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STATEMENT BY THE SINGAPORE DELEGATION
AT THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT OF THE 14TH SESSION OF THE UN
COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (CSD-14), 1-12 MAY
2006, NEW YORK
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction
1 On behalf of the delegation of Singapore, allow me to first commend
the Chair, and his superb team , for skillfully guiding the proceedings of the
fourteenth session of the CSD thus far.
Mr Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen,
2 The four themes being discussed at this session of the CSD ? energy
for sustainable development, industrial development, air pollution and
atmosphere, and climate change ? are relevant and important to Singapore.
We thought we could share with you Singapore?s experiences as we discuss
the way forward in addressing barriers and constraints and guidance on
priority areas.
Industrial Development
3 Like many developing countries, in the 1960s and 1970s, our
government prioritized rapid industrial development ? our survival depended
on having a robust economy that could generate jobs for the growing
population. However, the environment and public health were not ignored. For
a small island developing country like ours, with limited natural resources,
environmental considerations such as air quality and public health have a
tangible effect on our appeal as a city for business and industry.
4 As early as 1969, our then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew had stated
that our republic ?must continue to be clean and green, spruce and well
maintained? this is the backdrop for success?. Hence, from the earliest days
of nationhood, we have recognized the co-dependent bond between
economic growth and progress in the environmental arena and community
well-being ? which we now identify as the three pillars of sustainable
development.
Mr Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen,
5 Let me now share with you how Singapore is planning the way forward
with respect to energy, air pollution and climate change.
Energy for Sustainable Development
6 In Singapore, we have moved away from the more carbon-intensive
fuel oil to the less carbon-intensive and more efficient natural gas for power
generation. The proportion of natural gas in our fuel mix has grown from 19%
in 2000 to more than 70% last year.
7 Other than natu ral gas, Singapore derives about 2% of our electricity
supply from our waste -to-energy incineration plants. Alternative energy is of
course another sustainable energy option and we welcome
companies/organisations to test-bed their new technologies in Singapore.
8 Energy efficiency will remain a key strategy towards our energy
sustainability in the future. With rising energy prices, there is growing interest
among stakeholders to design and construct environmentally sustainable
buildings that not only save money and reduce harmful emissions, but also
offer good working environment for its occupants. Energy efficiency makes
economic and environmental sense. Singapore will continue to seek
sustainable energy solutions to help us reduce the environmental impact of
energy production and use.
9 Singapore will also do our part to work with fellow cities in ASEAN to
achieve environmental sustainability of our region through our chairmanship
of the ASEAN Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable Cities.
Air Pollution and Atmosphere
Mr Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen,
10 In the management of air pollution, Singapore has on the whole
enjoyed good air quality despite the occasional regional haze.
11 Prevention, monitoring, enforcement and education encapsulate
Singapore?s strategy in the management of air pollution. But while this
strategy has served us well so far, we are now faced with three major
challenges which must be overcome before we can continue enjoying the
clean air to which we have grown accustom ed. These are (i) our vulnerability
to transboundary pollution; (ii) particulate matter 2.5 which studies have
shown to be linked to respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
12 Singapore has been working with our neighbours to tackle
transboundary air pollution and will continue to do so. However, the main
strategies to address particulate matter 2.5 lie in cleaner fuels and setting
more stringent emission standards. Euro IV emission standards for new diesel
vehicles will be introduced in Oct 2006, to reduce the levels of air pollutants.
In addition, we will continue to work with our industries and review the
emission standards of mobile and stationary sources regularly so as to keep
up with emerging pollutants.
Climate Change
13 On global climate change, Singapore shares the global concern and is
supportive of the various international efforts taken to address this challenge
by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a responsible citizen of the
international community, Singapore wants to do its part to contribute to global
efforts to fight climate change.
14 We are a party to both the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change and the Kyoto Protocol. The Ministry of the Environment and Water
Resources, Singapore, is spearheading the development of a holis tic climate
change strategy that actively engages the people and private sectors in
climate change action. We are taking domestic action on climate change such
as mandating energy labelling for refrigerators and air-conditioners and
introducing a Climate Change Awareness Programme to increase public
awareness of the issue.
Conclusion
Mr Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen,
16 As I had noted earlier, the four themes being discussed here are
relevant and important to Singapore. As a small country, with limited natural
resources, environmental considerations such as air quality and public health
have a tangible effect on Singapore?s appeal as a city for business and
industry.
17 Singapore will continue to seek new and innovative ways to derive
clean energy for development, enhance air pollution amelioration and
contribute to global initiatives on climate change. My delegation and I have
learnt much from the many useful contributions made by distinguished
representatives during this session thus far and we look forward to hearing
more from the speakers after me. With that, ladies and gentlemen, I conclude.
