Sunday, May 3, 2009
April 28, 2009
Speaking at the launch of the 130-page report yesterday, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan (third from left) acknowledged that the document comes amid Singapore's worst recession since independence. -- PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
SINGAPORE'S policymakers have unveiled a sweeping blueprint, 15 months in the making, to help build a greener, more energy efficient and sustainable nation.
The $1 billion plan, to be implemented over the next five years, will change everything from the cityscape and landscape here, to the way Singaporeans live and the way businesses are run.
If successful, it will make energy usage here more efficient, reduce pollution and expand the nation's green spaces - even as the demand for resources rises along with economic growth.
The report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) - co-authored by five different ministries - also pledges to advance Singapore's ambition to be a clean technology and urban environmental solutions hub.
This sector is set to add an estimated $3.4 billion to economic output and create 18,000 'green collar' jobs by 2015.
Speaking at the launch of the 130-page report on Monday, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan acknowledged that the document comes amid Singapore's worst recession since independence.
'The temptation is to slow down our efforts in the area of sustainable development while we tackle the immediate economic challenges. However, the two are not mutually exclusive,' he said.
'If we want to face the challenges of the future, we really have to start now, today. It's going to take us a long time... but we're financially committed to it.'
The report outlines the findings and recommendations of the IMCSD, which was set up in January last year to look at ways to create a sustainable nation in the wake of increasing global awareness of the world's dwindling natural resources and climate change.
Over the past year, more than 700 people including members of the public, leaders of non-governmental organizations, businesses, grassroots organizations, academics, and media figures offered views through various focus group discussions.
By Jessica Cheam
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