In quest to go green, remember that consumption is still a major culprit

NEW initiatives to boost Singapore's green credentials should also boost the economy. Contracts will be given out to install electric vehicle charging stations. Jobs will be created for people who can calculate a company's carbon emissions. The local carbon credits market will get a jolt as emitters will be allowed to buy carbon credits in order to offset carbon taxes.

All this is right, and good. But as a high-income economy, Singapore can also afford to discourage consumption.

According to a 2019 paper by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity focused on the circular economy, 45 per cent of global emissions come from the production of cars, clothes, food and other goods.