Public Consultation on the Draft Energy Conservation Bill

1 The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) are seeking feedback on the draft Energy Conservation Bill.

BACKGROUND

2 The Energy Conservation Act (ECA) will mandate energy management practices for large energy users in the industry and transport sectors to promote energy conservation, improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. The introduction of this Bill is in line with Singapore’s target to improve our energy intensity by 35% from 2005 levels by 2030, as stated in the 2009 Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.

3 Based on consultations with industry and benchmarking studies, there is currently a wide spread in terms of the quality of energy management among companies, with some facilities managing their energy consumption less closely than others. Mandating energy management practices under the Energy Conservation Act will focus management attention on proper energy management. 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

Expertise in climate science to be beefed up [News]

By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 13 Oct 2011.

SINGAPORE will need to raise the minimum levels for land reclamation by at least a metre to cope with a potential rise in sea levels arising from climate change.

In addition, the Government will develop capabilities to better understand this global phenomenon and its other effects on the island.

These were some of the key thrusts put forward yesterday by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) in their respective addenda to the President’s Address.

‘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,’ said the NCCS, which is part of the Prime Minister’s Office. Read more

MEWR to raise minimum level for land reclamation [News]

By Saifulbahri Ismail, Channel NewsAsia, 12 Oct 2011.

The Environment and Water Resources Ministry (MEWR) will raise the minimum levels for land reclamation by at least one metre, as an adequate buffer against a potential rise in sea levels.

This is one of the steps the MEWR will take to enhance Singapore’s resilience against the potential impact of climate change, the ministry said in its addendum to the President’s Address.

As a low-lying and densely populated island, Singapore is vulnerable to climate change. Experts said a rise in sea level can result in some coastal erosion and land loss.

Chairperson of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Environment and National Development, Lee Bee Wah, said: “The minister is looking long-term – the rise of the sea level perhaps in (the next) 100 or 200 years. We want to address it now and the cheaper way of doing it is to do it (during) the land reclamation by building up the additional one metre.” Read more

S’pore to enhance resilience against climate change [News]

By Saifulbahri Ismail, Channel NewsAsia, 12 Oct 2011.

The Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) is taking steps to enhance Singapore’s resilience against the potential impact of climate change.

It’ll raise the minimum levels for land reclamation by at least one metre to create an adequate buffer against a potential rise in sea level.

This is one of several priorities spelt out in its addendum to the President’s Address released on Wednesday.

MEWR will also develop capabilities in climate science to improve its understanding of future localised climatic conditions.

It’ll form networks with relevant experts and institutions at the forefront of climate research. Read more

Extension of the Green Vehicle Rebates for CNG Vehicles to 31 December 2012 [Press Releases]

The Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) scheme for new compressed natural gas (CNG) and bi-fuel (CNG/Petrol) vehicles will be extended for another year to 31 December 2012.

2 The GVR for CNG and CNG/Petrol vehicles was to end on 31 December 2011. MOF has considered feedback from the public requesting for the GVR scheme for these vehicles to expire together with the GVR scheme for other green vehicles [1] on 31 December 2012, and in consultation with MOT and MEWR, decided to grant this one-year extension. Read more

Speech by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources at Committee of Supply Debate 2009

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, gave his speech at the annual Committee of Supply Debate yesterday in Parliament. He covered the following topics:

• Sustainable Development & Resource Efficiency
• Climate Change, Energy Efficiency & Solar Energy
• Managing Water Demand
• Recycling
• Enhancing Capabilities and Building Long-Term Competitiveness
• Air Quality
• Noise
• Dengue & Chikungunya
• Public Cleanliness and Littering
• Hawker Centres
• Cleanliness of Food Outlets, Toilets and Waste Collection
• ABC Waters Programme & Marina Barrage

Summary of Key Issues

Given the global downturn, the ability to grow the economy in a sustainable way has become more, not less, relevant. Continuing to achieve good growth while maintaining a good environment will require first, the prudent use of natural resources, second, building capability in the environmental sector, and third, protecting our environment to ensure environmental standards do not slip, and even improve.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) will release its report in March, including the $1 billion budget for sustainable development.

The preliminary results of the 2-year study by NEA to understand the long-term effects of climate change, indicate that Singapore’s existing infrastructure is sufficient to address the risks in the short to medium term.

Companies are already implementing energy efficiency measures with funding such as the Design for Efficiency scheme to co-fund workshops to design energy efficient facilities, and the Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies to co-fund up to 50% of the cost of energy efficient equipment or technology.

The government is taking the lead on energy efficiency and is on track to meet its goal of conducting energy audits for all government buildings with more than 15,000 square metres of air-conditioned floor area by March 2010.

NEA will implement Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for household air-conditioners and refrigerators by 2011 to remove the least efficient models (1-tick and 2-tick range) from the market.

Solar energy is still more costly than conventional grid electricity generated from fossil fuels, but prices are expected to come down as the technology matures. To build up our capabilities for future adoption when it is cost-effective to do so, we will continue to research and test-bed such new technologies.

The Four National Taps strategy provides Singapore with NEWater and desalinated water options during dry weather, thus improving the drought resilience of the water supply system. But it is still important for Singaporeans to conserve water and use it efficiently.

Taps, urinals and dual-flush low capacity flushing cisterns (LCFCs) installed in new developments and existing premises undergoing renovation from July 2009 must have at least a one-tick water efficiency rating. In addition, all new domestic premises and existing ones undergoing renovation have to use dual-flush LCFCs from July 2009.

For water efficiency projects under the Water Efficiency Fund, PUB has increased the co-funding for SMEs from 50% to 80% of the cost of qualifying projects. PUB will also help SMEs to defray part of the retrofitting costs involved in switching to NEWater, and help them reduce their water bills by providing free constant flow regulators and spray nozzles.

The participation rate in the National Recycling Programme (NRP) has increased from 15% in 2001 to 63% in 2008.

Since 2007, there are 1,600 centralized recycling bins at HDB estates and one for every five blocks of HDB flats. The average amount of recyclables collected from each set of bins increased from 65 kg per month in 2007 to 103 kg per month for 2008.

NEA targets to achieve full implementation for the mandatory provision of recycling receptacles in condominium and private apartments by the end of 2009.

Singapore’s recycling rate has improved from 40% in 2000 to 56% in 2008 and we are on track to meet the Singapore Green Plan 2012 target of 60%.

NEA will be launching a $8 million 3R Fund to co-fund new waste minimisation and recycling projects. The fund will co-fund up to 80% of qualifying costs and subject to a cap of $1 million per project.

We are aware that some developed countries have used legislation to mandate recycling. In view of the current economic downturn, we are not looking at introducing legislation in the near future as it would likely increase costs for businesses and households. However, in the longer term, we will study the use of legislation to further improve our recycling rate.

The Ministry is developing a plan to turn Semakau landfill into an Eco Park, where companies can conduct field testing of renewable and clean technologies.

The Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) Scheme will be extended by another 2 years till 31 December 2011. Through the GVR scheme, the number of green vehicles such as CNG and hybrid vehicles has increased to more than 5,400 as at end 2008. This is about 1% of the total car population.

There are now 3 CNG refuelling stations and this is expected to increase to 5 by the end of this year with the opening of stations at Serangoon North and Toh Tuck.

Under the ABC Waters Programme, 27 projects will be carried out across Singapore by 2012 to transform our drains, canals and reservoirs into beautiful and clean streams, rivers and lakes integrated into our neighbourhoods.

We have a shared responsibility to ensure sustainable development. Companies can develop and deploy technologies and products that are more environmentally- friendly than today, and incorporate environmental considerations into their operations and procedures. Citizens must embrace a lifestyle that considers the environment and limits resource consumption in their daily lives. Government will promote sustainability by setting an example, demonstrating our commitment, and involving people.

Sustainable development is a long-term process with long-term objectives. It means focusing on the horizon, rather than quick fixes; targeting prevention now, rather than putting right later; caring for the environment as part of our choices today, rather than dealing with the consequences of neglect down the line.

Source: Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources