SINGAPORE: Environmentalists, scientists and observers are excited about Singapore's new climate change policy that could see the country reduce its high carbon emissions in the coming years and push the small island country toward cleaner energy practices. Singapore, the newest addition to the global C40 network, reportedly recently published its national climate change strategy, “Climate Change & Singapore: Challenges. Opportunities. Partnerships." The new comprehensive document “reflects the key elements of Singapore's efforts on this issue – preparing for the uncertainties and impact of climate change, seizing opportunities for green growth, and supporting the transition to a lower emission economy,” National Geographic reported on the new program. Singapore has been a longstanding leader on environmental issues. It created its Ministry of the Environment in 1972, making it one of the first countries to form a Ministry dedicated to creating and sustaining a good environment for its people,” the government said in announcing the new policy. It added that climate governance is strong at the highest levels: long-term planning, policies and action are guided and coordinated by the National Climate Change Secretariat under the Prime Minister's Office and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change. The office of the National Climate Change Secretariat told Bikyamasr.com on Thursday that they hope to “establish new means of combating climate change in the city and are hopeful that the future of the country will be safeguarded by these measures.” As a low-lying island that is densely populated, Singapore is focused on efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and severe weather events, through integrated land use planning, water management and investment in research and infrastructure. Reducing emissions is another core aspect of its climate strategy, building upon significant efforts to date, including sourcing 80 percent of its fuel for electricity generation from natural gas and capping vehicle growth through regulation and taxes, National Geographic reported. Singapore is also studying how to stabilize its emissions over the long term. The report indicates that these efforts have delivered results: “Singapore now ranks 123rd out of 137 countries in emissions per GDP. But there is commitment to do more, and the city-state is on course to reduce emissions by 7-11 percent from 2020 business-as-usual levels, or by 16 percent if there is a legally binding global agreement. Supporting green growth will also be important, the report says, and the country is now investing heavily in resource efficient technologies that can be used domestically as well as exported.” Isaac Hassan, a Malaysian environmental expert at the National University of Singapore, told Bikyamasr.com that “Singapore is on the right path toward better climate change policy. “After years of neglect, the government here understands how important climate change and global warming are and this new policy reflects their desire to change how the country is functioning,” he said. For others, the move could be a catalyst for other Southeast Asian countries to establish similar charters to help boost their action to fight against climate change.
