NEA V3 Report - High-resolution climate projections

The NEA V3 report, part of Singapore's Third National Climate Change Study, focuses on high-resolution climate projections to support climate resilience in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Its objectives include providing actionable data for policymakers, researchers, and the public to adapt to climate change impacts.

Key findings highlight significant changes in Singapore's climate, such as rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and increasing sea levels. The study uses advanced methodologies like downscaling global climate models to create detailed projections.

The report emphasizes the importance of using these projections for long-term planning and adaptation strategies to safeguard Singapore against future environmental challenges. You can explore more (https://www.mss-int.sg/V3-climate-projections/).

The NEA V3 report builds upon earlier climate studies, such as the V2 study from 2015, by incorporating more advanced methodologies and higher-resolution projections. For example, V3 uses the latest IPCC AR6-based models, offering 8-km resolution for Southeast Asia and 2-km resolution for Singapore, compared to the broader-scale projections in V2.

Additionally, V3 includes updated socio-economic pathways to explore a wider range of climate outcomes, reflecting advancements in global climate modeling. This allows for more precise simulations of regional climate changes, including temperature increases, rainfall patterns, and sea-level rise.

The findings from V3 are consistent with earlier projections but provide a finer scale of detail, enabling better planning and adaptation strategies for Singapore's climate resilience.

The Climate Visualiser (https://www.mss-int.sg/V3-climate-projections/explore/climate-visualiser/atmospheric-variables/observed-changes/spatial-plots), part of the NEA V3 study, provides detailed insights into recent and projected climate changes for Singapore and Southeast Asia. Here are some key findings:

- **Temperature Trends**:

Singapore's mean temperature has been rising at a rate of 0.24°C per decade over the past 40 years. By the end of the century, annual mean temperatures could increase by 0.6°C to 5°C, depending on emission scenarios.

• **Rainfall Patterns**: Annual rainfall has increased by 83 mm per decade over the last 40 years. However, future projections indicate more extreme wet and dry periods.

• **Sea-Level Rise**: Mean sea levels around Singapore have been rising, with projections showing further acceleration due to factors like melting ice sheets and ocean thermal expansion.

• **Urban Heat**: Very hot days and warm nights are expected to become the norm, with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 35°C occurring more frequently.

Singapore employs a multi-faceted approach to climate adaptation, focusing on resilience and sustainability. Here are some key strategies:

1. **Flood and Coastal Resilience**: Measures include building detention tanks, widening drains and canals, and implementing coastal protection solutions like elevated platform levels. Progressive studies of coastlines help address sea-level rise.

2. **Water Sustainability**: Singapore ensures water security through weather-resilient sources like NEWater and desalinated water. Public awareness campaigns promote water conservation.

3. **Heat Resilience**: Urban cooling strategies include intensifying greenery, deploying cool paint, and preserving wind corridors. Community heat resilience is supported by advisories.

4. **Food Resilience**: Diversifying import sources and encouraging climate-resilient local food production aim to meet 30% of Singapore's nutritional needs by 2030.

5. **Biodiversity and Greenery**: Initiatives like planting one million trees and habitat restoration strengthen ecosystems against climate impacts.

6. **Public Health**: Innovative solutions like Wolbachia technology combat dengue, while biosurveillance programs address climate-related health risks.

These strategies reflect Singapore's commitment to adapting to climate change while safeguarding its future.

✅ What we must do next:

• Strengthen Urban Cooling: Expand green spaces, rooftop gardens, and deploy cooling technologies to reduce the Urban Heat Island effect.

• Invest in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Design roads, drainage, and buildings that can withstand extreme weather and higher sea levels.

• Accelerate Decarbonization: Transition faster to renewable energy, electric transport, and low-carbon industries.

• Enhance Coastal Defenses: Build adaptive seawalls, polders, and nature-based solutions like mangrove restoration.

• Embed Climate Risk in Business Planning: Ensure every organization factors climate scenarios into their long-term strategies.

• Community Engagement: Empower individuals with education and resources to build resilience from the ground up.

Climate risks are no longer distant threats — they are today's planning challenges.The V3 Climate Projections give us the knowledge. Now we must act boldly and urgently.

Read more at https://www.mss-int.sg/v3-climate-projections