UN expert says S'pore can do more to cut emissions, protect nature and safeguard human rights

MFA says S'pore will study and consider special rapporteur's recommendations carefully

- Shabana Begum

Singapore has made notable contributions to the global environmental movement, but it can do more to reduce its planet-warming emissions, protect nature and safeguard human rights, said a UN environment expert on May 23.

Speaking at the end of a 10-day trip to Singapore, Ms Astrid Puentes Riano, the UN special rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, said: "Considering the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and toxic pollution, Singapore can and must increase efforts to reduce demand of energy, water and resources."

Despite its small size, Singapore has played a leadership role on the world stage, helping to advance a number of multilateral treaties, such as those on environmental protection and human rights, she said.

For example, Singapore had in 1982 helped to broker an agreement among countries on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which governs all uses of the oceans and their resources. The country also adopted the Asean Human Rights Declaration in 2012.

But while Singapore has helped to advance these declarations, it also has to ensure that these efforts are adequately implemented in the country, added the special rapporteur, who is from Colombia.

On climate change, Ms Puentes Riano noted that Singapore contributes just 0.1 per cent of global carbon emissions.

But the average amount of carbon dioxide emitted by each person here remains significant, she said, pointing to how Singapore ranks 20th globally in terms of emissions per capita, based on a review of 156 countries or territories.

Along with high consumption-related emissions, these present "a significant space for improvement", said Ms Puentes Riano, who is making her first trip as special rapporteur since her appointment in 2024.