A host of international non-governmental organisations, whose work involves the environment, are setting up shop here.

More of these NGOs are moving to town, drawn by the space, resources and prospect of generous funding available.

In the coming months, conservation groups BirdLife International and Fauna & Flora International will be opening offices here.

Others, like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Conservation International (CI) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have already done so.

But challenges remain, namely raising environmental awareness – and therefore funding – among Singapore residents and Asian companies. Still, one major factor in bringing NGOs here has been government support.

In 2007, the Government started a formal programme to attract international organisations, setting up the International Organisations Programme Office at the Economic Development Board (EDB) to inform non-profit organisations of opportunities here, said Mr Quek Swee Kuan, the board’s assistant managing director.

Environment non-profit organisations, he added, do not typically think of Singapore as a base for work, as most of their beneficiaries are elsewhere. Five years ago, for example, the only big name in town was the WWF.

International NGOs say they have received various government grants, tax incentives and help.

For instance, the WWF, which set up an office here in 2006, received tax incentives and help getting registered as a charity.

Tanglin International Centre, located at the former Ministry of Education grounds in Kay Siang Road, opened last year as a dedicated space for non-profit groups.

WWF and WCS are located at the centre, while the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and Fauna & Flora International are expected to move in later this year.

The EDB aims to get 150 international non-profit organisations from all sectors here by 2015, and create 2,500 jobs in the process.

Some NGOs are drawn here by the availability of specific technical skills. For example, WCS managing director Colin Poole said it sought veterinary, animal husbandry and genetics expertise.

But the biggest challenge, all of them said, has been getting Asian firms to be more sustainable, and help fund environment groups.

Dr Kashyap Choksi, managing director of CI, said: ‘Corporates… will give money to a charity or marathon, but on sustainability and greening the supply chain, this region has not got the message yet.’

Given the challenging funding climate, what will happen when government grants run dry?

The WWF is a charity and Institution of a Public Character (IPC), so it can collect donations from the public. But CI and WCS are not set up to do so here, and rely on corporate partnerships or foundations. CI’s million-dollar grant, matched by its own funding, will cease later this year.

Dr Choksi acknowledged this is a challenge, but said companies’ perception of sustainability is changing. ‘It’s slowly dawning on them that unless they change… they may not exist as a business in the next 20, 30, 40 years.’

WCS’ Mr Poole explained that costs here are minimal, and that staff who are based here but manage regional projects can tap funds earmarked for those projects.

So far, international environment groups have not lobbied the Singapore Government like some might in the West. This is simply not their mission here, they say.

Mr Poole said: ‘We’re not an advocacy organisation, we’re not Greenpeace, we don’t mount campaigns. We gather data, document what’s going on, partner governments. It’s about wildlife, ecosystems, forests. It’s not about politics and it never has been.’

Local NGOs agree. SEC executive director Jose Raymond said international NGOs typically focus on work outside Singapore.

He said their work, like curbing deforestation in Indonesia, was a vital contribution to Singapore as it helped mitigate the transboundary haze; this was as important as domestic political advocacy would be.

What is more, he added, outspoken environmental advocacy by local NGOs has been on the rise in the past few years. He did not specify any, but issues such as conserving the Bukit Brown cemetery and dolphins in captivity have made headlines in recent years.

Local groups, initially, were concerned that slices of the already small funding pie would get thinner, said Nature Society (Singapore) president Shawn Lum.

But that has not been the case. Instead, local and global groups have complemented each other.

‘The pie itself has gotten bigger, the environment community is bigger, and there’s more buzz and awareness.’

Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore

A new platform to engage local and overseas researchers on climate research has been launched. It is called the Climate Science Experts Network (CSEN).

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said the network will complement the work of its Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS).

Director-General of the MSS, Wong Chin Ling, said together, both bodies can build up Singapore’s expertise in climate science and help national preparedness for climate change.

In his address to the inaugural meeting of the network, Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources, Desmond Kuek, spoke of the need to bridge science and policy more effectively.

He said the ideal situation is for all experts, whether in universities or government, to work together.

More than 20 researchers attended the meeting which was held this week at the CCRS based in Paya Lebar.

Source: Channel NewsAsia

More commercial buildings are installing green roofs to help reduce the rainwater flowing into canals and drains.

According to companies that install green roofs, they have seen demand double in the last three years.

Green roofs help to collect excess rainwater during intense rainfalls.

The green structures also help to reduce temperatures within buildings and in heavily built-up areas.

Some buildings in Singapore already have such green roofs as part of their design.

This is an example of what Singapore’s water agency PUB has recommended to mitigate floods.

The company that installed the green roof at Fusionopolis, for example, uses brick fragments to increase the water retention ability of the green roof.

As for City Developments Limited (CDL), a developer that manages private condominiums and commercial buildings like City Square Mall, green roofs have been a feature in its developments for more than a decade.

Allan Ang Aik Leng, deputy general manager of projects, City Developments, said: “Ever since the early 2000s, CDL has been implementing green roofs almost for every commercial and residential property.

“We did it for a few reasons – firstly, it is aesthetically pleasing for owners, occupants to enjoy, and they also contribute to the greening of the built environment.”

Source: Channel NewsAsia

A global average temperature rise of 4 degC could have a severe impact on Singapore, including flooding, coastal land loss and heat-related deaths.

That is according to a new map launched here yesterday by the Hadley Centre of the United Kingdom’s Met Office, one of the leading centres for climate prediction. The map shows the potential impact of climate change in South-east Asia.

Under the scenario, global average sea levels could rise by up to 80cm by the end of the century, translating to a local sea-level rise of about 65cm.

‘For a small country with a high population density and surrounded by sea, this could have implications for flooding, coastal land loss and salt water intrusion of groundwater aquifers,’ said the centre.

Water supplies could also be affected, as parts of South-east Asia could see droughts occurring more than twice as frequently, it found.

Singapore’s unique geography makes rising temperatures a further health concern, as they could lead to an ‘urban heat island’ effect, which makes a built-up area significantly warmer than its surroundings. Increased temperatures are a major factor in heat-related mortalities, the Hadley Centre said.

Singapore could also be affected by more haze pollution, as higher temperatures would increase the risk of forest fires across Indonesia.

Presenting the map to reporters at the Hilton Hotel yesterday, Dr Chris Gordon, the centre’s head of science partnerships, said this scenario was considered ‘moderate’. In a worse scenario, temperatures could go up by 6 deg C, he said.

The objective of the map is ‘an attempt to bring climate change home to people, to help people relate to it in different areas of the world’.

In preparing the map, the Hadley Centre used its in-house climate model, which was run as many as 34 times on scenarios developed by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The map predicts that a 4 deg C temperature rise would have a negative impact on Indonesia’s fishing industry, and could lead to a drop in rice production in Thailand, and more cyclones in the Philippines.

Dr Gordon said the timescale for this depends on the rate of increase of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

‘If we carry on at the rate we are now, it could happen perhaps by the 2060s… if action is taken, it could be delayed,’ he said.

Dr Gordon added that the Hadley Centre was collaborating with Singapore’s Meteorological Services Division on climate data and research.

The interactive map is now on Google Earth, and can be accessed at www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-change/guide/impacts/high-end

Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore

Two Singapore-based companies have been recognised on the list of the “Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations” by Corporate Knights Inc., a Canadian research company focused on corporate sustainability.

Real estate developers City Developments and CapitaLand are ranked 62nd and 87th respectively.

The number one ranked company for 2012 is Danish drugmaker, Novo Nordisk.

The “Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations” list includes companies from 22 countries and encompasses all sectors of the economy.

The companies are assessed in their performance in managing environmental, corporate governance and social issues.

Source: Channel NewsAsia

Iconic building projects are important for any city as they showcase the city’s achievements and capabilities, said Tai Lee Siang, president of the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC).

‘For Singapore to stand out, it is important to have iconic green building projects as we scale the ranks to become a beacon of green and sustainable development in Asia,’ Mr Tai told BT.

‘They define the city’s values, convey its desired image and serve as inspiration for innovation among urban planners and even the community at large.’

Singapore has seen a number of iconic green projects come up of late – including the The Gardens by the Bay, which is aimed at providing Singaporeans with a verdant environment in which to live, work and play. Mr Tai said that The Gardens embody the principles of environmental sustainability. Among its key features are cooled conservatories which will house plants from the Mediterranean and Tropical Montane regions.

Another project that is noteworthy is the Zero Energy Building – or ZEB@BCA Academy – which is the Building and Construction Authority’s test-bed for energy-efficient building solutions.

The development produces enough energy to run itself. Among its key features are 1,540 square metres of solar energy panels, an area bigger than an Olympic-sized swimming pool; solar chimneys that take warm air from a room and replaces it with cool air; and personalised ventilation, where fresh air is delivered directly to each occupant through pipes attached to a desk.

Mr Tai noted that Singapore has made significant strides in adopting green and sustainable building techniques over the last few years and is in fact gaining recognition for its efforts.

Since industry regulator BCA launched its Green Mark scheme in 2005, the number of building projects given the awards has climbed from a mere 17 in its inaugural year to 948 as at November 2011.

Many projects have also won awards from international organisations such as World Green Building Council as well as international accreditation such as the US LEED certification.

Said Mr Tai: ‘The main drivers for green buildings are rising energy costs and new government measures to actively promote green buildings and sustainable developments in Singapore.’

Industry support and innovation, are also important. SGBC will promote green building design, practices and technologies, the integration of green building initiatives into mainstream design, construction and operation of buildings, as well as building capability and professionalism to support the wider adoption of green building practices in Singapore.

SGBC recently introduced a certification scheme to endorse the quality of green products and services and promote their proliferation so that buyers and developers will have a wider spectrum of reliable and affordable green products and services to satisfy their specific needs and budgets. More than 80 products have been certified since the scheme was fully launched last year.

However, there is still one key concern for building owners in Singapore – the perceived high upfront costs.

But Mr Tai pointed out that the authorities are trying to help in this regard. The government recently launched the Building Retrofit Energy Efficiency Scheme to help Singapore-based companies – especially SMEs – by providing some financial assistance for the greening of their buildings. There are also other government incentives including funding for R&D to boost the development of green building technologies.

‘Recently, there are signs that major building owners are now investing and taking steps to mitigate greenhouse emissions. There are also more owners retrofitting their buildings to make them energy-efficient and conducive for living and working, and getting decent returns on their investments in green technology,’ Mr Tai said.

‘Building owners must also be made aware of the financial benefits of operating green buildings.’

Looking ahead, Mr Tai identified two major challenges as the design and building sector in Singapore continues to go green.

One is to meet the BCA’s goal of greening at least 80 per cent of Singapore’s buildings (through Green Mark certifications) by 2030. Attaining this goal requires greater public awareness of the benefits of going green – such as cost savings for building owners as well as higher productivity and better health among the building occupants – and more financial incentives from the government to go green.

Another challenge is to convince building owners to accept the green concept and its real, tangible benefits which (apart from cost savings) also reduce pollution, waste and environment degradation, Mr Tai said.

‘There is also a challenge to galvanise the industry, the market and the public at large to support eco-friendly practices and green buildings. We at SGBC, too, need to strengthen our efforts to drum home the importance of environmental sustainability to consumers who will ultimately dictate the demand for green buildings and eco-friendly products and services.’

But Mr Tai is optimistic that Singapore has the right mix of resources and talent for better green buildings.

‘Our proximity to Asia’s huge market provides a ready consumer base and access to a vast wealth of creative resources. We believe that Singapore is an ideal place to spark and nurture creativity in design and innovation. In fact, over the past years, we are seeing more buildings here incorporating innovative design features with green elements. And many of these are conceptualised by local architects and builders.’

Source: The Business Times

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts yesterday announced that it was stopping the sale of shark’s fin at its 72 properties worldwide, with immediate effect.

The Hong Kong-based chain will also halt the sale of bluefin tuna and Chilean sea bass by the end of the year. But banquet bookings made before yesterday will be honoured, it said.

The announcement came two weeks after FairPrice and Carrefour supermarket chains said they would halt the sale of shark’s fin, joining Cold Storage, which stopped the practice last September.

Among hotels, the Fairmont Singapore was one of the first to stop serving shark’s fin completely. It has also removed Chilean sea bass and bluefin tuna – which are also overfished – from its menu.

Other hotels, such as Amara Singapore and The Fullerton, still serve shark’s fin soup during wedding banquets but provide alternatives when asked.

To encourage customers to hold shark’s fin-free wedding banquets, luxury resort Capella Singapore is giving wedding couples one night’s free accommodation and a certificate of acknowledgement for their contribution to conservation.

Ms Priscilla Chua, its senior director of catering and conference services, said many couples who are environmentally conscious are pressured by their elders into serving shark’s fin soup.

She added: ‘We hope to alleviate this familial pressure by offering a further incentive of presenting the certificate to the couple during the dinner.’

In recent years, consumption of shark’s fin – considered a delicacy in traditional Chinese culture – has been a controversial issue. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, six species of shark are considered critically endangered.

Source: The Straits Times via Wildsingapore

The National University of Singapore will launch a trial this year to study whether one-seater electric vehicles can enhance travel around its campuses.

Participants will use the Toyota COMS – a single-seater micro electric vehicle (EV) resembling a golf buggy – to shuttle between the NUS Kent Ridge campus and University Town (NUS UTown).

The year-long study will test the viability of using such vehicles to provide ‘personal mobility on demand’ at NUS.

The trial is led by Professor Chua Kee Chaing, who said it is likely to start by April with a fleet of 10 vehicles – provided free by trial partner Toyota Tsusho (Singapore).

For a start, he plans to rope in faculty members who need to shuttle between the two campuses for the trial. They will share the 10 EVs, which can hit a top speed of 50kmh.

Prof Chua, who heads the department of electrical and computer engineering in NUS’ Faculty of Engineering, is joined by two other faculty members – Associate Professor Tan Kok Kiong and Associate Professor Marcelo Ang – in the trial.

Prof Chua said plans for a trial began with an idea to look at the NUS campus as a ‘living test-bed’ to try out new technology for mobility and sustainability solutions.

‘NUS is like a microcosm of a city,’ he added. ‘What we want to do is provide a means of transportation between the UTown campus and the Kent Ridge campus. Our interest is in looking at possible modes of providing personal mobility.’

For that purpose, micro EVs were quite attractive, he noted.

He will send invitations to NUS faculty soon, but has yet to decide on the total number of participants.

‘What we’re also interested in is how far you can stretch the use of one EV,’ he said.

The trial will also examine whether participants take to the idea of sharing a vehicle, their travel patterns, the demand for the system and possible problems.

Prof Chua said he would like students to take part in the trial, but this would depend on whether there were sufficient vehicles to go round.

Noting that personal transportation mobility is a real problem in cities, he added that the broader thrust of the trial is to examine whether micro EVs can be a sustainable solution to the problem of first or last-mile connectivity.

However, he admits that it will require a lot of scaling-up to expand the concept to a wider audience, and that the process will have its own set of challenges.

For now, the next step is to put the test infrastructure in place. Safety signs will have to be erected to alert other motorists to the presence of the EVs.

Prof Chua and his team will also have to decide where to site the vehicles. While the Toyota COMS can be charged at any regular power point, he said he is in discussions with a company about setting up campus charging stations.

The NUS trial is the latest in a series involving EVs.

Environmental start-up company Clean Mobility Singapore started one last November renting out the vehicles.

And last June, the Land Transport Authority and Energy Market Authority rolled out a three-year, $20 million trial.

It will test the durability, running cost and long-term performance of EVs, and after three years, the Government will decide whether it is worthwhile to provide incentives for the use of EVs.

Source: The Straits Times

A new crop of 15 major maritime sector companies yesterday signalled their commitment to clean and green shipping practices under the Singapore Green Pledge initiative.

The newest signatories are mainly classification societies such as Germanischer Lloyd and American Bureau of Shipping; and shipping lines such as NYK Bulkship and ST Shipping & Transport.

They take the total number of Singapore Green Pledge signatories up to 27.

The new participants put pen to paper just before the Singapore Maritime Foundation’s New Year cocktail began.

The Green Pledge is a voluntary scheme started by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in April 2011 for offshore and marine companies to signal their commitment to the environment in their business operations.

Last year, 12 signatories signed up to the Green Pledge cause. They included port terminal operators, container ship and tanker operators, and oil and gas players. Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said that getting 15 signatories this year was ‘highly encouraging’.

Also at yesterday’s signing ceremony, six Singapore-flagged ships received their Green Ship certification, which entitles their owners to financial goodies. These ships are owned by three companies: Monique Marine Pte Ltd, NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte Ltd and APL Co Pte Ltd.

MPA started the Green Ship programme last July under the Singapore Green Initiative to recognise energy-efficient ship designs that reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Source: The Business Times

Institutional investors are increasingly aware of the investment risks and opportunities afforded by climate change, a Mercer survey has found.

More than 50 per cent of respondents to the survey decided to include climate change considerations in their future risk management and strategic asset allocation processes.

This reflects the growing awareness of investors of the threats posed by global warming to their assets, and is of particular importance given the lack of global consensus on climate change issues, which has stalled the implementation of a new climate policy.

‘A new binding (climate change) agreement is not expected to be in place until 2020,’ said Mercer’s Asia- Pacific head of responsible investment Helga Birgden. ‘For its part, Mercer will continue to offer forward- looking, strategic advice and solutions to help our clients address long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change.’

This is further exacerbated by the fact that traditional models for strategic asset allocation cannot adequately capture the changing effects of climate change.

‘By embedding a scenario analysis process and monitoring key climate change developments over time, investors can develop an ‘early warning’ system to help form and track a view of future climate-related outcomes that will influence the volatility and returns of asset classes,’ the survey report said.

In addition, the report found that ‘climate-sensitive assets’ such as sustainable equities, renewables and commodities such as timberland and agricultural land performed comparatively well across the mitigation scenarios compared to core assets.

Australia and the Pacific region were also seen as being particularly vulnerable to climate change risks, such as days of extreme heat and greater wind speeds that would contribute to a higher fire risk.

As a result of the report, superannuation fund AustralianSuper has contracted a specialist engineering firm to undertake an assessment of the physical risks that could impact its assets from 2030 to 2050.

Similarly, California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has adopted climate change as a top priority, and is ‘implementing a number of actions which are consistent with the findings of the study’, said Anne Simpson, a senior portfolio manager for corporate governance.

These are just two of the 12 investors surveyed, whose total nett assets under management come to approximately US$12 trillion.

The report of the study that examined the long- term investment implications of climate change for strategic asset allocation was released as part of the two-day Investor Network on Climate Risk Meeting (INCR) and Investor Summit on Climate Risk and Energy Solutions being held in New York and ending today.

Source: The Business Times