Window for humanity is closing, global progress on climate goals must be made at COP30: Grace Fu

Singapore stands ready to fully contribute at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said during her address at the opening of the Singapore Pavilion in Belém, Brazil.

Fu, who is also Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, also called on all parties to submit "credible and ambitious" nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for 2035 and said that global progress must be made towards climate goals.

The annual United Nations climate change conference, hosted by Brazil this year, kicked off on Nov. 10 and will run until Nov. 21.

Collective effort at heart of COP process

During her address, Fu told the audience that collective effort is at the core of the COP process, and this year's Singapore Pavilion plugs into that ethos.

The COP30 pavilion is Singapore's fourth pavilion at COP, and it will host a suite of programmes, from keynotes to panel discussions.

It will also showcase Singapore's efforts in climate adaptation and resilience.

The theme for this year's Singapore Pavilion is "Interwoven Purpose, Regenerating Tomorrow", which, according to a press release, is meant to embody "Singapore's conviction that effective climate action stems from connection between people, economics and nature".

Progress towards Paris Agreement goals must be made at COP30

In her address, Fu said that collective commitment is needed now more than ever.

She pointed out that there continues to be a gap between ambition and delivery, 10 years after the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015.

Global emissions continued to rise and the 1.5 degree goal appears more remote, she highlighted.

"The window for us, humanity, is rapidly closing. Each year of delayed action makes it harder and more costly to transform and adapt."

"All of us, should affirm our commitment to multilateralism and the Paris Agreement," she said.

Singapore has demonstrated its commitment by pledging to further reduce emissions in its 2035 NDC, and Fu urged all parties to set their own contributions.

"Doing so is a collective act of resolve, a signal that we remain on course towards a net-zero future," the minister commented.

"COP30 must be the COP where we make progress", the minister said.

Singapore ready to fully contribute

Fu explained that the Singapore Pavilion at COP30 "is the platform where we hope to bring actions across governments, across the public, private and people sectors, and across people of all countries," she said.

The minister went on to give examples of Singapore's various partnerships, including its Article 6 Implementation agreements with 10 countries, and its S$51 million contribution to an Asian green investment fund under Singapore's Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) initiative.

Concluding her speech, Fu told the audience: "Singapore stands ready to contribute fully at COP30. Because climate action is not about what any one country can achieve alone, but what we can achieve together."

Ravi Menon, Singapore's Ambassador for Climate Action, also offered remarks at the pavilion's opening.

Menon echoed Fu's comments and reiterated the urgent need to take action on climate change.

He said that although Singapore accounts for only 0.1 per cent of global emissions, every country must do their part and Singapore is staying the course on climate action.

Top image via COP Singapore Pavilion