1. The Inter-Ministerial Committee for Sustainable Development (IMCSD) has unveiled a blueprint for Singapore’s sustainable development, detailing the key goals and initiatives for the next 10 to 20 years.

2. Speaking at a media conference, Minister for National Development and co-Chair of the IMCSD Mr Mah Bow Tan said, “The economic situation has changed dramatically since we set up this committee in February last year. The temptation is to slow down our efforts in the area of sustainable development while we tackle the immediate economic challenges. However, the two are not mutually exclusive. Even as we tackle the short-term challenges, we must build capability for our long-term development. Sustainable development must remain a national priority, in good times and bad, given our resource constraints, the demands of our growing city and the global challenge of climate change.” Minister Mah added, “Sustainable development can only be achieved through long-term attention and effort. We must act now. As individuals, we must be prepared to change the way we live, work, play and commute. As a nation, we have to invest to develop new technologies and alternative sources of energy.”

3. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and co-Chair of the IMCSD spoke on the targets the Committee has set. He said, “We have set concrete targets in the blueprint for 2020 and 2030 to guide our work. This reflects how serious we are about sustainable development. These targets will be reviewed regularly, as technology improves and the cost-effectiveness of measures changes.” Minister Yaacob also emphasized the role that all Singaporeans must play and how this could have a global impact, noting, “The government will play a catalytic role through setting aside $1bil to implement the IMCSD’s recommendations. However, achieving our goals will require a whole-of-nation effort. Through our joint efforts, Singapore can also do its part to contribute to global environmental sustainability.”

New Goals and Initiatives

4. The IMCSD’s blueprint details new targets and initiatives to improve resource efficiency and enhance Singapore’s urban environment. (Pl refer to Annex A). As a resource-scarce state dependant on imports, Singapore can become more competitive in the long run if it becomes more efficient in the use of resources such as energy, water and land. Therefore, the IMCSD has set targets in areas such as national energy efficiency, water consumption and recycling.

5. Singapore’s clean and green environment has made Singapore a good home for its residents, and an attractive destination for foreign visitors, talent and investments. Under the blueprint, efforts will be made to improve air quality, expand and open up green and blue spaces, conserve biodiversity and enhance public cleanliness. These efforts will make our urban environment even more liveable and attractive, even as Singapore continues to grow and develop. Targets have been set to measure the progress in these areas.

6. The blueprint also elaborates on plans to build new capabilities in sustainable development and foster community ownership and participation. The full report is available online at www.sustainablesingapore.gov.sg.

Public Consultation and Feedback

7. The blueprint for a sustainable Singapore is jointly created by the people, private and public sectors (3P) in Singapore. Over the span of one year, the IMCSD met with members of the public and leaders of non-governmental organizations, businesses, grassroots organizations, academia, media as well as Mayors. More than 700 people contributed their views through various focus group discussions, and members of the public submitted over 1,300 suggestions. The IMCSD would like to thank everyone for their invaluable inputs to the Committee’s deliberations, and hopes that the 3P sectors will be as supportive in the implementation of the blueprint, as they have been in its formulation.

About the IMCSD

8. The IMCSD was set up in Jan 2008 to formulate a clear national framework and strategy for Singapore’s sustainable development in the context of emerging domestic and global challenges. The IMCSD is co-chaired by the Minister for National Development Mr Mah Bow Tan, and the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Yaacob Ibrahim. The members are: the Minister for Finance Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the Minister for Transport Mr Raymond Lim and the Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry Mr S. Iswaran.

Annex A

TEN GOALS BY 2030

Improving our resource efficiency

1. Achieve 35% reduction in energy intensity (consumption per dollar GDP) from 2005 levels.

2. Achieve domestic water consumption of 140L per person per day, down from 156L per person per day.

3. Raise overall recycling rate to 70%.

4. Increase public transport modal share to 70% through doubling our rail network and developing a more integrated and seamless public transport system.

Enhancing our urban environment

5. Improve air quality by reducing ambient PM 2.5 (fine particles) levels to an annual mean of 12g/m3 and capping ambient SO2 (sulphur dioxide) levels at an annual mean of 15 g/m3.

6. Reach a park provision of 0.8ha per 1000 persons and increase skyrise greenery by 50ha. Park connectors will be lengthened from 100km to 360km.

7. Increase blue spaces by opening up 900ha of reservoirs and 100km of waterways for recreational activities.

8. Increase accessibility and convenience for pedestrians and cyclists by expanding our covered linkways and cycling networks.

Building capability and expertise

9. Build Singapore into an international knowledge hub in sustainable development solutions.

Building an environmentally responsible community

10. Achieve a community in Singapore where environmental responsibility is a part of our people and business culture.

NEW INITIATIVES

1. Buildings will be made more energy efficient.
   
   
   1. $100mil Green Mark Incentive Scheme for existing buildings to undergo energy efficiency retrofitting.
   2. Green Mark GFA Incentive Scheme for new buildings that can attain Green Mark GoldPlus and Platinum ratings
   3. Green Mark GoldPlus and Platinum requirements will be incorporated as part of land sales requirements.
   
   
2. Eco-friendly public housing. Solar technology will be piloted at 30 public housing precincts nationwide. HDB will reduce energy use of HDB common areas by 20% to 30% and build more eco-friendly HDB housing starting with developments along Punggol Waterway.
   
   
3. Minimum performance standards for electrical appliances will be set to remove inefficient models from the market. The government will introduce minimum energy performance standards for household air-conditioners and refrigerators by 2011.
   
   
4. A National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has been formulated to protect natural heritage and biodiversity in Singapore. Singapore will champion the development of a City Biodiversity Index under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
   
   
5. A greater push for clean transport including conducting clean transport technology trials and putting in place more cycling infrastructure. The trials will cover diesel hybrid buses, electric vehicles, as well as diesel particulate filters. More than $43 million will be invested into implementing cycling networks in selected HDB towns over the next 5 years.
   
   
6. New schemes to promote skyrise greenery will be introduced. These include a pilot grant scheme to co-fund the installation of green roofs, and bonus commercial Gross Floor Area for outdoor refreshment area use on landscaped rooftop. New developments in selected areas will have to provide landscape areas equivalent to their overall site area.
   
   
7. Clean technology and urban solutions will be promoted as new growth sectors. Jalan Bahar Clean Tech Park will be developed as the first business park to support R&D and test bedding of clean technologies.
   
   
8. Marina Bay and the Jurong Lake District will be developed as Singapore’s new generation of sustainable high-density districts, through requirements for Green Mark GoldPlus and Platinum buildings, landscape replacement policies, sustainable urban design etc.
   
   
9. District Sustainability Programmes will be implemented by each of the five Community Development Councils.
   
   
10. The public sector will adopt a range of new sustainable development initiatives. New medium and large air-conditioned public buildings are to achieve Green Mark Platinum standard while existing large air-conditioned public buildings are to attain Green Mark GoldPlus by 2020. All government agencies are to implement recycling programmes by 2009 and achieve PUB’s Water Efficient Building label for their buildings by 2010.

(Taken from From http://app.mewr.gov.sg/web/contents/ContentsSSS.aspx?contid=1307)

This is fantastic! I can visualize all the ESCOs (Energy Saving Companies) popping champagnes.

It's a good time to be focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy in Singapore. Equipment manufacturers such selling efficient generators, pumps, VSD and solar cells will probably have a easier time to sell their products while demand for such products increase.

Integrated Facilities Management will also be higher on the corporate agenda.

Time to look out on Singapore Stocks with a focus on such areas!

Will need to do some research during the weekend, but offhand here is one company that will stand to benefit in the long term.

CNA, listed on the SGX. A IFM based in Singapore moving more towards the energy efficiency space.

Account

Yesterday went to open an account with etrade.com.sg

Read from a forum that they are quite consistent. They charge a flat rate of USD 9.99-19.99 per trade.

From my previous trading experience I tend to do very little trades, so these costs dont bother me too much.

Apparently they get very few customers who go all the way to their office; most simply post when applying for an account. ( You have to fill in a non-American citizen delaraction form to have tax benefits) Since my office is nearby I decided to just drop in.

Account will be open in 5-7 working days. This will mean I can start trading up next week.

I will be posting Interim IRR of my portfolio from time to time. Lets see how things go

Soros pushes Powerspan to $50M for carbon capture

A group of investors, including George Soros, has funneled $50 million into Powerspan, a company that devises ways to remove carbon dioxide from coal plant emissions. The Portsmouth, N.H.-based company says it will use the new money to set up its system at a utility-scale demo plant in Ohio.

Already, Powerspan is implementing its ammonia-based technology at a 120-megawatt demo plant that is slated to be operational by 2012. The company claims it will catch and sequester more than a million metric tons of carbon dioxide at this facility every year.

The processes used to remove carbon dioxide from emissions are extremely expensive — and in this case, capital-intensive. In order to make installation possible, companies involved in carbon sequestration are almost always forced to depend on both venture and government sources of support. That’s why most world governments offer tax credits and other incentives to encourage utilities to adopt this type of technology.

In the U.S., the recent economic stimulus bill has allocated $3.4 billion for research on carbon-based fuels like coal. The Department of Energy is also offering loans to companies looking to commercialize products that clean up these fuel sources. Powerspan says it plans to apply for both the federal grants and loans. And when the time comes to garner DOE support, the company is ahead of the game, having already worked with one of its labs to refine the carbon-capture systems it plans to market.

Powerspan also has the advantage of having friends in high places. George Soros is a name to be reckoned with, certainly. Tenaska Energy, AllianceBernstein, Persimmon Tree Capital, NGEN Partners, Beacon Group, Tremont Group, RockPort Capital Partners, Calvert, Angeleno Group, Fluor Corp. and FirstEnergy also participated in the recent round of financing. Carbon sequestration is one area of cleantech that is just beginning to grow — and considering how hard any money is to come by in the sector these days, $50 million is a pretty impressive head start.

Taken from: http://venturebeat.com/2009/04/24/soros-pushes-powerspan-to-50m-for-carbon-capture-tech/

I dont really understand the carbon capturing business for now. Seems that even with a cap-and-trade system in place, the payback periods and IRR for the project can still be quite low, according to an analysis I did few months back.

The good thing is if and when the cap-and-trade system takes place, operational cash flow will be fairly constant, as long as the host company keep up their level of production. Such carbon sequestering companies also have to rely on the credit worthiness of the host as a major consideration.

I'm thinking that these smart guys are anticipating a cap-and-trade system in the USA, and are now investing in the more promising technology. Since their money is on the table, they will/can most probably lobby for the system to be implemented. And when that happens, they would already have a stake in the more promising technologies. But my personal feeling is that they are investing simply because they dont wan to be left out, but they are not considering this to be their high growth success companies.

Lets see about that. In the meanwhile, I'll scout around some similar companies that may look attractive

Decided to start the investing actual by opening an account on Monday to start trading in US stocks.

Apparently if you file your information properly, you need not pay for taxes if you're not an American citizen.

here's what I have in plan,

1) Set up Trading Account
2) Buy 3-4 stocks from a shortlist of 12 stocks and see how things are going
3) Observe for a few months. If my IRR( or XIRR, since its less than a year) is more than 8%, I can start to think of investing other people's money for higher leverage.

Here is one stock i'm looking at.

1) Energy Recovery Institute

Apparently this company aims to decrease the cost of desalination for it to be competitive with other technologies. There are many reasons why I like this company but its primarily because I embarked on a similar project during my new venture creation of a Heat Pump based MED desalination system. In Theory the system I calculated can be a fraction of current RO costs, but this technology by ERI has already been operating and sucessfully decreasing the cost of desalination for many plants. So I figured, If you cant beat them, Join them!1

Some Reasons why I like this company

1) Great management team. HP Michelet is one of those serial entrepreneurs who has been starting up companies for a very long time.

2) Established Technology. As mentioned they are able to greatly decrease the cost of desal, which is really the achilies hell of desal today. Believe you me, I have read many many reports and I fully agree with that. This translate into a strong substainable competitive advantage

3) High Market Potential. Desalination is growing at double digit rates a yr. Even if ERI captures just a fraction of the market, it can still be very profitable.

Had the very good fortune of meeting a fantastic person yesterday.

He's probably every financier's dream entrepreneur --> passionate, leading expert in the field, practical, puts his own money, and has the rare ability to be self-critical on his own idea.

Throughout the discussion, I particularly like one saying : "Ideas are just like Children. The ones that belong to you always seem the best!"

Current Books

Suddenly Felt I should share the books I'm reading

1) Beyond the J Curve: Managing a portfolio of VC and PE fund

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Curve-Managing-Portfolio-Venture/dp/047001198X

Comments:
This is an amazing book. I've always been trying to find a good resource for VC/PE funds that goes beyond the theoretical surface information. Certain important parts such as how does the distribution waterfall actually work, whether the principal is repaid, how and when hurdle rate kicks in seems easy to understand but are difficult to apply. This is especially so when you try to contruct a financial model to see how does a PE/VC fund cashflow look like throughout the fund lifetime.

These concepts are very important but they are not explained fully in other books. So its very difficult when trying to understand a fully structured VC/PE model. This book however does provide much more indept explanation which is good :)

2) The 36 Strategies of the Chinese

Comments:
This is also a very good book, written by a NUS professor. It applies ancient chinese wisdom to a business setting. Being Chinese myself, and having a father who has sucessfully applied these strategies across various situations, I had read this book when I was very young in the past.

Now, with much more life experience, I have a very different pespective when reading this book. I will read it again when I reach 30 and see whether there is any new wisdom gained lol.

Takeoff....

I've decided to start this blog to capitalize on the knowledge I gained while working at a leading renewable energy investment bank in Asia.

Since I'm researching on so many companies relating to Clean energy, energy efficiency, novel materials, I might as well use these skills to my advantage.

I feel this is one of the best time as this is also one of the world's greatest economic crisis. Many great stocks + companies are heavily undervalued, and this presents a great opportunity to invest.

I would also like to use this blog to discuss on new deals made by the venture capital community, so I can look back to see whether my assessments were accurate or not.

Lets see how things go from here