Opinion Pieces

May 31, 2021
To objective China observers, China’s pledge that its carbon emissions will peak before 2030 and it will achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 should not come as a surprise.… Read More

May 6, 2021
The pandemic has seriously disrupted global plans to achieve SDG targets because of unexpected and very high economic, social and health costs. All governments had to borrow heavily and divert focus to counter the pandemic’s immediate adverse impacts, leaving limited resources and efforts towards achievement of SDGs.… Read More

April 27, 2021
Governments in Asia need to focus on long-term planning that informs policies, decision-making and allocation of finances to tackle the region’s water crisis.… Read More

April 12, 2021
China has lifted about 800 million people out of absolute poverty and become the second-largest economy in the world. In 1980 China’s per capita GDP was $194.80－10 percent of Brazil ($1,947.28) and 73 percent of India ($266.58). But thanks to years of good economic management and rapid growth, its per capita GDP increased by more than 58 times to $10,216,6 in 2019－nearly 5.45 times of India ($2,099.60) and 1.31 times of Brazil ($8,717.20).… Read More

March 22, 2021
India’s water management has been on an unsustainable path for decades. This has ensured that not enough water of appropriate qualities is available not only for basic human needs like drinking, cooking and proper personal hygiene but also for industrial, commercial, agricultural and environmental purposes. There is not a single Indian urban centre where its inhabitants can safely drink directly water provided by public utilities.… Read More

February 19, 2021
WHEN my wife was offered a professional position at the University of Glasgow, an important consideration for a move from Singapore to Glasgow was the quality of medical services… Read More

December 1, 2020
As urban areas in developing economies globally continue to sprawl, planners must put people at the centre of urban development to solve for challenges such as transportation.… Read More

October 30, 2020
Any objective review of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) will show it has been a game changer for China. The plan has promoted the transition to ecological civilization and green growth through significantly strengthened environmental policies and legislation, which have reinforced earlier efforts to control. environmental pollution, and promoted circular economy.… Read More

September 24, 2020
Ensuring food security and preventing shortages despite importing most of its food has been one of Singapore’s successes in its handling of the pandemic.… Read More

September 17, 2020
A comprehensive strategy to manage floods in Singapore would comprise engineering, green and digital solutions, say Asit K Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada.… Read More