Climate Change & Singapore: Challenges. Opportunities. Partnerships. NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY 2012 Creating a climate for sustainable growth, Securing a liveable environment for our future Cover image: Clear skies, viewed from the Marina Barrage Green Roof. Climate Change & Singapore: Challenges. Opportunities. Partnerships. NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY 2012 Creating a climate for sustainable growth, Securing a liveable environment for our future NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY 2012 PUBLISHED BY: National Climate Change Secretariat Prime Minister’s Office Republic of Singapore www.nccs.gov.sg IN COLLABORATION WITH: Ministry of Finance Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of National Development Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources Ministry of Trade and Industry Ministry of Transport Agency for Science, Technology and Research Building and Construction Authority Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Economic Development Board Energy Market Authority Housing & Development Board International Enterprise Singapore JTC Corporation Land Transport Authority Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Nanyang Technological University National Environment Agency National Parks Board National Research Foundation National University of Singapore PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency Urban Redevelopment Authority With thanks to all contributors to the NCCS-2012 e-consultation exercise for their feedback and suggestions, those who participated in the focus group discussion and public forums, and the Community Development Councils for their assistance in organising the public forums. © COPYRIGHT RESERVED 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior permission of the National Climate Change Secretariat. ISBN: 978-981-07-2492-4 Design and Production by Silicon+ CONTENTS 4 Foreword The Climate Change Imperative 6 Overview Global Mission, National Vision, Local Action 16 Chapter 1 Climate Change and Why It Matters 28 Chapter 2 Sustainable Development: Singapore’s National Circumstances 38 Chapter 3 Mitigation: Reducing Emissions 68 Chapter 4 Adapting to Climate Change: A More Resilient Singapore 88 Chapter 5 Opportunities for Green Growth 110 Chapter 6 Building Our Future Together: Local and International Partnerships on Climate Change 130 Conclusion Stepping Up to Climate Change NATIonAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY 2012 FOREWORD The Climate Change Imperative Countries are working on a global solution… To minimise the impact from climate change, efforts from both developed and developing countries are underway to reduce emissions. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban in 2011, all countries agreed to start negotiations on a new climate change framework beyond 2020. As a responsible global citizen, Singapore will do our part to reduce emissions, while ensuring that we continue to grow and prosper. Singapore will do our part... The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (IMCCC) will study how Singapore can stabilise our long-term emissions. Its work will build on Singapore’s past and ongoing efforts in sustainable development. The clean and green Climate change affects us all, including Singapore... living environment we enjoy today is the result of the high priority we have placed on protecting The global climate is changing. Average global the environment over the years. For instance, temperature and sea levels are expected to rise if we generate about 80% of our electricity from carbon emissions from human activities continue natural gas—the cleanest form of fossil fuel. to grow unchecked, and extreme weather events are likely to become more intense and frequent. Efforts to reduce our long-term emissions will be challenging. Our small size limits our ability What does this mean for Singapore? Extreme to draw on alternative energy such as solar, weather events can lead to changes in rainfall wind or nuclear. Nonetheless, we will enhance patterns, resulting in more intense rainfall or energy efficiency efforts and develop low carbon drier periods. Flood and water management technologies to overcome current constraints. will be of even greater importance for Singapore. In addition, more frequent extreme weather events may lead to volatile global food prices and disruptions to business supply chains. This will affect business activities in Singapore and our food imports. 4 FOREWORD—THE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPERATIVE Preparing Singapore for climate change... A home that is flourishing and enduring… Apart from reducing emissions, we need to adapt To achieve our goal of a home that is to the impact of climate change. We will invest flourishing and enduring, the people, private in new capabilities in climate science to achieve and public sectors need to work in close a deeper understanding of our vulnerabilities, partnership. The Government will play its part and develop appropriate adaptation solutions by setting the policy framework, putting in place to protect Singapore against the risks posed by appropriate incentives, facilitating capability climate change. development efforts, and easing the transition. The implementation of policies will be paced so At the same time, Singapore is well positioned that our economy and our people can adapt to to tap the economic opportunities arising from the new circumstances. climate change. We can create high-value jobs for Singaporeans and enable our economy to benefit Everyone has a part to play whether through from green growth, if we continue to strengthen lifestyle adjustments or changes to business our R&D capabilities and attract investments processes. Making adjustments earlier will make to upgrade existing industries and in new the transition easier. Every individual effort, such growth areas. as buying more energy efficient appliances, taking public transport, and using less energy, will count. The IMCCC will drive Singapore’s efforts to realise our vision of a climate resilient global city poised To rise to the challenge, we need to be pragmatic for green growth. Singapore’s plans to prepare and practical, yet bold and visionary. Let us work for climate change are laid out in this National together to ensure that Singapore remains a Climate Change Strategy 2012 document. Its flourishing and enduring city which current and title, “Climate Change & Singapore: Challenges. future generations of Singaporeans are proud to Opportunities. Partnerships.” reflects the key call home. elements of our efforts—preparing Singapore for the uncertainties and impact of climate change, seizing opportunities and supporting Singapore’s transition to a lower emission economy. Teo Chee Hean Deputy Prime Minister Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs 5 NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY 2012 OVERVIEW Global Mission, National Vision, Local Action What is climate change, and why does it matter? What does it mean for Singapore, now and in the future? What have we been doing about it, and what can be done going forward? This National Climate Change Strategy document seeks to address these vital questions. It outlines current thinking about climate change and its implications for Singapore. It also highlights the initiatives and strategies we are pursuing to prepare for the challenges that climate change poses. 6 OVERVIEW—GLOBAL MISSION, NATIONAL VISION, LoCAL ACTION Impact of Climate Change Scientists and experts around the world have intense storms and tropical cyclones, flooding and yet to fully agree on how quickly climate- prolonged droughts in recent years. Rises in sea related changes will occur, or how severe their level and ambient temperature have already been consequences will be. However, significant observed for Singapore. The possible effects of changes are already taking place. Calamities changing weather patterns on Singapore include related to extreme weather events have accelerated coastal erosion and higher incidences become much more frequent worldwide. of intense rain or prolonged drought. Climate change will also affect the biodiversity of plants According to the United Nations’ and animals, and our greenery. Singapore may Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also experience disruptions to food supplies and (IPCC), if greenhouse gas emissions from human business supply chains if our trading partners are activities continue to grow unchecked, climate affected by extreme weather events. change is projected to accelerate, with potentially significant impact on water, ecosystems, food, The world does not have the luxury of time for coastal zones and human health. debate on the causes of climate change to be completely settled before taking any action. There are low-lying areas with thousands of We have to rely on the best prevailing scientific islands and coastal cities in Southeast Asia, and consensus to prepare for the risks and challenges Singapore is one of them. Our neighbouring of an uncertain future. countries have already experienced increasingly A Global Approach is Essential As a small low-lying city-state with an open countries adopt unilateral, uncoordinated and economy, Singapore is particularly vulnerable even conflicting measures that could distort trade to the consequences of climate change. flows and development, and lead to suboptimal Accordingly, we have a deep interest in global outcomes at the global