Singapore calls for strong global commitment & action to tackle climate

Channel NewsAsia 21 Nov 13;

SINGAPORE: Singapore has called for strong commitment and action from the international community to deal with climate change.

Speaking at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Warsaw, Poland on Wednesday, Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan urged all parties to implement the decisions that were made in previous rounds of talks.

Delivering Singapore's national statement at the meeting, he said that is essential for credibility and momentum.

Dr Balakrishnan also said it is important for all nations on keep to the principles and provisions of the Framework Convention as they provide a strong and adequate foundation for action by all parties.

He further stressed the importance of universal participation, with all parties being equally legally bound to make a contribution to the new global agreement on climate change that is being negotiated.

Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore is fully committed to play its part in the global effort against climate change despite its constraints as a small city-state.

For instance, Singapore has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 16 per cent below 2020 business-as-usual (BAU) levels if there is a legally-binding global agreement for all countries.

Ahead of that, Singapore has embarked on policies and measures to reduce emissions by 7 per cent to 11 per cent below 2020 BAU levels.

Singapore is also studying how its economic strategies and industrial structure can best respond to and take advantage of a low-carbon future.

He said Singapore can act as a test-bed for innovative best practices in urban management and sustainability, and has been actively sharing experiences and expertise in green development with other developing countries.

Rounding off his speech, Dr Balakrishnan called all countries to build a durable, balanced framework to strengthen the multilateral, rules-based system and secure a safer, more resilient future for all.

- CNA/xq