Singapore lead SEAsia in climate change?: "great potential but lacked credibility"

Or inequality, global warming will only worsen, says report
Lin Yanqin, Today Online 29 Nov 07;

Developed countries can more than afford to help, said National University of Singapore Associate Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart yesterday, speaking at a seminar here in conjunction with the launch of the report.

Asked if she thought Singapore could become a leader in this cause in South-east Asia, Prof Hamilton-Hart said while Singapore has "great potential", the country lacked credibility.


THE contrast in how different countries face the impact of climate change can be stark.

In the low-lying Netherlands, citizens receive help to build their homes with foundations that can float in water, in anticipation of increased flooding.

In Vietnam's Mekong Delta, villages have to survive rising water levels with swimming lessons and life jackets.

Such a vast difference in the abilities of wealthier and poorer nations to cope with climate change will become a "powerful driver of wide inequalities", warns this year's Human Development Report, which was released yesterday.

"The poor are not in a position to manage added risks. When there is drought, they sell their seeds and livestock; they withdraw their children from school; the whole family starts skipping meals," said Mr Kevin Watkins, lead author of the report, which is presented by the United Nations Development Programme.

Hence, it is the responsibility of developed countries to provide "meaningful assistance" to poor countries to adapt to the consequences of climate change, such as flooding and drought. This is especially since the wealthier countries are responsible for the bulk of the world's carbon emissions.

Although China will overtake the United States as the largest emitter of carbon dioxide within 10 years, one American still emits five times more carbon dioxide than one Chinese, and 15 times more than an Indian.

Apart from cutting down their greenhouse gas emissions, developed countries are advised to set up a climate change mitigation facility to provide incentives and guidance to developing countries to show them a greener developmental pathway.

This is "essential" as developing countries will be responsible for an increasing share of emissions, said the report.

Developed countries can more than afford to help, said National University of Singapore Associate Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart yesterday, speaking at a seminar here in conjunction with the launch of the report. After all, the report said northern countries need to set aside only 0.2 per cent of their combined Gross Domestic Product to invest $86 billion annually in practical initiatives.

Asked if she thought Singapore could become a leader in this cause in South-east Asia, Prof Hamilton-Hart said while Singapore has "great potential", the country lacked credibility.

"The target here is to reduce energy intensity, but that's not the same as reducing emissions," she said. "To get other countries involved, Singapore needs to show a willingness to commit to bringing down its emissions."

The National Environment Agency said most of Singapore's air pollutant emissions — including carbon dioxide — are well within global standards, except particulate matter, half of which is from diesel vehicles.

Along with the report, the Human Development Index — measuring life expectancy, educational attainment and adjusted real income — was also released. Singapore was ranked 25th out of 177 countries, putting it in the "high human development" category.