Climate change, S'pore's adaptation strategy cannot wait for geopolitics to stabilise

The global climate agenda has entered a more turbulent phase over the past 15 months.

- Winston Chow

Major powers are increasingly preoccupied with security and strategic rivalry, while global cooperation on climate change faces new uncertainties.

The retreat of climate leadership from the United States has further complicated efforts to sustain momentum.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has once again pushed energy security and geopolitical tensions to the forefront of international politics and put climate action in the background.

Against this chaotic backdrop, ignoring the increasing physical climate risks will not lead to bliss.

The inertia and inaction on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions will have sobering consequences in terms of intensifying climate impacts for decades to come, especially as the world is rapidly approaching the warming limit of 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels set out in the Paris Agreement. It may even exceed it over the next few years.

Future climate risks will vary between regions, and for Southeast Asia, the risks are particularly acute. Rising sea levels, heavier rainfall, extreme heat, and disruptions to agriculture threaten one of the world’s most densely populated and economically dynamic regions.

Singapore sits squarely within this risk landscape. As a low-lying island city-state with critical infrastructure along its coasts and deep integration into regional supply chains, its exposure is both physical and systemic.

Recognising that climate impacts are accelerating, Singapore has intensified its focus on climate adaptation. Recently, the Government designated 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation and will develop its first comprehensive national adaptation plan to prepare infrastructure, businesses and communities for future climate risks.

The plan builds upon extensive adaptation aspects across key domains including heat, coastal protection, flooding, water security and food supply.

SINGAPORE'S APPROACH