The Straits Times today published this news story on UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific executive secretary Noeleen Heyzer’s talk on energy security and sustainable development in Asia.
Singapore can increase use of renewables: UN
Singapore can do more to increase its use of renewable energy sources which is still insignificant at the moment, but it is making good headway in the area of energy efficiency, a top United Nations official said on Wednesday.
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific executive secretary Noeleen Heyzer told reporters that Singapore has done a lot to increase the energy efficiency levels in industry, commercial buildings and transport but could also improve on bringing its carbon emissions down. It has one of the highest per capita carbon emissions in the region.
Dr Heyzer was speaking on the sidelines of a lecture organised by the Energy Market Authority on energy security and sustainable development in Asia.
She said the region has the money to invest into greening its economies, by investing in innovation, technology, clean energy and energy efficiency.
‘Business as usual is not an option,’ she said.
The challenge for countries is ‘how do you grow and make sure that growth is more inclusive?’ she added.
Dr Heyzer also said that the UN was trying to move discussions along for an integrated Asian grid so that countries in the region can increase its connection to each other to reap economies of scale in energy.
But she acknowledged that such negotiations will take time, as consensus needs to be built among countries.
‘Singapore can play a role by being a hub of ideas… to take this discussion forward,’ she said.
Image taken from nikkorsnapper
