We have taken a three-pronged approach to tackle climate change. First, we want to better understand climate change and its impact. Second, we are mitigating climate change by reducing our emissions across all sectors; and third, we are taking measures to adapt to climate change. We also play our part as a responsible global citizen.
Understand climate change
To better understand climate change, we set up the Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) in 2013 to strengthen our capabilities in climate science. Today, CCRS is one of the most advanced climate research centres in the region specialising in tropical climate science. CCRS has embarked on the Third National Climate Change Study to provide an update of the projections for future climate change in Singapore and the region.
Mitigate climate change
To mitigate climate change, we have put in place a comprehensive suite of measures to reduce emissions across all sectors over the years. These include switching to natural gas as a cleaner fuel for power generation, implementing a carbon tax applied uniformly to all sectors without exception, and greening our transport system and buildings.
Adapt to climate change
To adapt to the impact of climate change, we are prepared to spend an estimated S$100 billion over the next 50 to 100 years to protect Singapore against rising sea levels. Measures may include sea walls, tidal gates and pumping stations. In April 2020, PUB also assumed the role of our Coastal Protection Agency. By combining coastal protection responsibilities with its stormwater management functions, PUB will be well-positioned to look at inland and coastal flooding holistically.
You may refer to Singapore’s Climate Action Plan for more information on Singapore’s mitigation and adaptation plans.
International and regional efforts
No single country will be able to address the challenges of climate change on its own. To effectively address a global problem like climate change and its impacts, we need a strong, collective global response.
This is why Singapore is a strong advocate for a multilateral, rules-based approach to addressing climate change. We work with other like-minded countries at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to push for the best possible multilateral deal on climate change. We participate actively in UNFCCC international negotiations and lend our support to the Conference of the Parties (COP) Presidencies to push for a good outcome at the climate conferences.
We have also taken an active role to galvanise climate action in the region. As Chair of ASEAN in 2018, we convened the first-ever Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action (SAMCA) and Expanded-SAMCA, where ASEAN, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea reaffirmed our political commitments and discussed ways to step up regional climate action.
We have collaborated with partners to improve our understanding of climate change and its impact, through research and institutions like the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre, which is based in Singapore. Through our Climate Action Package, we have partnered and supported fellow developing countries to build capacity in climate-related areas and to implement their Paris commitments and enhance climate action. Singapore has always been a strong supporter of multilateral approaches to global issues, and we work closely with other countries to tackle the climate challenge.