Climate mitigation and adaptation are often pursued as separate policy domains, yet their convergence is essential to advancing planetary health and social equity. While mitigation seeks to reduce future climate harms, adaptation addresses present vulnerabilities—both are vital to protecting the health and well-being of marginalised populations who bear the brunt of environmental degradation and systemic injustice. This symposium examines the intersections between these climate strategies, with a focus on co-benefits for health equity, just transitions, and resilience-building.
Speakers
Dr Fong Chng Saun (Universiti Malaya, Malaysia) is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, and Programme Director for Planetary Health. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science from Universiti Malaya and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia. His research focuses on urban ecosystem management, particularly the urban heat island effect, sustainable cities, and the health impacts of air pollution and heat stress. A finalist for the Young Scientists Network–Academy of Sciences Malaysia Chrysalis Award, Dr Fong also contributes to climate resilience initiatives and carbon neutrality projects. He serves on the Universiti Malaya Climate Change Advisory Panel and collaborates widely to advance sustainable and climate-resilient urban environments
Mr Priyank Hirani (Data.org), a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience at the intersection of data, technology, and social impact. His work focuses on building inclusive, ethical, and locally responsive data ecosystems that serve marginalised communities. He has led multi-stakeholder initiatives involving governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen capacity and foster innovation in data and AI for social good. With a proven track record in designing and scaling global networks, he promotes democratised data access and responsible data use. His expertise includes data governance, capacity building, and applying data for sustainable development.
Associate Professor Dr Renzo Guinto (National University of Singapore),is Associate Professor of Global and Planetary Health at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI), Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore. A leading scholar-practitioner in climate and planetary health, he serves on the Philippine Climate Change Commission’s National Panel of Technical Experts, WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on the Ethics of Climate and Health, and the Editorial Board of The Lancet Planetary Health. He is also a commissioner on The Lancet Commission on Sustainable Healthcare and chairs the Health Systems Global Thematic Working Group on Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems. Dr Guinto earned his Doctor of Public Health from Harvard University.
Moderator
Dr Bala Murali Sundram (Universiti Malaya, Malaysia) is a Senior Lecturer in Occupational and Environmental Health at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. He holds an MPH and DrPH from UM, with research interests in occupational and environmental health, infectious disease epidemiology, and predictive analytics. Previously with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, he served as District Health Officer in Sabah and Head of Disease Surveillance in Johor, contributing to the national COVID-19 response and earning an Exemplary Service Award. He now leads research collaborations and contributes to climate and environmental health policy, while remaining active in national and international professional bodies.
Through interdisciplinary dialogue and practice-based insights, this session will explore nature-based solutions, policy mechanisms, and community-centred innovations that integrate mitigation and adaptation in support of a healthier, more equitable future.