2024年4月3日，新加坡人力部長陳詩龍醫生在國會上發表了關於碳稅過渡框架更新的發言
以下內容為新加坡眼根據國會英文資料翻譯整理：
何廷儒女士問貿易和工業部長：
（a） 最新碳稅過渡計劃的進展如何，這計劃是從2022年1月12日開始的；
（b） 碳稅過渡計劃怎麼幫助那些排放多、又怕競爭不過的行業逐漸轉型，但又不會減弱給它們投資減碳的提醒；以及
（c） 中小型企業從能源效率基金拿了多少錢來提升自己的能力。
貿工部第二部長 陳詩龍醫生（代表貿易和工業部長）：議長，自從2022年1月，政府就宣布了碳稅過渡計劃，目的是給新加坡的公司一點時間來適應低碳經濟，也鼓勵它們為轉型做出必要的投資。從那以後，新加坡經濟發展局（EDB）一直在跟受影響的公司，比如化學和半導體行業的公司，密切聯繫，討論具體細節和計劃的執行。
這個過渡計劃會激勵公司去投資減碳。它會給公司提供一部分的排放津貼，這部分是基於國際上公認的效率標準，如果沒有的話，就根據公司的減碳計劃來定。
其餘的排放量將被徵收現行的整體碳排放稅。政府會根據公司減排情況、國際發展和減碳技術的進步來調整這些津貼。
至於能源效率基金，到目前為止，已經批准了90個項目，總共340萬美元。這個基金已經合併到了增強的能源效率撥款里，從2024年4月1日起，更多公司就可以申請了。
議長：何廷儒女士。
何廷儒女士（盛港）：謝謝部長的回答。我有兩個追問。
第一個，部長說新加坡經濟發展局一直在聯繫受影響的公司。我想問有多少公司被聯繫到了，還有估計還有多少公司沒有被聯繫到；還有多少公司還沒有被聯繫到呢？
第二個問題是，碳稅過渡計劃對新加坡的氣候目標會有什麼重大影響嗎？
陳詩龍醫生：謝謝議員的追問。第一個問題，根據這個過渡計劃，新加坡經濟發展局一直在和受影響的行業接觸。這些行業有點特殊，比如化學、電子和生物醫藥製造。這些公司會得到一些過渡津貼。
至於公司數量，你可以想像，這些都是大公司—現在有超過20家，名單還在增加。到目前為止，已經超過20家了。通過新加坡經濟發展局的參與，津貼的標準會考慮到公司的減碳計劃以及國際上公認的效率標準。在適當的時候，政府會發布一些有關津貼的總體信息。但我也想提醒一下，我們需要考慮到一些因素，比如這些信息是否會泄露商業上的敏感信息。你可以想像，能源和化學行業里，有那麼多的參與者。
第二個問題是什麼來著？
何廷儒女士：第二個問題是，碳稅過渡計劃對新加坡的氣候目標會有什麼重大影響嗎？
陳詩龍醫生：議長，回答第二個追問。我們希望繼續鼓勵公司儘早減排。我們非常關注，也專注於在2050年實現目標。因為這個計劃還在發展中，我們也在和國際上的公司一起參考標準。在一年左右的時間裡，我想我們會給出更清晰的答案。我請求議員多多包涵，稍等片刻。
以下是英文質詢內容：
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether he can provide an update on the transition framework for carbon tax that was first introduced on 12 January 2022; (b) how does the transition framework for existing facilities in the emissions-intensive trade-exposed sectors ease the transition without eroding the price signal for such companies to invest in decarbonisation; and (c) whether an update can be provided on how much SMEs have drawn down on the Energy Efficiency Fund to build capabilities.
The Second Minister for Trade and Industry (Dr Tan See Leng) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, in January 2022, the Government announced the introduction of the carbon tax transition framework to provide time for Singapore companies in emissions-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) sectors to adjust to a low-carbon economy and to make the necessary investments for their transformation. Since the announcement, the Economic Development Board (EDB) has been engaging affected companies, such as those in the chemicals and semiconductor sectors, on the details and the implementation of the framework.
The transition framework will be calibrated to spur companies to invest in decarbonisation. Transitory allowances will be provided only for a proportion – only for a proportion – of the companies' emissions and are based on internationally recognised efficiency benchmarks, where available, or the companies' decarbonisation plans.
The remaining emissions will be subject to the prevailing headline carbon tax. The Government will review and adjust the allowances based on how companies have fared in lowering their emissions, as well as international developments and advancements in decarbonisation technologies.
For the Energy Efficiency Fund, 90 projects amounting to $3.4 million have been approved to date. The Energy Efficiency Fund has been subsumed under the enhanced Energy Efficiency Grant – just two days ago – from 1 April 2024, which will be available to more companies.
Mr Speaker: Ms He.
Ms He Ting Ru (Sengkang): I thank the Minister for his reply. I have two supplementary questions.
The first is, the Minister said earlier that EDB has been engaging affected companies. I was just wondering how many companies have been reached by EDB and does he have an estimate about how many companies have not yet been engaged by EDB; and how many more to go, basically?
The second question is, is there any significant projected impact from the transition framework on Singapore's climate targets that arise from this, from the framework?
Dr Tan See Leng: I thank the Member for her supplementary questions. For the first one, under this transition framework, EDB has been engaging the types of facilities in the EITE sectors. They are sectorally determined, so we have them in the chemicals, electronics and biomedical manufacturing sectors. These will receive transitory allowances.
As to the number of companies, you can imagine, these are large sector companies – today, there are more than 20 companies and the list will continue to be populated. But thus far, more than 20 companies. The level of allowances, with EDB's involvement, will factor in the company's decarbonisation plans as well as benchmarking to internationally-recognised efficiency benchmarks, wherever it is applicable.
In time, when appropriate, the Government will release aggregated information on the amount of allowances provided. But this is where I want to also sound a caution. We will need to bear in mind considerations, such as whether these disclosures will inadvertently divulge commercially-sensitive information. I think you can imagine that, in the energy and chemical sector, there are that number of players within Jurong Island and within the entire space.
What was the second question?
Ms He Ting Ru: The second question is if there is a significant projected impact on the transition framework on Singapore's climate targets.
Dr Tan See Leng: Mr Speaker, just to answer the second supplementary question. We want to spur and continue to nudge companies to decarbonise ahead of time. We are mindful and we are very focused on achieving that target by 2050. Because this is a developing framework and the companies that we are engaging with are also looking at international benchmarks, in time to come, in about a year from now, I think, we will be able to give you a better, a clearer indication. I seek the Member's patience on this.
HQ丨編輯
HQ丨編審
新加坡國會丨來源
新加坡國會丨圖源
