Climate change: Singapore looks to do more

Straits Times 1 Nov 09;

In addition to the national blueprint rolled out this year to reduce carbon emissions, Singapore is now carefully studying whether more can be done to tackle climate change.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this last Friday when he identified climate change as one of the biggest challenges ahead for Singapore.

Both he and Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim spoke about the country's commitment to do its part if a global agreement is reached, in comments made to mark the start of the Clean and Green 2010 Campaign.

PM Lee said Singapore would do so even though its carbon emissions are a negligible part of global output, and it is not among nations which were obliged to make specific cuts in greenhouse gas emission levels.

'But as a responsible member of the international community, we have to bear our fair share of the collective global effort to reduce carbon emissions,' he said.

'Therefore, provided other countries also commit to do their part in a global deal, we will reduce emissions from 'business-as-usual' levels and do what we need to do with other countries to reduce humankind's carbon dioxide emissions.'

The Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, drawn up by the private and people sectors together with the Government, calls for long-term carbon emission cuts in households, businesses and industries.

Achieving these targets will require changes in lifestyles, consumption habits and industry practices. Households, for example, can contribute through good conservation habits like buying energy-efficient appliances, using a fan instead of an air-conditioner and switching off appliances not in use.

In addition to this major national effort to reduce emissions, PM Lee also launched a new Energy Efficiency National Partnership programme last Friday to help companies be more energy-efficient.

The main draw for companies to join the new initiative is the electricity cost savings they will get to enjoy.