On November 5-6, UNEP-U4E, under the ASEAN Cool Initiative, and UNEP OzonAction jointly led a Study Tour in Singapore, aimed at fostering knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and enhancing understanding of regulatory frameworks for implementing and enforcing enhanced Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) across the region. The tour showcased Singapore’s success meeting the Regional Phase II MEPS targets, offering a model for other ASEAN countries.  

Participants of the Study Tour hosted at the NEA’s building

The Study Tour was co-organized by UNEP-U4E and UNEP OzonAction, in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA). 

“By examining Singapore’s achievements in implementing the regional Phase II MEPS target of 6.09 Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF), participants gained practical insights into policy intervention strategies such as enforcing MEPS, devising viable financial incentives and organizing effective stakeholder consultation,” said Saikiran Kasamsetty, Energy Expert at U4E. 

The ASEAN Cool Initiative, funded by the Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC), was established to accelerate the ASEAN Regional Policy Roadmap for Energy-Efficient RACs.

Key Highlights of the Study Tour  

The Study Tour welcomed nearly 50 representatives from seven ASEAN member states (AMS) —Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand,  and Vietnam, along with Timor-Leste —as well as participants from the host country – Singapore, CCC and other key partners such as ACE, International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Together, they explored policy solutions aimed at advancing regional energy efficiency goals.  

Singapore’s Regulatory Framework  

Saikiran Kasamsetty, Energy Expert at U4E

The Study Tour opened with NEA sharing its approach to energy efficiency through the Minimum Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in Singapore. NEA also highlighted Singapore’s National Campaign through Climate Friendly Housing Programme, which focuses on educating the public about sustainable energy practices and guiding them toward informed purchasing decisions by providing cash vouchers for purchasing high energy efficient appliances. The discussion on Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Regulation also attracted significant attention, as participants were keen to understand Singapore’s policies for managing HFC emissions, a critical element in the broader fight against climate change.  

Feedback from participants indicated that this session provided valuable insights into regulatory approaches that could serve as models for similar programs in their own countries. Many praised Singapore’s well-structured regulatory framework and saw potential in adapting these strategies to fit the unique contexts of their respective national landscapes. 

Market Analysis and Testing Infrastructure at the BCA Skylab 

A deep dive into the availability and performance of high-efficiency RAC models in Singapore was shared, specifically single-split systems, which are common across ASEAN countries. This analysis included pricing, performance, and trends in the market, underscoring the benefits and challenges of adopting similar high-efficiency models regionally. One key takeaway from the session was that higher efficiency does not necessarily equate to a higher price, dispelling the misconception that high-efficiency models are always more expensive. 

A visit to the BCA Skylab was conducted which is a world-first high-rise, rotatable laboratory dedicated to testing building components and systems under a variety of real-world conditions. Participants were particularly interested in the laboratory’s unique capabilities to simulate diverse climate conditions and assess energy performance. They were able to witness cutting-edge testing methodologies that examine aspects such as thermal conductivity and air infiltration, which directly impact building energy efficiency. Many attendees were inspired by Singapore’s commitment to innovative solutions and emphasized the importance of similar infrastructure in their own countries. 

Regional Collaboration and Case Studies 

On the second day, each participating country shared updates on their respective MEPS implementation efforts, highlighting progress, challenges, and country-specific strategies to adopt the regional Phase II MEPS target. Common themes emerged, including the need for greater consumer education, increased testing capabilities, and support for policy harmonization within ASEAN. 

Zafe Fazilah Abu Bakar, Project Coordinator at U4E

The final day concluded with case study presentations by the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia and the SAVE 4.0 Program, which provides rebates to households for purchasing energy-efficient appliances, and Thailand shared its financial incentives aimed at making high-efficiency RACs more accessible. Participants responded positively to these case studies, and many countries expressed interest in exploring similar models to support their energy efficiency targets.

“The study tour provided invaluable, hands-on insights into how countries across the region are addressing the challenges of adopting the Phase II MEPS targets. We hope the dedicated sessions organized with Singapore’s NEA will motivate other countries to accelerate their progress toward these shared goals,” said Zafe Fazilah Abu Bakar, Project Coordinator at U4E. 

The tour underscored the adaptability of strategies discussed, highlighting the importance of tailored solutions that meet each country’s specific needs. “This experience has reinforced the critical role of collaboration and knowledge exchange,” Zafe added, “as these interactions are essential to drive continuous innovation and improvement in energy efficiency.” 

Key Takeaways and Recommendations 

The tour emphasized: 

• Harmonization of Standards and Regional Cooperation: To create a more unified approach to advance the implementation of Phase II levels of MEPS per the ASEAN regional policy roadmap amongst the ASEAN member states (AMS) while facilitating trade and enhancing enforcement effectiveness.
  

  Participants at the BCA Skylab

• Consumer Education:  To educate consumers on energy labels, helping them prioritize long-term savings and environmental benefits over initial costs by providing clear guidelines to interpret labels and make informed choices through public campaigns.
  
• Incentives for Adoption: To encourage sustainable public procurement of energy-efficient RACs by offering exclusive fiscal incentives for relevant stakeholders, like manufacturers, retailers,  and suppliers. For consumers, introduce trade-in rebates and on-bill financing to boost the uptake of high energy-efficient RACs.  
• Testing and Compliance: Proficiency testing and capacity-building programs are used to enhance the testing infrastructure and skill set of personnel involved.  Establish Mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) across accredited RAC testing laboratories to reduce trade barriers within the region. 
• Sustainable refrigerant transition: To promote climate-friendly refrigerants to reduce carbon emissions while evaluating the energy performance of innovative technologies at BCA SkyLab to assess potential energy, environmental, and economic savings, especially in tropical climates.

For more information, please contact Saikiran Kasamsetty (saikiran.kasamsetty@un.org) or Zafe Fazilah Abu Bakar (zafe.fazilah@un.org)