Asia has a rich tradition of giving, deeply rooted in cultural values of trust, personal relationships, and legacy. This enduring spirit of philanthropy, long embedded in families and communities, is evolving to address broader societal challenges. Amongst these, the climate crisis looms largest, demonstrating the importance of supporting climate solutions in Asia.

Today, Asia sits at a pivotal moment. As the region faces mounting climate threats – from rising sea levels to increasingly destructive storms – the growing philanthropic sector holds tremendous potential to drive impactful, localised climate solutions. Philanthropy plays a critical role in catalysing change by supporting climate solutions in Asia and unlocking other forms of capital, fostering innovation across policy, technology, and systems, and supporting bold, long-term solutions that drive systemic impact.

The stakes are immense, underscoring the importance of supporting climate solutions in Asia. With global temperatures projected to rise by 2.6-3.1°C this century, Asia’s vulnerabilities to climate change are starkly evident. Recent storms in Southeast Asia, such as those in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, have disrupted power grids, supply chains, and livelihoods – clearly laying out the social and economic consequences of inaction. Addressing the climate crisis is no longer optional; it is an urgent necessity.

Encouragingly, movements within Asia’s philanthropic community are gaining momentum, channeling increasing resources to scale climate solutions. Organisations like Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) are driving collaboration across the wealthy to tackle challenges unique to the region, from sustainable urbanisation to biodiversity preservation.

At a roundtable hosted by APC, PAA and ClimateWorks Foundation during Climate Week NYC in September 2024, philanthropic leaders underscored the importance of strategic, targeted investments – or ‘acupuncture points’ – that can trigger outsized impact. By targeting areas with the greatest potential for systemic change, philanthropy can accelerate solutions where they are most needed.

The Power of Ecosystem in Supporting Climate Solutions in Asia: Building and Collaboration

Harnessing these acupuncture points requires building ecosystems for collaboration. Philanthropy is uniquely placed to create synergies across sectors, foster partnerships, and scale localised solutions more effectively.

Kathlyn Tan, Director at Singapore-based Rumah Foundation, embodies this approach. Inspired by her father and her love for the sea, she has led ocean conservation efforts since 2017. Her initiatives range from investing in clean technology to reduce marine debris, to supporting the development of alternative seafood to combat overfishing.

Read the full article about supporting climate solutions in Asia by Laurence Lien, Helen Mountford, and Lim Seok Hui at Alliance Magazine.