Singapore launches National Climate Change Strategy

Channel NewsAsia 29 Feb 08;

SINGAPORE : While it is encouraging that the public is increasingly aware of environmental issues, there are different aspects to climate change.

Things to consider include lowering of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as understanding Singapore's vulnerabilities to climate change.

Thus, the National Climate Change Strategy has been launched to promote better understanding of these aspects.

It was launched at the Seminar of Energy Efficiency for Process Industry on Friday.

The strategy is sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore and the National Environment Agency (NEA).

It will also identify and assess adaptation measures required for climate change.

Lowering levels of greenhouse gases has been identified as a key strategy to improve energy efficiency. And being more energy-efficient will also reduce the cost of living.

The NEA has also commissioned a study - expected to be completed in 2009 - on Singapore's vulnerability to climate change.

This is to better help Singapore's adaptation efforts.

Regulations are in place to provide consumer information while appropriate technologies have been deployed to encourage more individuals and businesses to be more energy conscious. - CNA/ms

Singapore's climate change strategy to focus on clean energy industries
Straits Times 29 Feb 08;

Singapore's national climate strategy, which was unveiled on Friday morning, will focus on improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating energy conscious industries.

As part of the strategy developed by the newly launched National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS), research and development into clean energy will feature high on the agenda.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has also commissioned a study on Singapore's vulnerability to climate change, which is expected to be completed in 2009.

These plans were announced by Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan, senior parliamentary secretary for environment and water resources, at a eminar on energy efficiency for process industry.

Dr Khor said the strategy, which followed two years of extensive consultation with various sectors, will serve as a roadmap for Singapore's response to climate change, which has taken on increased urgency in recent years.

'The NCCS outlines our ongoing efforst to understand the implications of climate change on Singapore, so that we can better identify and assess measures to adapt to potential climate change impacts,' she said, noting that good progress has been made domestic efforts to mitigate greenhouse gases and address climate change.

She said Singapore has surpassed the national target of improving its carbon intensity levels by 25 per cent from 1990 levels by 2012. As of 2006, the levels have improved by 30 per cent 1990.

The NCCS will further set out how Singapore will address the various aspects on climate change.

The emphasis on energy efficiency is two pronged and will benefit Singapore both environmentally and economically.

The government plans to actively support energy users in the industry and encourage buildings , households and transport sectors to be more energy efficient, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also cut the cost of living and doing business.

Dr Khor also acknowledged that there were barriers to energy efficiency. In such cases, the government will step in to support companies' investments and provide information to the market.

Research and development will also be fundamental to achieving progress environmentally. The National Research Foundation will set aside $170 million for research into clean energy to boost the development of the local Clean Energy industry over the next five years.

Links

National Climate Change Strategy
on the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources website