A little late, but several salient points are captured in this excerpt. Enjoy!
Building Up Climate Research Capabilities
One of the key uncertainties when you are taking a 50-year time frame is obviously climate change. Mr Liang Eng Hwa has asked how we are preparing for this and he has referred to his own anecdotal experiences with having wet weather programmes, having been invoked more often than it was in the past. Well, it is not just anecdotes –we have looked at 30-year data from the Meteorological Service and it has shown that the intensity and the frequency of high intensity rainfall have increased over the past thirty years.
Climate change, whether you believe in it or not, is going to be another confounding factor and, in the case of Singapore, it will increase the intensity and the frequency of such extreme weather events and we have to prepare for it. We have to make sure our infrastructure is ready and we cannot wait for a disaster to occur; you have got to prepare for years or decades in advance. And one of the problems with climate change and the difficulty overseas is that there is too much politics in climate change and not enough science. In the case for Singapore, we intend to approach it from a strictly scientific point of view.
So one of the things we are establishing is the Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) this year. The Centre will run high-resolution regional climate models. This will allow us to generate long-term projections of rainfall, temperature, wind and sea-level in Singapore over the next 50 to 100 years. The Centre will also undertake research on the complex weather systems which affect Singapore and the region, such as the severe tropical thunderstorms. Those of you who were looking out of the windows yesterday morning would have seen a very dark cloud – a Sumatran squall – moving across from the west to the east. These types of events will increase and we need to understand the mechanics behind it in order to make sensible predictions and plans to deal with it. The CCRS will also build up its capability by leveraging on existing research partnerships and linkages with both local and international experts and organisations, such as the UK Met Office Hadley Centre.
Drainage and Flooding Management Strategies
Last year, we appointed an Expert Panel to review our drainage and flood protection measures. The Panel concluded its review and shared its recommendations in January this year. I am glad to inform Mr Charles Chong that we have accepted the recommendations of the panel, and we will implement a comprehensive plan to strengthen Singapore’s flood resilience. This plan will cover the full spectrum of the drainage system: it will enhance the design and also impose tighter regulatory standards; it will explore new engineering solutions as well as improve the accuracy of flood risk assessments. The implementation of this plan has commenced, so for instance, by the end of the year, we will have a high resolution digital elevation map for the Marina Catchment area. This will enable us to carry out 3-dimensional modelling of the catchment and it will in turn allow us to engage in more accurate flood risk maps and to provide catchment-specific flood management solutions. For the Stamford Canal in particular, whilst the long-term measures such as the diversion canal or detention ponds are being considered, works are already underway within the canal itself in order to increase its flow capacity.
We will also have to extend inter-agency collaboration on drainage infrastructure and to focus on non-traditional measures, such as minimising urban surface runoff generated by new developments. We will continue to engage various professional bodies such as the Institute of Engineers, Singapore and the Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore, and all the other relevant professional groups.
I would like to assure Mr Chong that my Ministry will do our best and we will make all the necessary long-term investments into the drainage system. Over the next 5 years, we will invest in at least 20 new drainage infrastructural projects in order to achieve a higher level of flood protection across the entire island. And I also want to give this House the assurance that we will do so but with a very keen eye on the bottom line, and we will make sure that these investments are cost-effective, and we will also adjust the plan as the situation evolves.
Let me also say, quite candidly, given the complexity of the weather systems and the uncertainty in the future, that it is not possible for any Minister for Water Resources to guarantee that floods will never recur. We will therefore have to take the approach of taking all reasonable and cost-effective measures to prevent and to mitigate the impact of floods in Singapore. This means not just drains but also looking at the protection of local buildings. I think someone recommended making sure basement car parks have flood protection measures. This will be imposed through regulatory standards.
Another key element of this strategy is transparency. We will make all the data from all our sensors available in real time –so that the public can be kept fully informed of the situation in real time and can take the necessary precautions. It will also be an avenue for more stakeholders to generate innovative solutions. That is why you may have noticed that whenever there is a heavy storm, there is literally a flood of SMS alerts, a flood of tweets from drain sensors, and updates to social media platforms. Eventually we will put all the real-time closed-circuit television images available on websites and for the public to access. So remember, it is about keeping the public informed, being transparent and honest, and providing new avenues for innovative solutions. So that everyone can have the chance to become part of the solution, rather than just to complain about the problem.
Promoting Energy Efficiency
Let me now turn to energy – since I have told you that in the future, energy equals water as well.
Dr Teo Ho Pin asked what the Ministry was doing to promote energy efficiency among our stakeholders. I agree with him that the public sector has to lead by example. For instance, public sector agencies are required to conduct energy audits of their large buildings and to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures in order to reduce our consumption.
In the industry and transport sectors, energy management practices will be mandatory for large users from 2013 under the Energy Conservation Act which I will be taking through Parliament later this year. We will offer assistance to companies to improve their energy efficiency by appropriate design, building energy management capabilities and investing in new technologies. We have a scheme called the Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies. So far NEA has approved about 30 projects worth $65 million by 27 companies. These are supposed to generate about $163 million in cost savings over the lifespan of the equipment.
To further moderate energy consumption in households, we have the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) which I am glad that Dr Teo has supported. So far this has been implemented for refrigerators and air conditioners, and it basically works by removing inefficient models from the market, and therefore consumers can avoid being locked into the high operating cost of inefficient appliances.
We will be further tightening the energy performance standards for household air conditioners and refrigerators by the end of 2013. MEPS will also be extended to general lighting by 2014. We will consider extending MEPS to other appliances, such as televisions, in the future.
Bonn Climate Conference Workshops
Equitable Access to Sustainable Development
The notion of equitable access to sustainable development (EASD) was introduced in the Cancun agreements, in the context of a time-frame for global peaking of greenhouse gas emissionswhere the COP recognized that the time frame for peaking will be longer in developing countries, and that social and economic development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of developing countries.
The objective of this workshop is to facilitate a rich interactive exchange on the issue EASD, explore links to different activities under the Convention, with a view to increase understanding of EASD, which could facilitate negotiations related to a shared vision for longterm cooperative action. The workshop will primarily consist of presentations by Parties, and a moderated exchange of views on the notion of EASD and what it could mean in practical terms.
Following an introductory presentation, Parties will be invited to make either brief presentations or short interventions. Similar presentations will be grouped and will be followed by a questions and answers session. Expert and other stakeholder organizations will be invited to make presentations subject to time availability.
Clarification of the developed country Parties’ quantified economywide emission reduction targets and related assumptions and conditions
The Conference of the Parties (COP) at its seventeenth session decided to continue in 2012 the process of clarifying the developed country Partiesí quantified economy-wide emission reduction targets contained in document FCCC/SB/2011/INF.1/Rev.1, with the objective of understanding assumptions and conditions related to individual targets, in particular in relation to the base year, global warming potential values, coverage of gases, coverage of sectors, expected emission reductions, and the role of land use, land-use change and forestry, and carbon credits from market-based mechanisms, and associated assumptions and conditions related to the ambition of the pledges.
Another objective of the workshop is for developed country Parties to share experiences with the development of low-emission development strategies. All Parties are invited to engage in, and contribute to, the interactive exchange of information at the workshop. Developed country Parties are encouraged to make presentations to clarify their quantified economy-wide emission reduction targets contained in document FCCC/SB/2011/INF.1/Rev.1, and share experiences with the development of low-emission development strategies. International organisations may be invited, if time allows, to contribute to the discussions.
Further the understanding of the diversity of nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs) by developing country Parties, underlying assumptions, and any support needed for implementation of these actions
The objective of the workshop is to continue, in a structured manner, to further the understanding of the diversity of mitigation actions as communicated and contained in FCCC/AWGLCA/2011/INF.1, underlying assumptions and any support needed for the implementation of these actions, noting different national circumstances and the respective capabilities of developing country Parties as outlined in paragraph 1 above.
The workshop will be organized in a structured manner, built primarily around the presentations by Parties, as outlined above. A series of presentations will be followed by questions and answers. An agenda will be made available on the UNFCCC web site in time before the workshop taking into account the requests for presentations received from Parties.
Framework for various approaches
The Conference of Parties (COP) at its seventeenth session in Durban, South Africa, emphasized that various approaches, including opportunities for using markets, to enhance the cost-effectiveness of, and to promote, mitigation actions, bearing in mind different
circumstances of developed and developing countries, must meet standards that deliver real, permanent, additional and verified mitigation outcomes, avoid double counting of effort, and achieve a net decrease and/or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions.
The COP requested the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) to conduct a work programme to consider a framework for such approaches, with a view to recommending a decision to COP18. Parties and admitted
observer organizations were invited to submit their views on these matters, including their experiences, positive and negative, with existing approaches and mechanisms as well as lessons learned, by 5 March 2012.
The objectives of the workshop are to consider the submissions made and to discuss a framework for the approaches referred to in paragraph 1 above. The output from the workshop should facilitate continued deliberations about a framework for such approaches under the AWG-LCA, by providing better understanding of the views submitted by Parties and observer organizations.
The workshop on a framework for various approaches will be coordinated with the workshop on the new market-based mechanism insofar as topics and issues raised in the submissions are closely related or overlapping. The workshops will therefore be organized sequentially, and if possible, back-to-back, with each other.
New market-based mechanism
The Conference of Parties (COP) at its seventeenth session in Durban, South Africa, defined a new market-based mechanism, operating under the guidance and authority of the COP, to enhance the cost-effectiveness of, and to promote, mitigation actions, bearing in
mind different circumstances of developed and developing countries, which is guided by decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 80, and which, subject to conditions to be elaborated, may assist developed countries to meet part of their mitigation targets under the Convention.
The objective is to elaborate modalities and procedures for the mechanism, with a view to recommending a decision to COP18. Parties and admitted observer organizations were invited to submit their views on these matters, including their experiences, positive and negative, with existing approaches and mechanisms as well as lessons learned.
The workshop will be a platform to consider the submissions made and to discuss, thereby providing better understanding of the views submitted by Parties and observer organizations.
Enhancing Mitigation Ambition
By its decision 1/CP.17, the COP decided to launch a work plan on enhancing mitigation ambition to identify and to explore options for a range of actions that can close the ambition gap with a view to ensuring the highest possible mitigation efforts by all Parties.
The objective of the workshop, as identified in decision 1/CP.17, is to consider options and ways for increasing ambition and possible further actions. The workshop will be the first activity in the workplan on enhancing mitigation ambition and will set the stage for further activities. It is therefore envisaged that the workshop will:
(a) discuss the ways and means to enhance mitigation ambition;
(b) explore what action can be taken, including by the Conference of the Parties, to realize the mitigation potential of the options proposed during the workshop;
(c) identify what further activities can be undertaken under the workplan on enhancing mitigation ambition.
COP 18 / CMP 8
The 18th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the 8th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol will take place from Monday, 26 November to Friday, 7 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar.
Republished from the UNFCCC E-Newsletter #29 – March 2012
More articles can be found at this link http://newsletter.unfccc.int/en/mar2012.html
Critical decisions were reached in Durban to further strengthen the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) framework for Annex I Parties, and the reporting and verification structure for non Annex I Parties.
In the context of the future mitigation regime under the Convention, governments reached important decisions for Annex I Parties MRV framework. Parties agreed to adopt the UNFCCC biennial reporting (BR) guidelines and the modalities and procedures for international assessment and review (IAR). The process and timeline for revisions of these guidelines, as well as guidelines for reporting and for review of national communications, were set in place.
Crucial for the further development of the MRV framework for Annex I Parties is the work under the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on the common reporting formats for biennial reports and the revision of the review guidelines for biennial reports and the national communications.
Meanwhile, a set of decisions relating to biennial update reports (BURs) from non Annex I Parties was agreed on in Durban. In addition to adopting the guidelines for preparation of BURs from non Annex I Parties, the timeframe for submission of first and subsequent BURs, their content and how the BURs link to the national communications were also clarified and agreed. First BURs are due by December 2014.
It was recognized that non Annex I Parties would require support for preparation of BURs, and the GEF was requested to make this support available as early as possible to non-Annex I Parties preparing their first BURs in 2012 on the basis of agreed full cost funding.
Parties also agreed on a set of decisions on international consultations and analysis. In addition to adopting the modalities and guidelines for international consultation and analysis (ICA), the COP decided that the first rounds of ICA will be conducted for developing country Parties, starting within six months of the submission of the first round of biennial update reports.
There is still one key element of the ICA process that needs to be addressed: the composition, modalities and procedures of the team of technical experts for the ICA. This issue will be addressed under the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) at its thirty-sixteenth session with a view to recommending a draft decision to the COP for its adoption at its eighteenth session. Parties were requested submit their views on this matter by 5 March 2012.
The progress on Annex I MRV and non-Annex I reporting and verification was significant to creating a certainty among Parties and other stakeholders in the UNFCCC process that all countries are approaching their commitments under the Convention with a sense of responsibility and accountability.
Understanding of the diversity of nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing country Parties
At COP17, Parties agreed to continue, in 2012, with the workshop process that was launched in Cancun at COP 16 to further the understanding of the diversity of nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries (NAMAs) contained in document FCCC/AWGLCA/2011/INF.1, including their underlying assumptions and any support needed for the implementation.
The secretariat was requested to organize the workshop in conjunction with the thirty-sixth session of the Subsidiary Bodies and prepare a summary report of the workshop. Further, the scope of the workshop was broadened to include sharing of experience on the formulation of low-emission development strategies of developing country Parties.
Operationalizing the NAMA Registry
Another significant decision adopted in Durban was to operationalize the registry to record NAMAs seeking international support, to facilitate the matching of financial, technological and capacity-building support for NAMAs, and to provide recognition of NAMAs. There are open invitations to Parties and other entities to submit information on (a) actions seeking support, (b) support available, (c) actions that have received needed support, and (d) other individual NAMAs. The COP requested the secretariat to record this information as and when it is submitted by Parties and other entities.
The secretariat was requested to develop a prototype of the registry and present it to Parties for their consideration at the thirty-sixth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 36). The secretariat was further requested to improve the design of the prototype, if required, based on the views expressed by Parties at the SBI 36 and make it available to Parties as soon as possible (but within two months after SBI 36), with a view to finalizing the registry through a decision at the eighteenth session of the Conference of the Parties.
9 organizations express willingness to be the host of UNFCCC’s new Climate Technology Centre
A total of nine organizations have expressed their willingness to be the host of the UNFCCCs new Climate Technology Centre (CTC).
The CTC, along with its Network, is the implementing arm of the UNFCCCs Technology Mechanism, established at the UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun in 2010.
The mechanism is designed to stimulate technology cooperation and to enhance the development and transfer of technologies to support developing country action on curbing greenhouse gas emissions and on adapting to the inevitable effects of climate change.
Governments meeting in Durban at the end of last year requested the UNFCCC Secretariat to issue a call for proposals for organizations that would like to serve as the CTC host.
The nine organizations that have stepped forward with proposals include UN agencies, business and civil society organizations and government bodies.
“I am impressed by the diverse array of organizations that want to play a key role in promoting clean and climate-safe technology. This enthusiasm is encouraging and bodes well for the success of the entire Technology Mechanism, which has the potential to be a central pillar of support for developing country action on climate change”, said UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, the UNs top climate change official.
An evaluation panel comprising six members of the Technology Executive Committee, the policy arm of the Technology Mechanism, is to meet on 2 April in Bonn to decide a short list of up to five candidates.
This short list will then be considered by governments meeting at this years UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn (14-25 May).
In Bonn, the UNFCCCs Subsidiary Body for Implementation will recommend the host of the CTC for final approval at the UN Climate Change Conference in Qatar at the end of the year (26 November to 7 December).
A full list of proponents and executive summaries of their proposals can be found on the UNFCCC web site at http://unfccc.int/cooperation_and_support/technology/items/6602.php
Singapore has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the C401 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) to participate in the C40 as an observer city.
The C40 is a network of cities committed to implementing meaningful and sustainable climate-related actions locally that will address climate change globally. 58 cities are part of the C40 which include Berlin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, London, New York, Sao Paulo, Seoul and Tokyo. C40 collaborates on climate change-related initiatives with organisations such as the World Bank, OECD and the Clinton Climate Initiative.
Singapore was invited to join the C40 in recognition of its achievements in sustainable development and as a global city with a proven record in achieving economic growth and environment sustainability. Due to its unique circumstances as a city-state, Singapore will participate as an observer and will not be party to the communiqué issued by the C40 group. Singapore’s involvement in the C40 will allow Singapore to share its experience on sustainable development and to learn best practices and engage major cities around the world. This is in line with Singapore’s vision to be a climate change resilient global city that is well-positioned for green growth.
Under the MOU, the C40 and Singapore will work together towards the shared goals of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and supporting adaptation measures to avoid the harmful impacts of climate change. This will include participation in C40 initiatives as well as the development of case studies to facilitate the exchange of knowledge with other cities. For example, C40 has expressed interest in Singapore’s experience in areas such as land transport and water management. Singapore is interested in learning from the best practices of C40 cities in areas such as developing low carbon strategies and deploying solutions to reduce emissions.
For more information on C40, please visit www.c40.org
The Straits Times: WWF, S’pore disagree over emissions count
By Grace Chua for the Straits Times
Different methodology used for attributing emissions from imported products
Your carbon emissions are still too high but, hey, Singapore is doing a great job when it comes to energy efficiency and others can learn from you.
That seems to be the ‘yes, but…’ response from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), in the wake of a rebuttal by Singapore’s National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) to scathing remarks about the Republic’s greening efforts.
Earlier this month, media reports said that the WWF’s Living Planet Report (2010) had named Singapore as having the highest per capita carbon footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
WWF President Yolada Kakabadse had called Singapore ‘…maybe one of the best examples of what we should not do’.
Last week, the NCCS – which comes under the Prime Minister’s Office – responded sharply, saying the comment ‘seriously misrepresents the situation’.
The key bone of contention is the methodology. The WWF counts emissions from goods that a country imports as attributed to that country.
But in the United Nations’ methodology, adopted by Singapore, those emissions are attributed to the country producing those goods.
The NCCS also pointed out that ranking countries by per capita carbon emissions disadvantages countries with small populations, and does not reflect Singapore’s lack of alternative energy sources.
In the WWF statement put out on Friday, its Singapore chief executive Elaine Tan said: ‘Singapore deserves recognition for the many achievements it has made in reducing its carbon footprint, particularly in energy efficiency.
‘But in terms of carbon emissions per capita, the country can do more. So WWF welcomes the opportunity to work with the people, private and public sectors, to reduce the burden our current lifestyles are placing on the planet.’
On WWF’s methodology, she said: ‘Consumption activities are the primary drivers of environmental pressure but production activities are easier to regulate. Therefore both are important.
‘However, if you want to understand the environmental impact a high-consumption lifestyle has on a particular place, then you need to look at the final destination.’
National University of Singapore geography associate professor Victor Savage, who studies sustainable development, agreed with the NCCS’ point about ‘per capita’ distortions.
He said using per capita emissions ratings lets large carbon emitters like China, Germany and Australia off the hook. They may not have high per capita emissions, but they are large overall emitters.
But he added that a high per capita emissions ranking can help governments broach the issue with its citizens. ‘You can say, ‘Your per capita usage of energy is so high; we need to do something.”
Singapore’s performance in environmental rankings has varied sharply by the methods and measures used.
In February, a University of British Columbia study ranked the Republic bottom of 150 countries in its ‘ecological deficits’, meaning it used far more of the earth’s resources than it could supply.
In response to that study, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources said Singapore should be compared with other city-states, not larger nations with more natural resources.
The Asian Green City Index by technology firm Siemens last year rated Singapore tops in its management of waste and water resources, and gave it high marks in sanitation and environmental governance.
National Climate Change Competition 2012
Earth Hour HQ to relocate to S’pore
TODAYonline — Climate change movement Earth Hour is moving its global headquarters to Singapore.
The global movement, which has been based in Sydney, Australia since it launched in 2007, is expected to move to Singapore in May.
Earth Hour encourages individuals, businesses and communities to switch off their lights for one hour on the last Saturday of March every year.
The Singapore headquarters is expected to lead the campaign’s outreach to businesses.
Earth Hour executive director and co-founder Andy Ridley said Singapore offers the level of connectivity and opportunity the campaign needs to move forward.
“Great for business, great for communications, brilliant for digital. And it’s got great people who can work for us,” he said.
Added Mr Ridley: “To move to Singapore in a geographical sense makes total sense – Earth Hour is growing really big in India and in China and in Indonesia, as well as Latin America and the (United) States. So many reasons to move here.”
This year’s Earth Hour event will take place on March 31 at 8.30pm. The Singapore event will be held at Orchard Road, and organisers are hoping for a 6,000-strong turnout.
Asian Green Youth Challenge Recruitment Drive
Asian Green Youth Challenge (AGYC) is founded by a group of Singaporean Peking University undergraduates in 2010. It is a project adopted by non-for-profit organisation, Social Innovation Park (SIP). It was started to create an annual series of programmes which will incubate innovative, youth-based, non-for-profit environmental projects and organisations in Asia. There are 4 stages to AGYC, website campaign, conference, competition and incubation programme. We hope to facilitate youths to take action to protect the environment. The AGYC Organising Committee is currently recruiting volunteers to join our main committee. This is an information sharing session for interested volunteers. We hope to see you there!
The details are as of below:
Nature of Activity: Non SG Cares Activity
Activity Name: Asian Green Youth Challenge
Information Sharing Session
Date: 04-Feb-12
Time: 2.00pm-3.00pm
Address: National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #04-88 The Central NVPC is located right at Level 4 within The Central, directly above Clarke Quay MRT.
For more information, you can visit the link: http://www.sgcares.org/Public/Other/SGCares_P_Others_ActivtyDetails.aspx?PCID=a6aef39b-b834-4491-9077-a42b8ebf58bf
ECO @ COP 