New PAP Climate Action Group Formed to Support Businesses in the Green Transition

The People's Action Party (PAP) has recently launched the PAP Climate Action Group, according to assistant secretary-general Desmond Lee. This initiative, inaugurated at the Singapore Sustainability Academy, seeks to enhance support for businesses as they transition to greener practices.

Mr. Lee, who also serves as Minister for National Development, highlighted existing initiatives like the Enterprise Sustainability Programme and the Energy Efficiency Grant designed to aid businesses. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that many small and medium-sized enterprises continue to encounter difficulties in adopting sustainable measures.

The upcoming motion on climate change is expected to call for more robust support mechanisms to ensure that businesses can effectively navigate this transition toward a low-carbon future. Mr. Lee emphasized that this move reflects broader priorities of the PAP government, alongside the establishment of a mental health group last October.

Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Koh Poh Koon, will lead the newly formed climate action group, with support from Louis Ng, a Member of Parliament from Nee Soon GRC. These new bodies were introduced as part of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's "Refresh PAP" initiative, aimed at addressing pressing issues that transcend traditional demographic distinctions.

Mr. Lee stressed that climate change represents a significant existential challenge for Singapore and has been a critical element of the country's development ethos since its inception. The forthcoming motion will be the fourth of its kind, building on earlier efforts to enhance the nation's response to climate change, first initiated in January 2021 by a parliamentary committee focused on sustainability and the environment. Mr. Ng, who leads this committee, expressed hope to present this latest motion within the year.