Fighting a common war - enforcement and implementation will avoid greenwashing.

Our neighbour is serious about becoming a sustainable city state. And looks like they've got their vision in place and all the little that make up the big steps in achieving it. As I was studying the various ministries in Malaysia and how each one is fighting their own green war, in some cases, even rivalling with one another to achieve their own KPIs, I realised that this particular war can only be won if there is synergy and common understanding amongst the different ministries, themselves. Little did I know what was actually missing from our big picture of things is what Singapore has already kicked start in January last year. They've set up a working committee called the Inter-ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development which comprises of ministries of National Development, Environment and Water Resource, Finance, Transport as well as Trade & Industry - all the key players of environmental economics that is crucial to sustainable urban growth, if you noticed.

In a nutshell, their vision is crystal which is to boost resource efficiency, avoiding market failure at all cost by putting the greatest emphasis on expanding renewable resources which protects social welfare while achieving economic growth:

• Achieve a 35% improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 levels by 2030.
• Make optimum use of land.
• Attain a recycling rate of 70% by 2030.
• Ensure adequate supplies of water for future generations, and we aim to reduce domestic water consumption to 140L per person per day by 2030.

The above was tabled from extensive consultation with businesses, community leaders as well as the general public.

With Malaysia awakening to the importance of Green Technology, I'm sure it's just a matter of time we realised that we cannot fight isolated wars on climate change. Throughout the entire economic chain, the environment is hugely affected and it will not make any difference if one party decides to downplay the impact on environment over economic gains. It's time we look at not just what kind of battle we're in but how we're fighting it. But is the strength in numbers enough?

(original post here)