Map outlines climate danger for Singapore [News]

By Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, 31 Jan 2012.

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. Read more

Investors address climate change risks [News]

By Lesley Teoh, The Business Times, 13 Jan 2012.

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.’ Read more

Take the green lead, Singapore [News]

By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 22 Dec 2011.

The United Nations climate talks in Durban, South Africa, earlier this month resulted in what some have called ‘a plan to make a plan’: an agreement for all countries to negotiate a new regime of greenhouse gas emissions cuts by 2015 and have it take effect by 2020.

The current Kyoto Protocol was extended for another five-year commitment period, but it covers only developed nations.

What’s a developing country to do in this interim grey area? They could get some pointers from Singapore, perhaps.

Though the island state aligns itself with the Alliance of Small Island States and the developing world Group of 77 (G-77), which want the developed world to bear responsibility for the emissions it put into the atmosphere, it bears characteristics of both developed and developing countries. Read more

Singapore’s National Statement at the UNFCCC COP-17 High Level Segment [Speeches]

Singapore’s National Statement Delivered by Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Teo Chee Hean, at the UNFCCC COP-17 High Level Segment, in Durban, South Africa, 7 December 2011

Madame President,

I would like to begin by congratulating you on your election as the President of this Conference. You have steered our work with great leadership and dignity. This conference in Durban is a proud moment, not only for South Africa, but also for the entire African continent. The results of this Conference will have an impact on people around the world. The expectations are high and we pledge to work with you to make this conference a success.

2. Let me say at the outset that Singapore associates itself with the statement delivered yesterday by the Chair of the Group of 77 and China, and also the statement made by Grenada on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, or AOSIS. Read more

Shaping the Future of Asia’s Climate Change Action [Press Releases]

Drawing 1,028 participants at this year’s edition, Carbon Forum Asia 2011 once again presented attendees with a comprehensive view of the prevalent trends and vital issues affecting carbon trading markets across the globe.

Cementing its position as the premier gathering for carbon market players and industry observers, Carbon Forum Asia 2011 opened last Wednesday with the launch of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) 2011 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Market Report. Featuring strategic white papers describing the policy developments and current emissions abatement programs in over 29 countries, the report provides insights into the shifting focus of the world’s engagement with climate change through pricing and market mechanisms.

“This is the first time that we have launched IETA’s annual Greenhouse Gas Market Report in the Asia Pacific region, lending credence to the region’s increasing importance in the global emissions trading market,” said Henry Derwent, President and CEO of IETA. “Asia has largely driven the expansion of the Clean Development Mechanism or CDM, and consequently, the region has a huge interest in the future global policies and market mechanisms that will affect the industry. Asia is also where a number of exciting new national and regional markets are being developed, further underscoring the relevance of any future global agreements to the region.” Read more

Speech by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Singapore, at the Clean Energy Expo Asia 2011 [Speeches]

Dato Sri Peter Chin, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Malaysia

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

The big news for the last couple of days has been the fact that the world population has reached 7 billion. This is supposed to have occurred yesterday or within the last couple of days. And we know that Asia plays host to a significant portion of this population.

2 The other key trend is the fact that we have now reached a point where half the world’s population lives in cities. Obviously the consumption patterns of energy and resources in cities are going to be different from that of rural areas. Asia’s rapid development also means that there will be even greater thirst for energy. And we know economic growth in emerging Asia is three times more energy-intensive than that of OECD economies, and in fact 28% more carbon-intensive.

3 Asia’s energy demand has grown more than 30% since the turn of the millennium, which was just 11 years ago. China’s energy demand has doubled in 10 years, and the latest figures put its annual consumption in excess of 2 billion tonnes-of-oil-equivalent (toe). Its fuel mix is still 66.5% coal and oil, 17.2%, in other words, still to very large extent fossil fuel dependent. Read more

MOS Tan’s welcome address at Conference on Forests, Biodiversity and Climate Change [Speeches]

17 Oct 2011

Ambassador Hans Brattskar, The Government of Norway’s Special Envoy for International Climate Change Policy

Excellencies

Mr Heru Prasetyo, Deputy Head, Presidential Delivery Unit for Development Monitoring and Oversight, Republic of Indonesia

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Good morning and a warm welcome to all of you, especially our overseas friends who are here to participate in today’s conference

Impact of Climate Change on Forest and Biodiversity

2. Climate change is now a global and irreversible phenomenon. There are of course those who disagree. In some ways, I half wish they were right. I am no scientist but I think I would rather err on the side of being conservative because the consequences can be catastrophic. Today, we are already experiencing the effects of global warming. It is not simply about the melting of polar caps or the long term increase in temperature. The immediate impact is the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts and devastating storms which are afflicting different parts of the world. This has grave consequences on our food supply. Read more

11 recommendations to tackle climate change [News]

By Esther Ng, Today, 14 Oct 2011.

Free public transport during certain hours, quarterly food, electricity and water rationing, and farmers’ markets in housing estates are some recommendations the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) has made to NCCS 2012, the National Climate Change Secretariat’s public consultation exercise.

Top on the list of its 11 recommendations is a call for a more holistic transport strategy which encourages “behavioural change as a longer-term solution”.

For instance, schools could increase “bicycle parking areas” and get students living nearby to ride to school instead of having their parents drop them off.

Bicycle racks can be installed on public buses, so that people who wish to cycle to work, but live too far from their workplace, can split their commute between bicycle and bus routes. Read more

National Climate Change Secretariat – Addendum to the President’s Address [Press Releases]

Challenge of Climate Change

1. Climate change is a major challenge for all countries, including Singapore. As an island state, we must stand ready to deal with the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels. As a responsible member of the global community, we will also play our part to lower carbon emissions. We must work to achieve these goals while safeguarding our standard of living and our economic competitiveness.

Rising to the Challenge

2. We will enhance our understanding and expertise in climate science, and build up Singapore’s resilience and adaptability to climate change in key areas such as coastal protection, water resources and drainage, biodiversity, public health as well as urban infrastructure.

3. We will reduce our carbon emissions in two main ways. First, greater use of less carbon intensive fuels. Second, improved energy conservation and efficiency. This will require us to promote energy efficient design, equipment and processes in industries, transport, buildings and homes. Read more

Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources – Addendum to the President’s Address [Press Releases]

A sustainable and clean Singapore

1 Our careful environmental stewardship over the years has enabled us to build a high quality environment in Singapore for people to live, work and play in. It has been a source of competitive advantage.

2 Looking ahead, to improve our resilience and responsiveness to a changing landscape, we will enhance resource efficiency, improve infrastructure, strengthen capabilities, elevate standards and empower the community.

(I) Enhancing resource efficiency

3 It is a strategic imperative that we use energy, water and materials more efficiently to both reduce pollution and bolster Singapore’s economic resilience.

4 Energy efficiency is one of our key strategies to achieve environmental sustainability, energy security and economic competitiveness. For the industry sector, the Ministry will implement the Energy Conservation Act in 2013. Large energy users will be required to formulate energy efficiency improvement plans, appoint energy managers and to submit energy consumption data. Read more

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