Fight haze with greater transparency and consumer pressure on errant firms: Vivian

SINGAPORE - There is a need for greater transparency and consumer pressure on errant companies to take the fight against haze forward, wrote Minister for Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan on Facebook on Wednesday evening.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Facebook statement:

Had a good meeting with Dr Marco Lambertini, Director General of the WWF. We agreed on the urgent need for the private sector, NGOs and governments to take concerted action against the haze. In particular, we need greater transparency and consumer pressure to be applied against errant companies. This will supplement our Transboundary Haze Pollution law.

We also discussed the importance of formulating appropriate indices to measure the sustainability of cities - given the fact that more than 50 per cent of humanity now lives in cities. A dense, well-planned efficient city is the most sustainable way of life for the future. Dr Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International met with Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan this morning. Foremost on their minds was the on-going haze in the region, agreeing that government, private sector and civil society must all work harder to 'clear the air'. Thank you Dr Balakrishnan for the warm reception