Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary goals outlined in the universal call to action for 2030?

Increase global military presence

Promote global trade exclusively

End poverty (correct)

Ensure universal healthcare for all

Which innovative approach is highlighted in Singapore's strategy to foster sustainability?

Promoting international tourism

Reducing technological development

Alleviating urban noise pollution

Implementing a circular economy model (correct)

What is a specific target that NTU's sustainability office aims to achieve by March 2026?

Plant 2 million trees

Achieve carbon neutrality

Reduce water and energy use by 50% (correct)

Increase water and energy use by 10%

What is one significant risk identified in the societal approach to sustainability?

Political conflict or humanitarian crises Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential role needed to drive sustainable capital investments according to the content?

Sustainability accountants Signup and view all the answers

What is the per capita electricity consumption of OECD countries compared to the global average?

7,000 to 8,000 kWh Signup and view all the answers

According to the data, what proportion of the estimated 771 million people without electricity live in Africa and Asia?

95% Signup and view all the answers

What is the current average temperature increase that the IPCC states needs to be limited to 1.5 degrees centigrade?

1.1 degrees Signup and view all the answers

What has been the impact of deforestation on the carbon absorption capability of the Amazon forest?

It has led to the forest emitting more CO2 than it absorbs. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world's population is estimated to live in extreme poverty?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which driving force primarily influences consumption through income levels?

Economic factors Signup and view all the answers

What effect does family composition have on spending behavior?

Larger families tend to spend more than smaller families. Signup and view all the answers

How do psychological factors influence consumer behavior?

They are driven by a consumer's attitude and brand image. Signup and view all the answers

What role does imitation play in consumption?

It intensifies the cycle of manufacture and discard. Signup and view all the answers

During which times do consumers typically increase their spending behavior according to cultural factors?

During religious or cultural holidays. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily drives competition between brands, according to the content?

Price, substitution, and imitation. Signup and view all the answers

How can companies influence consumers psychologically in terms of product placement?

Through strategic positioning of complementary goods. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily affects a consumer's behavior within social factors?

Peer influence and imitation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of energy-efficient appliances despite their higher initial cost?

They help to reduce electricity bills over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a method suggested for achieving a low carbon transition?

Relying solely on technology for emissions reduction. Signup and view all the answers

What role does innovation play in emission mitigation?

It is essential for ensuring technical and commercial viability. Signup and view all the answers

Why are renewable energy sources considered advantageous?

They do not emit greenhouse gases. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the renewable energy sector have on employment?

It creates approximately 12 million jobs globally as per 2020 data. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the external measures proposed to accelerate the adoption of clean energy?

Policies aimed at overall decarbonization of the economy. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of how fossil fuel-powered generation can be utilized more cleanly?

Capturing CO2 onsite and storing it underground. Signup and view all the answers

In which way are energy-efficient appliances beneficial across different sectors of the economy?

They have a universal application regardless of industry. Signup and view all the answers

What is one major consequence of urban development on natural landscapes?

Clearing of natural plantations and land Signup and view all the answers

How does urban waste management contribute to environmental issues?

Unmanaged waste pollutes land and bodies of water Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of global emissions is attributed to urban areas due to their energy consumption?

70% Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the benefits provided by healthy ecosystems, such as food production and natural resources?

Ecosystem services Signup and view all the answers

What physiological phenomenon occurs due to the urban heat island effect?

Urban areas are warmer than surrounding rural areas Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a significant risk posed to cities due to their high population density?

Greater vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards Signup and view all the answers

What direct impact does air pollution from urban areas have on the environment?

Deterioration of public health Signup and view all the answers

What is a contributing factor to the high energy consumption in urban lifestyles?

Lack of access to public transportation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

UN has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the aim of ending poverty, protecting the planet, and promoting peace and prosperity for all people by 2030.
Singapore submitted a national report outlining its approach to tackling the 17 SDGs.

Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides regular assessment reports on climate change, including its causes, potential impacts, and responses.
Singapore's Green Plan aims for a greener and more sustainable Singapore by 2030.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) aims for carbon neutrality by 2035 and reducing water and energy use by 50% by March 2026.

Environmental Justice and Sustainability

Climate change and environmental degradation can lead to unequal distribution of effects and risk of political conflict or humanitarian crises.
Singapore is increasing green spaces with an additional 200 hectares of nature parks and planting one million trees to absorb CO2, provide shade, and reduce temperatures.
Initiatives are in place to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Economy and Sustainability

Sustainability accountants are crucial for sustainable capital investments.
Integrating financial decision-making with sustainability considerations is needed to assess potential social and environmental impacts on profits and valuation.
Singapore promotes a GREEN ECONOMY with the Enterprise Sustainability Programme, a carbon tax, and Home-grown innovation.
The circular economy aims to eliminate waste and pollution, and circulate products and materials.

Energy Disparity

OECD countries consume more electricity per person than the global average, while many parts of Africa and Asia have limited electricity access.
An estimated 771 million people lack access to electricity, primarily in Africa and Asia.

Global Poverty and Malnutrition

Approximately 10% of the world's population (734 million people) live in extreme poverty.
About 690 million people globally are undernourished, and 14 million children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

Climate Change Solutions

IPCC highlights limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius as the first step to address climate change.
Exceeding this limit could lead to irreversible impacts, such as losing ecosystems like forests and marine ecosystems.
Deforestation, climate change, and reduced carbon absorption threaten the Amazon rainforest.

Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies

Energy-efficient appliances, although initially expensive, are cost-effective in the long run due to reduced electricity bills.
Adaptation strategies are possible in all sectors of the economy, but behavioral changes, such as reducing air-conditioning usage, are also critical.
A low-carbon transition involves decarbonizing the energy system by using cleaner energy resources and making shifts in major contributing sectors.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources, which are inexhaustible and emission-free, generate significant employment and are less susceptible to market fluctuations.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 12 million people are employed in the renewable power sector, with solar PV alone accounting for 4 million jobs.

Consumption Patterns

Economic factors, particularly income, are a major driver of consumption.
Social factors, including living in a densely populated environment and social pressure, influence consumer behavior.
Demographic factors, such as family size and composition, also impact spending behavior.
Cultural factors, stemming from learned values, needs, and preferences, influence consumer behavior.
Psychological factors, such as attitudes towards products and brand image, play a significant role in purchasing decisions.

The Cycle Of Consumption

The cycle of “faster, newer, cheaper” leads to increased rates of purchase and discard, intensifying the environmental and social impacts of consumption.
Competition based on price, substitution, and imitation encourages consumers to buy more frequently, accelerating the cycle of manufacturing, purchasing, using, and discarding products.

Urban Impacts

Urban development often leads to deforestation and land clearing.
Urban areas contribute to pollution through unmanaged waste, wastewater generation, and air pollution from vehicles and industrial activities.
Cities depend on healthy ecosystems for essential services, such as carbon sequestration and pollination, but also contribute to climate change through high energy consumption.

Urban Vulnerability

Cities are particularly vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards due to high population densities and man-made infrastructure.
The Urban Heat Island effect, where urban areas are warmer than surrounding rural areas, is exacerbated by the prevalence of heat-absorbing surfaces.

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Description

Explore the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN, focusing on Singapore's national approach to achieve these goals. Understand the impacts of climate change and the initiatives taken by Singapore, including the Green Plan and NTU's carbon neutrality goals. Delve into the intersection of environmental justice and sustainability in urban planning.