Climate change? Not my problem!

Jenny Costelloe CSR Asia 26 Oct 11;

Just recently in a Singaporean newspaper, I read that “the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources [“MEWR” of Singapore] said reclaimed land will have to be raised "by at least one metre" to create an adequate buffer against any potential rise in sea level”. For me, this raises serious concerns about several things: the imminence of climate change for all of us (no news there); the risk of maladaptation; and, most importantly in my opinion, the potential problem of a government offering such reassuring remedies to these kinds of problems. In this article I’ll expand on each of these concerns and highlight the relevance to businesses in the region.

Climate change is happening. We don’t have to look too hard to find evidence of climate change affecting Southeast Asia. Currently, CSR Asia’s office in Bangkok is under about 2 metres of water as floods wreak havoc throughout Thailand. Our colleagues there spent time last week moving the office contents of the ground floor office out of harm’s way, in order to minimize the destruction to property. Of course, the actual office will be damaged by the flood waters, but the contents and lives of co-workers will be spared. In terms of business continuity, the team in Thailand has been incredibly adaptable – after moving the office contents, they all set up so that they could work remotely. This is the new reality: businesses have to have climate change adaptation and business continuity plans in place. How well would your company operate if it, or one of its key suppliers, was out of action for weeks at a time? According to the Asian Development Bank’s climate change research, Southeast Asia is the most vulnerable to climate change disasters and we’re seeing evidence of this throughout the region.

The risk of maladaptation. Roughly defined, maladaptation is a behavior that is more harmful than it is helpful. In the case of Singapore’s anticipated need to raise land by at least one metre, this work will undoubtedly have a significant carbon footprint, thus (ironically) contributing to climate change. To put it into perspective about 18 per cent of Singapore is reclaimed land, and there are plans to reclaim a further 100km2 (14 per cent) by 2033. So, to raise the level of reclaimed land – a total of about 200km2 – by at least one metre, is a major undertaking. I am intrigued to hear more from MEWR about how they’re going to do this, where the earth is going to come from and what the carbon footprint of this undertaking will be. And it’s not as if there’s not a lot of construction work going on in the island-state already! This land-raising activity will be seriously disruptive to businesses here, especially those in the CBD and new Marina Bay Financial District, which are built upon reclaimed land.

Finally, the real concern for me is the implication that the government will provide Singaporeans with protection from climate change effects. Of course, a government’s role is to protect its nation, but I would like to see this go hand in hand with concerted effort to educate and encourage the population of Singapore to take ownership of climate change mitigation – in simple terms, for them to have a sense of an individual responsibility to change behaviours in order to reduce the carbon footprint of Singapore. In Singapore, we have one of the highest per capita carbon footprints in the world. (The Energy Information Agency (US) estimates that Singapore’s carbon footprint is 33 tonnes CO2 equivalent per capita, which would make Singapore one of the most energy inefficient nations in the world, ahead of even US and Australia. Note - these data are to be used with caution, because any carbon footprint depends on the methodology used). Admittedly, the announcement from MEWR refers to other activities such as encouraging “greater use of less carbon intensive fuels and improved energy conservation and investment in research and development in clean technologies”. But it is the sense of apathy amongst residents of Singapore that needs to be addressed. (I should add that this behavior is not just from Singaporeans, but many residents of Singapore – foreign and local). Turn up the aircon by a few degrees; use public transport; buy locally sourced produce; eat less meat; move away from the consumerism culture! As a visitor to Singapore, much of the behavior here seems reckless, even conscious-free. And, if we don’t have to face the consequences of such carbon-intensive consumption, because the proactive government will protect us from climate change effects, then why should we care? I think that it really is time for Singapore to consider taxing or penalizing heavy emitters in the business sector, who in turn will pass on the costs to the consumer, to make us all think twice about our climate change-intensifying behaviours. That way, climate change really becomes everyone’s problem.