China: Program of Action for Sustainable Development

This program is a follow-up of the White Paper on China’s Population, Environment, and Development in the 21st Century. It acknowledges progress made in the last decade including economic and social developments and capacity building, and also upcoming challenges. To deal with these challenges, the program suggests improving research and investement in sustainable development, improving legislation and supporting institutions, and strenghten international cooperation.

Priorities include:

Turkey: Draft bill encouraging renewables

Turkey has a great deal of potential in renewable energy. Further development, financing and market reforms are needed to allow the technologies to be competitive.

Targets: Turkey aims to provide 2% of its electricity from wind power

References: EIA Country Analysis Brief: Turkey, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/turkey.html

EIA Turkey’s Environmental Issues

Turkey: Air Quality Protection Regulation

These regulations aim to reduce the emissions of soot, smoke, dust, gases, steam and aerosol. It limits the concentrations of pollutants in the flue gas.  Power plants are required to take measure to reduce sulfur oxide concentration in flue gases limiting them to 1000 mg/Nm3, the limit is set by the related regulation for all lignite fired power plants.  Facilities that have been listed as unhealthy or harmful now require that permission to operate be granted by the Emission License System.

Thailand: LPG and Natural Gas in buses and taxis

The first NGV bus fleet was introduced in Thailand in 1984 with aid from the New Zealand government. Future efforts were not as successful, but now, NG prices are set at 50% of the price of diesel in order to make it more commercially viable (natural gas is exempt from all tax but the VAT). Special low interest loans are arranged for taxis to convert to natural gas and grants are made for the bus system to purchase NGV engines.

Thailand: Fiscal measures to promote environmentally friendly products

Excise tax incentives have been introduced for machines, equipment and materials conserving energy or protecting the environment. The government increased taxes on motorcycles, batteries, marble, granite and air conditioners.

Date Implemented: 1997

Status: In Force; Voluntary

Thailand: The Enhancement and Conservation of Environmental Quality Act

Singapore: Joint Research

The National Environmental Agency carries out joint research and development projects with tertiary institutions.

Date Implemented: 1991

Status: In Force; Voluntary

Funding Information: Projects are usually carried out on an equal cost-sharing basis.

References: http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/category_sub.asp?cid=43

Singapore: Green Plan 2012

SGP 2012 describes Singapore’s goals, objectives, targets and plans for sustainable and green development through 2012. The plan focuses on reducing waste, increasing recycling programs, curbing air polluting emissions, increasing and diversifying water resources and safeguarding public health.

Date Implemented: 2002

Singapore: Environmental Pollution Control Act

This policy consolidates all the environmental regulations and related measures. Regarding climate change, it regulates the emissions from any industrial or commercial plant or household. It limits the air pollutants that can be released and the activities that cause air pollution.

Date Implemented: 1999

Status: In Force; Mandatory

References: http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/

Singapore: Increased efforts to use natural gas

Since natural gas is cleaner than fuel oil, Singapore has taken several steps to increase electricity production from natural gas rather than from fuel oil.  It has supported companies in entering import agreements with Malaysia and with the Indonesian state-owned company, Pertamina, to supply natural gas imports.  It is also interested in building an LNG import terminal to allow it to further diversify its supply.

Date Implemented: 1992