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You could call it a global warning. Increasingly tangible effects of climate change have propelled the hot issue of sustainable development into the international diplomatic and media spotlight. The heat is on, all over the world, to intensify efforts to find new methods and approaches to minimise the impact of our development on the environment.
Singapore’s natural inclination to conscientiously protect its small environment is world-renowned. Its pollution control measures and green urban design are trademarks. Additionally, nascent conservation efforts urge the nation’s stakeholders to conserve energy, use cleaner energy, and of course, the classic tenet: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Locally, Singapore’s efforts have paid off. While the island puts up with transboundary haze wafting in from the region occasionally, its air quality is up there with the world’s best.
“We are pleased to report that in 2004, Singapore achieved 88% of days with Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) in ‘good’ air quality range,” said Mr Loh Ah Tuan, NEA’s Deputy CEO and Director-General, Environmental Protection.
Singapore’s carbon dioxide emission has grown by 2.9% annually, slower than the 8.4% annual growth of real GDP. Measured in CO2 per GDP dollar, its carbon intensity – the ratio of carbon emissions to economic activity – improved by 15% between 1990 and 2003. That means that while the country’s been growing, its carbon emissions have been decreasing.
By 2012, Singapore aims to achieve a carbon efficiency that is at least 25% better than in 1990. At the same time, it aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 190,000 tonnes.
It plans to do this by reducing energy wastage, and promoting its conservation.
The generation of energy produces CO2 – and excessive CO2 emissions are widely accepted as being a, if not the, major culprit in the unprecedented escalation of global warming in the last century.
As of last year, 69% of Singapore’s electricity was generated in combined cycle and co-generation plants, using natural gas piped from Malaysia and Indonesia. This was up from 19% in 2000. Overall power generation efficiency improved from 37% to 45%.
Natural gas is cleaner, more efficient and cost-effective than oil, and helps Singapore to reduce emissions significantly. Previously, Singapore’s power came mainly from oil-fired steam plants.
NEA also has several pilot projects to test the local application of other emerging clean power generation technologies, such as fuel cells and photovoltaics.
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NEA launched three brand new initiatives to promote energy efficiency in the business and public sector.
The most recent was the $10m Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe), jointly launched by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and NEA in April 2005, targeted at the manufacturing sector. EASe subsidises owners and operators of these facilities up to 50% – or $200,000 – of their cost of engaging specialist energy services companies (ESCOs). ESCOs appraise their energy use and identify areas for efficiency improvement.
EASe is expected to see $200 million invested in energy saving measures, which in turn will help save about $40 – $80 million annually.
Secondly, to support EASe, the Energy and Sustainability Unit (ESU) of the School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, has developed an accreditation scheme for ESCOs (Energy Services Companies). This is to enhance the professionalism and quality of services offered by ESCOs and confidence in the energy services sector.
The third initiative, the innovative Pilot Energy Saving Project for Public Sector Facilities, targets the public sector through energy saving performance contracts for public sector buildings and facilities.
With the pilot scheme, eight public sector agencies will engage the services of ESCOs to appraise energy consumption and recommend energy conservation measures. They will choose to operate either under a Shared Savings model or a Guaranteed Savings model.
Under Shared Savings, the appointed ESCO will recommend and bear the cost of implementing energy conservation measures. The ESCO recoups the implementation cost from the agency by sharing a portion of the energy savings proceeds with the agency.
With Guaranteed Savings model, the government agency bears the implementation costs, but the ESCO guarantees the energy savings arising from the implementation of measures it recommends. Any shortfall in savings will be made up by the ESCO.
Participating public sector agencies are MEWR, CAAS, MOF, MOM, IRAS, MAS, Changi General Hospital and Singapore General Hospital. The first tender was called in mid-2005.
An energy audit scheme which targets the heart of the energy industry itself continues to run successfully. Six oil refineries and petrochemical plants are involved in a voluntary scheme, launched in July 2002, to audit and improve energy use in their premises.
To date, 99 air-conditioner and 73 refrigerator models have been awarded the Energy Label for energy efficiency. Labelling of household electrical appliances started in April 2002 to promote energy efficiency among households and encourage consumers to switch to energy efficient household appliances.
Under the voluntary scheme, air-conditioners and refrigerators, whose usage can account for up to 65% of the monthly utility bill of a typical household, are affixed with Energy Labels with an efficiency grading. They also carry information on energy consumption.
To increase the Labels’ visibility, Green Corners were introduced in retail showrooms of electrical appliances to increase visibility. Currently, there are nine Green Corner stores throughout Singapore.
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The future is based on capacity building now. A number of new initiatives – collectively involving all stakeholders – to build a base for future environmentally-sound development are already in place.
An annual Energy Efficient Building Award promotes energy efficiency in buildings by recognising building owners, architects and engineers who have integrated energy efficiency into the design of their buildings.
The training and certification of energy managers will bring energy efficiency into corporations and workplaces.
Financial incentives offered till end of 2005 for use of electric and hybrid cars aspire to increase green cars on the roads. Also on the roads, an enhanced tax incentive, introduced in 2004 to encourage fleet operators to convert their diesel vehicles to meet Euro IV standards by October 2006. |
Other ongoing initiatives include the promotion of more widespread use of public transportation, a green initiative mirrored in many large metropolitan cities around the world.
The future is in the young, so inculcation of energy conservation practices among school children continues through seminars and talks. Nominated “Environmental Champions” (EC) spread the message to peers and schoolmates, and put up posters detailing energy conservation information and practical tips on conserving energy in schools and at home. Also, a permanent exhibition on energy efficiency stands at Power Supply Building.
Last but certainly not least, the most obvious cornerstone in capacity building – academia and research. Funding and joint research continue with institutions of higher learning into new and emerging energy technologies. Likewise with support of innovative energy projects by the Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund.  |
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