Singapore
Mr Chairman,
The five themes being discussed at this session of the CSD ? chemicals,
waste management, the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable
consumption and production patterns, transport, and mining ? are relevant and
important, and have to be addressed in a balanced and holistic manner.
Singapore therefore associates itself with the Statement made by the
distinguished representative of Argentina on behalf of the Group of 77 and
China.
Allow me to share with you Singapore?s experience in addressing some
of these issues, and our national sustainable development plan.
Integrated Solid Waste Management
As one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a land
area of only about 700 square km, a key challenge for Singapore in managing
the environment as we continue to develop is addressing the waste generated.
Notwithstanding our economic growth that grew 41-fold in the past 50 years,
the volume of our waste has increased only 6-fold over the past decades. To
pursue the vision of zero-waste and zero-landfill for Singapore, we have
adopted a multi-pronged approach. The nation-wide strategies we have
adopted cover waste minimisation, reducing waste to landfill, recycling, and
incineration.
Along side this integrated waste management system, we have also put
in place the necessary organisation, regulatory and infrastructural framework
to ensure that our programmes are effective. With escalating refuse output
arising from an increasing population, greater economic activity and higher
standards of living, Singapore must continue to improve our waste
management system by engaging both the private sector and the general
public in waste minimisation efforts.
Chemicals
Turing to the issue on chemicals, Singapore is a major transhipment hub
that lies on the cross-roads between East and West. Singapore is aware of the
potential hazards that toxic chemicals and other hazardous substances can
pose. This is why we fully align ourselves with the spirit and country obligations
of the Basel Convention on transboundary waste; the Stockholm Convention
on persistent organic pollutants; the Rotterdam Convention on the prior
informed consent procedure; and the Vienna Convention as well as the
Montreal Protocol for the protection of the ozone layer.
Singapore has also been actively participating in the negotiation process
leading to the establishment of the global legally binding treaty on mercury.
To reduce the impact of hazardous chemicals and substances on the
environment and human health, Singapore is committed to carry out our
obligations, where relevant, as Party to the above chemical treaties, working in
tandem with our industries and other private sectors players.
A Sustainable Singapore
The constraints faced by Singapore as a developing country since our
early years are the same challenges faced by many cities today. These include
limited land and water scarcity, which are often aggravated by industrialisation
and urbanisation. Getting the right balance in the environment-social-economic
nexus is key to environmental sustainability. None of these factors should be
pursued at the expense of the other. Despite the rapid economic development
that Singapore enjoyed over the last few decades, we have managed to
ensure high standards of clean air, clean land, clean water and good public
health. We have achieved this as we have constantly sought to adopt an
integrated and holistic approach to development.
Energy Efficiency
As a responsible member of the international community, Singapore is
committed to global climate change mitigation efforts. Due to our natural
constraints in exploiting alternative energy sources, Singapore?s primary
strategy to reduce carbon emissions is to improve energy efficiency. Singapore
outlined our targets for environmental sustainability under the Sustainable
Singapore Blueprint in 2010. On energy efficiency, Singapore has set an
economy-wide energy intensity reduction target of 35% from 2005 by 2030.
To ensure efficient use of energy across all sectors, we price energy
according to sound market principles. We are also introducing a suite of
measures such as legislation and financial incentives to spur energy efficiency
in all end-use sectors ? industry, transport, buildings and households.
Building Our Capabilities
As a small city -state with no natural resources, Singapore has sought to
be at the forefront in seeking innovative responses to challenges such as
water and energy security, in the context of rapid urbanisation and continued
economic growth. The development of ultra-pure, high-grade reclaimed water
which we call ?NEWater? is an example of how Singapore applies technology
and innovation to overcome our constraints and achieve greater water
sustainability. Driving research and development will continue to be particularly
important to Singapore as we have no natural resources but human capital.
Continuous innovation will also be essential for Singapore to stay ahead
of environmental management challenges. At the same time, we place high
priority on community engagement to educate the public and raise awareness
of the environment across all strata of society.
Conclusion
For Singapore, the road to environmental sustainability is on-going, and
we will continue to look for ways to do better than before and work with our
community and stakeholders to address new and emerging socio-economic
and environmental challenges. In this regard, we strongly support the adoption
of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and
Production. If we all can play our part, taking into account the Rio principles,
including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,
we can ensure a better environment for ourselves and the next generation.
While Singapore is small, we can continue to play a role by contributing
ideas and sharing what we have done before. In this regard, we stand ready to
share our experiences with other developing countries while continuing to testbed
new technologies and ideas to better achieve sustainable development
and stay ahead of the curve.
The five themes being discussed at this session of the CSD ? chemicals,
waste management, the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable
consumption and production patterns, transport, and mining ? are relevant and
important, and have to be addressed in a balanced and holistic manner.
Singapore therefore associates itself with the Statement made by the
distinguished representative of Argentina on behalf of the Group of 77 and
China.
Allow me to share with you Singapore?s experience in addressing some
of these issues, and our national sustainable development plan.
Integrated Solid Waste Management
As one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a land
area of only about 700 square km, a key challenge for Singapore in managing
the environment as we continue to develop is addressing the waste generated.
Notwithstanding our economic growth that grew 41-fold in the past 50 years,
the volume of our waste has increased only 6-fold over the past decades. To
pursue the vision of zero-waste and zero-landfill for Singapore, we have
adopted a multi-pronged approach. The nation-wide strategies we have
adopted cover waste minimisation, reducing waste to landfill, recycling, and
incineration.
Along side this integrated waste management system, we have also put
in place the necessary organisation, regulatory and infrastructural framework
to ensure that our programmes are effective. With escalating refuse output
arising from an increasing population, greater economic activity and higher
standards of living, Singapore must continue to improve our waste
management system by engaging both the private sector and the general
public in waste minimisation efforts.
Chemicals
Turing to the issue on chemicals, Singapore is a major transhipment hub
that lies on the cross-roads between East and West. Singapore is aware of the
potential hazards that toxic chemicals and other hazardous substances can
pose. This is why we fully align ourselves with the spirit and country obligations
of the Basel Convention on transboundary waste; the Stockholm Convention
on persistent organic pollutants; the Rotterdam Convention on the prior
informed consent procedure; and the Vienna Convention as well as the
Montreal Protocol for the protection of the ozone layer.
Singapore has also been actively participating in the negotiation process
leading to the establishment of the global legally binding treaty on mercury.
To reduce the impact of hazardous chemicals and substances on the
environment and human health, Singapore is committed to carry out our
obligations, where relevant, as Party to the above chemical treaties, working in
tandem with our industries and other private sectors players.
A Sustainable Singapore
The constraints faced by Singapore as a developing country since our
early years are the same challenges faced by many cities today. These include
limited land and water scarcity, which are often aggravated by industrialisation
and urbanisation. Getting the right balance in the environment-social-economic
nexus is key to environmental sustainability. None of these factors should be
pursued at the expense of the other. Despite the rapid economic development
that Singapore enjoyed over the last few decades, we have managed to
ensure high standards of clean air, clean land, clean water and good public
health. We have achieved this as we have constantly sought to adopt an
integrated and holistic approach to development.
Energy Efficiency
As a responsible member of the international community, Singapore is
committed to global climate change mitigation efforts. Due to our natural
constraints in exploiting alternative energy sources, Singapore?s primary
strategy to reduce carbon emissions is to improve energy efficiency. Singapore
outlined our targets for environmental sustainability under the Sustainable
Singapore Blueprint in 2010. On energy efficiency, Singapore has set an
economy-wide energy intensity reduction target of 35% from 2005 by 2030.
To ensure efficient use of energy across all sectors, we price energy
according to sound market principles. We are also introducing a suite of
measures such as legislation and financial incentives to spur energy efficiency
in all end-use sectors ? industry, transport, buildings and households.
Building Our Capabilities
As a small city -state with no natural resources, Singapore has sought to
be at the forefront in seeking innovative responses to challenges such as
water and energy security, in the context of rapid urbanisation and continued
economic growth. The development of ultra-pure, high-grade reclaimed water
which we call ?NEWater? is an example of how Singapore applies technology
and innovation to overcome our constraints and achieve greater water
sustainability. Driving research and development will continue to be particularly
important to Singapore as we have no natural resources but human capital.
Continuous innovation will also be essential for Singapore to stay ahead
of environmental management challenges. At the same time, we place high
priority on community engagement to educate the public and raise awareness
of the environment across all strata of society.
Conclusion
For Singapore, the road to environmental sustainability is on-going, and
we will continue to look for ways to do better than before and work with our
community and stakeholders to address new and emerging socio-economic
and environmental challenges. In this regard, we strongly support the adoption
of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and
Production. If we all can play our part, taking into account the Rio principles,
including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,
we can ensure a better environment for ourselves and the next generation.
While Singapore is small, we can continue to play a role by contributing
ideas and sharing what we have done before. In this regard, we stand ready to
share our experiences with other developing countries while continuing to testbed
new technologies and ideas to better achieve sustainable development
and stay ahead of the curve.
Stakeholders