Sustainability Challenges in the Asia Pacific: A Region at a Crossroads

As the Asia Pacific region faces rapid urbanisation, climate change, and resource scarcity, it stands at a pivotal moment. At the recent Festival of Ideas 2024 hosted by the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), sustainability experts gathered to explore the region's most pressing challenges and discuss transformative solutions that could guide the Asia Pacific toward a more sustainable future.

ClientEarth’s Elizabeth Wu was a featured speaker and panelist alongside Ms. Melinda Martinus from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School. Together, they examined innovative governance, strategic policymaking, and the critical role of collaboration across sectors. The panel was expertly moderated by Asst Prof Lea Bou Sleiman, an expert on urban related public policies from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Professor Loh emphasized the evolving landscape of corporate governance, noting how companies are increasingly integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their core strategies. Ms. Martinus discussed ASEAN’s diverse governance approaches and the need to balance rapid development with long-term sustainability goals, as well as the latest findings from the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey Report launched by ISEAS (available here)

Elizabeth brought the legal perspective, exploring how international economic law can facilitate the region’s transition to net zero. She provided insights on how ASEAN's old generation investment treaties can hinder sustainable development and the energy transition, and also identified key governance challenges that must be addressed to enable sustainable progress.

The panel concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for enhanced collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society. This cooperation, they agreed, will be crucial in navigating the complex sustainability challenges facing the Asia Pacific and ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for the region.