Singapore faces heat stress, floods, droughts and sea level rise, but Mr Menon has learnt these issues cannot be viewed in isolation.
“We have to look at our risks in a regional and sometimes global context. For effective risk management and adaptation, we need to work with partner countries to address these spillover effects that affect all of us.”
These include public health issues such as warmer climates leading to a rise in dengue or malaria, food supply and sea level rise.
He highlighted how rice production is being affected by changes to the Mekong River, Southeast Asia’s longest waterway.
“Yields have been falling. Water tables are receding, and there is salination from sea water intrusion up the Mekong Delta,” he said. “This is not something that Singapore can do on its own, but Singapore can be a valuable partner.”
FINANCING CHALLENGES
Annual global climate finance has crossed US$800 billion but remains far short of the US$2.5 trillion needed yearly until 2030 to meet Paris Agreement goals.
