UK organisation could help to improve air quality in Singapore

A UK organisation which specialises in climate change studies could provide a boost to air quality in Singapore.

The Met Office's Hadley Centre has entered into a partnership with the nation in a bid to find ways to develop climate policies within the country, Channel News Asia reports.

Despite acquiring the help of the UK body, environment and water resources minister in the Asian country Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said that air quality has been of a "relatively high standard" this year.

However, there were some occasions towards the end of 2010 when the effect of forest fires caused air quality readings to fall to "moderate".

Such instances are being targeted as part of the agreement with the Hadley Centre, as Dr Ibrahim pledged to offer more guidance on how to deal with fires in local areas.

"New regional initiatives will also be undertaken, such as the establishment of a Regional Haze Training Network for sharing of expertise and training in haze management," he remarked.

The Hadley Centre has this week released a climate summary for the UK in February 2011, which stated that temperatures for the month were the mildest experienced since 2002.

Posted by Joseph Hutton