Clearing the air... Carbon credits vs nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions refer to much more than just carbon projects. Check out our explainer to find out why.

Published 1 February 2023

Yes, coral reefs can be a driver of eco-tourism. But...

Coral reefs are underwater paradises that can be ecotourism drivers. But the new study, led by Princeton University PhD candidate Bin Lin and which CNCS Assistant Research Professor Zeng Yiwen was involved in, showed that such reefs could also suffer disturbances if not managed well.

Published 13 January 2023

The colours of the carbon rainbow

What are the colours of the carbon rainbow? Find out in this post!

Published 22 December 2022

Protecting nature to help wildlife get around

A new study shows that protecting new areas is important - especially if they are connected to existing natural spots. The study also shows that a lot of the world's protected areas are fragmented.

Published 14 December 2022

The benefits of protecting 30% of the world's lands and seas

How should governments decide what areas to protect to meet the global 30 by 30 goal? A study involving CNCS researchers found that protecting land unused by humans and located far from urban centres will not yield as many benefits as conserving land important for wildlife, and land that provides many ecosystem services.

Published 7 December 2022

[NUS Lecture Series on COP27] COP27: The Catalyst For Action?

With the completion of the Paris Agreement rulebook at COP26 and countries' ambitious climate goals in place, COP27 is a crucial time to focus on the implementation of these promises. What are the key issues to be negotiated at COP27? Can nature play a bigger role? How can COP27 facilitate partnerships between stakeholders? Will COP27 be the COP of action?

Published 27 October 2022

What to expect at COP27

Melissa Low, Andre Chan

What's on the negotiating table for COP27? In the first issue of 'Angles on Biodiversity & Climate', 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

NUS CNCS-SYCA Briefing on COP27 Agenda and Logistics

We co-organised a briefing on COP27 with the Singapore Youth for Climate Action. In the first hour, the briefing provided the context for COP27, including a brief recap on the outcomes of the Glasgow COP26 and highlight what’s on the COP27 negotiating agenda. In the second hour, the briefing focused on logistics to help those going to Sharm-el-Sheik better navigate the UNFCCC and COP27.

Published 15 October 2022

NUS at UNFCCC COP

Learn more about NUS' involvement at the UNFCCC COP.

Published October 2022

[NUS Lecture Series on COP27] Article 6 for Net Zero?

Article 6 could reduce the cost of implementing countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions by around $250 billion by 2030. Alternatively, it could also facilitate the removal of 50% more emissions at no additional cost. Will COP27 accelerate the implementation of Article 6? In this lecture, the panel talks about how Article 6 and carbon markets can aid in net-zero climate ambitions, and discuss the various intricacies of carbon offsets and carbon trading. Opening address by NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye.

Published 29 September 2022

Newsletter Issue 04

Published June 2022

Protecting Tropical Forests Could Safeguard Biodiversity and Mitigate Climate Change While Generating Profits

Carbon finance presents an opportunity to fund conservation efforts through carbon credits generated for trading in the voluntary carbon market. At current carbon market prices, tropical forest protection could yield return-on-investment amounting to US$46 billion per year, with the majority of profitable sites located in the Asia-Pacific region. Read our Research Brief for key takeaways and more.

Published 21 June 2022

More Than Carbon: The Bountiful Benefits of Protecting Southeast Asia’s Threatened Forests

Safeguarding Southeast Asia’s vulnerable forests could deliver diverse environmental and socioeconomic benefits, in addition to avoiding emissions from deforestation. Robust accounting of these co-benefits is crucial to inform climate and environmental protection policies, and presents a potential pathway towards drawing greater conservation investment. Read our Research Brief for key takeaways and more.

Published 30 May 2022

The Potential of Urban Reforestation for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

As the frequency of climate change-induced disasters increase, reforestation can be an essential solution to create a more climate-resilient and sustainable urban spaces. Integrating regreening efforts in climate action plans and urban planning frameworks are therefore essential. Read our Research Brief for key takeaways and more.

Published 16 May 2022

Newsletter Issue 03

Published December 2021

COPfused? What You Need to Know About the Upcoming UN Climate Conference

This webinar aims to provide audiences with a deeper understanding of COP26 to enable a greater appreciation of its importance. Featuring a panel of international climate policy experts, this webinar provides an overview of COP26, including the goals of the conference, the issues being negotiated, the dynamics at play and what we can expect. It also discusses the relevance of COP26 to Singapore and ASEAN and how COP26 can be a catalyst for climate action.

Published 27 October 2021

An Introduction to GEDI Ecosystem LIDAR

In this talk, A/Prof. Hao Tang introduces us to the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) programme, which is a jointly-led initiative by NASA and the University of Maryland that provides the first high-resolution spaceborne lidar-based dataset for the 3D structure of the Earth's surface, and discusses some of its potential applications for nature-based climate solutions research.

Published 23 September 2021

Navigating the Carbon Services Industry

Singapore’s efforts to establish itself as a carbon services and trading hub has drawn keen interest across industries. Creating such an ecosystem for carbon-related services in Singapore can greatly support and strengthen Singapore and the region’s transition towards sustainability. This webinar, jointly organised by NUS's Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, Energy Studies Institute, and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, discusses carbon services, the industry, and its role in addressing climate change in Singapore.

Published 21 September 2021

In the Wake of a Changing Climate: Securing our Food for Tomorrow

In the final webinar of our series with The HEAD Foundation, panellists discussed climate change and COVID-19’s effects on the Asia-Pacific region’s food security, with disasters, flooding, and lockdowns putting supply chains and food supplies at risk.

Published 15 September 2021

In the Wake of a Changing Climate: Energy Security and Solutions

In the third webinar co-hosted by CNCS and The HEAD Foundation, three international experts discussed the energy dimension of the water-energy-food nexus in Southeast Asia to explain the energy security challenges, and what solutions and innovations can be effective for the region.

Published 17 August 2021

In the Wake of a Changing Climate: Water Security and Solutions

In the second webinar co-hosted by CNCS and The HEAD Foundation, an international panel of water experts discussed what ‘soft path’ water solutions are, how effective water governance plays an important role in supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation, and how cities have the responsibility and means to ensure long term water sustainability.

Published 13 July 2021

In the Wake of a Changing Climate: The Resource Challenge in Southeast Asia

In this first webinar co-hosted by CNCS and The HEAD Foundation, a panel of global experts discussed the complex interconnections of the water, energy, and food nexus in Southeast Asia, and the various current and potential solutions.

Published 15 June 2021

Green Recovery: The Just Transition in Singapore

This panel is being done in collaboration with Bard College’s Solve Climate by 2030. CNCS is one of over 120 universities in over 50 countries participating this week on the universal theme of the Green Recovery and Just Transition. With unprecedented economic disruption over the past year and the global economy starting to slowly open back up, there is a focus on a green recovery and a just transition, which links 14/17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Published 9 April 2021

Living with Nature: Biodiversity in Sustainable Cities

In this conversation, our panel of biodiversity advocates and scientific experts discuss the importance of nature in urban environments. Hosted by Debby Ng, the panel will explore the functions and importance of nature in urban environments in Singapore and the role of nature in underpinning sustainable cities.

Published 26 March 2021

Newsletter Issue 02

Published June 2021

Global Photosynthesis in a Changing Climate

This talk introduces the recent progress in estimating global photosynthesis by examining the dominant climate controls of vegetation and new knowledge of the distribution of leaf photosynthetic capacity. Join us as we discuss the trend of global photosynthesis, the challenges in quantifying photosynthesis and the fate of the land carbon sink in relation to the changing climate.

Published 19 January 2021

Regulations or Markets? Unpacking The Sources of Transformative Change for Climate and Biodiversity Governance

This panel reflects on how past and current research on climate and forest governance generate insights for triggering transformative change. What is the role for regulation vis-a-vis finance and market driven tools? How can both tools be intertwined in political processes that produce and shape behavioural change? Such processes include: a) climate litigation by civil society, and b) a global “race to the top” in environmental standards among business and environment coalitions that can be traced back to strong regulatory requirements.

Published 15 January 2021

Newsletter Issue 01

Published December 2020

Storytelling & Science: Compelling Communications on Climate Change

This seminar explores the use of strategic storytelling to capture the attention of your audience, raise emotional awareness, and inspire them into changing their behaviours. Navigating the new digital landscape, we will explore how citizen science and collaborating across diverse ecosystems can help to share your story. This will address the urgent need and seize the opportunities we have to communicate effectively on climate issues.

Published 18 December 2020

Mangrove Blue Carbon in Southeast Asia

There is increasing interest in how Blue Carbon ecosystems such as mangroves can help mitigate global climate change due to their high rates of carbon sequestration and storage. This presentation introduces the concept of blue carbon, and highlights stocks, sequestration and emissions in Southeast Asia.

Published 27 November 2020

Climate Change: Can Solutions Lie in Biodiversity?

In this interactive webinar, our panelists explore how biodiversity conservation can be leveraged for climate action. They examine science and policy linkages for enabling nature-based climate solutions, discuss how urbanized cities like Singapore can contribute to biodiversity conservation and climate goals, and identify emerging opportunities to engage with the private sector to help facilitate the implementation of natural climate solutions.

Published 30 October 2020

The Science and Practice of Peatland Restoration

This panel discussion invites scientists and practitioners with expertise on hydrology, ecology and societal use of tropical peatlands, to share their insights and discuss the challenges and opportunities for restoring these unique ecosystems.

Published 25 September 2020

Empowering Women in STEM: Challenges and Opportunities for Gender Inclusivity

This panel discussion invites scientists and changemakers who have traversed various environmental disciplines – from biomimicry to marine and geoscience, to share their experiences. Do join us to find out how they navigate their careers as women, and the opportunities to cultivate gender inclusivity in STEM.

Published 26 August 2020