Wanted: Public feedback on how to reduce Singapore’s carbon emissions beyond 2030

NAVENE ELANGOVAN Today Online 17 Jul 19;

SINGAPORE — Singaporeans may now give their suggestions on how to make Singapore cleaner and greener.

The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) launched an online public consultation exercise on Tuesday (July 16) to get feedback from the public regarding its long-term strategy to reduce Singapore’s carbon emissions beyond 2030.

It would like to seek views on measures and actions that can be taken by the Government, businesses, households and individuals towards becoming a low carbon city, to minimise carbon emissions.

The NCCS, which comes under the Prime Minister’s Office, oversees Singapore’s domestic and international policies to tackle climate change.

It is working on a strategy which builds on Singapore’s ongoing effort to achieve its pledge under the Paris Agreement — where Singapore has committed to reduce its emissions intensity by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.

WHY IT MATTERS

In the public consultation document on its website, the NCCS said that Singapore is already experiencing the effects of climate change. The island has experienced record-high temperatures, extended dry spells and intense thunderstorms in recent years.

The effects are expected to worsen, with daily mean temperatures projected to rise, resulting in 300 days of hot and humid weather yearly by 2100, compared with 30 days today.

Both the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall are projected to increase, and there is an estimated rise in mean sea level of up to 1m by 2100.

The NCCS said that the public consultation aims to draw views that could contribute towards Singapore’s long-term low emissions strategy and to a sustainable environment for the population and the country.

WHAT VIEWS ARE NEEDED

The following are some areas in which the public may contribute feedback:

1. Energy-efficient households and businesses

Suggestions on how households may be encouraged to use more energy-efficient appliances, and feedback on barriers that businesses face from partnering other companies to adopt energy-efficient practices at an industry-wide level.

2. Carbon pricing

Companies may send in their views on whether they prefer an economy-wide carbon tax or a range of targeted measures such as regulations and mandates, and how else the Government may support businesses in implementing emissions reduction measures.

3. Renewable energy

With Singapore moving towards renewable energy options such as solar energy, the public may give an indication on how much more they would be willing to pay to purchase electricity generated from clean, renewable sources and how Singapore can increase its solar power deployment.

4. Low-carbon technologies

Views are also sought on how to encourage individuals and businesses to use electric vehicles which reduce emissions, and other ideas on how to create a cleaner and greener transport system in Singapore.

5. Bills, transport — collective action

The public may give feedback on whether they are prepared to pay more to contribute to a low-carbon Singapore, such as paying higher utility bills as a result of greener fuels or for products that have been produced in a carbon-neutral way. They may also write in to say what would encourage them to take up active, shared and public transport when travelling around the island.

6. Growth opportunities

With the country being in a position to provide green technologies and solutions to other nations, what steps may Singapore take to be a global leader in green growth. Companies may provide suggestions on how the Government can prepare workers for a green economy.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR VIEWS

Send in your feedback by Aug 30 to nccs_contact@pmo.gov.sg.

The public may also view the consultation papers put together by the various government agencies on strategies to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 on the Reach website at www.reach.gov.sg or the NCCS website at www.nccs.gov.sg.

A summary of the feedback received will be released at the end of the consultation exercise on both websites.

Feedback sought on how Singapore can keep greenhouse gas emissions low in the long term
Clara Chong Straits Times 16 Jul 19;

SINGAPORE - Views from the public are being sought on how Singapore can keep its emissions of greenhouse gases low as part of efforts to help the country fight climate change.

A public consultation exercise was launched by the National Climate Change Secretariat on Tuesday (July 16) to seek feedback on measures that can be taken to contribute towards Singapore's long-term low carbon emissions strategy. The consultation ends on Aug 30.

These measures would be actions that the Government, businesses, households and individuals can take.

Some key areas the exercise is seeking views on include the need to improve energy efficiency, encouraging responsible climate action through carbon pricing, reducing emissions from power generation, tapping alternative energy sources and using low-carbon technologies.

The long-term low emissions strategy builds on Singapore's ongoing efforts to achieve its pledge under the Paris Agreement. Singapore has committed under the agreement to reduce its emissions intensity by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and stabilise emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030.

As a small low-lying city, Singapore is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures, said the National Climate Change Secretariat in a statement on Tuesday.

These effects can affect the health of people, Singapore's water supply and biodiversity, among other things.

"Singapore needs to do our part by further reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and embarking on a transition to a low-carbon future", said the secretariat.

The public can view the consultation papers at www.reach.gov.sg or www.nccs.gov.sg and submit any feedback or views to nccs_contact@pmo.gov.sg

Public Consultation on Developing Singapore’s Long-Term Low Emissions Strategy
https://www.reach.gov.sg/participate/public-consultation/national-climate-change-secretariat/public-consultation-on-developing-singapores-long-term-low-emissions-strategy