SINGAPORE: According to recent studies published by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Singapore has the highest per capital carbon footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the government is refuting the claims made in the latest report, arguing instead that their study was flawed. The report has sparked a flurry of back and forth between the government's environment ministry and WWF officials over its environmental sustainability programs that are being implemented. The WWF released its latest Living Planet Report and put Singapore atop the region in terms of carbon footprint. WWF President Yolada Kakabadse had called Singapore “maybe one of the best examples of what we should not do'. Last week, the NCCS – which comes under the Prime Minister's Office – responded sharply, saying the comment “seriously misrepresents the situation.” The key bone of contention is the methodology. The WWF counts emissions from goods that a country imports as attributed to that country. But in the United Nations' methodology, adopted by Singapore, those emissions are attributed to the country producing those goods. The NCCS also pointed out that ranking countries by per capita carbon emissions disadvantages countries with small populations, and does not reflect Singapore's lack of alternative energy sources. In the WWF statement put out on Friday, its Singapore chief executive Elaine Tan said: “Singapore deserves recognition for the many achievements it has made in reducing its carbon footprint, particularly in energy efficiency. “But in terms of carbon emissions per capita, the country can do more. So WWF welcomes the opportunity to work with the people, private and public sectors, to reduce the burden our current lifestyles are placing on the planet.” On WWF's methodology, she said: “Consumption activities are the primary drivers of environmental pressure but production activities are easier to regulate. Therefore both are important. “However, if you want to understand the environmental impact a high-consumption lifestyle has on a particular place, then you need to look at the final destination.” Environment officials have repeatedly told Bikyamasr.com that they understand that in years past Singapore had “not been a beacon for sustainability in the region, but how can we be penalized for another country's production?” asked a top deputy. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/OxiTL Tags: Carbon, Footprint, Report, Singapore, WWF Section: Environment, Going Green, Latest News, Southeast Asia
