More taxes ahead : Energy tax for Singaporeans
Updated: 29th October 2008, 0001 hrs
Energy tax a possibility in building a sustainable economy
Will an electricity conservation tax, similar to the water conservation tax, help build a sustainable environment?
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Environment and Water Resources says that's a question worth exploring.
Speaking at the "Building a Sustainable Community" forum this evening (28/10), Dr Yaacob however added the idea must be well-thought out before it can be implemented.
"I think it's a very important point for us to consider. In fact, we know some countries are also thinking about an electricity tax or a carbon tax. Is that the right way to go? I think we have to study this very carefully. If you introduce any form of taxation, we have to be very careful because it might introduce distortion into the market."
Together with three other panelists, Dr Yaacob fielded questions from some of the 140 participants.
The three-hour long session at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre saw many people making their views heard.
These include compartmentalising rubbish chutes into recyclable and non-recyclable chutes, promoting the use of bicycles as well as getting companies to buy back their beer bottles, cans and newspapers for recycling.
But one suggestion stood out above all.
"It's about behaviour, about people realising if they are more conscious of their energy consumption, I think they can do something. So one of the suggestions that I thought was very good is to get Singapore Power to work with consumers. If your consumption is way above national average, let me tell you how you can be more efficient in terms of the way you consume energy."
And all the feedback pointed to the need for public education.
"At the end of the day the thing that really struck, the most important thing is public education. How to convince people that they have to take ownership and they have to do this as part of their lifestyle."
The forum is the first of a series by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development.
The aim is to gather the public's suggestions in forging Singapore's blueprint for a sustainable development.
The next session will take place next month.
Updated: 29th October 2008, 0001 hrs
Energy tax a possibility in building a sustainable economy
Will an electricity conservation tax, similar to the water conservation tax, help build a sustainable environment?
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Environment and Water Resources says that's a question worth exploring.
Speaking at the "Building a Sustainable Community" forum this evening (28/10), Dr Yaacob however added the idea must be well-thought out before it can be implemented.
"I think it's a very important point for us to consider. In fact, we know some countries are also thinking about an electricity tax or a carbon tax. Is that the right way to go? I think we have to study this very carefully. If you introduce any form of taxation, we have to be very careful because it might introduce distortion into the market."
Together with three other panelists, Dr Yaacob fielded questions from some of the 140 participants.
The three-hour long session at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre saw many people making their views heard.
These include compartmentalising rubbish chutes into recyclable and non-recyclable chutes, promoting the use of bicycles as well as getting companies to buy back their beer bottles, cans and newspapers for recycling.
But one suggestion stood out above all.
"It's about behaviour, about people realising if they are more conscious of their energy consumption, I think they can do something. So one of the suggestions that I thought was very good is to get Singapore Power to work with consumers. If your consumption is way above national average, let me tell you how you can be more efficient in terms of the way you consume energy."
And all the feedback pointed to the need for public education.
"At the end of the day the thing that really struck, the most important thing is public education. How to convince people that they have to take ownership and they have to do this as part of their lifestyle."
The forum is the first of a series by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development.
The aim is to gather the public's suggestions in forging Singapore's blueprint for a sustainable development.
The next session will take place next month.
