YEAR OF CLIMATE ACTION
Coming together to fight climate change
Even though Singapore’s share of global emissions is only around 0.11 percent, as a small island city-state, Singapore faces disproportionate risks from the negative impacts of climate change. It is crucial that we are prepared for the challenges climate change will bring. This includes planning for the future and making the necessary investments to guard Singapore and Singaporeans from the impacts of climate change.
BUILDING CAPABILITIES IN CLIMATE SCIENCE
The Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) was set up in 2013 to advance the scientific understanding and prediction of the tropical climate and weather of Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia region. CCRS’ research today broadly covers both climate and weather. The Centre develops high-resolution modelling systems for climate and weather prediction for Singapore, and conducts high-resolution downscaling of global climate projections to develop national climate change projections.
CCRS’ Second National Climate Change Study analysed the future climate for Singapore and Southeast Asia at a high spatial resolution. Findings from the study are used by government agencies for long-term adaptation planning.
This year, CCRS is embarking on a National Sea Level Programme which will bring together researchers from CCRS, local universities and international experts to deepen our understanding of sea-level science and how sea-level rise could impact Singapore and the Southeast Asian region.
CCRS is also developing a numerical weather prediction model called SINGV, which is a firstin-the-world attempt to simulate convective-scale thunderstorms over our tropical region. This long-term research aims to improve the prediction of heavy rain in Singapore, and will be useful for our aviation sector and in improving flood preparedness measures.
ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Mitigation measures
This year, Singapore became the first country in Southeast Asia to implement a carbon tax. As part of Singapore’s suite of mitigation measures, the tax sends an important economy-wide price signal to incentivise emission reductions in the most economically efficient way. The government is prepared to spend more than $1 billion of the tax revenue collected over the next five years to support projects which will deliver the necessary emission reduction.
Singapore is also pursuing innovative solutions to push the envelope further, such as investing in floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. We will be deploying one of the world’s largest floating inland reservoir and offshore solar PV systems, respectively, in the coming years. Singapore aims to increase our adoption of solar energy to 350 Megawatt peak by 2020, and to 1 Gigawatt peak beyond 2020. Adaptation measures
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) was formed on April 1, 2019 to strengthen Singapore’s food safety and security. Singapore imports more than 90 percent of its food supply today. It is thus exposed to global price and supply fluctuations as well as possible food supply disruptions due
to climate change and disease outbreaks. The SFA will work on transforming the local agrifood industry into one that is highly productive and employs climate-resilient and sustainable technologies. It has set for itself an ambitious goal of producing 30 percent of Singapore’s nutritional needs locally by 2030.
PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, continues to invest in enhancing Singapore’s water system to make it even more resilient and sustainable. Another $400 million will be invested in the next few years on drainage improvements works to enhance Singapore’s flood resilience. As sea-level rise poses long-term existential threat to Singapore, the government is also developing a national framework for coastal protection and studying long-term plans to protect vulnerable areas along our coasts.
FORGING INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ACTION
Beyond these efforts, partnership and cooperation across nations are important for effective climate action. Singapore is fully committed to supporting global action on climate
change, not only because we are vulnerable, but because climate change is a global challenge that requires all countries to come on board.
Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action (SAMCA) and the Expanded-SAMCA (E-SAMCA)
As the chair of ASEAN in 2018, Singapore convened the first-ever SAMCA and E-SAMCA in July 2018, where ASEAN member states and our Plus Three Partners — China, Japan and the Republic of Korea — discussed ways to step up regional climate action. Singapore also launched the Climate Action Package at the SAMCA. The package aims to support the region’s climate action efforts by developing capacity in key areas such as climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, green climate finance and stormwater management.
United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Singapore undertook its first Voluntary National Review at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2018. Singapore Minister of Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli shared the country’s sustainable development journey and progress on several Sustainable Development Goals such as water and sanitation, sustainable cities, clean energy, and responsible consumption and production. 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-24)
Singapore also contributed to the conclusion of the Paris Agreement Work Programme at COP24 in December 2018, where Parties adopted the Katowice Climate Package. At COP-24, Minister Masagos Zulkifli co-facilitated the Ministerial negotiations on the Mitigation track with his Norwegian counterpart, Ola Elvastuen, at the invitation of the Polish COP-24 President Michał Kurtyka. The successful outcome at COP-24 was hard-won and demonstrates the strong support for a multilateral approach in addressing global issues such as climate change.
3rd Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia and the Pacific
This year, Singapore hosted the 3rd Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia and the Pacific, which served as a platform for Asia Pacific countries to discuss environmental issues, and identify priorities and solutions for the region. Relocation of World Meteorological Organisation Regional Office for Asia and South-West Pacific
Singapore is host to the World Meteorological Organisation Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific (WMO RAP), which officially relocated from Geneva in September 2018. The WMO RAP’s presence in Singapore will foster greater regional cooperation and coordination among the various National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the region, in support of sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Singapore is collaborating with the WMO RAP on capacity development programmes for the region to enhance delivery of weather, climate and environment-related services.
GALVANISING ACTION AT HOME
Singapore designated 2018 as the Year of Climate Action, to raise awareness on the urgency of climate change, and galvanise collective action from whole-of-society. Over 800 climate actionrelated events were initiated and organised by advocates from the corporate, education and civil society sectors in 2018, equivalent to two events a day. More than 340,000 individuals, organisations and educational institutions have also pledged to reduce their carbon footprint. Many groundup initiatives were also started, including the formation of the Climate Action SG Alliance (CASA) comprising 20 sustainability leaders from the corporate and civil society sectors, which engaged businesses to be more sustainable in their daily operations and to pledge to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics.
SUSTAINING THE MOMENTUM
To sustain the momentum generated from 2018, a Climate Action Week comprising activities organised by Government, businesses and civil society to raise awareness on climate change and environmental sustainability was held in July 2019.
Singapore has also designated 2019 as its Year Towards Zero Waste, to rally Singaporeans to treasure resources, and move towards more sustainable consumption and production. It is adopting circular economy strategies to move itself closer to becoming a zero-waste nation. It will be releasing its inaugural Zero-Waste Masterplan this year.