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The Nature Conservancy takes root in Singapore to advance a nature-positive future

Accelerating and scaling up impact across the Asia Pacific region with innovative, science-based conservation solutions.

July 17, 2023 | Singapore

Waterfall inside Singapore's famous Jewel Changi International Airport.
Vortex waterfall Inside Singapore’s Jewel Changi International Airport. © Calvin C./Unsplash

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The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global environmental nonprofit dedicated to creating a world where people and nature can thrive, announced today its official expansion into Singapore. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), its newly established office in Singapore will serve as a strategic global center for partnerships, innovation and scientific research, focused on addressing the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

In line with this commitment, TNC is actively expanding its team in Singapore, with plans to hire at least 20 new staff members over the next five years. This investment in Singapore-based talent demonstrates TNC’s dedication to building a strong foundation and expertise in Singapore, to deliver tangible, lasting results for both people and nature.

This expansion also aligns with Singapore’s ambitious Singapore Green Plan (SGP) 2030, which seeks to position Singapore as a leading center for green finance and services to facilitate Asia’s transition to a low-carbon and sustainable future and establish Singapore as a carbon services hub in Asia. By expanding into Singapore, TNC is helping to put action behind Singapore’s green ambitions by drawing upon its extensive international network and scientific expertise. TNC will focus on strategic areas that complement and accelerate Singapore’s sustainability agenda, while also advancing its own 2030 goals.

These include:

  • Driving sustainable solutions: TNC will support the growth of a high-integrity market for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) carbon credits, benefiting people, nature and the climate. Through the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solutions Coalition (SCeNe Coalition), TNC and partner organizations are accelerating the adoption of triple-benefit NbS in the region.
  • Bridging climate and conservation funding: TNC will bridge the gap between the need for increased climate and conservation funding in the region and the growing interest from private sector investors. Partnering with NatureVest, its in-house impact investment team, TNC aims to develop impact-investable products and raise investment capital for initiatives that deliver positive conservation outcomes.
  • Transforming business practices: By partnering with trading companies and the finance sector, TNC will help address commodity-driven land conversion such as the clearing of forests, peatlands, mangroves and other natural areas for agriculture, and help companies implement sustainability programs and commitments that deliver better outcomes for people and nature.
  • Collaborating with leading academic and research institutions: With Singapore’s status as a hub for world-class academic and research institutions, TNC will partner with these institutions to deepen the understanding of nature’s role in addressing climate change. This partnership will aid in the acceleration of the deployment of NbS across the region.

“We are excited to build on The Nature Conservancy’s seven decades of experience with our expansion into Singapore, a crucial piece of the ecological puzzle in Asia Pacific,” said Jennifer Morris, Chief Executive Officer of The Nature Conservancy. “We understand the pressing challenges faced by this rapidly growing region, and we look forward to our work with partners in Singapore to further strengthen the deployment of nature-based solutions that deliver triple benefits for climate, nature and people. Together we can leverage the country’s incredible position as a leading hub for green finance, climate action and ecological stewardship, paving the way towards a sustainable future in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.”

​​“With increasing urgency on climate action, Singapore hopes to play a role in accelerating the low carbon transition in Southeast Asia, leveraging our strengths in innovation, financing and professional services. As we grow as a hub for the region in carbon management, we welcome the addition of TNC, bringing with it global conservation experience and research and project development capabilities,” said Damian Chan, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board. “We look forward to TNC’s contributions in driving sustainable solutions and creating new partnerships, both here and in the region.”

The launch of TNC’s office in Singapore is timely, not only for Singapore but also for the Asia Pacific region as a whole. With over 4.3 billion people and diverse landscapes, the region faces increasing pressures from urbanization, consumption and resource demands. TNC's presence in Singapore will play a crucial role in addressing these challenges to safeguard the region's unique ecosystems and mitigate climate change.

To learn more about TNC, please download TNC’s latest global annual report and Asia Pacific Impact Report. To get involved, please visit nature.org/singapore.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 77 countries and territories (41 by direct conservation impact and 36 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.