Two sides of the Coin: How Living in Estonia and Singapore Can benefit each other

After living in Tallinn for 7.5 years, my family and I recently made the decision to move back to Singapore. One of the reasons for this was my husband’s desire to raise our 10-year-old daughter in Singapore. However, through this experience, I have come to realize that there are many opportunities for both countries to learn from each other. My experiences living in Estonia have given me a unique perspective that can be beneficial to both cultures.

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a city with a rich history and culture, as well as a growing technology sector and well-developed transportation infrastructure. As Tallinn looks to attract foreign investment and promote international trade, one country to look to for inspiration and guidance is Singapore.

Singapore is known for its strong economy and reputation as a leading destination for foreign investment and international trade. By building strong relationships with key players in Singapore, such as government agencies, trade associations, and business leaders, Tallinn can gain a better understanding of the investment and trade opportunities available in the country.

When promoting Tallinn to potential investors and businesses in Singapore, it is important to highlight the city’s strengths, such as its growing technology sector, well-developed transportation infrastructure, and focus on environmental protection and sustainability. These strengths can make Tallinn an attractive destination for companies in the technology and transportation sectors, as well as those looking for a sustainable and eco-friendly location for their operations.

To attract foreign investment, Tallinn must create a favourable investment climate, by providing a stable and predictable business environment, as well as a low tax burden and a pro-business attitude. This can be achieved by implementing business-friendly policies, reducing bureaucracy and providing support for businesses in the form of tax breaks, subsidies or other incentives.

Focusing on environmental protection and sustainability is an important aspect of attracting foreign investment and promoting international trade. Companies are increasingly looking for locations that have strong environmental policies and a commitment to sustainable development. By highlighting Tallinn’s focus on environmental protection and sustainability, the city can appeal to companies in industries such as clean energy, renewable technology, and green transportation, as well as those looking to reduce their environmental footprint.

There are several ways Tallinn can showcase its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability:

  1. Implementing green initiatives: Tallinn can implement green initiatives such as promoting the use of electric vehicles, encouraging energy-efficient buildings and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
  2. Developing green spaces: Tallinn can create and maintain green spaces, such as parks and gardens, to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, while also providing an opportunity to showcase the city’s commitment to the environment.
  3. Encouraging sustainable tourism: Tallinn can encourage sustainable tourism by promoting eco-friendly accommodations and activities, such as cycling and walking tours, which will attract environmentally conscious travelers.
  4. Partnering with sustainable organizations: Tallinn can partner with organizations that promote sustainability, such as the United Nations Development Programme, to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development.
  5. Encouraging recycling and waste management: Tallinn can implement recycling programs and encourage waste management practices that promote sustainability, for example, by reducing the use of single-use plastics, separating waste and encouraging recycling.

Today, over 670 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar has been installed and we are on track to achieving our solar panel deployment target of at least 2 gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2030, which could generate enough energy to meet the annual electricity needs of 350,000 households.

https://www.ema.gov.sg/ourenergystory#:~:text=Today,%20over%20670%20megawatt-peak,electricity%20needs%20of%20350,000%20households.

Singapore, being a highly developed country, has a strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainability and has implemented a number of policies and initiatives in these areas. However, there are still some areas where Singapore can learn from Estonia in terms of environmental protection and sustainability:

  1. Renewable energy: Singapore has set a target to produce 2 GWp of solar energy by 2030 while Estonia has set a target to generate 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, Singapore could learn from Estonia’s more ambitious target and explore ways to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix.
  2. Biodiversity conservation: Estonia has a strong focus on biodiversity conservation, with over 40% of the country’s land area protected as national parks or nature reserves. Singapore, which is a small island nation, could learn from Estonia’s approach to preserving its natural habitats and biodiversity.
  3. Climate action: Estonia has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Singapore could learn from Estonia’s ambitious targets and explore ways to further reduce its own carbon footprint.
  4. Environmental education: Estonia places a high emphasis on environmental education, with a mandatory environmental education program in place for all primary and secondary school students. Singapore could learn from Estonia’s approach to environmental education, by making sure that environmental education is mandatory for all students and that it is integrated into the curriculum.
  5. Sustainable transportation: Estonia has implemented policies to promote sustainable transportation, such as the development of cycling infrastructure and the promotion of electric vehicles, Singapore could learn from Estonia’s approach, by promoting active mobility options like cycling and walking, and by encouraging the use of electric vehicles.

Overall, Singapore has a strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, but there are areas where Singapore could learn from Estonia’s approach, such as increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix, preserving biodiversity and habitats, increasing the ambition on climate action and promoting sustainable transportation.

Estonia to use 100% renewable energy by 2030: Estonian Government set a highly ambitious goal to produce all energy consumed in Estonia using renewable energy sources by 2030. This is a revolutionary decision as the state’s previous goal was more modest: to produce 40% of all energy consumed in Estonia using renewable energy sources by that year. Green transition activities are supported by EU investments of €354M into Ida-Viru County, Estonia.

https://investinestonia.com/estonia-to-use-100-renewable-energy-by-2030/

There are several ways that Singapore preserves its natural habitats and biodiversity:

  1. Conservation of nature reserves and parks: Singapore has set aside areas of land for conservation, such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and the Labrador Nature Reserve. These reserves protect a variety of habitats, including rainforests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems.
  2. Habitat restoration: Singapore has undertaken several large-scale habitat restoration projects, such as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and the Kranji Marshes. These projects aim to restore degraded habitats and increase biodiversity.
  3. Sustainable development: Singapore has implemented policies and guidelines to promote sustainable development and reduce the impact of human activities on natural habitats. For example, the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) guidelines for development in ecologically sensitive areas require that developers take measures to protect and enhance biodiversity.
  4. Education and public engagement: Singapore places great emphasis on educating the public about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. Through public engagement initiatives, people are educated about the value of biodiversity and how they can play a role in its conservation.
  5. Research and monitoring: Singapore conducts research on biodiversity, ecology and conservation biology to understand the status, trends and threats to biodiversity in Singapore, and to develop appropriate management strategies.
  6. International cooperation: Singapore actively participates in international efforts to protect biodiversity, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is Singapore’s oldest and most well-known nature reserve, located in the central region of the island. It is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including over 500 species of animals and over 400 species of plants. It is also a popular spot for hiking and nature walks.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a protected wetland area located in the northwest of Singapore. It is a sanctuary for migratory birds and is home to a wide variety of aquatic life, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. It is also known for its mangrove swamps and mudflats, which are important habitats for many species of fish, birds and crabs.

Labrador Nature Reserve is a coastal park located in the southern region of Singapore. It is known for its rugged cliffs and rocky shorelines, as well as for its rich biodiversity. The reserve is home to a variety of habitats, including rocky shores, mangroves, and coastal forests. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching and offers scenic views of the sea.