NEA said policies must be based on evidence and draw on “robust, credible and objective scientific assessments”. The programme aims to improve understanding of climate impact science in the five key areas.
On sea level rise, results from scientific assessments could help evaluate the risks of coastal floods and the adequacy of protection measures.
Rising sea levels, coupled with extreme tides and surges, could post a long-term existential threat to Singapore.
Extreme weather events, such as droughts or intense rain, would also affect Singapore’s water resource and flood management practices.
“For example, studies on the impact of water runoff from increased precipitation can help us better plan our flood mitigation measures, such as local detention tanks and right-sizing of our drainage network,” said NEA.
The country’s biodiversity and food security will also be impacted by such extreme weather events, affecting local and regional crop yield and supply chains.
A better understanding of climate extremes can help Singapore to understand the impact on local food supply and key food imports. The country currently imports about 90 per cent of its food.
Future warming may also exacerbate the urban heat island effect, causing energy demand surges, said NEA. An increase in the threat of vector-borne diseases could also impact health.
“Understanding such implications of climate change could help enhance public sector planning and decision-making under future warming scenarios,” the agency added.
“Science-policy translation is also needed to allow agencies to make sense of projected climate change risks, in order to plan effective interventions.”
Professor Dale Barker, director of the CCRS, said: “Preliminary findings from the National Sea Level Programme (NSLP), launched by CCRS in 2020, have shed light on the uncertainty of probable sea levels in Singapore.
“We hope that research outcomes from the CISR Programme will help to provide a more accurate understanding of climate impact science to provide a firm foundation for downstream policy and infrastructure implementation.”
The centre welcomes proposals from public and private entities, research institutes and institutes of higher learning, NEA said.