'We'll do our part but not at growth's expense'
Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 30 Oct 09;
SINGAPORE sent a strong signal yesterday that it will not be prepared to accept any emissions cuts as part of a global agreement to tackle climate change at an international summit in Copenhagen later this year.
Speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of the 11th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment yesterday, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim said: 'We are not obligated to set targets or reduce emissions, but...we will do our part.
'Whatever we do, we cannot compromise our ability to grow. So how we find a balance will be a continuous process.'
He added that the Government is continually reviewing its targets across all sectors of the economy and assessing how they can be improved.
Singapore's stance comes despite pressure from countries like Japan and Australia, which have said that the Republic should be subject to firm targets because of high per capita emissions from industries here.
The other Asean countries - with the exception of Indonesia, which announced reduced emissions targets earlier this month - have adopted a similar position.
Malaysia's Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas, for instance, called on developed nations to lead the way by committing to 'substantive' emissions cuts in Copenhagen.
'Each country will respond according to its capability, so developed countries are in a better position to take deep cuts...while developing countries are still coping with economic and poverty issues.'
Dr Yaacob's comments yesterday echoed those made by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who said last week that imposing targets on Singapore would be unfair as it would hamper economic growth.
He noted that most goods produced in Singapore were for export.
Associate Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart, an expert on South-east Asian politics at the National University of Singapore, said it was in the interest of Singapore and its regional neighbours to adopt a tough stance in the lead-up to the Copenhagen meeting.
'Countries are approaching these types of negotiations trying to maximise what they can get, while minimising the cost they pay for it.'
But she added that Asean had an opportunity to help achieve a viable global agreement.
'Given that Asean has, at times, achieved some good rewards by acting as an international lobby group, it could play a constructive mediating role in the negotiations.'
Also announced at yesterday's meeting, attended by environment ministers from the 10 Asean countries, was the formation of a working group to share information on the threats to eco-systems, coastal communities and marine environments posed by global warming.
The group will bring together experts from different fields to address climate change.
Calling its formation a significant move, Dr Yaacob said: 'We all know that no two countries are the same, and there is no 'one size fits all' solution.
'With this working group, there will be an opportunity not only to learn from each other, but also, where possible, to collaborate.'
Haze was also discussed at yesterday's meeting, and there is some good news on that front.
Singapore's National Environment Agency said wetter weather expected from next month is likely to quell hazy conditions arising from an extended dry season, which gave rise to increased hotspot activity in Sumatra and Kalimantan earlier this year.
