EMISSIONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE PER CAPITA (Singapore's ranking)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Simon S C Tay asked the Minister for the Environment how Singapore ranks in the emissions of carbon dioxide per capita, in comparison to other countries and what efforts are being made to reduce the emissions.

The Senior Minister of State for the Environment (Encik Sidek bin Saniff) (for the Minister for the Environment): Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore ranked 24th in the world in terms of per capita carbon dioxide emission in 1995, based on a comparison between our carbon dioxide emission figures and data compiled by a US-based agency. Our per capita emission is lower than countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Denmark, the UK as well as Australia.

In Singapore, power generation accounts for half of the carbon dioxide emission, and industries and road transportation account for much of the remaining 50%. A wide range of measures taken over the years has helped to keep down carbon dioxide emissions from these sources.

In power generation, new technology and greater efficiency in generation have meant more electricity being produced from the same unit of fossil fuel. As the use of natural gas in place of fuel oil can reduce carbon dioxide emission by up to 25%, we are planning to use more natural gas for power generation in the future.

Much effort has also gone into improving energy use efficiency. The Public Works Department has laid down energy conservation standards aimed at promoting energy-saving building designs. The Public Utilities Board conducts regular educational programmes and training courses on energy conservation. It also conducts energy audits to help the industrial and commercial sectors identify oppor- tunities for energy efficiency improvements. My Ministry, together with the Ministry of Finance, has introduced a tax incentive scheme to encourage the corporate sector to replace energy-inefficient equipment and to invest in energy-efficient technologies. Thus far, nine companies have benefited from this scheme.

In the land transport sector, our vehicle ownership policy, in combination with our very energy-efficient public transport system, has moderated fuel consumption by motor vehicles.

Mr Simon S C Tay (Nominated Member): Sir, given that our Government's figures show a relatively lower emission per capita for Singapore, will our Government take steps to release these figures widely and the efforts we are making, especially to rebut those who believe Singapore emits a much higher figure?

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: Sir, the Ministry has been liaising with the national agency, which publishes carbon dioxide emission figures, to point out the inaccuracies in the figures for Singapore. We have likewise given the facts to our local media. I am quite sure the Member was referring to World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature where they put down ours as about 35 tonnes per capita, whereas ours is only 8.2, almost as good as New Zealand. So we have corrected that part by using the standard accepted, ie, IPCC measurement. And IPCC measurement is a measurement recognised and accepted by all.

Mr Simon Tay: May I ask the Senior Minister of State, if Singapore is supportive of the Climate Change Convention, what is our position as regards adopting voluntary limits as a more advanced developed country?

Encik Sidek bin Saniff: Sir, Singapore supports the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Kyoto Protocol, under the Convention, called for the industrialised countries to limit their emission. This does not include the industrialising country. Singapore, being a developing country, will see its emission grow as it develops and industrialises further. So my Ministry is of the opinion that it is not appropriate for Singapore to address the issue on voluntary limits when we have not arrived.