Mahdev advises the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources on Haze Law

Providence Law Counsel and Assistant Professor of Law at Singapore Management University Mahdev Mohan contributed advice on the Transboundary Haze Pollution Bill during an appreciation and dialogue session hosted by Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. The Transboundary Haze Pollution Bill provides for civil and criminal liability of entities that cause haze in Singapore. In response to Dr. Balakrishnan’s voicing concern that there is a need to “ratchet up the pressure” in order to witness sufficient progress in this longstanding issue, Mohan suggested that out-of court settlements could be a way to negotiate with companies that are willing to change their corporate behaviour. He also suggested that Singapore Exchange get firms that do not obey environmental regulations to give a critical report of what was done wrong and could be improved, otherwise risk censure. Dr. Balakrishnan noted that the ideas are worth pursuing, with further studies necessary.