Grace Fu Hai Yien: The 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders of 2025
What is the single most important action you think the public, or a specific company or government, needs to take in the next year to advance the climate agenda?
One important action governments need to take in the next year is to press on with efforts to address climate change, both on the mitigation and adaptation fronts.
Achieving global climate goals requires governments to not only make commitments, but also to deliver on them through concrete action. Singapore was one of 13 countries to have submitted our 2035 climate pledge by the February 2025 deadline. We encourage all parties of the Paris Agreement to implement their commitments and submit their 2035 climate pledges by COP30.
Climate mitigation and adaptation go hand in hand. To prepare for the effects of climate change, Singapore is currently developing our inaugural National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which is a long-term strategy that outlines actions that we will take with Singaporeans to strengthen our climate resilience. To collectively advance our shared climate goals, I strongly urge more countries to accelerate the development of their NAPs if they have not already done so.
What gives you hope about the future of the planet?
Tackling climate change has become more challenging amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts, economic headwinds and pushbacks against climate action.
Despite these setbacks, new developments and breakthroughs continue to emerge, giving us hope for the future of the planet. The cost of renewable energy like solar, hydro and wind energy has fallen significantly, making it increasingly affordable. Technological innovations in engineering and sustainable materials are also helping us address climate challenges like rising sea levels and heat, while new solutions are strengthening food and water resilience to safeguard lives and livelihoods. It is also heartening that businesses around the world are raising their climate ambitions. Youths worldwide are also passionate and continue to drive climate activism, pushing for policy changes.
While the challenges are significant, I remain optimistic that the momentum and collective will to protect our planet will continue to grow.
If you could stand up and talk to world leaders at the next COP, what would you say?
As we mark the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, I would like to share three key messages with world leaders.
First, we must reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism and focus on the full, timely implementation of the Paris Agreement. This includes delivering on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and honoring past commitments.
Second, international cooperation remains key for meaningful and concrete progress. We need to strengthen partnerships, such as those that facilitate trade and cross-border flows in renewable energy, promote low-carbon solutions that are needed to accelerate our energy transition, and scale up collaborations under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Third, there is a need to strengthen trust and solidarity between developed and developing countries. Deepening this pact is critical to advancing global climate action and ensuring that no one is left behind.