DigitalCFO Newsroom | 26 August 2022
Industrial and governmental stakeholders address the causes and impacts of climate change.
Community Leaders from Asia and the Commonwealth Countries arrived in Singapore and presented their Innovation Sustainable Solutions to shape our Sustainable Future at Actions for Earth – Global Leaders Summit from 23rd to 25th August at the open green arena building of the National Library Building.
During the 3-day summit, they explored Singapore’s sustainable initiatives by visiting the
NEWater plants and urban farmers, as well as experiencing public transportation and
understanding the local lifestyle, food and culture. The community leaders also shared their
plans on how they aim to cope with environmental challenges in their countries.
Actions for Earth – Global Leaders Summit 2022 is hosted by Hemispheres Foundation, an
environmental-focused non-profit organisation, and supported by Singapore Tourism Board
(STB), Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau and National Environment Agency, and
venue supported by the National Library Board.
The inaugural event was launched by Guest of Honour Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of
State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment & Ministry of Transport, and was
attended by distinguished guests, speakers and judges from Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh,
Vietnam, Ghana and Nigeria.
The Guest of Honour also witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between
Hemispheres Foundation and Centre for Natural Resources and Environment Communication,
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam, International Youth Society Nepal and
Tripla Difesa Onlus Bangladesh Chapter.
In Search for Global Leaders of Change
The world is facing an ongoing issue of sustainable living and climate change caused by rapid
over development within the last few decades. As a result, the climate movement focused on
pressuring industrial and governmental stakeholders to address the causes and impacts of
climate change has led to the rise of young climate fight leaders around the world.
In search of global leaders of change, Global Leaders Challenge by Actions For Earth Global
Leaders Summit is a challenge that invites global community leaders to compete and showcase
their sustainable projects. It aims to identify young and calibre minds with great ideas to not only
tackle some of the biggest challenges in the discourse of climate change, but to also lead the
global communities in the fight against climate change. The summit hopes to provide a platform
for aspiring community leaders to share their innovative solutions and encourage more people
in spreading the awareness surrounding climate change.
The winning prize money worth S$10,000 was awarded to the top 3 winners selected from 30
semi-finalists from 14 countries, who were shortlisted out of 9,000 contestants who initially
signed up for the Global Leaders Challenge 2021.
Ms. Ann Phua, President and Founder, Hemispheres Foundation said, “Some of you
travelled almost 24 hours to get to Singapore. That is the determination you demonstrated to be
part of this global platform to take actions for earth, for us! Your passion to be part of this earthly movement is overwhelming and we are grateful for your determination to be part of the change
for our living condition.”
The finalists were carefully selected based on their solutions that address seven out of the 17
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – Clean Water And Sanitation (6), Affordable
And Clean Energy (7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (11), Responsible Consumption And
Production (12), Climate Action (13), Life Below Water (14), and Life On Land (15).
An International Resolve to Tackle Climate Change
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) had brought together parties to
discuss and review how the climate is managed. As a global phenomenon, no country will be
spared from the impact of climate change, contributing to the growing international resolve in
tackling this issue.
Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment &
Ministry of Transport, said, “It feels refreshing to witness so many community leaders’ projects
that cover a wide range of topics, such as clean energy, forest preservation and waste
minimisation. Nevertheless, they are all created for the same reason of fighting the existential
threat of climate change. At current rates of global warming, climate change will threaten our
access to essential resources, exacerbate diseases and pose physical risks to communities.
Besides the government and corporations, individuals like you and me have an important role to
play in our fight against climate change.”
The initiative is also supported by Clean and Green Singapore (CGS), Xography Studio, Farmer
Nick, International Youth Society Singapore, Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable
Development (CEPASD), Pounce Education Singapore, Trung Tâm Truyên Thông and African
Festival Foundation. To further their endeavours with this annual summit, the Actions For Earth
Global Leaders Summit has also announced its upcoming 2023 editions which will be hosted in
Nepal in March, and also in Vietnam in November 2023.
To learn more about the Actions For Earth – Global Leaders Summit 2022 and Hemispheres
Foundation, visit http://www.hemispheresfund.org/.
