Global Climate Change
Climate change is a global challenge that requires a global solution. Countries around the world are working together to address the challenges associated with climate change. Carbon dioxide emissions are the primary driver of global climate change. It’s recognised by most people that to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the world needs to act urgently to reduce emissions.
In 2019, global carbon emissions from fossil fuels and industry reached a high of 36 billion tonnes.
Carbon-based fossil fuels are used for transportation, electrical generation, manufacturing and more. The climate crisis caused by carbon-based fuels is amplified by deforestation, agriculture, and many other practices.
The world’s largest economies are spending trillions of dollars to help their economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but aren’t investing enough in a green recovery.
Climate Change in Singapore During the Recent Years
In 2020, global carbon emissions fell more than 5 per cent due to COVID-19 and the resulting economic crisis.
Despite the fall in 2020, 2021 emissions are expected to grow again as the economy reopens.
CO2 concentrations are currently near 420 parts per million (ppm), a record high amount despite the ongoing pandemic.
The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3 million to 5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2 to 3 degrees Celsius warmer and the sea level was 15 to 25 metres higher than now.
Singapore is greatly affected by the impact of climate change. The public sector will be making changes to its sustainability and low-carbon efforts. How will they be doing this? From increasing solar energy use, to slashing water and energy consumption – they are expecting to bring down carbon emissions five years before the rest of the nation.
By 2030, the public sector will raise its use of solar energy to 1.5 gigawatt-peak, equivalent to powering more than 260,000 households a year. This will be three-quarters of the nation’s solar target of 2 gigawatt-peak by 2030.
To achieve this, solar panels will be installed where feasible on all public sector premises.
In addition, all Government cars will run on cleaner energy by 2035, five years ahead of the national goal of 2040. From 2023, all new Government cars must have zero exhaust emissions.
Efforts in Bringing Down Carbon Emission in Singapore
The GreenGov.SG initiative is part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 – a road map with sustainability targets that aims to help the country reach net-zero emissions in the soonest possible ways.
With 1,600 facilities and buildings covered, the initiative will include waste-to-energy plants, public transport infrastructure and hawker centres. The public sector will be looking to bring down carbon emissions before the rest of the country, which is just one of a three-pronged approach.
The second pillar is to ensure that Government agencies purchase products that meet high efficiency and sustainability standards, while schools and the public will be exposed to sustainable practices. For example, buildings and premises can use only the most efficient water fittings, eco-friendly building products and electric vehicles.
Lastly, campaigns and sharing sessions will be executed to grow a culture of sustainability among public officers, where employees from the public sector will learn more about the latest technologies and solutions in the sustainability space.
Software and Solutions in fighting Climate Change
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