Decarbonization in Singapore: Hydrogen and the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS)

Singapore aims for climate neutrality after 2050, focusing on hydrogen as a key decarbonization enabler due to its limited renewable energy potential. The country's economy is heavily export-oriented, with industrial activities and the power sector contributing 46% and 39% of GHG emissions, respectively. Singapore is exploring low-carbon hydrogen for electricity generation, heavy-duty transport, and industrial fuel, while considering ammonia for maritime bunkering. While blue hydrogen is feasible, the lack of domestic geological formations for CO2 storage necessitates partnerships with neighboring countries. Singapore leverages its position as a global port and refining hub to aim for a future role as a hydrogen hub within a developing global supply chain.

• Industrial and power sectors are the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Singapore, with industrial activities accounting for 46% and the power sector for 39%.
• Singapore's Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) targets climate neutrality after 2050, identifying hydrogen as a potential decarbonization tool for the industrial, maritime, and transportation sectors.
• Hydrogen and ammonia are being evaluated for specific downstream applications: low-carbon hydrogen for gas turbines, fuel cells in buildings or data centers, heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles (FCEV), and industrial fuel; ammonia is specifically being considered as a bunkering fuel for the maritime sector.
• A significant barrier to blue hydrogen production in Singapore is the absence of suitable geological formations for permanent underground CO2 storage, which may require the country to partner with neighboring countries or companies.

APA

Tovar, M. (2021). Decarbonization in Singapore: Hydrogen and the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS). Clean Air Task Force. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/21092359/CATF-Singapore-Decarbonization-Final.pdf

Chicago

Tovar, Magnolia. Decarbonization in Singapore: Hydrogen and the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS). Clean Air Task Force, 2021. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/21092359/CATF-Singapore-Decarbonization-Final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Tovar |first1=Magnolia |title=Decarbonization in Singapore: Hydrogen and the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS) |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=April 2021 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/21092359/CATF-Singapore-Decarbonization-Final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{tovar2021decarbonization, author = {Tovar, Magnolia}, title = {{Decarbonization in Singapore: Hydrogen and the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS)}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/21092359/CATF-Singapore-Decarbonization-Final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }