CLIMATE CHANGE

CLIMATE CHANGE:

(Survey results with regard to business attitude): The following Question stood in the name of Mdm Ho Geok Choo -

12. To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources what are (i) the recent survey results with regard to business attitude towards climate change; and (ii) the Ministry's programme on reaching out to Singapore businesses on this subject.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: Question No. 12.

The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim): Mr Speaker, Sir, to better gather

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public feedback and improve the public education and reach-out programmes, the NEA conducts public surveys on environmental issues to assess public awareness, attitude, behaviour and practices. The public survey conducted in 2006 showed that 63% of the public were aware of the occurrence of climate change.

In its 4th survey of corporate governance in Asia, "CG Watch 07", the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA) also included a Clean & Green Survey measuring companies' sensitivities to environmental issues, such as whether the leadership recognises the importance of climate change and takes action to monitor the company's emission levels as well as the company's future plans in mitigating climate change. Singapore ranked 9th out of 11 countries in the Clean & Green Survey, after Hong Kong and before Malaysia and China.

My Ministry will continue to reach out to Singapore businesses regarding climate change through various initiatives and platforms. We set up the National Climate Change Committee, or N3C in 2006. This is chaired by my Senior Parliamentary Secretary of MEWR and comprises representatives from the Government, private sector, academia and NGOs. More than 70 associations, organisations and companies are represented in the N3C and its sub-groups, and they come from a wide range of companies and industry sectors. The N3C provides a useful platform to discuss ideas and gather feedback on climate change issues and policies from the private and people sectors.

We have also reached out to the businesses on improving energy efficiency, which is a way to help address climate change and lower business costs at the same time. The NEA has launched the National Energy Efficiency Plan, also known as "Energy Efficient Singapore" (E 2

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Singapore). The E 2 Singapore plan includes measures to help businesses incorporate efficient technologies and processes to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities and buildings. NEA also conducts energy efficiency forums and seminars for companies in various industry sectors.

We have also received strong business support for our environment and climate change related events. At the Germany-Singapore Environmental Technology Agency (GSETA) Asia-Pacific Workshop on "Climate Change and Sustainable Tourism" held last October, companies were very forthcoming in showcasing their environmental products to regional and local participants. Of the 14 exhibitors at GSETA, 10 were private companies involved in the businesses of energy efficiency, renewable energy and waste recycling.

In addition, companies in the business of e-waste recycling and energy-efficient household appliances have participated actively in the recent Clean & Green Singapore launch festival.