Asian Water Development Outlook 2007

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently published the Asian Water Development Outlook 2007, which discusses the current situation in water management in Asia, and the future challenges and solutions. The report is available for download at the ADB website. We share some key points from the report.

The misconception on the scarcity of water in Asian developing member countries (DMCs):

We can confidently predict, on the basis of current assessments of water resources, expected water demands of the future, available technology, knowledge, and experience, that Asian DMCs should not experience, or expect, a crisis in the future because of physical scarcity of water.

The problem is not about scarcity but management of water: 

It is likely that if there will be a water crisis in the future, it will not come because of actual physical scarcity of water, as many predict at present, but because of continuing neglect of proper wastewater management practices. Continuation of the present trend will make available water sources increasingly more contaminated, and will make provision of clean water more and more expensive, as well as more complex and difficult to manage.

Climate change will make water management more difficult:

… climate change is likely to introduce high levels of risks and uncertainties that the water profession simply may not be able to handle with any degree of confidence, at least over the near term. All this will make efficient water planning and management an exceedingly complex and difficult task during the post-2025 period.

Some requirements for better water managment:

… solving the water problems of the future will require additional skills, innovative approaches, and new mindsets. It will also require a more holistic approach that can successfully coordinate the energy, food, environment, and industrial policies of a nation, all of which have intimate linkages to water. Each will affect the others and, in turn, be affected by the others.

… there are two key needs to make measurable progress. One is to collect better quality and more comprehensive data, especially from water utilities, so that real problem areas can be pinpointed. … The other is to implement and enforce existing policies and legislation – policy development is not the issue. This can only happen if there is accountability and a strong regulation/monitoring regime in place.

Source: Asian Water Development Outlook 2007. Image attribution: Asian Water Development Outlook 2007.

Reflections on Singapore’s efforts in energy and climate change

Sometimes, we are hurt by comments that tell us the truth. We find them unpleasant even if they are spoken for our own good. We often ignore them or try to dispel them. Recently, there are some comments about Singapore’s efforts in energy and climate change:

Today reported the following comments by National University of Singapore Associate Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart in response to whether Singapore could lead on climate change in Southeast Asia:

Prof Hamilton-Hart said while Singapore has “great potential”, the country lacked credibility.

“The target here is to reduce energy intensity, but that’s not the same as reducing emissions,” she said. “To get other countries involved, Singapore needs to show a willingness to commit to bringing down its emissions.”

Today reported comments by Mr Erik Thorsen, president and chief executive officer of Renewable Energy Corporation:

“The (solar) industry will have to take responsibility by lowering prices, with governments supporting with incentives.”

He added: “Singapore has a philosophy of not subsidising or subsidising very little. So, it’s very hard to make use of technologies and programmes that need more incentives to happen.”

Were all countries to share Singapore’s attitude of waiting for technology to become cost-competitive before adopting it, such technology could not have been accomplished, he argued.

The government has reasons for not doing the things mentioned in the comments – It’s the economy, stupid! The government cannot afford to bring down emissions significantly or give subsidies because it will distort the market and increase the business costs for companies and living costs for the people. It’s the typical ‘environment is important but economy comes first’ mindset and reasoning.

We understand the government’s worries for our business and living costs, and appreciate their good efforts to maintain a sustainable environment as described in the National Climate Change Strategy and National Energy Policy Report. But if we were to give the government a report card, it would say, “Has shown improvement but can do better”.

For Singapore to become a global clean energy hub or take the lead in the region on climate change, we have to do better. The comments have some truth in them and it’s time to relook the two issues below:

Using reduction in absolute carbon dioxide emissions as a target instead of carbon intensity

The national target in the National Climate Change Strategy is to reduce carbon intensity to 25% below 1990 levels by 2012. A reduction in carbon intensity (carbon dioxide emissions per dollar of GDP) does not necessary mean a reduction in the amount of carbon emissions. The problem of climate change is one of absolute concentrations of carbon dioxide and each country must reduce its absolute carbon emissions.

Singapore’s per capita emission is one of the highest in Asia and is similar to some developed countries. Most developed countries under the Kyoto Protocol are required to reduce absolute emissions by about 5% below 1990 levels. Likewise, we should set a target of reducing our absolute carbon dioxide emissions.

Work towards a Four National Switches energy portfolio

We diversified our water supplies and have our four national taps: local catchment water, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water. Similarly, we should diversify our energy sources and work towards an energy portfolio of four national switches: fuel oil, natural gas and two other renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, tidal, etc). The intention is not to completely replace fossil fuel but to reduce our dependence on their import.

The cost of alternative renewable energy might be higher now but we should also take into account the future price of oil given the security and climate change concerns. Besides considering the cost of doing something, we should also consider the cost of not doing it.

Source: National Climate Change Strategy; National Energy Policy Report; Today. Image attribution: nic221.

Enviro Asia 2007

The annual Enviro Asia exhibition is currently held at Suntec Singapore from 27 – 30 November. This year, there are 106 companies showcasing their products, services and technologies in the air, energy, waste and water sectors. Check out the Enviro Asia website for more details. Some products are shown below:

Doors and floorings made from recycled wood

Biodegradable plastic bags

Energy efficient LED lightbulbs

Bicycle-powered water filtration system

Products made from coconut fibers

Water efficient sensor taps

Zenxin Agri-Organic Food Pte Ltd

Since 2001, Zenxin organic farms produce organically grown vegetables and fruits without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and have always been the reliable source of organically grown produce. Today, Zenxin has its produce available in major supermarkets and organic shops across Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, serving organic food lovers.

Address: Blk 14 Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre, #01-25, Singapore 110014 (open daily from 8:30am to 6:30pm)

Tel: 6779 7839/ 6778 7369

Fax: 6777 0879

Email: zenxinsg@zenxin.com.my

Website: http://www.zenxin.com.my/

Green Tip #2 – Go paperless with electronic bills and statements

We receive phone bills, bank and credit card statements, or other utilities and government agencies’ statements every month or on a regular basis through the mail. Those envelopes and paper bills or statements often end up in the recycling bins or simply thrown away. To prevent the paper waste from being created in the first place, we should aim to reduce the amount of paper used for the bills, statements and envelopes. Read more

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