29 Feb 2008
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
MEDIA RELEASE
SINGAPORE UNVEILS CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY
The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has officially released Singapore's national strategy for addressing climate change.
2 The National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS) was launched by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and chairperson of the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) this morning at the Seminar on Energy Efficiency for Process Industry jointly organised by the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and the National Environment Agency (NE A).
3 The NCCS sets out how Singapore will address the various aspects of climate change, by better understanding our vulnerabilities to climate change, identifying and assessing adaptation measures required for climate change, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
4 The strategy document assures Singaporeans that existing measures put in place as a result of past environmental and developmental planning, would help Singapore to adapt to potential climate change impacts such as water-resource scarcity and increased flooding. For instance, NEWater and desalination, both of which are not dependent on rainfall, will diversify and increase the resilience of our water supply. Various initiatives implemented for drainage and flood alleviation will also address potential challenges from rising sea levels.
5 To better understand the implications for Singapore, however, the NEA in consultation various government agencies, has commissioned a study on Singapore's vulnerability to climate change, to better inform our adaptation efforts. The study is expected to be completed in 2009
6 The NCCS also identifies improving energy efficiency as Singapore's key strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduce the cost of living and doing business as well as enhance energy security. The government will therefore actively support energy users in the industry, buildings, households and transport sectors to be more energy efficient, through regulations to provide consumer information and deploy appropriate technologies, and incentives to encourage take-up among individuals and businesses.
7 The government will also encourage further research and development into clean energy. For example, the National Research Foundation set aside $170m for research into clean energy to boost the developffcf t of the local Clean Energy IIUusIfy over tale next five years, focusing on research and manpower.
8 The NCCS was completed after extensive consultations with key stakeholders from the people, private and public sectors to seek views across the spectrum of business and society. In addition to a period of e¬consultation with the general public, dialogue sessions and a consultation forum were also conducted with the NCCC which includes representatives from diverse backgrounds (see Annex).
9 The NCCS will be periodically reviewed, to be in line with' advances in technology, further evidence on climate change science and international commitment to climate change. Members of the public can access the document online at http://www.climatechange.gov.sq.
29 February 2008