Singapore reaffirms commitment to Paris climate accord after US says it plans to withdraw

SINGAPORE — The Republic has reaffirmed its commitment to play its part to curb climate change, in the wake of United States President Donald Trump’s decision to pull his country out of the Paris Agreement involving more than 190 countries.

The historic pact, adopted in late 2015 by nearly 200 countries and ratified so far by 147 including Singapore, aims to curb the potentially devastating effects of climate change and sea level increases by keeping global temperature rise this century to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Countries put forward their nationally determined contributions and are to report regularly on their emissions and efforts. The United States is the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter behind China.

“As a low-lying, island city-state, Singapore is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and we have a deep interest in global efforts to address potential disruptions to natural ecosystems and human societies,” said the National Climate Change Secreteriat in a statement on Friday (June 2). “As a small country, we have also staunchly supported the rules-based multilateral system, and upheld the critical role of diplomacy in solving problems on the global commons.”

Singapore believes that a global approach towards dealing with climate change is the best chance the international community has at effectively addressing its effects, the secretariat said. “We remain committed to undertaking the measures needed to achieve our Paris pledge, including implementing a carbon tax from 2019. We stand ready to work with all parties and stakeholders to address this urgent challenge together.”

Singapore has pledged to lower its greenhouse gas emissions per dollar of gross domestic product by 36 per cent from 2005 levels. It wants to stabilise its emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030, and the Government has estimated that renewable energy could potentially contribute up to 8 per cent of Singapore’s peak electricity demand by 2030.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli posted on Facebook that he was “disappointed” by the US’ decision, which the “global community had hoped would not materialise”. Many world and business leaders have expressed their continued commitment to the Paris pledge, noted Mr Masagos, who also urged individuals to play a part by using fewer plastic bags, cutting food waste and conserving water.

Environmental groups and clean energy players here felt progress made in alternative energy and against climate change would continue even with the US’ latest move.

Singapore Environment Council chairman Isabella Loh said: “Given the overwhelming international consensus on climate action, together with the undeniable strength of the science behind it, we believe it is unlikely the US’ decision will have much influence on other nations.” She added: “The key to the success of the Paris Agreement is for individual countries to implement policies that will achieve their nation’s targets.  Three quarters of the world’s nations have ratified the agreement, including China and India.  Together the remaining nations can continue to fight for the future of our planet, even if the US decides not to participate.”

Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, executive director of the Energy Research Institute at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, did not think Mr Trump’s decision would hamper global research and development in clean technology.

“I don’t see this as a show-stopper in any way,” he said, adding that the move might galvanise support from other parties to develop technology to tackle climate change.

“The American private sector is firmly behind the opportunities that the Paris Agreement presents,” said Prof Mhaisalkar, whose institute collaborates with a host of multinational firms under research programmes such as the EcoCampus and REIDS-Semakau initiatives. The cost of renewables and energy storage continues to drop, making it easier to pursue a low-carbon future, he noted.

The adoption of renewable energy is a case of sound economics, said Mr Frank Phuan, managing director of clean energy provider Sunseap Group, whose clients include technology giant Apple. US companies make up Sunseap’s second-largest group of clients after the Singapore government, he said.

Sunseap is able to sell electricity generated by solar energy at rates that are lower than energy from power plants, which “shows we are beyond grid parity”, said Mr Phuan. “We believe that the economics will prevail in any country whether there’s an administration that supports the idea of renewable energy.”

Meanwhile, international environmental organisations slammed Mr Trump’s decision.

President and chief executive of the World Resources Institute Andrew Steer said in a statement on Wednesday that the “deeply misguided decision” would be “bad for the world, but even worse for the United States”. He said: “President Trump should not turn his back on more than 1,000 major companies and investors, and 70 percent of Americans who want the US to stay in the Agreement. Sadly, President Trump appears to be falling for 20th century economic thinking, when more efficient, cleaner 21st century opportunities are there for the taking. In withdrawing, he would relinquish US leadership, moving away from a group of 195 countries and join a party of just three — the US, Nicaragua and Syria.”

Greenpeace International said the decision would cost the US its global leadership position and its share of the economic benefits of the clean energy transition.

Its international executive director Jennifer Morgan said: “Trump talks about what is fair for the US, but instead should also consider what is fair for all and those already living with the devastating impacts of climate change. Global climate action can deliver prosperity and security for the US and the rest of the world together.”