Singapore’s Grace Fu Advocates for Enhanced Climate Action and Cooperation with China

Singapore’s Grace Fu Advocates for Enhanced Climate Action and Cooperation with China

Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, has emphasized the urgent need for intensified global climate action and highlighted the pivotal role that cooperation with China can play in addressing the climate crisis.

In an exclusive interview, Minister Fu expressed deep concern over the rising sea levels and the broader impacts of climate change on Singapore’s economy and livelihood. “If Singapore, as an economic hub, is inundated for a week or two, it is going to bring the economic activities of Singapore down to a grinding halt,” she stated. Protecting against sea level rise is a critical priority, requiring a flexible, adaptive, and effective strategy.

However, Minister Fu stressed that adaptation alone is insufficient. “If you are going to spend so much money in adaptation, why are we not looking at mitigation first to reduce the impact of climate change?” she questioned. Singapore is actively seeking new technologies and solutions to decarbonize and restructure systems across all sectors.

Minister Fu believes that China, as a leader in green technologies, is an essential partner in this endeavor. “China is big in solar panels and electric vehicles; you have a lot to offer,” she noted. “Part of my purpose is to really look for opportunities for cooperation at the political level with your ministries, but also to bring opportunities for businesses to collaborate.”

Acknowledging China’s commitment to climate goals, she praised the nation’s detailed and comprehensive policies, including the ambitious targets of carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. “The plans are very detailed and comprehensive, and it’s really a good model for many policymakers,” Minister Fu remarked. She further highlighted China’s unmatched deployment of renewable energy and solar panels.

Addressing the energy challenges in Southeast Asia, Minister Fu expressed concern over the gap between energy supply and the needs of a growing, young population seeking economic development. “We are seeing a gap between what is available right now and what is required for the projected growth,” she said. Activating more finance, including green finance, is crucial to meet these needs.

Minister Fu pointed out that both China and Singapore are working to leverage funds from governments, banks, investors, pension funds, insurance companies, and philanthropies to support climate initiatives. She emphasized the importance of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by China, which includes areas such as public health, climate and green transition, and digitalization. “These are all areas where the Chinese government and Chinese industries have lots of capabilities and resources,” she stated.

Concluding on an optimistic note, Minister Fu called for collective action and collaboration to address the climate crisis. “Humanity is trying to decarbonize after using fossil fuels for hundreds of years. How do we change everything that we do and take carbon out of the equation?” she posed. “Both China and Singapore can galvanize climate action.”

Reference(s):

Grace Fu: Both China and Singapore can galvanize climate action

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