SINGAPORE sent a strong signal on Thursday that it will not be prepared to accept any emissions cuts as part of a global agreement to tackle climate change at an international summit in Copenhagen later this year.

Speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of the 11th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment on Thursday, Minister for the Environment & Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim said: 'We are not obligated to set targets or reduce emissions, but...we will do our part.'

'Whatever we do, we cannot compromise our ability to grow. So how we find a balance will be a continuous process.'

He added that the Government is continually reviewing its targets across all sectors of the economy and assessing how they can be improved.

Singapore's stance comes despite pressure from countries like Japan and Australia, which have said the Republic should be subjected to firm targets because of high per capita emissions from industries here.

The other Asean countries - with the exception of Indonesia, which announced reduced emissions targets earlier this month - have adopted a similar position.

Read the full report in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.