Critical to find innovative ways to fight climate change, says Desmond Lee

The impact of climate change is here and now, with Singapore already experiencing the hottest day in 40 years on May 13 when the mercury hit 37 deg C, while 2022 was one of the wettest years since 1980.

- Shabana Begum

While the science of climate change may still be evolving and people continue to learn about the full extent of its effects, we must take action now, National Development Minister Desmond Lee said on Wednesday, as he outlined what the country is doing to decarbonise as well as fortify its defences against climate change impacts.

He said more than 20 per cent of Singapore’s carbon emissions come from buildings, and some of the ways to cut emissions there are to harness electricity from green energy sources and build sustainable towns, districts and buildings.

“It is therefore absolutely critical for us to find innovative ways to flatten the emissions curve brought about by urbanisation,” Mr Lee said on the second day of the Ecosperity Week conference at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

He cited the Singapore Green Building Masterplan, which charts out the aim of greening 80 per cent of buildings by gross floor area and ensuring that 80 per cent of new buildings will be classified as super-low energy by 2030.