Singapore, 26 October 2009 - More than 90 Designated National Authorities representatives from around the world are gathering in Singapore from 26-28 October 2009 to exchange views and experiences relating to Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The DNA Forum will provide a unique platform to facilitate active dialogues with its Executive Board with the aim to enhance the CDM process. This is an important step towards promoting an effective and appropriate global response to climate change.

For the first time, the DNA Forum will also include a full-day, exclusive session to encourage knowledge sharing and networking between the DNAs and the private sector.

As the Designated National Authority in Singapore and host of the forum, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be facilitating the presentation of two case studies; Mr Lee Eng Lock from Trane Singapore will speak on the potential of carbon dioxide reduction from improving energy efficiency in the buildings sector, and Mr Dinesh Babu from the Carbon Rating Agency Singapore will present the CDM project risk for “Programmatic CDM”   or “p-CDM”.

“Having the DNA Forum in Singapore underscores our strong commitment to be a responsible global citizen in helping to address climate change. As energy efficiency is a key strategy in mitigating climate change, we will continue to encourage companies to tap on the CDM documentation grant to embark on energy efficiency and other relevant projects to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mr Andrew Tan, CEO of National Environment Agency.

CDM Market in Singapore

The UN has estimated that CDM projects can potentially achieve worldwide emission reductions of more than one billion tonnes by the end of 2012.

Currently, one CDM project in Singapore has been successfully registered with the UNFCCC CDM Executive Board. It is a Thermal Energy Recovery plant by Bee Joo Industries Pte Ltd together with The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc, Japan, and the project has an estimated annual emission reductions of 15,205 tons of carbon dioxide. The CDM Executive Board is currently accessing six other Singapore CDM projects.

As the DNA, NEA’s role is to evaluate whether CDM projects to be hosted in Singapore meet our sustainable development criteria. If they do, NEA will then issue a Letter of Approval, which will support the registration of the project by the CDM Executive Board.

To encourage local companies to develop CDM projects in Singapore, NEA provides a CDM Documentation Grant of up to 50% of the qualifying costs to develop the documentation needed for Clean Development Mechanism projects under the Kyoto Protocol or up to $100,000.

Singapore’s contribution to mitigate carbon emission

Singapore is committed to the global effort to mitigate climate change. Energy efficiency or EE is Singapore’s key strategy to reduce carbon emissions.

Under the blueprint for Singapore’s sustainable development, which details the key environmental goals and initiatives for the next 10 to 20 years, Singapore aims to achieve 35% reduction in energy intensity (consumption per dollar GDP) in 2030 from 2005 level.

To achieve this target, Singapore is taking various measures to improve energy efficiency, and this includes mandating energy labeling for air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers. By 2011, household air-conditioners and refrigerators will have to meet the Minimum Energy Performance Standards before they can be sold at retail shops. For industries, besides the various energy efficiency-related schemes like EASe, GREET and Design for Efficiency, NEA is also working with other government agencies to conduct energy related benchmarking studies in helping to improve energy efficiency.

Click here for NEA CEO's speech delivered during the DNA Forum Opening on 26 Oct 09.

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