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How COP28 can pave the way for greater climate action in South-East Asia
Melissa Low and Audrey Tan, CNCS
The Star Malaysia
Published 28 February 2024 -
Commentary: COP — just a pointless exercise, or still a vital effort in saving the earth?
Melissa Low, CNCS
for CNA
Published 21 December 2023 -
New facility launched at COP28 to improve regional cooperation on nature-based carbon projects
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
The NUS Decision Theatre, a new scenario-modelling facility to accelerate cooperation on nature-based carbon projects across South-east Asia, was launched at COP28.
Published 30 November 2023 -
NUS researcher wants to find ways to channel more finance into conserving nature
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
CNCS PhD student Shakura Bashir was interviewed and featured for this piece.
Published 20 November 2023 -
NUS appoints former NMP Koh Lian Pin as its first chief sustainability scientist
Jovi Ho
The Edge Singapore
In his new role and as Associate Vice President, Professor Koh Lian Pin will oversee and consolidate sustainability-related research at NUS.
Published 15 November 2023 -
Singapore is fighting rising seas to save S$70 billion in real estate
The Business Times
Singapore’s existing sea walls and revetments limit one possible solution, encouraging the growth of more mangrove habitat, says Daisuke Taira, a researcher at the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.
Published 10 October 2023 -
From predicting floods to saving forests: 'Pivotal' role of AI in tackling 'most pressing' climate challenges
Grace Yeoh
CNA
CNCS launched the Carbon Integrity research project, which aims to develop models specific to Southeast Asia by leveraging AI.
Published 28 September 2023 -
Helping the world turn over a new leaf
NUS Admissions
NUS Science Alumna and CNCS Research Assistant Annabel Lim was featured by NUS in this piece.
Published July 2023 -
Resale HDB flats with views of greenery fetch higher prices
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
Balancing urban greenery with Singapore’s development and housing needs can bring about more useful urban ecosystem benefits.
Published 9 June 2023 -
Tiger conservation in India saved at least one million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
There are currently 53 tiger reserves in India, which add up to an area of 75,796 sq km – about 2 per cent of India’s land area.
Published 5 June 2023 -
Increased protection of existing nature reserves, expanding parks crucial for biodiversity
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
Only about 5 per cent of land is currently protected in Singapore, which includes four nature reserves.
Published 4 June 2023 -
Looking to 2023: A wishlist for nature in a world on fire
Prof Koh Lian Pin, Audrey Tan
NUS CNCS
By protecting a forest instead of cutting it down for conversion into an oil palm plantation, for example, the developer of the land can raise revenue through the sale of carbon credits.
Published 21 February 2023 -
Quality, not just quantity, matters in COP15 “30 by 30” goal
NUS CNCS
The tropics are home to the world’s largest rainforest basins, and host a rich diversity of wildlife species.
Published 7 December 2022 -
NUS at COP27: Putting nature to work in climate change solutions
NUS News
As part of the dialogue on climate action at the UN climate summit COP27, NUS CNCS hosted two panel discussions on nature-based solutions at the inaugural Singapore Pavilion on 16 November.
Published 2 December 2022 -
Inaugural NUS sustainability course paves way for greater training of green talent in public sector
NUS News
‘Sustainability 101 for Policy Officers’ is the first executive training programme in Singapore to cover all aspects of sustainability.
Published 2 December 2022 -
Reforestation could boost water security in vulnerable regions in the Asia-Pacific
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
Further studies are needed to determine the impact of reforestation on the region’s water cycle.
Published 14 November 2022 -
NUS research initiative to boost credibility of nature-based carbon projects in S-E Asia
Cheryl Tan
The Straits TimesCarbon Integrity SG, a $15 million project aims to improve the credibility of nature-based carbon projects in areas like rainforests across South-east Asia, has just been launched. Conducted by CNCS, it builds on the Centre’s existing work, which leverages satellite data and existing information to map out potential areas in South-east Asia that can be conserved and hence developed as sources of high-quality carbon credits.
Published 11 November 2022 -
Singapore to kick off S$15m carbon credit research in South-east Asia
Wong Pei Ting
The Business Times
Announcing this at the COP27 United Nations climate summit, the National University of Singapore said the National Research Foundation will fund S$10 million, while the university funds the other S$5 million.
Published 10 November 2022 -
The tool that will help fight climate change is made in Singapore
The Straits Times
In partnership with RolexTo tackle climate change, Prof Koh Lian Pin advocates for nature-based solutions such as using seagrass to absorb carbon.
Published 3 November 2022 -
When South-east Asia’s forests fall silent
Audrey Tan, Mark Cheong
The Straits Times
Anton L. Delgado
Southeast Asia Globe
For decades, people across South-east Asia have been hunting wild animals for food. But commercial pressures and cheaper snaring methods are causing the region’s forests to be emptied faster than they can be replenished — with repercussions for human and forest health.
Published 22 October 2022 -
New mapping tool helps to spot sources of high-quality, nature-based carbon credits
Cheryl Tan
The Straits TimesLaunch of the CNCS and ST EngineeringGeo-Insights' Carbon Prospecting platform, which allows users to compare how much high-quality carbon credits can be generated from different parts of the world.
Published 26 September 2022 -
Nature-based solutions could yield US$4.3 trillion in economic value by 2030
Janice Lim
The Business Times
Strategies that focus on using nature to improve the state of the world are part of the toolkit in transiting to a circular economy.
Published 25 August 2022 -
24 hours with… mangrove specialist Daniel Friess
Liang Lei
Eco-Business
Coastal forests trap huge volumes of greenhouse gases and protect people from flood risks. This International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Eco-Business speaks to a researcher on the frontline of conservation work.
Published 26 July 2022 -
Singapore to host international XPrize Rainforest competition in 2023
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesThe competition aims to identify technologies that can be used to monitor rainforests and their biodiversity in real-time. The panel of nine judges for XPrize Rainforest include Singaporean conservation scientist Koh Lian Pin, who heads the National University of Singapore's Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.
Published 28 June 2022 -
Research at Gardens by the Bay may guide development of more urban mangrove wetlands
Ng Keng Gene
The Straits Times
The National University of Singapore's (NUS) Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions and environmental consultants DHI Water and Environment are working with Gardens by the Bay to conduct the study.
Published 5 June 2022 -
A Market for Nature-Based Climate Solutions
Claire Oei, NUS CNCS
Moving forward, CNCS is pursing research on the quantification of nature-based solution co-benefits. They are also investigating blue carbon, and in valuing biodiversity in nature-based solutions and urban sustainability.
Published 7 April 2022 -
Benefits of conserving a forest go beyond capturing carbon
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesResearch has found that by protecting forests in South-east Asia, people living in or around the forests can benefit.
Published 14 February 2022 -
Focus on quality and not just quantity of green spaces in making land use decisions
Ng Keng Gene
The Straits Times
In recent months, there have been calls for the conservation of green plots such as the Clementi and Dover forests, which have been zoned for housing.
Published 22 June 2021 -
Commentary: The merits of Singapore’s new carbon trading marketplace
Melissa Low, NUS CNCS
David Broadstock
CNA
Climate Impact X is a welcome addition to the country’s climate action initiatives that provide new economic opportunities, help price discovery and can aid future compliance, say energy researchers.
Published 10 June 2021 -
Implement nature-based solutions to achieve climate goals
Hariz Baharudin
The Straits Times
Nature-based solutions refer to how nature can be harnessed to help tackle climate change.
Published 26 May 2021 -
Mangroves, seagrass habitats under threat as sea levels rise
Cheryl Tan
The Straits TimesMangroves should be protected as they play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change, among other reasons.
Published 22 April 2021 -
Singapore must prepare for rising waters due to heavy rain, climbing sea levels
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesThe PUB is working to tackle the flooding threat holistically. Heavy rains caused flash floods in Singapore.
Published 21 April 2021 -
The role of urban forests in climate change
Audrey Tan
The Straits TimesUrban forests can help to reduce a city's carbon footprint by up to 25 per cent, according to an NUS study of 7,500 cities.
Published 29 March 2021 -
Researcher pilots drones to aid conservation efforts
Shabana Begum
The Straits Times
Her ambition is to protect South-east Asia's forests and explore different technologies for mapping areas for conservation.
Published 15 February 2021 -
Wildlife disease ecologist vaccinates dogs, educates communities in Nepal
Cheryl Tan
The Straits Times
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ST spoke to three women who have excelled in jobs dominated by men and who hope to inspire others to do the same.
Published 15 February 2021 -
The Singaporean using nature to boost the economy — while fighting climate change
Tee Hun Ching
The Straits Times
After 16 years abroad, prominent conservation scientist Koh Lian Pin has returned to tap new areas for growth, to help Singapore emerge from the Covid-19 crisis stronger, and greener.
Published 29 November 2020 -
Reforestation may not be a cheap climate fix; nature-based solution must consider trade-offs
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
Reforestation has been touted as a relatively quick and easy fix for dealing with climate change, with plans afoot both in Singapore and around the world to harness the cooling and oxygen-giving power of the humble tree.
Published 17 August 2020 -
How Asia’s megacities can benefit from mangroves and other natural climate solutions
Neo Chai Chin
Eco-Business
The loss of mangroves and other coastal habitats has been linked to more frequent and severe flooding in adjacent villages and cities. What can urban dwellers, local governments and businesses do to support nature-based solutions?
Published 3 April 2020 -
Tapping nature in fight against climate change
Audrey Tan
The Straits Times
New research centre at NUS will be helmed by Singaporean conservation scientist.
Published 21 March 2020