Singapore to work with Asean on climate change issues

SingaPore: Singapore will work with its South-East Asian neighbours on strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change when it takes on the role of Asean chairman next year, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said at a United Nations climate change conference in Bonn, Germany.

There will be two areas of focus for this regional cooperation- reducing energy intensity, and increasing the use of renewable energy.

Masagos said on Thursday Singapore will work with its neighbours to advance the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 20162025.

Among other things, the plan seeks to reduce energy intensity in the Asean region by 20% from 2005 levels by 2020. It also aims to increase the component of renewable energy in the Asean energy mix to 23% by 2025.

The region’s commitment to tackling climate change comes against a backdrop of extreme weather events. Multiple natural disasters hit the world, from drought in Africa, torrential floods in South Asia, as well as hurricanes and cyclones that pounded the Caribbean, North-east Asia, the Pacific and North America.

“Our hearts go out to the families affected and we hope that these areas will return to normalcy soon. The global community needs to work together, urgently and resolutely to stem the warming trend,” Mr Masagos said when delivering Singapore’s national statement to the international audience.

For its part, Singapore has pledged under the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce its emissions intensity by 36% from the 2005 levels, come 2030. Emissions intensity is the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to achieve each dollar of gross domestic product. — The Straits Times/Asia News Network