Bridging The Food Waste And Food Insecurity Gap: How Singaporeans Are Doing Their Part

Ng is heartened that the younger generation is “not just keen to be aware; they want to do something that will bring about change”. He elaborates, “People are coming together, including groups such SG Climate Rally, to co-create solutions. They are offering different viewpoints and good recommendations on what we can and should do. So it’s really about continuing what they have been doing, and being constructive in their feedback to try to find win-win solutions. This way they will progress much faster.”

Such activism is something that Ng is familiar with for he founded the animal welfare charity, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) as an undergraduate in 2001. He developed a love for animals since young, but the turning point came at age 14 when he watched the documentary Gorillas in the Mist, based on the true story of American primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey who went to Africa to save the gorillas but was later murdered in a case that remains unsolved.

He started reading up on animal conservation, volunteered at the SPCA, and later at the zoo, where he became close to a baby chimpanzee called Ramba, which unfortunately was taken away from her mother and used for photography sessions. Whenever she misbehaved, Ramba would be physically punished by her keepers. Ng successfully campaigned to end the use of chimps for photography sessions—and this he says changed his life and led him to founding Acres.

He stepped down as Acres CEO earlier this year, but remains involved with the organisation. He is proud that this one-man fight to make a difference has grown into a movement. “We’re not just changing one or two acts of cruelty, but we’re trying to change people’s mindsets. This required a movement, and I’m glad now we have an army of volunteers who helps a team of passionate full-time staff who go to work every day to make a difference.”

See also: How It Is All Monkey Business For Primatologist and Gen.T Honouree Andie Ang

Interestingly, he sees no difference between an activist and a politician: “As politicians, we should be activists. We’re there to mobilise the ground to bring about change, and explain to people what we do and why we do it, so as to get them involved in our work. And that’s why we do so many dialogues, to not just solely speak up about what we believe in but, more importantly, what the people believe in.”

Besides sustainability and animal welfare, Ng is also a strong advocate for families, including single unwed parents, and migrant workers. When he first joined politics in 2015, he famously tried out different jobs, from healthcare worker to cleaner to Grab driver, to understand first-hand what’s happening on the ground. 

When it comes to the world that he wants to leave behind for his three daughters, seven-year-old Ella and four-year-old twins Poppy and Katie, “I’ve really taught them to live by the code that I started with—that there’s no us and them. Only us: one human family connected in ways we sometimes forget. And to have compassion and responsibility in everything that they do. I’m very proud when Ella picks up a caterpillar and puts it on the side. I didn’t teach her to do that but she's learnt in her own way to be kind to others. Same with Poppy and Katie, when they look out for and help each other.”

See also: How Venture Philanthropists Paul Growald And Eileen Rockefeller Growald Are Tackling The Effects Of Climate Change