CCCS is partnering the Economic Society of Singapore to organise an essay competition. For more information, please refer to: https://www.cccs.gov.sg/media-and-consultation/ccs-campaigns/cccs-ess-essay-contest-promotional-page-2022

Environmental sustainability is one of the most important priorities facing many economies today. Sparked by the global awareness of the effects of climate change, achieving sustainability goals requires cross-industry collaborations, and responses from all segments of society – government, businesses and consumers. This essay competition invites contestants to examine the role of competition and consumer protection laws and policies in supporting environmental sustainability in Singapore.

Specifically, contestants may discuss the following questions in their essays:

1. What role should competition and consumer protection laws and policies play in Singapore in driving our economy towards sustainability?
2. How can businesses collaborate and yet compete fairly as they shift towards supporting sustainability?
3. How can ‘externalities’ or wider costs/benefits to the society accruing from sustainability be accounted? How should we measure or quantify these externalities or costs/benefits?
4. Can competitors agree on the production of certain energy-efficient goods or on certain energy-efficient standards, when these could translate into higher prices for consumers? Describe examples of conduct that are likely to amount to an abuse of dominant position relating to sustainability, and explain how competition authorities should assess such conduct including any objective justifications that should be taken into consideration. Should contribution to lower carbon emissions or a ‘greener’ environment from a merger or cooperation between two market players be considered as ‘economic efficiencies’ or ‘net economic benefit’ that would offset adverse effects to competition within Singapore?
5. How should businesses make sustainability claims? How can consumers be better protected against ‘greenwashing’ in our drive towards sustainability?

All entries must be written in English and accompanied by a completed entry form, signed by the author(s). For joint authorship, only one entry form is required. Submissions should not exceed 2500 words (including references, footnotes, tables, appendices, charts) and should be double-spaced, in Arial size 12 font, on A4-size paper with all pages numbered.

Entries should be sent to cccs_corporate_communications@cccs.gov.sg no later than 2359hrs on  27 May 2022, Singapore time. Essays without the official entry form will be deemed to be incomplete and will not be included for judging. The organisers bear no responsibility for any entries which fail to reach the organisers by the stated deadline. Late entries will not be entertained.

Eligibility

School Category - This competition is open to all post-secondary students (regardless of nationality) studying in Singapore in polytechnics, Centralised Institutes, international schools and junior colleges. This includes students currently enrolled in the Integrated Programme (Year 5/6) or in the International Baccalaureate diploma programme. Current full-time national servicemen and/or students who have recently completed their education in the above-mentioned schools/programmes, and Singaporean students in such institutions/programmes (or equivalent) overseas may also participate.

Open Category – The competition is open to all individuals living in Singapore as well as Singaporeans living overseas (excluding those who qualify under the “school” category).

Awards

The following awards will be given to the winning essays of each category (School/ Open):

1st Prize: S$3,000
2nd Prize: S$2,000
3rd Prize: S$1,000
Merit: 3 x S$300

Rules and Regulations

1.   All entries must be written in English and accompanied by a completed entry form, signed by the author(s). For joint authorship, only one entry form is required.

2.   Entries must be the original work of the author(s) and must not have been submitted to any other competition organised by any other organisation or been previously published.  

3.  Submissions should not exceed 2500 words (including references, footnotes, tables, appendices, charts) and should be double-spaced, in Arial size 12 font, on A4-size paper with all pages numbered.  

4.   Each entry should be accompanied by a 300-word abstract that summarises the main points of the essay. This 300-word abstract is not part of the 2500 word count and the write-up should be included in the main essay document. 

5.   The author(s)' name should not appear anywhere in the abstract and in the main essay.

6.  Essays are to be submitted ONLY in Microsoft Word by email to cccs_corporate_communications@cccs.gov.sg. Receipt of essays will be acknowledged.    

7.   The deadline for essay submissions 2359hrs on 27 May 2022, Singapore time. No late submissions will be accepted.

8.   All essays will undergo a blind review process and will be assessed in confidence by an independent panel of judges based on original insight and ideas, clarity of expression, effective communication of ideas and well-substantiated concepts and arguments.

9.     By submitting to the CCCS-ESS essay competition, you are agreeing to allow the organisers publish your essay in print and online.

10.   Decisions made by the panel of judges shall be final. The judging panel reserves the right not to award any or all of the prizes. We regret that only winning participants will be contacted upon finalisation of the results. 

11.   Immediate family members of the contest organisers and judging panel are not eligible to enter the essay competition.  

12.   Enquiries on the CCCS-ESS Essay Competition should be sent to cccs_corporate_communications@cccs.gov.sg.