Germanys climate

FRANKFURT: President Halimah Yacob said on Friday (Dec 13) that Singapore can learn from Germany’s "dual education system", which combines vocational training in school with apprenticeships in a company for up to three years. Mdm Halimah, who is on a state visit to Germany, said that this system would be effective in "helping the young people to integrate into the industry". READ: Work attachments for Singapore ITE students in Germany among agreements signed by both countries READ: Singapore aims to put 12% of students through work-study pathway by 2030 During her five-day state visit, Singapore and Germany have signed 14 agreements, with half of them focused on education and the workforce. Speaking to reporters at the end of her visit, Mdm Halimah said Germany's dual education system was something Singapore can learn from, in creating "different pathways (and) careers for people". Mdm Halimah’s visit marks a historic milestone as it is the first state visit to … [Read more...] about Singapore can learn from Germany’s dual education system: President Halimah

WASHINGTON: The United Nations has cancelled meetings in Bonn, Germany, and elsewhere planned in the run-up to a crucial UN climate summit to be held in Glasgow in November due to the coronavirus outbreak, an official said on Friday (Mar 6). "This exceptional measure aims to contain the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard the health and safety of participants attending UNFCCC meetings in Bonn and elsewhere," said Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UNFCCC secretariat will not hold any physical meetings in Bonn or elsewhere between Mar 6 and the end of April, she said in a statement. The Glasgow summit in November is expected to be the most important round of climate negotiations since the 2015 Paris agreement was reached. … [Read more...] about UN cancels key meetings ahead of climate summit due to coronavirus

SINGAPORE: In a move to help Singapore residents recycle regularly, the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced last week that 18,000 households in Singapore will get free IKEA-sponsored recycling bins over the next few months. While this move has been welcomed by many, the reality is that it is unlikely to do much to move the needle on our recycling rate unless we get to grips with what can or cannot go into recycling bins. Unfortunately, many people in Singapore are terrible at recycling. While there are some who are better at sorting out trash and recyclables, most of us need a lesson in the basic skills. ​​​​​​​ In April, a survey by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) and NEA found that many Singaporeans still do not know what cannot be recycled . Out of 2,003 households surveyed, 67 per cent thought that soiled paper food packaging can be recycled and almost half thought that tissue paper can be placed in blue recycling bins or … [Read more...] about Commentary: Recycling bins are for recyclables, not junk

SINGAPORE - Reducing emissions from human activity will be a new research focus for the country as it takes efforts to survive and combat climate change into higher gear. Research into urban solutions and sustainability is one of the four key research domains under Singapore's $25 billion Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 plan announced on Friday (Dec 11). The push comes amid growing consensus that both the Covid-19 pandemic as well as climate change can be tackled simultaneously to create new jobs and greener economies. "Decarbonisation is one of our new focus areas in RIE2025, and will be a key addition to our sustainability efforts," said Dr Yeoh Lean Weng, senior director for urban solutions and sustainability at the National Research Foundation (NRF). Other new focus areas include climate science, developing healthy cities, and enhancing the efficiency and productivity of the built environment. Previously, Singapore's sustainability solutions had focused … [Read more...] about Cutting carbon a new focus area for Singapore under five-year research masterplan

SYDNEY: Australia on Monday (Jan 20) boosted emergency grants and loans for small businesses hit by bushfires that have ravaged the country during the peak tourist season, as firefighters used cooler weather to prepare for a return of hazardous fire conditions. The fires have killed 29 people and millions of animals, destroyed more than 2,500 homes and razed an area roughly a third the size of Germany since September. Several days of rain and a dip in temperature have reduced the number of active fires across the country's densely populated southeast and given authorities an opportunity to focus on the recovery effort. WATCH: Singaporean zookeeper rescues wildlife from Australia fires | Video The federal government said it would increase grants for small businesses affected by the fires to A$50,000 (US$34,400) each, from A$15,000 announced earlier, and offer loans up to A$500,000, interest-free for two years. "The customers come back and the businesses rebuild and the … [Read more...] about Australia boosts emergency funding for bushfire-affected businesses