Singapore Updates Emission Factors Registry Ahead of Scope 3 Reporting Mandate

SINGAPORE, January 22, 2026 – Singapore has taken a significant step to strengthen its national carbon data infrastructure with the expansion of the Singapore Emission Factors Registry (SEFR) by 94 new emission factors (EFs), improving the accuracy and consistency of emissions reporting for businesses and enabling more targeted decarbonisation action across key sectors.

The expansion brings the total number of locally relevant emission factors in SEFR to 319, covering 100 per cent of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reporting, as well as four of the 15 Scope 3 categories, with partial coverage across several others. The registry serves as Singapore’s single reference point for converting business activity data into carbon emissions data, supporting more robust and transparent greenhouse gas accounting.

The latest update is particularly significant as Scope 3 emissions reporting becomes mandatory for Straits Times Index (STI) companies from FY2026, with growing expectations from investors, customers and regulators for broader disclosure across supply chains.

New service-sector data addresses long-standing Scope 3 gaps

A key highlight of the expansion is the introduction of three new Singapore-specific emission factors for cleaning, security and professional services, sectors widely used by businesses but historically underserved by locally relevant emissions data.

These factors were prioritised following public consultations led by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), which identified these services as essential inputs for most organisations. Their development was supported by a pioneering ground-up study led by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), using real activity data from Singapore’s business community.

Unlike international databases that rely on aggregated, economy-wide models, the new service-specific factors are built using A*STAR’s Lifecycle Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF)—a methodology grounded in life-cycle assessment principles and aligned with international standards including ISO 14067 and the Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT).

Actionable insights for emissions reduction

Beyond improving reporting accuracy, the study provides practical, sector-specific insights into emissions drivers and reduction opportunities:

Cleaning services: Emissions are largely driven by materials and equipment use, presenting opportunities to switch to greener supplies and more energy-efficient machinery.

Security services: Around 14 per cent of emissions come from local transport such as patrols and fleet operations, highlighting the potential of fleet electrification and improved driving behaviour.

Professional services: Emissions are driven mainly by local business travel and IT equipment use, with opportunities to extend the lifespan of IT assets through refurbishment or leasing models.

By acting on these insights, businesses can reduce both emissions and operating costs while strengthening their appeal to customers that increasingly prioritise sustainable procurement.

Broader expansion across ICT, energy and buildings

The SEFR update also includes five new emission factors for information and communications technology (ICT), jointly developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the National University of Singapore Energy Studies Institute, alongside a new carbon calculator to help organisations assess emissions from cloud services.

An additional 86 emission factors cover industrial processes, refrigerants, purchased energy and building materials, drawing data from agencies including the National Environment Agency, Energy Market Authority and the Singapore Green Building Council.

Since its launch in October 2024, SEFR has already supported more than 800 Singapore businesses in their emissions reporting efforts, underscoring its growing role in Singapore’s net-zero transition.