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  Today Online 18 Apr 07
Energy efficiency guidelines for homes and industries to come: Amy Khor
 Christie Loh christie@mediacorp.com.sg

Instead of leaving your electronic devices on standby mode, why not switch them off?

This may be one of the recommendations for households under a soon-to-come national energy efficiency plan, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, said at a conference yesterday.

The initiative to reduce energy usage is part of a wider effort to address environmental concerns amid economic growth and global warming. Temperatures have been rising to the earth's detriment due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide.

The guidelines may also include the optimal level of electricity that households should use in order to save the earth.

However, climate-change plans should target companies, as households account for just 10 per cent of total carbon dioxide emission here, said Associate Professor Simon Tay, chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).

The energy efficiency plan — currently being formulated by the National Environment Agency (NEA) — will cover both households and businesses. There is no set deadline for completion, Dr Khor told reporters after delivering a speech at the Shell-SIIA forum on corporate social responsibility and the environment.

When asked if the guidelines could become legislation, she said: "At the moment, they will be recommendations."

There will also be measures tailored to specific industries such as transportation and pharmaceuticals.

"There is no one-size-fits-all. Different sectors of the economy will have different challenges and circumstances," Dr Khor said.

Her comments come on a week busy with green announcements — tomorrow will see the start of a two-day conference of the United Nations' first Global Business Summit for the Environment.

Singapore is aiming by 2012 to cut the country's carbon intensity by 25 per cent from 1990 levels. In 2005, carbon intensity — defined as carbon dioxide emissions per dollar of gross domestic product — was down by 22 per cent.

Business Times 18 Apr 07
Calls to boost sustainable environment
By Pamela Chew

MULTINATIONAL corporations (MNCs) are stepping up a campaign to promote environmental sustainability.

Representatives of about 100 organisations attended a forum yesterday that showcased what companies in Singapore are doing to become more environmentally responsible.

The Shell-SIIA forum - initiated by the Singapore Institute for International Affairs (SIIA) and co-organised with Shell Singapore and Singapore Compact for corporate social responsibility (CSR) - showcased firms that have developed and adopted CSR policies and practices to help the environment.

The Singapore Compact is a national society that supports the CSR movement, with over 150 members ranging from unions to non-governmental organisations.

Addressing the forum, Singapore Compact president Claire Chiang urged companies to commit to CSR, saying: 'Climate change mitigation is about adopting integrated measures to provide a global public good.'

It is important for Singapore businesses to get involved directly as 'we cannot outsource responsibility', she said. The onus is on businesses to start the ball rolling as 'businesses thrive when society thrives and hence they have to do it first'.

Shell Singapore chairman Lee Tzu Yang outlined the oil company's CSR approach for sustainable development at the forum. 'Shell has long been committed to strong corporate social responsibility' resulting in 'reduced business risks, greater value for its shareholders and a stronger framework for sustainable business success', he said.

ABN-Amro managing director and South-east Asia CEO David Wong said banks 'need to stay relevant and deliver what clients want'. Sustainable banking for ABN-Amro includes 'respecting our planet' as 'green' concerns become a top priority for MNCs, he said.

The bank's CSR approach includes providing responsible financial services and supporting local communities. 'We have said 'no' to clients we deemed unacceptable (in terms of environmental, social and ethical risk),' Mr Wong said.

Shell's Mr Lee said that achieving sustainability through CSR does not mean compromising economic development: 'It is about managing human impact and not about avoiding human impact.'

During a Q&A session, Ms Chiang said she is aware of companies that use CSR as a convenient marketing tool.

And for cynics who feel CSR is nothing more than an opportunity for public relations, she quipped: 'No company can survive on just looking good.' Mr Lee said: 'The objective should be embedding CSR in businesses - not seeing it as a separate entity.'
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