THE WARMING INFLUENCE

OF GREENHOUSE GASES
(SINGAPORE)

Prepared by Denkova Ira

 Annual Greenhouse Gas Index

The Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI) measures the

“radiative forcing”, or heating effect caused by greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere.

Why it's Important:

~ The warming influence of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere—the cause of global warming today—has
increased substantially over the last several decades.

~ AGGI is a measure of what human activity has already

done to affect the climate system through
greenhouse gas emissions.
This figure shows the amount of
radiative forcing caused by
various greenhouse gases, based
on the change in concentration of
these gases in the Earth’s
atmosphere since 1750.

On the right side of the graph,

radiative forcing has been
converted to the Annual
Greenhouse Gas Index, which is
set to a value of 1.0 for 1990.
 Singapore's emissions trend
:
Singapore’s GHG emissions for 2018
totaled 51,702 gigagrams. Singapore’s
emissions intensity increased by 42%
from 2000 to 2018 with industry, power
and transport generation as key
contributors.

Singapore contributes around 0.1 per

cent of global emissions. They are
nevertheless taking steps to reduce their
carbon emissions.
Some of the key policy initiatives
implemented during this period included a
switch in fuel mix from fuel oil to natural gas
which is a cleaner fuel source. Over 95 per
cent of Singapore’s electricity is now
generated by natural gas. These include the
BCA Green Mark Scheme, a green building
rating system, and co-funding and financing
schemes that promote the development of
environmentally friendly buildings.

These early initiatives have helped to

moderate GHG emissions growth
significantly.
The impact of climate change is being felt by countries around the world. 2016 was the warmest year on
record. Extreme weather conditions such as severe drought and floods are also becoming more intense and
frequent due to climate change.

Singapore is committed to achieving its goals under the Paris Agreement and is taking steps to take
measures against climate change. Businesses, communities and individuals also have an important role to
play in reducing greenhouse gases and build a sustainable future.

As a small island city-state, Singapore is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In recent years,
Singapore has experienced heavy rainfall, flash floods and warmer mean temperatures.
Although buildings in Singapore are
required to be built on platforms at least
3m above the mean sea level. But with
sea levels set to rise by 1m, there will
no longer be a buffer during high tide.

“If heavy rain coincides with a high

tide, the water will have nowhere to go.
We will literally be in deep water!”
To conclude,

Without additional efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, climate

change can result in higher temperatures, rising sea levels, and changes in
weather patterns, and in turn, causes significant damage to homes, businesses
and livelihoods globally. Although our contribution to global emissions is small,
Singapore is fully committed to play our part in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.