SINGAPORE – Young people have a big role to play in climate action, which will involve managing trade-offs like the loss of jobs in Singapore’s petrochemical sector, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam on April 18.

He outlined three areas where they can contribute to climate action, with the first being the Government’s Climate Youth Development Programme (CYDP), where youth leaders examine the policy considerations of climate action here.

Singapore is a big contributor to planet-warming emissions on a per-capita basis because it has one of the world’s largest refinery centres, said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Minister for Home Affairs.

However, reducing the country’s emissions may make no difference to the world as these facilities could move to a neighbouring island, he said at the 2026 Climate Change Conversations organised by the Rotary Club of Marina City.

Mr Shanmugam, who chairs the ministerial committee coordinating Singapore’s response to disruptions arising from the Middle East conflict, noted that a number of countries around Asia have stopped exporting refined products amid the global energy crisis, even as Singapore continues to do so.

Citing Singapore and Australia’s commitment to keep refined petroleum products flowing between the two countries, Mr Shanmugam said crude oil remains important.

“So when you want to do something, you just don’t look at the superficial actions. You look at ‘Does it make the world a better place? What are the trade-offs?” he said, adding that the world could be worse off without Singapore’s refineries, which have high standards and affect Singapore’s energy security.

Young people can also contribute to climate action by joining the Climate Youth Commun...