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PAP Climate Action Group steps up momentum with new Climate Change Motion

22 Jan 2025 3 min read

The People’s Action Party (PAP) launched its new Climate Action Group (CAG) to consolidate and intensify the party’s efforts to achieve a sustainable and liveable future for Singapore. Building on the momentum of the party’s efforts to advance Climate Change, the CAG will be mooting a motion to urge stronger support for businesses to navigate the green transition.

At the launch event held at the Singapore Sustainability Academy, more than 80 climate action activists and groups, key stakeholders from the sustainability sector, business and trade association representatives, business owners, PAP activists, and invited guests gathered to exchange ideas and raised recommendations for the upcoming climate change motion. Among concerns and suggestions raised include the need to target efforts at greenwashing and to strengthen climate education and awareness efforts, and coordinating efforts beyond Singapore and in the region.   

Speaking at the launch, Guest-of-Honour PAP Assistant Secretary-General and Minister for National Development Desmond Lee emphasised, “Looking ahead, climate change poses an existential threat to Singapore, and will be one of the defining challenges of our time. The PAP Climate Action Group (CAG) is committed to building on Mr Lee’s legacy, to tackle climate change and build a greener, more resilient Singapore for future generations to come.”

He also added, “This is the heart of #refreshPAP exercise. I hope this will be the start of a stronger partnership – one where we work more closely hand in hand, combining our various strengths and expertise, to build a more sustainable future for Singapore, as we celebrate SG60 and beyond.”

The PAP CAG is led by Chairperson Dr Koh Poh Koon and Co-Chairperson Louis Ng and supported by five sub-committees helmed by Carrie Tan, Don Wee, Hany Soh, Nadia Ahmad Samdin, and Poh Li San. Corresponding with the pillars of the Singapore Green Plan introduced by the PAP Government, the sub-committees will advocate on issues from energy transition, biodiversity, sustainable living, the green economy, and a resilient future. The PAP CAG is also aligned with the PAP’s #refreshPAP efforts to build common cause with all Singaporeans and to address emerging challenges that cut across traditional demographic lines such as climate concerns.

PAP CAG Chairperson Dr Koh Poh Koon said, “Increasingly, everyone will experience climate change in their everyday lives. Whether you’re an individual or a group, I think more of us will start to see the need to take concrete action. The CAG is meant to bring together those who are concerned about climate action beyond our party activists – professionals, corporates, Non-Governmental Organisations, and all who have an interest. Building on the party’s ongoing efforts, the CAG is a coordinated and concerted effort to translate political ideology into concrete policy actions and catalyse ground action. We have to continue putting climate change at the forefront of what we do as a party because this concerns the future of Singapore.”

The CAG builds on the party’s ongoing efforts to advance climate action, notably the 2021 Private Member’s Motion to propose a sustainability framework for Singapore, 2022 Private Member’s Motion to advance inclusive low-carbon transition (2022), and 2023 Adjournment Motion to spotlight the need to protect marine spaces and biodiversity. In 2025, the CAG plans to put forward the party’s 4th climate change motion, with a focus on strengthening support for businesses to navigate the green transition, to address the issue of greenwashing, and to ensure the sustainability of our workforce.

Co-Chairperson Louis Ng said, “We have been pushing very hard on climate change and a lot of the recommendations that we raised have now become reality. This fourth motion will focus on how we can support businesses, especially SMEs, and put forward a range of recommendations to ensure a just and inclusive green transition. We want to be proactive in reaching out to SMEs now so that they are part of this journey from the onset. This motion is also part of a wider sustained journey by the Party, where we consistently go back to the public for feedback, to enhance the PAP Government’s policies for Singapore’s future.­”

 

Please refer:

  • Factsheet on Climate Action Group’s sub-committees
  • Transcript of Minister Desmond Lee’s speech