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Reboot Development: The Economics of a Liveable Planet
The Centre co-hosts this talk in the NUS Sustainable Futures (NSF) Distinguished Lecture Series, where Richard Damania, Chief Economist at the World Bank, presents on their new flagship report. Associate Professor Román Carrasco, NSF Co-Director, also sits down with Richard for a fireside chat and audience Q&A segment.
Published November 2025 -
How stories shape the planet: What I've learned about communicating science from 25 years of Mongabay
Drawing on 25 years of experience leading one of the world’s largest environmental newsrooms, Rhett Ayers Butler shares lessons from Mongabay’s evolution—from a one-person website into a global, multilingual network reporting from more than 80 countries. The lecture explores how clear, compelling communication can translate complex science into stories that inform action and policy; how journalism can contribute to measurable real-world impact; and what scientists can learn from journalistic storytelling to reach broader audiences. Rhett also discusses the changing media landscape, including the challenges of polarization, misinformation, and news avoidance, and how approaches like solutions journalism can restore trust and agency. Blending personal reflection with practical insights, he offers a hopeful perspective on how storytelling, when done with empathy and evidence, can reconnect people with the natural world and one another. After his sharing, Rhett sits down for an interactive and cozy forest-side chat with the audience. He is joined by Sankar Ananthanarayanan, a PhD Candidate at the Theoretical Ecology Lab (NUS Department of Biological Sciences) and a Co-founder of the Herpetological Society of Singapore, who facilitates the conversation and Q&A with the audience.
Published November 2025 -
Should (some) individuals also understand and chart their path to net zero?
From national and local governments to firms large and small, various climate actors are increasingly learning and accounting for how their economic activity maps onto greenhouse-gas emissions. Yet the most numerous (and arguably most consequential) actors -- hundreds of millions of affluent individuals -- are too often overlooked and their role is underemphasized. Among their multiple roles, individuals as consumers pull supply chains; as citizens they back political leaders and embolden them to implement policies to accelerate the energy and food transitions in the coming decades. Yet public education has largely missed (i) which individual actions meaningfully reduce versus increase environmental damage, and (ii) how shifts in individual lifestyle choices -- often low cost or even personally beneficial -- can collectively drive positive change and ease climate anxiety. Associate Professor Alberto Salvo presents ongoing NUS research that uses positive framing to show how short run "downstream" choices in transport and food markets map onto carbon emissions and deliver health and nutrition co benefits, with the aim of reshaping understanding of individuals' "upstream" role as climate citizens. This webinar is the second in the series of our new programme, Nature for Climate for You.
Published November 2025 -
Climate and Ecosystem Science to inform Nature-based Solutions
Steve is a climate and ecosystem scientist whose research powers smarter, science-based nature solutions for a changing world. By combining satellite data, ecosystem models, and machine learning, he connects the science of nature with real-world relevance—helping shape land-use policy, guide climate finance toward credible carbon solutions, and design cities that work with nature, not against it. In this webinar, he speaks about how forests can help combat climate change, and how smarter policies and economic tools can amplify their impact. Drawing on economics, climate science, and environmental data, his work evaluates the benefits and trade-offs of nature-based solutions. While these solutions are often highly effective, scaling them requires better data, thoughtful risk management, and stronger policy support. This webinar is the first in our new programme, Nature for Climate for You, which will be a series of online and offline activities featuring scientists, practitioners and advocates. It is a friendly space to learn and participate together!
Published September 2025 -
Mainstreaming Nature into Business Decision Making
Nature is now a core part of business strategy, not just a CSR issue. As climate and biodiversity risks grow, integrating nature into corporate planning has become essential. Since the release of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures’s (TNFD) 14 recommendations in September 2023, over 500 organizations managing $17.7 trillion in assets have committed to nature-related reporting.
Singapore is leading in Asia, with companies like CDL, UOB, and Olam adopting TNFD disclosures, supported by government grants and capacity-building initiatives. The NUS Sustainability Academy recently hosted a regional TNFD Train-the-Trainer program to expand knowledge and action across Asia Pacific, using new TNFD training materials.
Our Research Associate, Leo, now with the Sustainability Academy at NUS Sustainable Futures, explores how businesses can adopt TNFD guidelines to better understand and disclose their impacts and dependencies on nature, in this piece.
Published June 2025 -
The Road Forward: Addressing Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change
The conversations at the event focused on the main insights from COP16 and COP29, and their influence on the COP30 agenda, especially in addressing the twin planetary crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The event highlighted the need for integrated solutions and global cooperation, while also acknowledging the importance of local contexts and the necessity for fair and ambitious actions going forward. Nearly 150 people registered for the event, which assembled a stellar cast of speakers.
Published February 2025 -
Biodiversity Impact Partnership
The partnership was launched at COP29 on November 21.
Published November 2024 -
Lessons from COP and the Way Forward
Published November 2024
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A Deep Dive into Nature for Climate
Published September 2024
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NUS Decision Theatre Press Release
The NUS Decision Theatre was launched at COP28 on November 30.
Published November 2023 -
Why is COP28 so important?
The annual United Nations climate change conference will take place in Dubai from Nov 30 to Dec 12, 2023. What differentiates this event from the numerous other sustainability conferences around the world, and what are some key issues that will be discussed there? Find out in these infographics.
Published November 2023 -
NUS at COP28
The NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions is leading the University’s participation in COP28.
Stay updated with the latest news and announcements from NUS at COP28.
Published November 2023 -
Voices from Asia, a COP28 podcast series from NUS
The NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS) on Nov 3 launched a new podcast series, "Voices from Asia". Hosted by CNCS Science Communication and Outreach Lead Audrey Tan, this four-part series aims to connect the global discussions at the annual United Nations climate conference, COP28, with audiences across Asia. Each part of the series tackles a specific hot topic expected to be discussed at COP28. Tune in to "Voices from Asia" on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts for insights, engaging discussions, and a deeper understanding of the key topics at COP28.
Published November 2023 -
In Brief | November 2023
The Global Stocktake Recognises the Role of Protecting Nature. At COP28, policymakers must respond.
The world is facing a planetary emergency wrought by the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Of the two, it is climate change that has taken centre stage in international discourse on the environmental woes of the planet – for good reason. Over the past year, extreme weather events bearing the fingerprints of climate change have wreaked death and destruction around the world, from heatwaves in Europe to floods in Africa.
These events come amid dire warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations’ (UN) climate science body, on escalating climate impact due to rising emissions. These developments will add pressure on countries gathering in Dubai in December 2023 for COP28, the UN climate change conference, to secure an ambitious outcome that will help avert catastrophic climate impact. But the world should not take its eye off the other impending crisis of biodiversity loss at COP28.
There are multiple drivers of biodiversity loss, including climate change, overexploitation, habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species. With one million species expected to face extinction in the coming decades, the planet is losing both her richness and abundance of life — with implications for climate action.
Read our brief to find out how research relates to global discussions and how science can contribute to policy decisions to address the planetary crises.
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Young Scientist Symposium
The Young Scientist Symposium saw six students who received grants from the Dalio-funded Young Scientist Award presenting their research to the community in a formal setting on stage, and in a more casual setting during the Science Happy Hour held immediately after the symposium. A science communication element was also imbued into the symposium, with three experienced scientists who are also expert communicators, sharing some tips and tricks on presenting science to a general audience. One of these experts was TMSI marine biologist Dr Neo Mei Lin, who shared advice on public speaking, and delivering scientific messages to a crowd. About 180 people signed up for the symposium.
Published November 2023 -
Outlook on Climate and Nature for Asia
Some 150 policymakers, academics, philanthropists, business representatives and government officials from Singapore and the region gathered for the closed-door symposium. 3 emerging issues at the nature-climate nexus relevant for the Asia Pacific were discussed: biodiversity credits, emerging ocean economy & compounding risks of biodiversity loss and climate change. With growing recognition of the role of nature in tackling the climate crisis, this event aimed to build regional capacity on upcoming issues of concern for Asia ahead of COP28, where discussions on the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises are set to continue. By bringing together scientists with other stakeholders involved in sustainability, this event was also geared at promoting the development of new partnerships and collaborations that could help in the development of solutions to address the twin planetary crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Published October 2023 -
heART for Nature
CNCS, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Our Wild Neighbours (OWN) initiative, organised an art and wellness festival in October with a wild twist. Two workshops - an art jam led by local artists and a poetry workshop - were organised to promote greater awareness and appreciation of Singapore’s rich natural heritage. The two workshops were funded by Dalio Philanthropies. During the event, visitors also got the opportunity to learn more about the native animals in Singapore through educational booths set up by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Herpetological Society of Singapore, as well as the Singapore Pangolin Walking Group. Stickers, postcards and enamel pins celebrating Singapore's unique flora and fauna were also available for purchase at the booths set up by conservation-focused artists, such as The ConArtist Collective, Wild Batik and Inklotte. Children books’ featuring our local wildlife, authored by Maureen Yeo, were snapped up by many quickly too. About 40 people attended the workshops.
Published October 2023 -
Pub Trivia
NUS CNCS partnered with Wala Wala Cafe Bar in Holland Village to organize two biodiversity trivia sessions in celebration of National Day. The two sessions aimed to raise awareness of native biodiversity in a fun and interesting way. In order for us to better coexist with nature, it is important that we understand more about them. This way, we will learn to appreciate our wild neighbours that also reside in Singapore. Participants joined in groups of up to 5 and everyone got to enjoy two drinks, one of which is a themed cocktail developed by Wala Wala. For the terrestrial-themed Forest Fiesta session, the cocktail was named 'The Wild Fashioned' and for the marine-themed 'Tidal Tidbits' session, the cocktail was named 'Coastalpolitan'! Before the trivia began. expert speakers were invited to give presentations on the natural environnment and wildlife in Singapore. The trivia questions include general questions on wildlife etiquette, as well as interesting nuggets of information of the ecology and behaviour of native species. For the marine-themed session, we had popular science communicator Biogirl MJ of social media fame to host the trivia! The sessions were a huge success as everyone really had a good time challenging their knowledge and learning new things at the same time. The top three winning groups from each session walked away with a bottle of wine!
Published August 2023 -
Roasting Coffee...not the Earth
In conjunction with the national GoGreen SG initiative, CNCS and The Social Space café co-organised an event to help people learn more about climate change and biodiversity loss through a workshop on responsible coffee consumption. Participants got to hear from experts who talked about how the cultivation and consumption of coffee is affecting forests and wildlife around the world, and how to enjoy a brew without costing the Earth. They also enjoyed a cup of rainforest-friendly coffee, sponsored by Mandai Nature. In Southeast Asia, demand for kopi luwak – highly prized coffee made of cherries partially digested by civets – threatens the welfare of these animals. Forests in many parts of the world are also often razed for the cultivation of coffee plants. The event aimed to educate people on the importance of caring about these issues and how they can show their support for nature.
Published July 2023 -
Cocktails and Conservation
In conjunction with Singapore’s GoGreen month in July, CNCS and the Sentosa Development Corporation organised a networking event geared at fostering greater interactions between scientists researching Southeast Asia’s rich natural capital and professionals from the tourism and events sector. It aimed to provide an opportunity for Singapore’s growing global carbon services industry and firms exploring carbon credits as a route to net-zero to interact with experts from CNCS and discuss these issues. At this event sponsored by Rumours Beach Club, researchers, policy makers, and business owners working at the climate-nature nexus shared more about their work in a fun and relaxed setting by the pool, over nature-themed cocktails. Such partnerships can help to boost the translation of scientific findings to real world scenarios; and ensure corporate decisions are girded in robust science.
Published July 2023 -
CNCS x Pulitzer Center media briefing on carbon markets
CNCS and the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Journalism Fund Southeast Asia organised a virtual media briefing on carbon markets for journalists reporting on rainforest issues in the region. The session provided an overview on the development of carbon markets and how they relate to the Paris Agreement on climate change. The event also featured a discussion on the other co-benefits of nature conservation as well as the benefits that carbon projects can offer local communities if done well. The aim of the event was to provide journalists reporting on rainforests in the region with greater understanding of how forestry issues intersect with climate change negotiations, given the rise of carbon markets and the spread of misinformation about such issues.
Published May 2023 -
The Greatest Shows of Earth
In celebration of Earth Hour in March, the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS) organised a series of four movie screenings with environmental themes at the National Library’s Victoria Street premises. Activities such as panel discussions, interactive question and answer sessions, and even a bingo session, were held after each screening, to help participants relate the key messages in the movie to Singapore. For example, after the screening of The Lorax on March 25, popular science communicator Biogirl MJ from Instagram channel @justkeepthinkingsg helped participants learn more about Singapore’s very own native wildlife through a fun bingo game. The movie had depicted a little boy’s quest to bring nature back into his built-up city. Other movies screened included Finding Nemo, The Day After Tomorrow, and Jurassic Park. Participants were provided a comfortable setting to relax on colourful bean bags during the screenings and had snacks to munch on such as our traditional kacang putih. The event aimed to use popular culture as a hook to get people more interested in our natural world and to encourage them to explore these issues further. This event was supported by Pavilion Capital and the National Library Board.
Published March 2023 -
What to expect at COP27
Melissa Low, Andre Chan
What's on the negotiating table for COP27? We explain the key areas of negotiations expected to be at play at COP27, including loss & damage, climate finance, and mitigation ambition.
Published October 2022 -
A History of NUS at COP
NUS Sustainability
