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BALI : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the post-2012 framework on tackling climate change cannot use a "one size fits all" approach.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in the resort island of Bali, Mr Lee says this is because a solution must take into account diverse national circumstances.
He adds that the post-2012 framework must have three guiding principles.
First, all countries must be committed to the framework with developed countries taking the lead.
This is because developed countries are largely responsible for the bulk of current and historical greenhouse emissions.
Second, the framework should recognise the vital importance of economic growth.
Tackling climate change, he says, must not affect governments' efforts in alleviating poverty, fighting diseases and malnutrition.
Mr Lee notes that some countries, especially those that deal with manufacturing or are transportation hubs which supply bunkers for ships and fuel for airplanes, will have a larger carbon footprint.
Penalising these countries would be counter-productive, because the activities would move to other countries.
This would lead to countries paying an economic price without reaping any environmental benefits.
Singapore, he says, has a vested interest in this as manufacturing, port and airport services are all important to its economy.
Third, the framework must take into account differences in national circumstances and constraints as countries vary in size, population and stage of development.
So to mitigate climate change with these in mind, Mr Lee suggests a few approaches that could be taken.
He says countries should pursue pragmatic and cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This includes exploiting technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce wastage, for example by using more public transport instead of cars, and not over-cooling or over-heating buildings.
Countries should also price energy properly and avoid subsidising over-consumption of fossil fuels.
Another approach is to protect the world's carbon sinks.
For example, slash-and-burn practices and the large-scale burning of peatlands should be stopped as they release massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
This requires responsible policies and commitment by the countries which own the forests.
Singapore, he says, supports the idea of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation proposed by Indonesia as well as regional initiatives like the Heart of Borneo project, which covers 220,000 sq km of forests in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The Republic is also working bilaterally with Indonesia to tackle peatland fires and develop sustainable land-clearing practices.
Beyond individual measures, Mr Lee said that it is necessary to set overall targets to reduce emissions.
Countries have to agree to this objective, negotiate a deal, and put in place policies to achieve the cuts.
And as climate change is a dynamic problem, Mr Lee says countries need an evolving, creative response that will exploit new technologies and adapt to new scientific discoveries.
This includes major investments in research on climate change and energy technologies like carbon storage, solar power, safe nuclear energy, or other low-carbon ways to power our future.
Even climate engineering should be explored fully.
Singapore, says Mr Lee, is strongly committed to this global research effort.
It's investing considerable sums to develop clean technologies like solar and water.
The country's also partnering China to build an eco-city in Tianjin, to testbed and demonstrate environmentally sustainable and economically viable approaches for urban development, which can be replicated in other Chinese cities.
Next year, Singapore will be hosting a World Cities Summit that will focus on environmental issues in urban settings.
Mr Lee notes that with global warming taking place, countries should also work on adaptation strategies.
Singapore and all the members of ASEAN are fully committed to the Bali roadmap and will do its part in this global effort.
While in Bali, Mr Lee also took the opportunity to meet Indonesian President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Mr Lee will be attending a Leaders' Retreat hosted by the Indonesian President on Thursday.
Mr Lee also met with the new Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.- CNA/ch
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