PAP Climate Action Group Aims to Support Businesses in Green Transition
SINGAPORE: In a bid to bolster support for businesses navigating the green transition, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has formed a new climate action body, announced assistant secretary-general Desmond Lee on Tuesday at the Singapore Sustainability Academy. The PAP Climate Action Group, set to table a fourth motion on climate change in parliament later this year, aims to address challenges faced by businesses in adopting sustainable practices.
Initiatives such as the Enterprise Sustainability Programme and Energy Efficiency Grant are already in place to assist companies in going green, according to Mr. Lee, who also serves as the Minister for National Development. Despite these efforts, small and medium-sized enterprises continue to encounter obstacles in this area, emphasizing the need for stronger support to facilitate the green transition.
Addressing Key Priorities
The climate action group is one of the two new bodies established by the PAP to tackle major priorities for the government, as highlighted by the party’s mental health group launched in October last year. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong first introduced these initiatives in June as part of the “Refresh PAP” exercise.
Tackling Climate Change Together
The upcoming climate change motion, the fourth of its kind, will focus on providing enhanced support for businesses, particularly SMEs, during the green transition. The aim is to consolidate resources, develop a handbook, and create a job transformation map applicable to all sectors, not just finance.
Dialogue sessions involving activists, SMEs, and trade associations commenced in June last year to gather insights and perspectives. These discussions culminated in a recent dialogue session moderated by Louis Ng, co-chair of the PAP Climate Action Group, to further engage with party activists and sector players on the issue.
Structured Approach
The new climate action body will be structured into five sub-committees aligned with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, each focusing on a specific aspect: City in nature, energy reset and transition, green economy, resilient future, and sustainable living. This comprehensive approach aims to address various facets of environmental sustainability and climate action.
When asked about the relevance of climate issues in the upcoming General Election, Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng emphasized the critical importance of climate action for both individuals and corporations. He stressed the party’s commitment to prioritizing climate action as a fundamental policy to mitigate the impacts of climate change and secure Singapore’s future.