Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Singapore

Date Published: 12 Nov 2009

Ms Amanda Brooks,
Acting High Commissioner
British High Commission

Distinguished speakers

Ladies and gentlemen

I am pleased to join you here today at this seminar organised by the British High Commission in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore. Singapore and the United Kingdom have a long history of cooperation. Such international cooperation is critical as we work together towards addressing the important issue of climate change.

Impact of Climate Change

2 Climate change is one of the biggest and gravest challenges facing the international community. It is a global problem because the effects of climate change affect the whole earth. Piecemeal solutions by individual countries will not do. It is also a complex problem, stemming from what economists call "externalities" that we and our past generations had contributed in part to varying degrees. Tough negotiations are therefore needed, and indeed are ongoing, to reach a fair global solution that takes into account differences in national circumstances. Tough it may be, but we must not lose sight that it is vital for nations to act in concert, and harness our collective wills to tackle this problem, so that we can avert the potential calamities that are predicted to arise with climactic changes.

3 Singapore is committed to the ongoing international efforts to tackle climate change. As a low-lying island state, Singapore is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change. At the same time, Singapore faces serious limitations with regards to its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as switching to alternative energy sources. Instead, it must rely on imported fossil fuels to meet the energy needs of its economy and its people. With its limited resources and population size, Singapore cannot afford to sacrifice its economy and lose its competitiveness in the global economy. It is therefore imperative that Singapore achieves growth through low carbon means.

Energy Efficiency as Key Strategy

4 Since our accession to the Kyoto Protocol in April 2006, Singapore has been studying ways of arresting the growth of carbon emissions. The National Climate Change Strategy, which was launched in February 2008, identified energy efficiency as a key strategy for Singapore to mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

5 In April this year, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development released the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint which identified resource efficiency, especially energy efficiency, as a key issue that must be addressed if Singapore is to develop in a sustainable manner. By becoming more energy efficient, we will not only reduce Singapore's carbon emissions but also help our companies become more competitive in the global economy. It is therefore a win-win situation.

6 An energy-efficient Singapore can only be achieved if all stakeholders are engaged and contribute actively. The private sector can play a key role here, by investing in the numerous energy efficiency improvement opportunities already available.

7 I would therefore like to thank the British High Commission for taking the initiative to organise this seminar today, which serves to highlight the dangers of climate change, and how companies can play their part in tackling this important issue through achieving greater energy efficiency.

Incentives to be More Energy Efficient

8 In Singapore, the industry sector accounts for more than half of our total national energy consumption. In particular, energy intensive industries such as petroleum refining, petrochemical, electronics and pharmaceutical industries have substantial scope for adopting cost-effective energy efficiency solutions.

9 To help companies surmount the market barriers to improving energy efficiency, the Government has rolled out several initiatives over the years. These include the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme, which has helped to co-fund energy audits for more than 150 buildings and facilities and identified energy cost savings of about $40 million a year, and the Grant For Energy Efficient Technologies, which helps co-fund up to 50% of the qualifying costs for companies investing in energy efficient equipment or technologies. The government will continue to provide such assistance.

Energy Efficiency National Partnership

10 In addition to the incentive schemes, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently announced the Energy Efficiency National Partnership, or EENP in short, which seeks to foster a culture of sustained energy efficiency improvement in industries and encourage continuous investments in energy efficiency over the long term.

11 The EENP is a voluntary programme that seeks to help companies improve their energy efficiency by encouraging them to put in place energy efficiency programmes at the organisational level to reduce energy wastage and improve energy efficiency. This in turn will enhance their long-term business competitiveness and reduce their carbon footprint.

12 Under this programme, NEA will provide a framework to help train energy management teams in participating companies, in raising their knowledge, capability and competency in energy efficiency. NEA will also facilitate a platform for sharing energy efficiency best practices, and accord recognition to companies' energy management teams for their efforts in improving energy efficiency.

13 Concurrently, NEA will also be organising CEO and senior management forums, conferences, technical workshops and learning journeys to engage company employees at all levels, from senior management to the rank and file. I hope companies here will support this programme strongly.

Conclusion

14 In closing, I would like to come back to the issue of the challenge that climate change posed to Singapore's economic growth. There is indeed no need for us to choose between sustaining the environment or the economy, as our efforts to go green could lead to new growth engines for the economy, create new jobs and make our products and services more competitive.

15 I am confident that if we all play our part, our collective efforts will help make Singapore a model city of sustainable development in the world.

Thank you.


	Date Published: 12 Nov 2009 Ms Amanda Brooks, Acting High Commissioner British High Commission Distinguished speakers Ladies and gentlemen I am pleased to join you here today at this seminar organised by the British High Commission in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore. Singapore and the United Kingdom have a long history of cooperation. Such international cooperation is critical as we work together towards addressing the important issue of climate change. Impact of Climate Change 2 Climate change is one of the biggest and gravest challenges facing the international community. It is a global problem because the effects of climate change affect the whole earth. Piecemeal solutions by individual countries will not do. It is also a complex problem, stemming from what economists call "externalities" that we and our past generations had contributed in part to varying degrees. Tough negotiations are therefore needed, and indeed are ongoing, to reach a fair global solution that takes into account differences in national circumstances. Tough it may be, but we must not lose sight that it is vital for nations to act in concert, and harness our collective wills to tackle this problem, so that we can avert the potential calamities that are predicted to arise with climactic changes. 3 Singapore is committed to the ongoing international efforts to tackle climate change. As a low-lying island state, Singapore is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change. At the same time, Singapore faces serious limitations with regards to its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as switching to alternative energy sources. Instead, it must rely on imported fossil fuels to meet the energy needs of its economy and its people. With its limited resources and population size, Singapore cannot afford to sacrifice its economy and lose its competitiveness in the global economy. It is therefore imperative that Singapore achieves growth through low carbon means. Energy Efficiency as Key Strategy 4 Since our accession to the Kyoto Protocol in April 2006, Singapore has been studying ways of arresting the growth of carbon emissions. The National Climate Change Strategy, which was launched in February 2008, identified energy efficiency as a key strategy for Singapore to mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. 5 In April this year, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development released the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint which identified resource efficiency, especially energy efficiency, as a key issue that must be addressed if Singapore is to develop in a sustainable manner. By becoming more energy efficient, we will not only reduce Singapore's carbon emissions but also help our companies become more competitive in the global economy. It is therefore a win-win situation. 6 An energy-efficient Singapore can only be achieved if all stakeholders are engaged and contribute actively. The private sector can play a key role here, by investing in the numerous energy efficiency improvement opportunities already available. 7 I would therefore like to thank the British High Commission for taking the initiative to organise this seminar today, which serves to highlight the dangers of climate change, and how companies can play their part in tackling this important issue through achieving greater energy efficiency. Incentives to be More Energy Efficient 8 In Singapore, the industry sector accounts for more than half of our total national energy consumption. In particular, energy intensive industries such as petroleum refining, petrochemical, electronics and pharmaceutical industries have substantial scope for adopting cost-effective energy efficiency solutions. 9 To help companies surmount the market barriers to improving energy efficiency, the Government has rolled out several initiatives over the years. These include the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme, which has helped to co-fund energy audits for more than 150 buildings and facilities and identified energy cost savings of about $40 million a year, and the Grant For Energy Efficient Technologies, which helps co-fund up to 50% of the qualifying costs for companies investing in energy efficient equipment or technologies. The government will continue to provide such assistance. Energy Efficiency National Partnership 10 In addition to the incentive schemes, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently announced the Energy Efficiency National Partnership, or EENP in short, which seeks to foster a culture of sustained energy efficiency improvement in industries and encourage continuous investments in energy efficiency over the long term. 11 The EENP is a voluntary programme that seeks to help companies improve their energy efficiency by encouraging them to put in place energy efficiency programmes at the organisational level to reduce energy wastage and improve energy efficiency. This in turn will enhance their long-term business competitiveness and reduce their carbon footprint. 12 Under this programme, NEA will provide a framework to help train energy management teams in participating companies, in raising their knowledge, capability and competency in energy efficiency. NEA will also facilitate a platform for sharing energy efficiency best practices, and accord recognition to companies' energy management teams for their efforts in improving energy efficiency. 13 Concurrently, NEA will also be organising CEO and senior management forums, conferences, technical workshops and learning journeys to engage company employees at all levels, from senior management to the rank and file. I hope companies here will support this programme strongly. Conclusion 14 In closing, I would like to come back to the issue of the challenge that climate change posed to Singapore's economic growth. There is indeed no need for us to choose between sustaining the environment or the economy, as our efforts to go green could lead to new growth engines for the economy, create new jobs and make our products and services more competitive. 15 I am confident that if we all play our part, our collective efforts will help make Singapore a model city of sustainable development in the world. Thank you.