Government throws its weight behind global summit on climate
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 3 Dec 09;
SINGAPORE'S leaders yesterday put on the table the country's first target to curb greenhouse gas emissions, throwing their political weight behind next week's climate change meetings in Copenhagen.
Senior Minister S. Jayakumar said that even though it is not obliged to make cuts, the city-state will undertake voluntary and domestically funded action to reduce its emissions growth to 16 per cent below 'business as usual' levels by 2020.
This level refers to how much Singapore would emit if the economy continued to grow, but nothing was done to curb emissions.
There is a caveat, however.
Singapore will only commit to this if there is a legally binding global deal that obliges all countries to cut emissions, and if other countries offer significant pledges, said Professor Jayakumar.
'Without a global agreement by all to address climate change, our efforts alone will be meaningless,' he said.
As a low-lying country vulnerable to any rise in sea-levels, Singapore has an interest in acting with others to tackle climate change, he added.
Like other leaders, he thinks Copenhagen is likely to result in an agreed political framework, with key elements for a legally binding deal further negotiated next year.
This means Singaporeans will not feel the effects of any cuts until next year or later, and this is also dependent on the outcome of the talks, he said.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, who was also at the media interview, said the Government will use a combination of regulatory and fiscal measures to achieve the targeted cut.
Businesses, households and the Government will all have to play a part, he said, explaining: 'It will require us to make conscious decisions, to change behaviour, to have different choices, to cut down on wastage at home and at the workplace.'
But he gave an assurance that whatever the eventual measures, the Government will do what it can to buffer the impact for businesses and households.
Prof Jayakumar said details of the measures are being worked out carefully and will be announced after the outcome of the negotiations.
Singapore's move follows closely behind recent pledges by countries such as the United States, China, Brazil and Indonesia to curb their carbon emissions in the run up to the Copenhagen negotiations.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who will be attending the conference in Copenhagen, said recently that Singapore was looking at what else it could do to tackle climate change.
Given the country's dense population and small size, Mr Mah stressed that 16 per cent was a 'stretch target', but achievable.
The target is derived from numbers in the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.
Launched in April, this is a national plan including domestic targets such as reducing energy intensity by 35 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.
The new pledge to the global community now goes beyond these figures.
Mr Mah said Singapore had already done a lot to support sustainable development. And because it was starting from a high base, additional cuts require tremendous effort, he said.
Past efforts include increasing Singapore's green cover, transport policies to limit vehicle growth, and switching energy sources from oil to natural gas.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim also underlined Singapore's limitations in converting to alternative forms of energy, because of its small size and geographical location.
For example, wind speeds in Singapore are too low to be harnessed as a source of power. And while solar energy has potential, it would not be sufficient for the country's energy needs at the current technology levels, he said.
Singapore's target means it will cut roughly 12 million tonnes of CO2 by 2020, said Dr Yaacob.
This is based on a projection that the country's emissions would reach 75 million tonnes of CO2 by 2020 if no measures were taken.
This is calculated by taking into account several factors such as economic and population growth and rate of investments.
Industry and grassroots leaders yesterday endorsed Singapore's latest move.
'This step is commendable, it's time we set a target. It sends a signal that Singapore is serious about acting on climate change,' said Singapore Environment Council executive director Howard Shaw.
Former NMP Edwin Khew agreed, adding: 'When the Government makes a commitment, we know they will do it.'
However, Singapore's absolute emissions will still rise with this target, noted Mr Khew, who is also chief executive of waste recycling firm IUT Global.
'Perhaps we could do better in the future,' he added.
North East District Mayor Teo Ser Luck said the move was encouraging, but that Singaporeans would be concerned about how it would affect their daily lives.
'I think it will take a while before everyone understands why we are acting on this important issue, that's why continued effort in education is key,' he said.
Adjusting to a low-carbon environment
Straits Times 3 Dec 09;
BELOW is an edited excerpt from a media interview yesterday when Senior Minister S. Jayakumar, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan and Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim announced Singapore's commitment to cut carbon emissions.
# With the 16 per cent reduction, how will the economy be affected?
Dr Yaacob: As we define sustainable development, we cannot compromise economic growth. If we do this at the expense of our economic competitiveness, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot. We must do it in conjunction with economic growth.
We have to look at the total package: which are the sectors we have to ban, do we have to restructure some sectors in the economy? These are being studied intensely because obviously there will be some changes. It will require adjustments, but we think over a long-term period, it is possible.
# Why is Singapore's offer contingent on others?
Professor Jayakumar: It does not make sense for us to take these drastic measures if other countries do not do it or if there's no global commitment. Some of the measures obviously may be in our own interest to do as we have been doing, for our own national interest. But doing more makes sense only if there's a global agreement and other countries do so. Otherwise if other countries are not doing it, it will be meaningless, it doesn't have an impact.
# What do you say to climate change sceptics who argue that the science is not definitive and question why the Government would want to commit to costly emission cuts?
Dr Yaacob: I think we must recognise that IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has been working very hard. There's a wealth of knowledge out there, about the various changes, the weather pattern, the temperature over the next century. I think we cannot ignore this. These are credible scientists. They've worked very very hard. They've taken all the weather patterns into account.
I'm aware of some of the sceptics. Frankly speaking if we were asked to wait until the sceptics are proven right or wrong before we act...I don't think we can do that, right?
If this thing happens, we should be ready and therefore let's put those measures in place, and we should do it in a manner that does not compromise our competitiveness.
So there will be some cost, some trade-offs but overall we aim for what's sustainable over the long run.
If climate change is really happening, we're ready. If climate change is not happening, what we do is also good for Singapore in terms of the way we use resources which are very limited.
Prof Jayakumar: We've to take note of the different schools of thought. But as a low-lying island state I don't think we've the luxury of waiting for the day - I don't know when it will be - when it is put beyond doubt which school of thought is right.
So for the time being, we've to accept the consensus of opinion which has over the last decade become quite overwhelming although not unanimous.
# The measures to achieve the 16 per cent will have a cost. Who will bear the brunt of the cuts?
Mr Mah: To achieve that target requires the input, the efforts, the contribution of all sectors. Businesses obviously are one of the major players. Households, another major player. And it's actually every individual - you discourage people from using more energy than they should.
So one practical and efficient way to do that would be to use market price signals to reflect the cost of these externalities due to the target that we have set. So if we were to do that, then obviously we will have to look at some of the measures - marketplace measures, fiscal measures, regulations, a combination of these - to achieve this particular target.
We will study various options, and announce measures only after we have studied all the options.
Prof Jayakumar: The Government will do what is necessary to buffer the impact, and to help them adjust to the new low-carbon environment.
Singapore wants to help bring about a deal
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 3 Dec 09
MINISTER for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim said yesterday that Singapore's move to pledge a cut in emissions growth was to help contribute to a successful deal at Copenhagen.
'If I may say, I think the Danes want every country to put something on the table,' said Dr Yaacob. 'My sense is that it's going very well, so by the time we get to Copenhagen we want to have at least a target. And they can tell the other countries, hey, Singapore can do it, can you put something at this table?'
Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will meet for two weeks in the Danish capital starting on Monday to work out a global deal on climate change.
Dr Yaacob also acknowledged that there has been a degree of pressure recently on Singapore to take on cuts due to its relatively advanced stage of development compared to other developing nations.
'But I think other nations appreciate what we've done in the past. They know the efforts we've put in place... But they also recognise that we can do more,' said Dr Yaacob. '(The) pressure is not high, it's subtle...and (our target) shows that we're responsible.'
Dr Yaacob said he hopes committing to a target despite Singapore being a small country without natural resources, and contributing only 0.2 per cent to global carbon emissions, will help the negotiations and inspire other nations to follow suit.
'When we attend the meetings, we're not going to block (the talks), we're not a spoiler, and we want to contribute to the process,' he said.
Dr Yaacob also said that besides steps to mitigate carbon emissions, Singapore is also looking at adaptation means.
The findings of a study on the effects of sea level rise on Singapore will be released next year, along with some measures to ensure Singapore is protected from climate change.
Singapore to reduce emissions growth by 16% below projected 2020 level
May Wong, Channel NewsAsia 2 Dec 09;
SINGAPORE: It will no longer be "business as usual" for Singapore, as the country commits to reduce carbon emissions growth by 16 per cent below the projected 2020 level - if a global agreement is reached and other countries implement significant targets of their own.
Senior Minister S Jayakumar, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change, announced this at a news conference on Wednesday.
Singapore needs to come up with measures for reducing emissions growth, in order to prevent low-lying parts of the country from submerging due to adverse effects of climate change.
Professor Jayakumar said: "We are not starting off with a low base because despite all of our constraints, all our difficulties, we have done a lot.
"In fact, long before climate change became a global issue, Singapore has taken considerable efforts - increasing of green cover, transport policies, fuel switch to natural gas, enhancing of energy efficiency, recycling our waste. And the significant efforts have led to considerable reductions of our emissions."
The government said that 16 per cent is a stretch target, but it can be reached.
Mah Bow Tan, Singapore National Development Minister and Co-Chair, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development said: "When we mention the figure of 16 per cent, this is not like opening a gambit in a chess game or part of a negotiation.
"No, this is derived at, based on fundamental evaluation of what we have done and what we can realistically do. Eventually, government will have to come up with a set of measures in order to incentivise as well as to encourage behaviour to achieve this target.
"Our commitment is done in good faith; it is something we believe is achievable. It is not something that we just throw up on the table for negotiation."
Measures on how the government intends to reduce emissions growth will be announced after the Copenhagen climate talks next week. It will mean additional costs, but the government will buffer the impact.
Professor Jayakumar said: "The measures which we will take to reduce our emissions growth will entail both economic and social costs and will require considerable domestic adjustments.
"There will be impact on industries and households. The government will do what is necessary to buffer this impact and to help them adjust to the new low carbon environment.
"We will do our best to keep the cost to the minimum and to achieve the emissions growth reduction in the best possible efficient way."
Besides looking at costs, the government will also ensure that economic growth is not compromised.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Singapore Environment and Water Resources Minister and Co-Chair, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development said: "It must grow. The question is at what rate? How fast and how big it will be - that is what is being studied at this point in time.
"If we do this at the expense of our economic competitiveness, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot. We must do it in conjunction with economic growth.
"But how that growth will be, as mentioned by Minister Mah, we have to look at the total package. Which are the sectors we have to bear? Is there a need to restructure some sectors of the economy? These are being studied intensely."
Professor Jayakumar said Singapore has no historical responsibility for climate change and it contributes less than 0.2 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In spite of this, he said that Singapore is making a major effort to tackle climate change.
He added that this is because Singapore is a responsible member of the international community, and wants to play its part in reducing emissions.
- CNA/sc
Singapore's carbon reduction dependent on legally binding deal
Channel NewsAsia 2 Dec 09;
SINGAPORE: Singapore is committed to reducing carbon emissions growth by 16 per cent below the 2020 "business as usual" level.
This will refer to the level of emissions reached if nothing is done to mitigate emissions.
But Singapore's actions are contingent on a legally binding global deal being reached.
Senior Minister S Jayakumar announced this ahead of next week's UN climate change talks in Copenhagen.
He said that other countries must adopt significant targets and implement their commitments in good faith.
Professor Jayakumar added that Singapore's efforts alone will be meaningless especially since its contribution to global emissions is negligible.
Professor Jayakumar said the exact details of the measures are being worked out and will be announced after the Copenhagen talks.
- CNA/yb
Cutting emissions growth, if the world does the same
Government will do its best to buffer Singaporeans from the costs
Lin Yan Qin, Today Online 3 Dec 09;
SINGAPORE - Households will have to change lifestyle habits, while businesses have to become more efficient in how they use energy, if Singapore is to fulfil a pledge on reduced carbon emissions growth.
The newly-revealed target to reduce the Republic's emissions growth by 16 per cent below "business as usual" (BAU) levels by 2020 will rest on whether a global and legally-binding pact on climate change is reached at the Copenhagen negotiations beginning next week.
BAU refers to projected emission levels without any mitigating measures, including those already announced this year. The new target would mean a drop in 2020's carbon dioxide emissions by 12 tonnes.
It would be meaningless to implement measures to achieve this without a global agreement, Senior Minister S Jayakumar said when he made the announcement yesterday, as it would impose cost and sacrifices on Singaporeans without any real effect on global climate change.
"None of this is going to be cost-free. The measures we'll take to reduce our emissions will entail both economic and social costs and will require considerable domestic adjustments," said Professor Jayakumar, the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Climate Change chairman. "The Goverment will do what's necessary to buffer this impact and to help them adjust to this new carbon environment."
Steps will come in the form of regulatory and fiscal measures, he said without elaborating, as the possible measures were still under study.
Whether reducing emissions growth would change Singapore's economic strategies was also being worked out, he said.
The reduced level took into account the impact on the country's growth and competitiveness. "This is derived based on a fundamental evaluation of what we have done and what we realistically can do," said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, who described 16 per cent as a "stretched target".
Some measures could build on existing policies, added Mr Mah, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) co-chair.
For example, while the current aim is for 80 per cent of Singapore's buildings to achieve a Green Mark Certified rating, the bar may need to be raised to the more stringent Gold Plus or Platinum rating, he said.
A substantial commitment, all things considered
Singapore International Chamber of Commerce chief executive Phillip Overmyer said companies will look at whether the limits implemented here would be in line with worldwide standards, so that those based here do not bear more cost than competitors elsewhere.
Prof Jayakumar stressed that Singapore will not agree to "unreasonable pressures" to reduce emissions solely because of its high Gross Domestic Product per capita, or graduate to Annex One status, which will mean mandatory economy-wide emission cuts.
Still, the commitment on the table is "substantial", given that Singapore faces "severe constraints" in employing renewable energy sources due to its physical size, and that its absolute greenhouse gas emissions are less than 0.2 per cent of the global total.
Singapore's pledge will be appreciated by the international community, he added. "In order to get the major emitters from the developing countries on board, they would like to see other developing countries, also in good faith, putting something on the table."
CAN SINGAPORE DO MORE?
The range of reduced emissions recommended for Non-Annex One countries such as Singapore is between 15 to 30 per cent, and there are those in the international community who question if Singapore is doing enough, said Singapore Institute of International Affairs chairman Simon Tay.
"There's not that much that Singapore has done fiscally (to encourage mitigation efforts)," he said. "Singapore's rationale will need to be internationally acceptable."
World Wildlife Fund Singapore managing director Amy Ho said that while Singapore's pledge was encouraging, the Republic was in a position to be a "leader". "We're asking countries to go for a 15- to 30-per-cent reduction and 16 per cent is on the lower band of that, so we urge Singapore to do better," she said.
But she admitted that Singapore may be disadvantaged in its ability to implement substantial renewable energy. She suggested that the Republic make up for this by tapping the region for these sources, or support the development of a regional grid.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaccob Ibrahim, the other IMCSD co-chair, acknowledged there was international pressure on Singapore to do more.
"What we've done is recognise that the world expects us to do something ... and if we have the means, I think we should tell the world we're able to do so, and I think that shows we're responsible."
Singapore on fast train to cutting carbon emissions
16% reduction by 2020 if pact is reached; key role for public transport, no compromise on growth
Lee U-Wen, Business Times 3 Dec 09
(SINGAPORE) With just days before a major climate change summit kicks off in Denmark, Singapore has announced that it is ready to voluntarily slash its carbon emissions growth by 16 per cent below 'business as usual' levels by 2020.
This refers to the projected level of 74 million tonnes of emissions that would be reached if there are no proactive measures taken to mitigate such emissions. This latest target - which will reduce that amount by 12 million tonnes - is what the Singapore delegation will put on the table when world leaders and officials meet in Copenhagen next week.
Singapore will be represented at the negotiations by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security S Jayakumar and Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim.
Professor Jayakumar, however, stressed that Singapore's commitment is dependent on a legally-binding deal being reached after the Copenhagen talks. Other countries, too, must put forth significant targets to cut carbon emissions and actually carry out their commitments in good faith.
'Ours is a substantial commitment that will require a major effort, bearing in mind our severe constraints and that these will be on top of the significant measures we have already taken in the past, and much more than what we have planned to achieve under the Sustainable Singapore blueprint,' Prof Jayakumar told reporters at a press conference yesterday.
The blueprint, a national plan on how Singapore could further reduce carbon emissions, was released in April. Among the aims are to reduce energy intensity by 35 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and to lower energy consumption in new and mature housing estates by 20 per cent and 30 per cent respectively by 2030.
Transport is one of the sectors in which the government is looking to introduce new measures and beef up existing ones. For instance, it wants to see 70 per cent of the population take public transport by 2020, up from the 59 per cent recorded in 2006.
This will be done by improving the public transport system and imposing further restraints on vehicle population and usage. Other measures include an enhanced off-peak car scheme, improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles, using bio-fuels and promoting electric vehicles.
'We have no historical responsibility for climate change. Our absolute greenhouse gas emissions are very low, less than 0.2 per cent of the global total,' said Prof Jayakumar, who also chairs the government's inter-ministerial committee on climate change. The committee, formed in 2007, comprises the ministers for foreign affairs, trade and industry, environment and water resources, national development, finance and transport.
He added that all of Singapore's measures will be 'domestically funded and unilaterally implemented'.
As a low-lying island with hardly any alternative energy sources, any rise in sea levels can have 'serious consequences' for Singapore, he said. The exact details of the measures are still being studied by the committee and will be announced at a later stage.
While businesses will be one of the key players in this national effort, it also means that Singaporeans might need to adopt a change in lifestyle, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, who was also present at the press conference.
'(It) will require us to change behaviour, to have different choices, cut down on wastage at home and the workplace,' he said. 'The question now is: how do you effect that change? How do you incentivise people and discourage them from using more energy than they should? One practical and efficient way is to use market price signals to reflect the cost of these externalities due to the target that we have set.'
Dr Yaacob, however, assured Singaporeans that the country's efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change would not compromise economic growth.
'If we do this at the expense of our economic competitiveness, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot,' he said. 'We have to look at the total package. Do we have to restructure some sectors in the economy? Obviously, there will be changes . . . we are looking at making adjustments over a long-term period.'
Meanwhile, all eyes are now firmly set on the outcome of the Copenhagen summit, which will take place from Dec 7-18. With nearly 100 world leaders - including US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao - confirming their attendance, hopes have been raised that a new United Nations deal could be reached.
Prof Jayakumar, however, chose to play down expectations slightly. 'Most countries are resigned to the reality that there may not be a binding agreement. Of course, nobody wants the conference to be a failure. There is a strong push by governments to achieve at least a political framework or agreement.'
Singapore can't bank on the wind or sun
It is disadvantaged when it comes to alternative energy sources: Jayakumar
Teh Shi Ning, Business Times 3 Dec 09;
(SINGAPORE) The extent to which Singapore can further reduce carbon emissions will be limited by an inherent inability to tap alternative energy sources and past actions, which have already gone a long way to conserve energy, said Senior Minister S Jayakumar.
Singapore is an 'alternative-energy disadvantaged country', Prof Jayakumar said as he announced yesterday that Singapore is prepared to cut emissions growth by 16 per cent by 2020. Being a small island-state imposes constraints on its ability to switch to alternative renewable energies such as geothermal, wind or hydropower to curb dependence on fossil fuels.
Ambassador-at-large Chew Tai Soo, Singapore's chief negotiator at the climate change talks, has had discussions with other 'alternative-energy disadvantaged' countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Trinidad & Tobago, as well as the US, some of whose states face similar constraints.
Elaborating on these challenges, Prof Jayakumar said solar technology is at present 'uneconomic and intermittent' for Singapore, though it holds potential and investments have been made in solar R&D. High urban density here makes deploying solar panels difficult, and the current technology cannot generate a significant proportion of Singapore's electricity needs even if all easily accessible roof top and reservoir space was covered, he said.
Wind is an unlikely source too, as the wind speed here of two metres per second falls below the lowest commercially viable speed of four metres per second. Wind farms require land Singapore can scarce spare too. Nuclear energy has not been ruled out yet, Prof Jayakumar said. But, Singapore's size again makes this a 'complex undertaking' as issues of safety, waste disposal and economic viability need addressing before it can be a valid alternative.
At yesterday's briefing, Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said the Copenhagen talks would allow Singapore to highlight what it has already done and that 'we're not starting from zero when we speak of further targets'. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan added that Singapore has taken the initiative to reduce emissions growth, such as with the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint unveiled in April, and prior to that, reaped results from other past steps too.
These include a 30 per cent reduction in carbon intensity by 2006 from 1990s levels thanks to energy efficiency measures, and a 5 per cent reduction in emissions from stringent policies limiting the number and usage of vehicles. Switching from fuel oil to natural gas, which now generates 80 per cent of Singapore's electricity, also cut the power sector's emissions by 25 per cent.
'This means that there is less potential for us to do more in terms of reducing emissions. But it doesn't mean we'll rest on our laurels and not do anything,' said Mr Mah. The newly announced target of a 16 per cent reduction in emissions growth, contingent on a global deal at Copenhagen, will further stretch targets announced in April's blueprint, he said.
Agreeing that Singapore lacks the option to use renewable energies due to both physical constraints and expensive existing technologies, Nanyang Technological University's head of economics and environmental economics professor Euston Quah thinks the key lies in investing in green technologies and implementing a carbon tax on both consumers and industry.
Singapore to pledge 16 percent cut in emissions
Reuters 2 Dec 09;
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore, a Southeast Asian city-state with high per-capita emissions of greenhouse gases, will pledge to slash those emissions by 16 percent by 2020 versus current levels, local media reported on Thursday.
This is the target Singapore will put on the table at talks in Copenhagen starting next week aimed at agreeing a broader climate pact to combat global warming, Singapore's Business Times newspaper quoted a government minister as saying.
"Ours is a substantial commitment that will require a major effort, bearing in mind our severe constraints," the newspaper quoted the government's Coordinating Minister for National Security, S Jayakumar, as telling local media on Wednesday.
China and other big developing nations rejected core targets for a climate deal such as halving world greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 just days before the Copenhagen talks start, diplomats said on Wednesday.
The dispute underscores a rich-poor rift which has haunted the two-year talks to agree a new global climate deal to succeed the Kyoto Protocol in 2013 and dampens hopes of rescuing the December 7-18 Copenhagen summit.
A legally binding target is already out of reach for the U.N. talks, with only a political deal possible.
Jayakumar said that Singapore's commitment was dependent on a legally-binding deal being reached after the Copenhagen talks, and that other countries needed to put forward significant targets to cut carbon emissions.
He said Singapore's emissions accounted for less than 0.2 percent of the world's total. As an oil refining and manufacturing hub, its per capita emissions are high.
The country, a low-lying group of islands at risk of rising sea levels, seeks to cut emissions through increased use of public transport, improved fuel efficiency, biofuels and electric vehicles.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said that given the country's small size and dense population, 16 percent was a "stretch target" but achievable, the Straits Times newspaper said.
(Writing by Neil Chatterjee; Editing by Ron Popeski)
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