Singapore formally joins Paris climate change accord
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan depositing Singapore's instrument of ratification to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at the United Nations in New York on Sept 21. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
SINGAPORE — Singapore formally joined the Paris climate change accord on Wednesday night (Sept 21, Singapore time), with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan depositing the Republic’s instrument of ratification for the landmark agreement at the United Nations.
“Singapore’s ratification of the Agreement is a further affirmation of our support and commitment for climate action,” said a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Climate Change Secretariat under the Strategy Group of the Prime Minister’s Office last night.
“The unity of purpose demonstrated by the international community marks a major milestone in global climate action. It has contributed towards bringing the Agreement into force. Parties will now work towards its universal and effective implementation.”
The deposit of Singapore’s instrument of ratification during a High-level Event on the Entry into Force of the Agreement at the UN Headquarters organised by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon follows the signing of the Agreement by Dr Balakrishnan in New York in April, together with representatives from 174 other countries.
The joint statement noted that by ratifying the Agreement, Singapore has formalised its pledge to reduce its Emissions Intensity by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and to stabilise emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030.
“This pledge builds on our existing commitment to reduce, by 2020, greenhouse gas emissions by 16 per cent from the business-as-usual level, which Singapore is on track to meet. “
The Republic released its Climate Action Plan in July this year to outline the various measures to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to climate change. Improving energy efficiency will continue to be Singapore’s key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said the joint statement.
There are plans to enhance energy efficiency across all sectors, including the power generation, industry, buildings, transport, household, waste and water sectors, added the joint statement.
The Paris accord, sealed late last year in the French capital, commits countries to make plans to keep global warming at no more than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to try to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
To come into force, 55 parties responsible for at least 55 of global emissions of greenhouse gases must ratify the accord.
While more than 55 parties have now ratified the agreement, they only account for around 48 per cent of global emissions. The UN is pushing for the agreement to come into force later this year.
