Public Consultation on the Draft Energy Conservation Bill

1 The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) are seeking feedback on the draft Energy Conservation Bill.

BACKGROUND

2 The Energy Conservation Act (ECA) will mandate energy management practices for large energy users in the industry and transport sectors to promote energy conservation, improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. The introduction of this Bill is in line with Singapore’s target to improve our energy intensity by 35% from 2005 levels by 2030, as stated in the 2009 Sustainable Singapore Blueprint.

3 Based on consultations with industry and benchmarking studies, there is currently a wide spread in terms of the quality of energy management among companies, with some facilities managing their energy consumption less closely than others. Mandating energy management practices under the Energy Conservation Act will focus management attention on proper energy management. Read more

Expertise in climate science to be beefed up [News]

By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 13 Oct 2011.

SINGAPORE will need to raise the minimum levels for land reclamation by at least a metre to cope with a potential rise in sea levels arising from climate change.

In addition, the Government will develop capabilities to better understand this global phenomenon and its other effects on the island.

These were some of the key thrusts put forward yesterday by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) in their respective addenda to the President’s Address.

‘We will enhance our understanding and expertise in climate science, and build up Singapore’s resilience and adaptability to climate change in key areas such as coastal protection, water resources and drainage, biodiversity, public health as well as urban infrastructure,’ said the NCCS, which is part of the Prime Minister’s Office. Read more

MEWR to raise minimum level for land reclamation [News]

By Saifulbahri Ismail, Channel NewsAsia, 12 Oct 2011.

The Environment and Water Resources Ministry (MEWR) will raise the minimum levels for land reclamation by at least one metre, as an adequate buffer against a potential rise in sea levels.

This is one of the steps the MEWR will take to enhance Singapore’s resilience against the potential impact of climate change, the ministry said in its addendum to the President’s Address.

As a low-lying and densely populated island, Singapore is vulnerable to climate change. Experts said a rise in sea level can result in some coastal erosion and land loss.

Chairperson of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Environment and National Development, Lee Bee Wah, said: “The minister is looking long-term – the rise of the sea level perhaps in (the next) 100 or 200 years. We want to address it now and the cheaper way of doing it is to do it (during) the land reclamation by building up the additional one metre.” Read more

S’pore to enhance resilience against climate change [News]

By Saifulbahri Ismail, Channel NewsAsia, 12 Oct 2011.

The Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) is taking steps to enhance Singapore’s resilience against the potential impact of climate change.

It’ll raise the minimum levels for land reclamation by at least one metre to create an adequate buffer against a potential rise in sea level.

This is one of several priorities spelt out in its addendum to the President’s Address released on Wednesday.

MEWR will also develop capabilities in climate science to improve its understanding of future localised climatic conditions.

It’ll form networks with relevant experts and institutions at the forefront of climate research. Read more

Extension of the Green Vehicle Rebates for CNG Vehicles to 31 December 2012 [Press Releases]

The Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) scheme for new compressed natural gas (CNG) and bi-fuel (CNG/Petrol) vehicles will be extended for another year to 31 December 2012.

2 The GVR for CNG and CNG/Petrol vehicles was to end on 31 December 2011. MOF has considered feedback from the public requesting for the GVR scheme for these vehicles to expire together with the GVR scheme for other green vehicles [1] on 31 December 2012, and in consultation with MOT and MEWR, decided to grant this one-year extension. Read more

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