Bridging divides and driving positive social change is crucial in addressing climate challenges

Over the past few years, climate change in Southeast Asia has rapidly grown, driven by more extreme weather, such as typhoons, droughts, floods, extreme heat waves and, in particular, the vulnerability to water-related climate impacts.

For instance, between 2020 and 2024, Southeast Asia faced significant climate-related events such as devastating typhoons, floods, and extreme heat waves, which are all intricately tied to the water cycle.

This, in turn, has allowed Corinna Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore International Foundation (SIF), to help communities boost their climate adaptation efforts, particularly prioritising water solutions, and to adapt to the evolving climate towards a more resilient future.

Additionally, SIF has launched the Southeast Asia Partnership for Adaptation through Water (SEAPAW) initiative in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. This initiative focuses on strengthening water resilience as an approach to climate adaptation.

Moreover, the initiative aims to catalyse meaningful actions by developing and implementing solutions and projects over a medium to long-term horizon to address Southeast Asia's climate challenges.

Empowering communities in combating climate change

In empowering communities to combat climate change, stakeholders can significantly contribute towards mitigating climate change by adopting practices to reduce their carbon footprint and promote social resilience. For instance, SEAPAW focuses on three key levers of change to drive regional impact.

Firstly, it unites diverse communities in adaptation, resilience, and water strategies, unlocking synergies across these domains.

Secondly, SEAPAW fosters informed policymaking through collaborative efforts with policymakers and leading experts. For instance, the Global Commission on the Economics of Water allows for effectively applying global knowledge in Southeast Asia.

Finally, it encourages businesses to lead innovation by developing new goods and services that support climate adaptation, which would turn environmental challenges into opportunities for growth.

In addition, given that climate change is set to be more rampant in the future, communities must also adopt an inclusive mindset in addressing the challenges brought about by climate change, which will impact communities across the globe.

"SEAPAW's five focus areas – Water Resource Management, Food Security, Asset Protection, Sustainable Water Access, and Nature-based and Circular Solutions – address vital global challenges," said Ms Corinna Chan, Chief Executive Officer of SIF. "They also contribute to developing a dynamic platform where multiple diverse stakeholders can work towards a common goal to build a better world."

Chan added that as climate change becomes more rampant, SEAPAW seeks to convene multiple stakeholder groups, such as those with the knowledge, solutions, and financing capabilities, to co-curate and co-develop workable solutions to address fundamental issues on the ground.

Moreover, the collaboration nurtures understanding, encourages shared learning, and reinforces a collective commitment to a sustainable future, embodying the essence of SIF's ethos.

Business Sustainability on the rise

Business sustainability has been growing over the past few years, encouraged by national efforts, with many more businesses increasingly adopting sustainable practices.

For instance, Singapore's DBS Bank has revolutionised sustainability by revamping one of its oldest office buildings, DBS Newton Green. Over half of the building's perimeter is covered in living plants, reducing its urban heat gain and internal temperature. 

In addition, PropertyGuru, a digital property marketplace in Southeast Asia, has implemented a green score into its listings. This score is applied based on the number of MRT stations and bus stops near the property and the number of sustainability awards a building achieves. 

Moreover, using a green score could also contribute to a change in consumer demand, where consumers increasingly value sustainable housing projects and developments. 

Building on the momentum, SIF's ultimate mission would be to catalyse positive change across Southeast Asia by fostering cross-sectoral partnerships in areas such as climate, health, and education and developing projects that address critical needs such as clean water, agriculture, and coastal resilience.