DPM Teo Chee Hean welcomes historic Paris climate agreement

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean at the opening session of the Arctic Forum at Marina Mandarin on Nov 12, 2015. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

SINGAPORE- Singapore welcomes the adoption of the historic Paris climate agreement, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has said.

"It is a fair and comprehensive agreement, where all parties will take action to tackle this key issue of climate change that affects the future of the global community," said Mr Teo, who is also chairman of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Climate Change, on the adoption of the climate agreement.

Mr Teo, said in a statement that the agreement shows how "cooperation among all countries is possible for the global larger, long-term good".

"Every country, large or small, developed or developing, has a part to play," he added.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishan and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli were both in Paris to attend landmark talks for a global climate deal.

The historic Paris climate agreement was adopted on Saturday (Dec 12) by delegates from nearly 200 nations after intense negotiations that went 24 hours over time.

Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said that Singapore will work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, a pledge the country made prior to the climate talks in Paris.

Mr Teo is also Acting Prime Minister until Dec 25 while Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is on leave.

Mr Lee, who has said he may not post on Facebook regularly during his leave but would do so when he has something interesting to share, welcomed the pact on Sunday morning, saying, "Each of us must play our part, to make personal choices that protect the environment. Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. Let us work together to ensure the future of our planet for our children and generations to come."

See Mr Teo's full statement here:

"Singapore welcomes the adoption of the historic Paris climate agreement. It is a fair and comprehensive agreement, where all parties will take action to tackle this key issue of climate change that affects the future of the global community. The agreement shows how with goodwill, commitment and willingness to look beyond individual concerns, cooperation among all countries is possible for the global larger, long-term good.

"Every country, large or small, developed or developing, has a part to play.

"We are honoured that Singapore has contributed to the success of the talks. Our Ministers and officials have done well by playing the role of an honest broker, to help reach agreement on difficult issues.

"With the agreement adopted, Singapore will work towards our pledge to reduce our emissions intensity by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, and to stabilise our emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030."

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