Map outlines climate danger for Singapore [News]

By Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, 31 Jan 2012.

A global average temperature rise of 4 degC could have a severe impact on Singapore, including flooding, coastal land loss and heat-related deaths.

That is according to a new map launched here yesterday by the Hadley Centre of the United Kingdom’s Met Office, one of the leading centres for climate prediction. The map shows the potential impact of climate change in South-east Asia.

Under the scenario, global average sea levels could rise by up to 80cm by the end of the century, translating to a local sea-level rise of about 65cm.

‘For a small country with a high population density and surrounded by sea, this could have implications for flooding, coastal land loss and salt water intrusion of groundwater aquifers,’ said the centre. Read more

Investors address climate change risks [News]

By Lesley Teoh, The Business Times, 13 Jan 2012.

Institutional investors are increasingly aware of the investment risks and opportunities afforded by climate change, a Mercer survey has found.

More than 50 per cent of respondents to the survey decided to include climate change considerations in their future risk management and strategic asset allocation processes.

This reflects the growing awareness of investors of the threats posed by global warming to their assets, and is of particular importance given the lack of global consensus on climate change issues, which has stalled the implementation of a new climate policy.

‘A new binding (climate change) agreement is not expected to be in place until 2020,’ said Mercer’s Asia- Pacific head of responsible investment Helga Birgden. ‘For its part, Mercer will continue to offer forward- looking, strategic advice and solutions to help our clients address long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change.’ Read more

Take the green lead, Singapore [News]

By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 22 Dec 2011.

The United Nations climate talks in Durban, South Africa, earlier this month resulted in what some have called ‘a plan to make a plan’: an agreement for all countries to negotiate a new regime of greenhouse gas emissions cuts by 2015 and have it take effect by 2020.

The current Kyoto Protocol was extended for another five-year commitment period, but it covers only developed nations.

What’s a developing country to do in this interim grey area? They could get some pointers from Singapore, perhaps.

Though the island state aligns itself with the Alliance of Small Island States and the developing world Group of 77 (G-77), which want the developed world to bear responsibility for the emissions it put into the atmosphere, it bears characteristics of both developed and developing countries. Read more

‘Give more coverage to climate change’ [News]

By Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times, 9 Dec 2011.

There is far less coverage of climate change – an important topic affecting billions of people – than coverage of conflicts.

Media organisations, especially in Asia, should devote more resources to reports on environmental issues, says a senior United Nations official.

In recent days, publications around the world have given far fewer column centimetres to the UN climate change talks in Durban, South Africa, than the conflict in Afghanistan, said Mr Shun-ichi Murata, deputy executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap).

‘It is an important conflict, but so is climate change, and it has far-reaching consequences for billions of people,’ he told The Straits Times on the sidelines of the Media Leaders’ Forum at Marina Bay Sands on Wednesday. Read more

Singapore’s National Statement at the UNFCCC COP-17 High Level Segment [Speeches]

Singapore’s National Statement Delivered by Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Teo Chee Hean, at the UNFCCC COP-17 High Level Segment, in Durban, South Africa, 7 December 2011

Madame President,

I would like to begin by congratulating you on your election as the President of this Conference. You have steered our work with great leadership and dignity. This conference in Durban is a proud moment, not only for South Africa, but also for the entire African continent. The results of this Conference will have an impact on people around the world. The expectations are high and we pledge to work with you to make this conference a success.

2. Let me say at the outset that Singapore associates itself with the statement delivered yesterday by the Chair of the Group of 77 and China, and also the statement made by Grenada on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, or AOSIS. Read more

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