LKYCIC and ISEAS Launches Sixth Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey Report
On 1 October 2026, the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC) and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS) co-organised an event titled “Measuring Public Momentum in Regional Climate Transition” to launch the sixth Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey Report.
The Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey, launched in 2020, captures the perceptions and concerns of Southeast Asians around climate change and climate action across time. This year’s survey is the first to ask respondents about artificial intelligence’s environmental footprint, as well as the first that includes respondents from Timor-Leste, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s latest member.
The event commenced with opening remarks from ISEAS’ Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Chee Kern. In his remarks, Mr Ng underscored how climate change is an existential crisis that we must address urgently and in sharing how the survey can help in that endeavour, highlighted that:
“Our survey goes beyond the surface, asking difficult questions about how the climate transition should look like, how it weighs against other pressing regional challenges, and the trade-offs it may bring.”
ISEAS Director and CEO Mr Ng Chee Kern giving his opening remarks.
Ms Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, then delivered her keynote address. Referencing the survey’s finding that economic challenges such as unemployment and recessionary fears remain the respondents’ leading concern, albeit only narrowly ahead of climate change and extreme weather, Ms Fu emphasised that:
“We therefore have to manage climate action carefully – keeping in mind cost concerns, providing support where costs fall most heavily, and remaining clear about the longer-term gains.”
Minister of Sustainability and the Environment Ms Grace Fu giving her keynote address.
The keynote address was followed by an engaging fireside chat with Ms Fu, moderated by Professor Cheong Koon Hean, Chair of LKYCIC. Fielding questions from Professor Cheong and the audience, Ms Fu shared her thoughts on the trade-offs policymakers are grappling with and how climate action needs to be grounded in urban science and research.
LKYCIC Chair Professor Cheong Koon Hean (left) and Minister Grace Fu (right) during the fireside chat.
After the fireside chat, findings and insights from the latest survey were shared through a joint presentation by Dr Sarah Chan (LKYCIC) and Dr Elbinsar Purba (ISEAS).
Dr Sarah Chan (LKYCIC) presenting the survey’s findings.
The event ended with a comprehensive panel discussion moderated by Ms Sharon Seah (ISEAS) with Ms Architrandi Priambodo (Asian Development Bank), Ms Elina Noor (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Ms Esther An (City Developments Limited), and Dr Tan-Soo Jie Sheng (Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy).
Panel discussion on the survey’s findings; (Left to right) Ms Sharon Seah, Dr Tan-Soo Jie Sheng, Ms Elina Noor, Ms Architrandi Priambodo, and Ms Esther An.
Contributing towards LKYCIC’s goal of stimulating thinking and research to address critical issues of cities and urbanisation, the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey is a collaboration with ISEAS as part of LKYCIC’s Urban Environmental Sustainability programme and Cities and Urban Science programme.
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