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Ethos Issue 7, Jan 2010
Sustainable Development:
Challenges and Opportunities
Tan Yong Soon
Energy
Looking ahead, Singapore needs to
manage energy with the same attention
we have paid to water. Global concern
over climate change will increasingly see
the emergence of a carbon-constrained
world. The exploitation of traditional
energy sources such as oil and gas
could be curtailed by various geo-political
and economic considerations.
Many countries are today exploring
the development of alternative energy
sources such as hydro, geothermal, wind
and solar. Although Singapore is also
exploring clean or renewable energy,
we face many constraints in exploiting
alternative energy sources. Most forms of
alternative energy are generated in situ.
Unfortunately, Singapore’s wind speed is
too low for viability, and we lack access
to either hydro or geothermal sources.
Solar energy is the most promising
renewable resource for Singapore.
However, the cost of solar-generated
electricity is still about twice that of
grid electricity generated from fossil
fuels. Our approach is therefore to invest
in solar research and test-bedding, to
prepare for wider deployment when the
cost of solar electricity falls. For example,
the Housing and Development Board is
embarking on a S$30 million project
to test solar technology on the roofs of
our public housing developments island-wide. The National Research Foundation
has also allocated S$170 million to build
up R&D and manpower capabilities in
clean energy. In addition to providing
solutions for Singapore’s energy needs,
the clean energy sector is projected to
add S$1.7 billion to GDP and create 7,000
jobs by 2015.
Deploying renewable energy
resources is not the only tool to mitigate
energy constraints. For an alternative
energy disadvantaged country like
Singapore, using energy more efficiently
is as, if not more, important. By
optimising energy use and conserving
energy where we can, we reduce costs
and increase overall competitiveness.
Energy efficiency is also a key means
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
An International Energy Agency study
showed that 11 member countries,
which engaged in energy efficiency
initiatives, achieved US$1.1 trillion
(based on 2006 prices) of energy cost
savings in 2006 alone.12
Singapore has ramped up efforts to
improve national energy efficiency. Our
target is to improve our energy intensity
by 35% from 2005 levels, by 2030. As
energy use is pervasive, we have adopted
a holistic approach to improve energy
efficiency across all key sectors of energy
use—buildings, households, transport,
industry and power generation.
Thus far, we have focused on raising
awareness of the benefits of energy
efficiency, incentivising the adoption of
energy efficient practices and building
expertise in energy management.
Going forward, we will need to do
more by setting higher standards and
leveraging fiscal tools to encourage
energy conservation. For instance, the
experiences of countries like Japan and
Denmark are instructive: they attained
high levels of energy efficiency and
conservation through a holistic suite
of policies including legislation, which
sets minimum standards and requires
the monitoring and reporting of energy
data, energy taxes and the provision
of incentives to kick-start industry
development and R&D.
A SUSTAINABLE SINGAPORE
Singapore’s broad strategies to ensure
sustainable development for future
decades have been set out in the
Sustainable Singapore Blueprint,13
which was released in April 2009. To
continue to sustain both a dynamic
economy and a liveable environment,
improving resource efficiency and building capability are key. In addition,
we must continue to invest in enhancing
our environment and build an
environmentally responsible community.
Cities that are good homes for their residents are also attractive to mobile global talent and investments. International quality of life and employment conditions surveys highlight that environmental factors such as air quality and water potability are key considerations for talent. As such, the debate between economic development and environment protection is outdated: cities need to pursue both. Recognising this, leading cities around the world, such as New York and London, have embarked on plans to improve their environment and develop more sustainably.
Singapore must likewise continue to improve our environment, by investing in improvements in our air and water quality, as well as cleanliness and hygiene standards—the fundamental building blocks of a good quality of life— especially as our population and economy continue to grow. While emissions standards must be set, taking into consideration the availability and cost of measures to reduce pollution, the shortterm cost of abatement measures must be compared to the long-term repercussions of environmental degradation and our economic competitiveness.
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