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SINGAPORE: Singapore has launched a nationwide call for ideas to make the country more eco-friendly and to ensure more efficient use of its resources.
An Inter-Ministerial Committee – tasked to promote sustainable development – said on Monday that it will not shy away from bold approaches. But its recommendations, which are likely to be announced next year, will not compromise economic growth.
Climate change and escalating fuel prices have been on the international agenda recently, and Singapore, too, will push for more optimal use of scarce resources, especially energy.
Individuals will have to make lifestyle changes and companies will be encouraged to adopt more efficient practices.
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran, who sits on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development, said: "There are also significant opportunities in clean energy and alternative energy, and these are areas we should be promoting with greater effort in the R&D area.
"Some of these have yet to be competitive in the cost point of view, compared to conventional energy sources.
"The key thing to do here is to facilitate greater R&D so that they can boost the technology to make it more efficient, and therefore competitive and viable, and sustainable in an economic environment."
The committee said it would explore ways to help companies make the transition. But one thing is certain – the government will not be too eager to amend legislation or give out subsidies unnecessarily.
Industry players said sustainable development is not just about money; it is also about creating greater awareness among consumers. They suggested that establishing an industry-wide accreditation scheme to honour green companies may help facilitate the process.
Kurt Wee, vice president of the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME), said: "Maybe some kind of certification process can be initiated so that consumers or product and services buyers have a choice between one that is environmentally certified and one that is not. Of course, the one that is environmentally friendly may cost more, but we can let the market decide."
Apart from the cost issue, there is also a concern about timing. For instance, some companies are worried that their investment in new environmentally sustainable techniques or practices may be obsolete within a few years as newer technologies become available.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee is now seeking views on ways to drive the green building movement and pollution control by launching a website to solicit feedback from the public.
The committee is expected to table its report in Parliament next February during the Budget debate.
- CNA/so
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