Gardens by the Bay has launched the Sustainability Gallery, the first comprehensive showcase bringing together its full suite of sustainability efforts for public education. Located at the Plaza outside Gardens by the Bay MRT station—one of the Gardens’ high-traffic entry points, this 1,200 sq m space is the first touchpoint for visitors to learn about its comprehensive initiatives across energy, water, waste, biodiversity, green procurement, and sustainable offerings.

Kikkoman Singapore, the local manufacturing facility of Japan-based soy sauce manufacturer Kikkoman Corporation, contributed S$0.5 million for the Sustainability Gallery’s development to commemorate its 40 years of friendship with Singapore.

The Sustainability Gallery embodies sustainability in action. Solar panels installed on the Gallery’s roof generate energy to power the space, and a 420 sq m rain garden designed as a dry creek demonstrates nature-based solutions for urban water management, as well as serve as a habitat for pollinators.

A key feature of the Sustainability Gallery is the interactive Sustainability Wall, where visitors can explore the full suite of Gardens by the Bay’s sustainable operations and make personal climate pledges.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam officiated the launch by planting a Japanese Yew (Podocarpus macrophyllus). Symbolising longevity, steadfastness, and resilience, the Japanese Yew is one of the few conifers naturally found in southern Japan. Highly valued for its versatility, it holds a special place in traditional Japanese gardens. The tree was chosen in recognition of Kikkoman’s support. A symbolic cheque presentation took place today as part of the ceremony for Kikkoman’s contribution to the development of the Sustainability Gallery from Yuzaburo Mogi, Honorary CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kikkoman Corporation, to Felix Loh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gardens by the Bay.

Y.Mogi said: “Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the Gardens by the Bay’s operations and we support sustainable energy and water practices throughout Bay South Garden, including Kingfisher Lake and Kingfisher Wetlands and the Sustainability Gallery. Sustainability and biodiversity are also among our watchwords. The nature of our products makes us especially sensitive to the need to protect places where there are lots of water. We have always produced soy sauce using water of the highest quality. We, therefore, recognise how essential water is, and it is with great pleasure that we make this donation to Gardens by the Bay.”

Elaborating on the reason for the contribution, Y.Mogi said that Kikkoman strives to uphold its philosophy of maintaining harmony with the environment. Supporting the development of the Sustainability Gallery is aligned with Kikkoman’s corporate social responsibility policy, which upholds values such as preserving biodiversity and protecting the environment and water.

Felix Loh, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, said: “We are grateful to Kikkoman Singapore for being a valued partner for the past 15 years, and their commitment to contributing and enhancing environmental sustainability at Gardens by the Bay. The new Sustainability Gallery is a dedicated space where, for the first time, visitors can see and better understand, through interactive boards, the full suite of Gardens by the Bay’s sustainable solutions. Besides visiting our iconic attractions, visitors can also experience Gardens by the Bay through a sustainability lens, and learn how they can play a role in the green future.” 

Key Features of the Sustainability Gallery

Sustainability Wall

At the heart of the visitor experience is the interactive Sustainability Wall – a comprehensive digital gateway featuring three screens that showcase how Gardens by the Bay operates sustainably across various facets of its operations.

One screen—“Discovery”, makes visible the integrated environmental practices that power the Gardens, from optimising energy use in the Cooled Conservatories and Supertrees to smart water management strategies, while another screen— “Happenings,” keeps visitors updated on the Gardens’ latest sustainability efforts and nature-inspired experiences.

The Sustainability Wall also serves as a call to action, inviting visitors to make personal climate pledges alongside the Plantkeepers such as Darcy the Dragonfly, Sprout the Otter, and Olivia the Olive – characters inspired by the Supertrees, wildlife, and plants found throughout Gardens by the Bay. These pledges will show up in real time on the “Engage” screen. They collectively demonstrate the power of community action, creating a visible tapestry of environmental stewardship that inspires others to join the movement toward a more sustainable future.

Rain garden

The rain garden spans 420 sq m and demonstrates nature-based solutions for urban water management. It showcases how innovative design can transform underutilised spaces into a thriving ecosystem supporting diverse flora and fauna, including pollinators.

When it rains, stormwater filters naturally through specially selected drought- and flood-tolerant plants and porous soil layers, removing impurities and excess nutrients before flowing into Marina Reservoir—offering visitors a tangible example of nature-based design addressing environmental challenges.

More than 60 plants, including the Weeping Tea-Tree (Aggreflorum longifolium subsp. sativum) and Fire Bush (Hamelia patens) were specially selected for their versatility and ability to withstand fluctuating moisture levels and to provide shelter and food sources for pollinators. As such, this area is part of a larger pollinator network around Gardens by the Bay.

Eco-furniture

Benches throughout the Sustainability Gallery and the swing are crafted with repurposed wood from trees in Singapore by local carpentry studio Roger&Sons, giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste. These pieces are crafted from locally salvaged Khaya senegalensis, a species of mahogany known for its rich reddish-brown colour, hardness and strength. The design showcases the wood’s natural form and versatility.

Enduring Partnership between Gardens by the Bay and Kikkoman

This latest sustainability initiative marks the third chapter in the enduring partnership between Gardens by the Bay and Kikkoman Singapore. The collaboration first began in 2010 when Kikkoman Singapore marked its 25^th anniversary by donating S$1 million toward the enhancement of Kingfisher Lake, one of the Gardens’ two main lakes that plays a vital role in capturing runoff and acting as an eco-filter to sustain biodiversity. This partnership was renewed in 2021 when Kikkoman celebrated 35 years of friendship with Singapore by contributing S$0.5 million for the development of Kingfisher Wetlands, a 15,000 sq m nature sanctuary that reconnects people with nature through enhanced habitats for wildlife and the planting of native mangrove species for carbon sequestration.

With Kikkoman’s support of S$0.5 million for the Sustainability Gallery, this third collaboration deepens their shared commitment to environmental education and sustainable practices. This multi-year partnership exemplifies how corporate responsibility and environmental conservation can work hand in hand to create meaningful, lasting impact for future generations.