Here’s some of the survey results and our thoughts:

Gap Between Awareness and Action

These survey results show that most Singaporeans are concerned about climate change and its effect on Singapore, and feel that they play a part in taking action. The results are not surprising, as it is similar to responses from previous NEA and Gallup surveys, which show similar positive responses from Singaporeans on environmental and climate change issues.

We think that Singaporeans know about climate change as we are being exposed to local and international environmental news through the printed and online media, but we tend to stop at awareness and not translate that into action. The survey results show a concern about climate change and a desire to take action, but does not describe actual actions. We feel that there is still a big gap to be bridged between awareness and action in Singapore.

Although survey participants indicated their current practices to address climate change, we feel that the numbers are too positive and higher than the real situation. For example:

• 90.3% of survey participants indicated that they turn off electrical appliances at the main. In a 2010 LOHAS Study of the Singapore market, only 71% out of 1,000 participants say they unplug or tun off electronics.
• 80.3% of participants said they practise the 3Rs. In 2010, Singapore’s recycling rate is only 58% and the household participation rate in the National Recycling Programme is 63% in 2008.
• 76.8% say they use public transport when possible. A transport survey of 10,500 households in Singapore show that 59% of respondents used public transport.
• 72.3% choose appliances which carry an Energy Label. Since 2008, it is mandatory for all air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers to have the Energy Label, so Singaporeans are already choosing Energy Label appliances by default.

Like all our New Year resolutions and plans to lose weight and exercise more, we are always concerned, feel we need to take action, and feel we will be affected if we don’t take action. But in reality, we are swept by the waves of our busy daily lives and go on business-as-usual. We know and we care, but we don’t act, until it hurts.

The government has to find ways of helping Singaporeans translate their awareness, knowledge, concerns and desires into real actions.

Both Individual and Systemic Actions

The survey results show that 56.3% of Singaporeans think that individuals are mainly responsible for taking action on climate change, followed by government (26.3%) and businesses (10.6%). While it is important for the individual to take action on climate change, it is even more important to focus on systemic actions. We must understand that the main contributors of carbon dioxide emissions in Singapore are from the industry and building sectors – 70% in 2005.

We need systemic actions such as building sustainable urban infrastructure and green buildings; increasing the resilience of our energy, water and food security; redesigning and developing new ways of making and reusing products and materials; and conserving our biodiversity. These large systemic actions can only be achieved through the efforts of the government and businesses, but it can happen faster with individuals pushing for these actions to be discussed and implemented.

Everyone can play a part to tackle climate change in Singapore, through our own individual actions and through encouraging the government and businesses to take action in creating systemic changes.

Images: NCCS

Eco labels and certifications for products, services and facilities provide a certified green trustmark for consumers and businesses who wish to choose more environmentally-friendly alternatives and make the right choice.

There are hundreds of eco labels in the global market. In Singapore, we have about 10 different eco or green labels:

1. Eco-Office Label
2. Eco-Foodcourt Certification
3. Eco-Hotel Certification
4. Energy Label
5. Fuel Economy Label
6. Green Label
7. Green Mark
8. Singapore Green Building Product Certification
9. Sustainable Manufacturing Label
10. Water Efficiency Label

Here’s a guide to the eco labels in Singapore by Green Business Times:

1. Eco-Office Label

The Eco-Office Label is a certification managed by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), which is based on the Eco-Office Rating System. Companies can do an online self-rating first before deciding to apply for certification.

Companies would be rated on their office activities such as: Environmental Policy and Commitment; Purchasing Practice; Paper Use; Printer, Photocopier and Fax Cartridges; Waste Reduction Measures; Recycling; Office Kitchen; Office Furniture; Energy Conservation; Water Conservation; Indoor Air Quality; Signs; and Travel.

2. Eco-Foodcourt Certification

The Eco-Foodcourt Certification by SEC is for food courts that are environmentally friendly and employ sustainable practices.

The key assessment criteria include having an environmental management system, the efficient use of energy and water, waste management and recycling, communication and education to stall vendors and patrons, and the use of environmentally-preferable resources such as non-styrofoam packaging, reusable or sustainable packaging or utensils.

3. Eco-Hotel Certification

The Eco-Hotel Certification by SEC provides guidelines and assessment of the environmental performance of hotels.

The certification looks into environmental practices such as energy, water, waste management, and guests and community outreach. Hotels can achieve different certification levels depending on how well the hotel performs, including Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze.

4. Energy Label

The Energy Label is issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and is mandatory for registered suppliers of air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers to affix the Energy Label on their appliances.

The Energy Label shows the energy efficiency rating and the energy consumption of the appliance. The energy efficiency rating is expressed in green ticks: 0 ticks (Low); 1 tick (Fair); 2 ticks (Good); 3 ticks (Very Good); and 4 ticks (Excellent). The appliance with more ticks is more energy efficient.

The public can check the green ticks for different brands and types of appliances from this database of registered goods. From Sep 2011, the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) will be implemented for air-conditioners and refrigerators. All 0-tick appliances and some 1-tick and 2-tick appliances will no longer be available.

5. Fuel Economy Label

It is mandatory for registered suppliers of motor vehicles to affix a Fuel Economy Label (FEL) on their vehicles. The FEL is managed by NEA and shows the fuel consumption of the vehicle, which indicates how much fuel is needed for traveling a certain distance (L/100km, kg/100km or Wh/km).

For cars with similar engine capacity, a higher fuel consumption means that the car is less fuel efficient. Check the fuel consumption of all the motor vehicles from this Database of Registered Motor Vehicles.

6. Green Label

The Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) is managed by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) to certify environmentally-friendly consumer products and services.

Green Label Products have to undergo an independent third party assessment of product environmental attributes based on a life cycle analysis approach.

The product categories include: Batteries, Building Materials, Cleansers and Detergents, Electronics, Home Appliances, Lighting, Office Machines, Office Products, Organics, Others, Packaging, Paints and Surface Coatings, Paper Products, Personal Electronics, and Personal Hygiene.

Search for green products in the SGLS Directory.

7. Green Mark

The BCA Green Mark Scheme was launched in January 2005 by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to encourage more green buildings and sustainability in the built environment.

The Green Mark is a green building rating system to evaluate a building for its environmental impact and performance based on five key criteria: Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Environmental Protection, Indoor Environmental Quality, Other Green Features and Innovation.

Under the Green Mark assessment system, buildings are awarded the Platinum, Gold Plus, Gold or Certified rating depending on the points scored.

8. Singapore Green Building Product Certification

The Singapore Green Building Product Certification Scheme was launched by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) in September 2010 to support the BCA Green Mark Scheme, and help the building industry move towards sustainability.

The certification will provide consumers, building industry stakeholders, and government procurement system a listing of assessed and certified green building products in the following categories: Mechanical, Electrical, Facade and Roof System, Concrete and Structural, Interior System, Finishes, Recycled Material, and Renewable Energy.

The products are assessed on: Energy efficiency, Water efficiency, Resource efficiency, Health and Pollution Control, and other requirements such as environment quality management system, technical performance, and innovation. The score would include: Certified (1 tick), Good (2 ticks), Excellent (3 ticks), and Leader (4 ticks).

9. Sustainable Manufacturing Label

The Sustainable Manufacturing Label Programme was jointly developed by the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa), SPRING Singapore and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). The programme is for manufacturers to establish a baseline on their current sustainable practices and to guide their sustainable manufacturing strategies.

The scoring criteria for the Sustainable Manufacturing Label includes: green corporate policies, product life cycle development, manufacturing processes, operations and facilities, and power and utilities usage.

10. Water Efficiency Label

There are 2 types of Water Efficiency Label for water-efficient water fittings and appliances under the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS).

The Label under the Mandatory WELS is managed by PUB and includes shower taps and mixers, basin taps and mixers, sink/bib taps and mixers, flushing cisterns, urinals and urinal flush valve.

The Label under the Voluntary WELS is managed by PUB and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), and includes showerheads and clothes washing machines.

The Water Efficiency Label shows the water consumption and water efficiency of the appliances and fittings. The water efficiency is expressed in terms of ticks: Zero Tick; 1 Tick (Good); 2 Ticks (Very Good); and 3 Ticks (Excellent). The more ticks shaded on the Label, the more water-efficient a product is.

Check out this list of water efficient products with the Water Efficiency Label.

New Eco Labels

Watch out for new upcoming eco labels such as the Eco-Retail and Eco-Community Club certifications by SEC, and the Singapore Carbon Label by the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and SEC. Green Business Times will update this guide when the new eco labels are launched.

If Green Business Times missed out any eco labels in Singapore, do let them know through their contact form. Thanks!

Image credit: Eco-Office Label via SEC; Eco-Foodcourt via SEC; Energy Label via E2 Singapore; Fuel Economy Label via NEA; Green Label via SEC; Green Mark via BCA; Singapore Green Building Product Certification via SGBC; Water Efficiency Label via PUB.

Greenpeace’s Unfriend Coal campaign wants Facebook to:

• Increase the use of clean energy to make Facebook coal free
• Develop a plan to make Facebook coal free by 2021
• Educate users about how Facebook powers its services and its carbon footprint
• Advocate for clean energy at a local, national and international level

Facebook announced last year that it is building a new energy efficient data centre to serve the hundreds of millions of its users, but the company plans to run it on electricity from burning coal, which is the most carbon intensive fossil fuel and also very pollutive. Greenpeace believes that Facebook can move away from coal and switch to clean energy, and influence the rest of the IT sector to do likewise.

Asia has 112 million Facebook users, which is about one-fifth of Facebook’s total users. While we use Facebook to connect with our friends or for marketing non-profits and businesses, let us also encourage Facebook to be an environmentally and socially responsible company.

You can show support for Greenpeace’s campaign and encourage Facebook to unfriend coal by Earth Day, simply by liking the Unfriend Coal Facebook page, and sharing the page with your friends.

It seems that Facebook is paying attention to the campaign and is willing to take action, from this recent video interview at the World Economic Forum between Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace, and Randi Zuckerberg, Marketing Director of Facebook and sister of CEO Mark Zuckerberg (watch the 27-min video below to learn about the campaign, and also hear Kumi’s thoughts at Davos and how Greenpeace uses social media).

All Facebook needs now is a nudge from its own users, including Asians who love Facebook.

Source and images credit: Greenpeace

The Singapore Green Landscape 2010 published last year by Green Future Solutions was well-received and was downloaded 970 times over the past year.

This year, the Singapore Green Landscape 2011 provides a review of 80 key environmental news in Singapore last year, and gives an overview of 160 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), green groups, business associations and groups, green websites, government agencies, and institutes and centres in Singapore, which are related to the environment (50 more than last year).

Green Future Solutions hopes that this publication is useful for everyone who wishes to know more about the state of the environment in Singapore, find and connect with the environmental organisations in Singapore, or explore personal and business opportunities.

This publication is free for download. Feel free to share this. To download the publication, just fill in your contacts in this link.

Waste generation in Asia has been increasing rapidly due to urbanisation and industrialisation, and poor waste management in several countries has caused negative impacts on the environment and the health of the people. According to The Global Development Research Center, the waste in Asia is disposed of by 51% open dumping, 31% landfilling, 9% recycling, 5% incineration and 2% open burning. It is clear that more work has to be done to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in Asia.

We believe that waste is not waste, but a potential resource for someone to use again. To tackle the waste problem, we wish to contribute by focusing on ending industrial and commercial waste from businesses and organisations in Asia, starting from Singapore and Malaysia.

There is much scope for businesses and organisations in Asia to reduce and recycle their waste. Waste is usually the last thing on their mind and is something to be thrown away without much thought. With increasing awareness on environmental issues, businesses and organisations are facing pressure from their customers and along the supply chain. They are starting to look at the waste they generate and trying to recycle as much as possible.

By reducing their waste, businesses and organisations also hope to cut costs and be more efficient. However there are some barriers such as lack of time and information to find out the types of waste that can be recycled, and to search for suitable collectors and recycling companies.

Our new initiative, Waste is not Waste, hopes to remove the barriers by providing an online waste exchange that is easy and convenient for businesses and organisations to use, and which helps them reduce, reuse and recycle waste. We connect businesses and organisations that generate waste materials with those who want the materials, thus helping both parties save time and money while helping the environment.

Visit our new beta version of Waste is not Waste to learn more about us, the benefits and how it works. Remember that waste is not waste, but potential resources to be used again.

Sustainable artisanal jeweller Choo Yilin, ecological apparel label Jujube, and ethical and sustainable footwear retailer Terra Plana Singapore agree that this is a timely issue, and have put together two consumer workshops featuring talks and a panel discussion between designers Choo Yilin, Jujube Li, and Green Drinks Singapore Founder Olivia Choong. Titled Sustainable Luxury Design Workshops, these sessions mainly examine what makes a product sustainable and ethical, the importance of sustainable design in fashion, and offers tips on shopping sustainably.

This conference will promote achieving sustainability in workplaces through sustainable leadership and green business solutions. The main themes of the 2010 conference will centre on important management issues, such as how sustainability practices will affect workplace relations, skill demands and career opportunities, to operational issues such as carbon emissions mitigation practices in the workplace. It will feature case studies from companies who will be showcasing how they have driven and developed sustainable business practices in their organisations.

For more information and to register please go to our website www.nationalsustainabilityconference.com

Grace Tan, Sustainability Executive (Singapore)

Office of Environmental Sustainability, University of Singapore

Phone: +65 6516 1983; Email: grace_tan@nus.edu.sg

Office of Environmental Sustainability

2 Estate Office Drive, Singapore 117587

National University of Singapore

T: +65 6516 1983; F: +65 6778 6031

W: www.nus.edu.sg/oes

Karen Treacy, Events Coordinator (Sydney)

Workplace Research Centre, University of Sydney

Phone: + 61 2 93515624; Email: karen.treacy@sydney.edu.au

Workplace Research Centre

Storie Dixson Wing, H10

Faculty of Economics and Business, The University of Sydney

NSW 2006 Australia

T: +61 2 9351 5626; F: +61 2 9351 5615

W: www.wrc.org.au

In today’ challenging economic conditions and competing environment, the focus on corporate responsibility is crucial because it will ensure companies are making the right decisions in leading to positive investments for their long term viability. Good corporate citizenship in good businesses also argues the importance of corporate responsibility as a good will and will ensure success in the long term.

The CR trend is being driven by many factors which include the erosion of trusts in large organisation, the evolution of corporate governance movement, the globalisation of businesses, competitive pressure to be more socially responsible and the rise of socially responsible funds. Barriers to implementation cite cost implications, awareness and unproven benefits. The main objectives of organisations moving towards a responsible business do not only limit within long term objectives but also has become critical for corporate reputation, business success and sustainable investments as a survivor strategy.

marcus evans ‘Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability 2010’ conference will address challenges in today’s challenging economic conditions as there has been an increase in attention to social obligations, economic and environment aspect of business activity and performance from key decision makers such as the investors, suppliers, customers, employees, pressure groups and the community. The “tone from the top” has adopted Corporate Responsibility as a significant theme by recognising it as a major corporate driver. This two-day quality-driven conference will revolutionize debate on real-life experiences and cultivate innovative solutions to reshape the quality of your corporate responsibility process. Delegates will value information in regard to financial risk, environmental impacts, sustainability assessment, CR measurement, and employee engagement to upscale standards in their organization. For full brochure and registration, kindly contact Ms Catherine at CatherineF@marcusevanskl.com

Why should you attend?

• Enhancing skills in handling CSR issues within your organisation to increase performance and productivity
• Projecting company profitability / ROI by venturing into outstanding sociallyresponsible investments through measurement and reports
• Boosting moral enhancement by identifying the gap in your organisation’s behavioral analysis through corporate responsibility
• Mastering communication in CR efforts to influence stakeholders and policy makers in their decision making
• Building brand enhancement through impressive social media initiatives
• Aligning CSR initiatives with business goals to create awareness, both internally and externally
• Networking with CR experts to explore cutting edge CSR initiatives that is crucial to your business advancement

Key Topics

• Identifying CR indicators that justify ROI/ budgets in business operations
• Recognising climate change to reduce its impact on an organisation
• Incorporating CR as part of the corporate culture to leverage future business survivability
• Positioning virtual communication and creating awareness through Digital CSR

AsiaIsGreen is a media partner of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability 2010.

• Sustainable Development – Overall Approach to Resource Efficiency and Mitigating Climate Change
• Improving Energy Efficiency
• Singapore’s Vulnerability to Climate Change
• Managing Our Water Resources
• Recycling and Waste Minimisation
• Building Up R&D and Manpower Capabilities in Clean Environment and Water Sectors
• Dengue
• Sustaining Public Cleanliness
• Licensing Elderly Tissue Paper Peddlers
• Noise
• Enhancements to Food Hygiene Regime
• ABC Waters Programme

Here are some key points that they raised:

At Copenhagen, Singapore supported the Accord, and has since written to the UNFCCC Secretariat to associate ourselves formally with the Accord as a good basis for advancing negotiations towards reaching a legally binding global agreement on climate change. Though the Accord as it stands does not create legal obligations, it contains important elements that can facilitate the on-going negotiations. To date, about 100 out of the 194 Parties to the UNFCCC have associated themselves with the Accord. About 30 non-Annex I countries, including Singapore, have also tabled their emission reduction targets.

To play our part in international efforts to mitigate climate change, Singapore has pledged to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 16% from the 2020 business-as-usual scenario. This target is contingent on a legally binding global agreement in which all countries implement their commitments in good faith. Our target is credible and rigorous given our past efforts to reduce emissions and the constraints we face as a city-state, including our limited potential to adopt renewable energy.It is a substantial commitment by Singapore. Achieving it will involve considerable costs, and changes in lifestyle and business practices.

BCA will increase the mandatory minimum energy efficiency standards for Green Mark certified new buildings by 10% from today’s standards by the end of this year, and will also mandate the submission of building energy usage data from 2011.

Our consultations with large energy users indicate that a wide range of energy management practices exists today. We therefore see the need for minimum standards to ensure greater management attention is paid to energy. While this will ultimately benefit companies in terms of cost-savings, we also recognise the need to give companies sufficient lead-time to prepare.

By 2013, we will require companies in the industry sector consuming more than the equivalent of 15 GWh of energy each year to appoint an energy manager, monitor and report energy use to NEA, and develop and submit energy efficiency improvement plans. NEA will be consulting the companies involved on the detailed requirements.

To ensure a smooth transition, NEA will introduce the Energy Efficiency National Partnership, or EENP, in April to help companies build up the necessary capabilities before the mandatory energy management practices come into effect. We will also be reviewing our incentive schemes and exploring long-term energy efficiency financing options to cater to the needs of companies.

These energy management requirements for industry and energy efficiency-related legislation in other sectors will be consolidated in an Energy Conservation Act that will come into force in 2013. The Act allows for a co-ordinated approach to standards-setting for energy efficiency across all sectors, and will represent a major milestone in the government’s efforts to develop energy efficiency as a competitive advantage for Singapore.

As I announced last year, minimum energy performance standards or MEPS will be implemented for household air-conditioners and refrigerators in 2011.MEPS will remove the most energy inefficient air-conditioners and refrigerators from the market. Depending on the appliance category, all 0-tick models and some 1- and 2-tick models will be removed, representing about 20% of current sales volumes. A sufficient range of brands and models will remain available for consumer choice.

MEPS will help consumers save on electricity bills and is not expected to significantly increase the upfront cost of air-conditioners and refrigerators. A more efficient fridge that costs the same as one phased out by MEPS can save a household about $130 a year. When all the existing air-conditioners and refrigerators in Singapore comply with the MEPS standards, consumers will enjoy a total energy savings of about $20milannually.

We will tighten the MEPS standards over time. We will also consider extending MEPS to more appliances, such as lighting and televisions.

The public sector will continue to take the lead on environmental sustainability measures. From FY11, all Ministries will set energy savings targets. We will continue to study new measures that can be implemented.

In 2007, NEA commissioned a study involving local and foreign experts to understand our vulnerabilities to climate change.

The first phase of the study covering the physical impacts of climate change has concluded. The results have been peer reviewed by international experts who noted that the study adopted well-established methodologies and that the findings are plausible.

The study projects that the average daily temperature in Singapore could increase by between 2.7 to 4.2°C from the current average of 26.8°C by 2100 and the mean sea level around Singapore could rise by 24 to 65 cm by 2100. These findings are within the range of our expectations and consistent with global projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

By 2011, Singapore’s water catchment area will increase to two thirds of our land area with the completion of the Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs.

In addition, when Changi NEWater Factory is fully completed in 2010, NEWater will be able to meet 30% of our current water needs. As a source which is independent of rainfall, NEWater enhances the resilience of our water supply by supplementing local water stocks in the event of extended dry spells, like what we are experiencing today.

Singapore’s overall recycling rate increased from 40% in 2000 to 57% in 2009 and we are on track to meet the target of 60% by 2012. We are studying how we can enhance the effectiveness of existing recycling efforts. For instance, there is scope to reduce the amount of domestic waste disposed and we are working with the public waste collectors to review the National Recycling Programme. This includes studying the provision of more recycling bins in HDB estates and the collection and recycling of other waste streams such as garden waste from landed homes and food waste from markets.

To reduce waste at source, NEA has collaborated with the food and beverage industry on the voluntary Singapore Packaging Agreement since July 2007. The Agreement demonstrates that environmentally friendly practices make sound business sense – the participating companies saved $4.4mil from a reduction of 2,500 tons of packaging waste over the last two years. … Following the extension of the Agreement to cover all types of product packaging since October 2009, we can expect to see avoided waste and reduced packaging in other sectors as well.

Source: MEWR