Comments by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim
SG Press Centre 30 Oct 09;
Responding to media enquiries while in Barcelona, before attending the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said:
"The Clean and Green Singapore 2010 being launched today by our Prime Minister signifies Singapore's continuing commitment since the 1960s to protect cherish and keep our environment clean. We kept the environment at the forefront of our development considerations long before sustainable development became an international concern. This enabled us to develop our economy without sacrificing clean air, clean water, clean land and greenery.
Building on our efforts over the past 40 years, the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint released in April will help Singapore chart directions towards achieving the twin goals of growing the economy and protecting the environment. It also represents our response to the emerging challenges of population growth, resource scarcity and climate change.
Singapore is committed to the ongoing international efforts to tackle climate change. To address climate change effectively, a concerted effort by all countries is needed. And to move the process forward, we need a fair global solution that takes into account differences in national circumstances. Singapore is not an Annex I country, and is not obliged to take on economy-wide targets on reducing emissions like Annex I countries. Notwithstanding this, we are prepared to do what is possible within our means, and energy efficiency has been recognised as a key strategy for us.
If a global agreement is reached, we are prepared to do our fair share. Every measure entails costs. To afford to continue to take mitigation measures, we need to grow. We must therefore balance concern over the environment with economic growth, and how we find a balance will be a continuous process.”
PRESS SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
30 OCTOBER 2009
