The National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) has announced a climate, environment and health programme to further interdisciplinary research in the region.
Unveiled at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) Singapore Pavilion on Dec 1, the programme will be led by Dr Kimberly Fornace, visiting senior research fellow, and Associate Professor Yann Felix Boucher.
“While there have been strong research programmes conducted in climate modelling and environmental science and conservation, there remains a gap in the research on climate and health in Singapore,” says Fornace. “What the programme aims for is to generate robust research findings, and to engage policymakers, the public and other stakeholders to disseminate and raise awareness of these findings.”
According to the university, the new programme will investigate, monitor and assess the impact of climate on public health and well-being in Southeast Asia.
The programme aims to elevate research on climate, environment and health at SSHSPH, with a focus on leveraging data and technology. It will also facilitate collaboration with partners across Southeast Asia and support early-career scientists and students.
Boucher says Singapore and Southeast Asia remain one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate and environmental change, “with severe health impact projected”. “With the heightened interest and commitments to address climate change nationally and globally, we want to develop a programme that can capitalise on this and at the same time, build and develop collaborative networks with partners across the region to identify opportunities to monitor climate impact on health and develop integrated environmental and health solutions.”
See also: Nations pledge over US$300 mil to loss and damage fund in strong start to COP28
SSHSPH was established in October 2011 as Singapore’s national school of public health. The school is also a member of the National University Health System.
Follow The Edge Singapore’s coverage of COP28 here.
