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The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has created several mechanisms to facilitate climate change mitigation efforts in developing countries. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) were established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy and forestry sectors respectively. This research assesses the interactions among actors involved in these initiatives in countries across Southeast Asia. It aims to examine the gaps and challenges in implementing climate mitigation solutions proposed by multilateral institutions such as the UNFCCC. It identifies best practices in optimising such solutions at the national level.

This project will attempt to fill the research gap in the current policy debates and studies on the South China Sea disputes by examining marine environmental protection in this contested strategic sealane based on the existing literature and discussions. This project will explore the norms of marine environmental protection and regional cooperation as applied to the South China Sea. It will also highlight the importance of marine environmental protection as a shared responsibility of claimant states, ASEAN and relevant Dialogue Partners (e.g. Japan, China, the U.S., and Australia). It will explore the prospects of regional cooperation on marine environmental cooperation in the South China Sea and identify key issues that may hinder regional cooperation. It will likewise explore the applicability of current international environmental laws and conventions to the South China Sea, and how they can complement regional initiatives to protect the marine ecosystem in the disputed waters.

Singapore imports more than 90 per cent of its total food consumption, and grows some quantities of eggs, fish and vegetables. There are plans of boosting these numbers, although any initiative will need to value-add to the country’s economy and productivity. In order to be more food secure amid the limitation of space, the government has supported technologies such as vertical farming, and provided funding to help farmers upgrade practices. This study will look into the types of technologies that can be leveraged to boost farming’s productivity, and allow for greater production within the limits of space, water and labour. It will further study the enabling environment for technology, focusing on the technology-policy interface.

This project aims to examine the current threats to food safety in ASEAN and explore ways to foster and enhance collaboration on food security. This project will produce a policy-relevant paper on how ASEAN as an institution, and its member states can address the types of food-borne diseases (FBD) that have plagued the region over the years. This is to be achieved by mapping out the ASEAN institutions involved in FBD management, and identifying gaps when compared to successful FBD management systems in countries/institutions such as Denmark and the European Union. This study will be limited to the top three to four diseases related to biotic factors (such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses), identified based on World Health Organization (WHO) Data. Literature review and stakeholder interviews will be done to provide insights on the ground. This research is being done in collaboration with the newly established NTU Food Technology Centre (NAFTEC).

Tracing how organisations engaged in the humanitarian space capture and transfer knowledge to contribute to institutional memory, this project examines the role of knowledge management in humanitarian operations in the Asia Pacific.

For a comprehensive understanding of the regional landscape, this project will build a solid foundation by analysing the current and emerging actors involved in HADR in the Asia Pacific. Through mapping the landscape and then analysing their interactions, we will develop the intellectual capacity in Singapore to contribute to the global debate and provide an assessment of how the mechanisms in the region can coordinate the region’s response when disasters strike.

The project explores pathways toward building a robust framework for nuclear energy governance in the Asia Pacific, including ASEAN. It has the following objectives: i) To look into the nuclear energy plans of East Asian/ASEAN countries, including the construction of nuclear power plants in the region, ii) To examine the regulatory frameworks on nuclear energy in ASEAN and the Asia Pacific and iii) To explore the feasibility of a “wider regional framework/blueprint for nuclear energy cooperation in the Asia Pacific”, building on some of the existing regional frameworks such as the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia, etc.

This project aims to (i) map the most vulnerable populations across the world to better understand their needs and vulnerabilities; and (ii) to understand the capacity of communities to respond in the event of crises. This project will map out marginalised communities as well as regions that are more prone to disasters and violence. Special focus will be given to regions where these various categories overlap as they are defined as complex security environments. This project will also look at specific ways to help these communities to protect themselves in crises and also determine where and what type of humanitarian assistance should be provided to help them. This project also seeks to bring together the public, private and people sectors to debate on best practices when dealing with vulnerable communities.

This project aims to track the emergence of new humanitarian actors (both state and non-state) and to map particular successes, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in preparing for disaster relief and conflict response in the region. The project also focuses on the relationships between civilian and military actors and the emerging points of difference and convergence between the two in responding to HADR in the Asia Pacific. The project also evaluates the quality and impact of both military and civilian organisations’ emergency responses.

This project aims to establish a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) database that will provide the basis upon which to capture lessons learnt and reflections on HADR operations. This will provide an avenue to build institutional memory on HADR and the evidence for periodic briefings on HADR developments. Its success will be dependent on the ability to engage with returning and serving relief workers and military personnel involved in HADR activities.

This project examines the field of humanitarian technology (HUMTECH) as applied to a broadly defined context of crises encompassing both natural disasters and conflict zones. This project seeks to identify the impact technology has on humanitarian responses as well as the emergent challenges of information technology, big data and technological innovations in humanitarian action.