Mr Louis Ng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) (a) how will the substantial emissions from the new coal gasification plant on Jurong Island align with our climate change commitments and our declaration of Year of Climate Action; and (b) how does the Government decide on business opportunities versus environmental concerns and international commitments.

Oral reply (to be attributed to Minister for Trade & Industry (Trade) Mr Lim Hng Kiang)

1. Under the Paris Agreement, Singapore has pledged to reduce our emissions intensity by 36% from 2005 levels by 2030, and to stabilise our emissions with the aim of peaking around the same time. A lower emissions intensity means that each dollar of GDP will be achieved more efficiently, and with a lower impact to the environment.
2. Under the Jurong Island Version 2.0 initiative, Singapore explored alternative feedstock options to enhance the long term competitiveness of the energy and chemicals sector, while keeping to our climate change commitments and ensuring environmental concerns were addressed.  After extensive evaluation, gasification was assessed to best meet industry’s demand for competitive hydrogen and carbon monoxide as feedstock. To minimise the impact on the environment, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has worked together with the Economic Development Board and the plant operator to put in place strict regulations and standards on emissions of carbon dioxide and air pollutants, as well as to deploy best-in-class mitigation technologies. The plant’s emissions will also be closely monitored to minimise the impact on the environment, and the plant will be subject to the carbon tax that was announced in Budget 2017.
3. With 2018 designated as the Year of Climate Action, the Government will increase efforts to raise awareness, and increase involvement of companies and individuals on the necessity and the benefits of taking action to achieve sustainable growth and move towards a low-carbon future.