PAP launches Climate Action Group, will table climate change motion to support businesses in green transition

To intensify its efforts towards a sustainable future, the People's Action Party (PAP) has launched a new Climate Action Group (CAG).

In a speech on Jan. 21, 2025, PAP assistant secretary general and Minister for National Development Desmond Lee shared that climate change will be "one of the defining challenges of our time".

The launch of the CAG, alongside a Mental Health Group, was first announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during Budget 2024.

Member of Parliament (MP) Louis Ng will also be leading a fourth motion on climate change in Parliament, with other PAP MPs some time this year.

Five sub-committees

The CAG will be chaired by Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon, and co-chaired by Ng.

"This platform is actually meant to bring together those who are concerned about climate action, not just our party activists, but actually outside the party, including professionals, corporates... [and] NGOs," Koh said in a doorstop.

With the CAG, Koh hopes that this provides a platform for people's feedback and views, which can then translate into policy action.

Within the CAG itself are five sub-committees aligned with the Singapore Green Plan, City in Nature, Energy Reset/Transition, Green Economy, Resilient Future and Sustainable Future.

1. City in Nature

This will be led by MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin, and will focus on the conservation of Singapore's green, blue and brown spaces.

It also involves "engag[ing] different stakeholders to manage human-wildlife interactions, growing an active citizenry who plays a part in extending Singapore’s natural capital," a PAP press release wrote.

2. Energy Reset/Transition

This will be led by MP Poh Li San, focusing on the transition to green energy, and working towards to net zero emissions.

"We will propose policy changes to enable and incentivise adoption of green energy solutions for industrial, residential and transportation sectors. We will also propose recommendations to encourage the use of green energy options in the way we live, work, play and travel."

3. Green Economy

This will be led by MP Don Wee, and aims to promote sustainable economic growth strategies.

The sub-committee hopes to do so by developing policy recommendations and initiatives that support the country’s transition to a green economy.

4. Resilient Future

This will be led by MP Carrie Tan, and will look at ways to enhance Singapore's food security and energy sufficiency, in order to remain resilient against the threat of climate change.

This includes "exploring permaculture and nature-based technology in building and architecture, to transforming consumption mindsets and policy-thinking to respect  planetary resource limits".

5. Sustainable Living

This is led by MP Hany Soh, and will bring together the government, private organisations, and the community to raise awareness and introduce initiatives that will support the adoption of eco-friendly habits.

"We aim to build a culture of sustainability for current and future generations," the press release stated.

Getting businesses on board

A fourth climate change motion will call for stronger support to help businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), navigate the green transition.

It will also "ensure a just and inclusive transition towards a low-carbon society", Lee said.

Ng shared in a doorstop: "We've pushed very hard on tackling climate change, but as I always say, at the same time we don't want to push businesses away, and we know that they are a very important part of the equation."

He shared that from previous dialogue sessions, many larger companies and multi-national companies are "aware of climate change" and "aware of climate reporting".

However, there is a "huge knowledge gap when it comes to SMEs".

"Rather than you wait for a few years later, where we might then mandate that everybody has to do climate reporting, I think it's much better if we are proactive in reaching out to SMEs now, getting them ready for this green transition, and again, ensuring that they are part of this journey right from the onset."

Recommendations

Nine recommendations will be set out under the motion.

These include a Green Transition Handbook that will guide businesses on the grants available, list of sustainability consultants, and steps to take for climate reporting.

Some other recommendations are a law to tackle greenwashing via whistle-blowing mechanisms, incentivising businesses to submit decarbonisation plans, as well as providing SMEs with data on emissions and energy use to allow them to compare their own performances with that of others in the industry.

The first-ever motion to accelerate efforts against climate change was tabled in 2021.

In 2022, a second motion was tabled to explore ways to help Singaporeans transition to a greener future, while a third adjournment motion was tabled in 2023 calling for the protection of Singapore's marine spaces and the Southern Islands.

Photos from NParks/FB, Koh Poh Koon/FB, Louis Ng/FB, Don Wee/FB, Hany Soh/FB, Carrie Tan/FB, Poh Li San/FB and Nadia Samdin/FB