Proceedings W113 - Special Track 18th CIB World ... - Test Input

4. RecommendationsMitigation and adaptation are not alternatives and both need to be pursued actively and in parallel.Mitigation is essential and adaptation is inevitable (UNFCCC, 2006). Mitigation is essential because,without firm action now, future generations could be confronted with climate change on a scale sooverwhelming that adaptation might no longer be feasible. But mitigation will not be enough on itsown. This is because even if current efforts to reduce GHG emissions are successful, some adaptationwill be inevitable since climate change occurs only after a long time-lag. Just like the current globalwarming is the consequence of emissions decades ago, the process will continue. Thus, even the mostrigorous mitigation efforts of current might not be able to prevent climate changes in future.Being a tiny island state, Singapore could be vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change suchas rising sea levels and other weather related risks discussed earlier. Thus, it is important that theGovernment of Singapore considers the implementation of effective measures aimed at adaptation toclimate change. Having a sound economy with an easily manageable land mass and population,Singapore is in an ideal position to take more proactive measures towards adaptation.Singapore should identify the areas most vulnerable to rising sea levels and other adverse impacts ofclimate change, and consider initiatives such as relocation of housing and infrastructure such asroads. In addition, initiatives should be taken to help vulnerable industries, communities andecosystems to address the unavoidable consequences of climate change by equipping their capacity todeal with the adverse impacts.An important factor to note is that adaptation cannot entirely be left to social or market forces.Essential forms of adaptation will demand that institutions, both public and private, plan theirstrategies and take action in advance. For example, coastal authorities will have to address sea levelrises by building dykes, and appropriate building codes have to be introduced to ensure the resilienceof future buildings. Vulnerable areas such as coastal settlements will have to be identified andmandatory construction standards will have to be introduced in relation to construction works in suchareas. At the same time, private sector should also be encouraged to develop new and innovativedesigns that would change the established styles of architecture of buildings and contribute toadaptation to climate change. This may require the introduction of new laws and building codes thatgo beyond the promotion of voluntary construction standards and current GMS, which is essentiallyaimed at mitigation of climate change by reducing GHG emissions from buildings.In addition, the government may have to provide the housing and commercial building sectors withappropriate information and education on adaptation through industry training schemes. Further,there is also a need to support the construction industry through programs of research, developmentand demonstration, as in a highly competitive construction sector, those engaged in construction maybe profit driven, with research and development of sustainable construction methods and materialstaking low priority. In this respect, it should be noted that the effective role played by the governmentinstitutions such as the NEA and BCA in participating in and promoting research and development ofnew technologies and industry practices have contributed heavily to Singapore‟s success in being10