For global warming to not exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the world needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035. This ambitious target demands swift and unified action across countries, industries, and communities.
Singapore, despite being an alternative-energy disadvantaged country, is deploying a multi-pronged strategy toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and build an enabling ecosystem for a low-carbon economy.
This article highlights several climate mitigation approaches that Singapore is taking to build a more sustainable future, including the implementation of mitigation policies, fostering private sector engagement, and advancing tangible actions in hard-to-abate sectors.
Overcoming alternative energy limitations through planning and cooperation
Although Singapore contributes only 0.1% of global emissions, it has established a clear path to reaching peak emissions by 2028 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This timeline, shared in Singapore's first biennial transparency report submitted during COP29, reflects progress from its earlier target of peaking emissions by 2030.
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms Grace Fu, shared that Singapore’s unique circumstances as a small, densely-populated, and alternative-energy-disadvantaged country must be considered in its climate strategy and approach. Unlike other countries, Singapore faces constraints in implementing large-scale deployments of renewable energy. Therefore, its climate targets are focused on investments in research and development (R&D) and test-bedding to achieve technological advancements and improve the economic viability of low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. Additionally, attaining effective international cooperation in areas such as carbon credits and renewable energy imports are crucial for Singapore to achieve its net zero targets.
