Singapore’s National Climate Change Strategy 2012 – Key Points

The much-anticipated National Climate Change Strategy 2012 (NCCS-2012) document was launched today by DPM Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (IMCCC).

The 140-page document outlines Singapore’s strategy and plans to address climate change and is published by the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) in collaboration with the IMCCC agencies, and after private sector and public consultations.

Download the National Climate Change Strategy 2012 document

Key Points in NCCS-2012

The NCCS-2012 document first outlines the challenges and impacts of climate change in Chapter 1 – Climate Change and Why It Matters, and highlights the current efforts by the world and Singapore’s own efforts in sustainable development and the constraints we face in Chapter 2 – Sustainable Development: Singapore’s National Circumstances. Read more

Not watching TV now? Then turn it off [News]

By Woo Sian Boon, Today, 15 Jun 2012.

As the Government spells out its comprehensive measures to bring down energy consumption across all sectors, households evidently have a vital role to play in what Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean described as a “collective national effort”.

Yesterday, as Mr Teo, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change, launched a 136-page national climate change strategy document, the National Climate Change Secretariat announced that it will also distribute 10,000 brochures providing eco-friendly tips to schools, public libraries and community centres.

The brochure details the savings that a person can accrue in a year if he adopts energy-efficient habits at home or in the workplace. For example, using a fan at night instead of the air-conditioner will save S$790 a year, while switching off a printer when not in use will save S$134. Read more

Singapore’s strategy to fight climate change [News]

By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia, 14 Jun 2012.

Singapore has released a national climate change strategy document which outlines the country’s plans to address climate change through a whole-of-nation approach.

The key elements of Singapore’s climate strategy include reducing emissions across sectors, building capabilities to adapt to the impact of climate change, harnessing opportunities for green growth and forging partnerships on climate change action.

The 136-page document was launched on Thursday by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change.

Mr Teo said: “Energy efficiency is one of the key strategies because we are an alternative-energy-disadvantaged country because we do not have hydroelectricity (or) nuclear power. Even if it (nuclear power) is an option, it is a very long-term option because of our density.” Read more

DPM Teo Chee Hean unveils national climate change action plan [Press Releases]

Singapore, 14 June 2012 – Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (IMCCC) launched the National Climate Change Strategy 2012 (NCCS-2012) document at the National Climate Change Youth Conference (NCCYC) 2012 today.

Developed by the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) in collaboration with IMCCC agencies, with inputs from the private sector and public consultations, the NCCS-2012 outlines Singapore’s strategy and plans to address climate change. It describes our projections for carbon emissions up to the year 2020 and the plans to reduce emissions to meet our target of 7% to 11% below Business as Usual levels. It also outlines the direction post-2020 as we study how to stabilise Singapore’s long-term emissions. Other elements of the strategy document include building capabilities to adapt to the impact of climate change, harnessing green growth opportunities as well as forging partnerships on climate change action. (See factsheet at Annex A for more information). Read more

Singapore in global ‘green growth’ effort as C40 observer city [News]

By Channel NewsAsia, 23 Mar 2012.

Singapore signed on Friday a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) to participate in the international climate action group as an observer city.

The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) said Singapore was invited to join the C40 because of its achievements as a global city with a proven record in achieving economic growth and environment sustainability.

C40 has also expressed interest in Singapore’s experience in areas such as land transport and water management. Read more

Climate change authority responds to WWF’s ‘largest carbon footprint’ charge [News]

By Today, 14 Mar 2012.

The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) has responded to environmental group World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) findings that the Republic has the largest carbon footprint per capita in the Asia-Pacific.

The NCCS issued its response to “provide a better understanding of the facts” and took issue with the WWF citing Singapore as “a society that may be one of the best examples of what we should not do” – a statement which “seriously misrepresents the situation”, said the NCCS.

The secretariat cited how the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Asian Green City Index last year had assessed Singapore as Asia’s greenest metropolis and said Singapore ranked “well above average” for its policies on energy and carbon emissions. Read more

Speech on Climate Change by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, at the Committee of Supply Debate [Speeches]

1 March 2012 – I thank Dr Teo Ho Pin, Dr Lam Pin Min and Mr Charles Chong for their questions on climate change. The world’s climate is changing and the unusual number of extreme weather calamities may be a prelude to what is to come if no action is taken. As Members have highlighted, Singapore is a low-lying island and we are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We must prepare ourselves for this challenging future.

Twin Goals: Economy and Environment

Singapore has long strived to achieve the twin goals of growing the economy and protecting the environment. We have switched from fuel oil to natural gas, the cleanest form of fossil fuel, for most of our power generation. We are also possibly the only country to cap vehicle growth and price vehicle usage in accordance with congestion and the impact this makes on our living environment.

As global resources become scarcer, we will need to accomplish more – with less. We can achieve economic growth in a sustainable manner by developing and deploying energy-efficient and clean technologies. Investments and capability development in this area will give Singapore a competitive advantage. This will help contribute to our economic vibrancy, even as we reduce our carbon footprint over the long term, which Dr Lam asked about. Read more

Singaporeans supportive of climate change actions [News]

By Channel NewsAsia, 9 Feb 2012.

Singaporeans on the whole feel a sense of responsibility in playing their part to address climate change.

This is according to a survey commissioned by the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) to gauge the levels of public awareness, attitudes and behaviours towards issues related to climate change in Singapore.

The survey sampled 1,010 Singaporean residents aged 15 and above and was conducted from October to December 2011.

86 per cent of the respondents said they felt a part in taking action on climate change.

Over 73 per cent of the respondents said they are concerned about climate change.

Respondents perceived climate change to be an urgent issue and about 63 per cent felt that Singapore would be severely affected by climate change. Read more

Public Consultation and Perception Survey reflect strong public interest in climate change [Press Releases]

As part of the development of the National Climate Change Strategy 2012 (NCCS-2012) and to engage the public on climate change-related issues, the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS), together with the agencies under the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (IMCCC), conducted consultations from September 2011 to January 2012 which received over 1,000 comments from stakeholders and members of the public.

To reach different segments of the public, consultations were organised through various channels. These included an online consultation portal (www.nccs.gov.sg/consultation), focus group discussions and public forums. The online consultation and focus group discussions sought feedback from households, businesses and subject experts in areas such as transport, energy efficiency in buildings, homes and businesses, as well as opportunities arising from addressing climate change. The public forums were held in partnership with the five Community Development Councils (CDCs) to reach out to grassroots leaders and residents on how they could play a part to address climate change. 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

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