The main contribution to Singapore's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the use of energy to meet development and human needs.

Singapore is a city-state with limited natural resources. Due to our geographical constraints, large-scale adoption of alternative energy beyond oil and gas is unlikely. We lack the natural endowments to tap hydropower or geothermal energy. For wind, based on current technology, there is limited scope due to our low wind speeds as well. The forms of renewable energy that will be more applicable to Singapore besides waste-to-energy would thus include solar energy and biofuels. However these sources of renewable energy are not yet cost-competitive with conventional fossil fuels. Hence, we are reliant on fossil fuels to meet our energy needs at present.


Singapore is also an export-oriented, energy intensive economy. Much of the energy used by our industry is not used to make products for local consumption but rather products for export. Nonetheless, we produce less carbon in the process of generating each dollar of GDP compared to other countries. Singapore's CO₂ intensity (CO₂ per dollar GDP at 2000 PPP prices) is below the world average, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).


Comparison of CO₂ intensity
Source:IEA 2005