19/03/2026
Lecture: Decarbonising Urban Futures
Decarbonisation has emerged as a central organising principle of contemporary climate governance. It refers both to the technical reduction of carbon emissions, and the broader socio-economic transformation that aligns production, consumption, and infrastructure with climate mitigation imperatives.
Globally, buildings account for ~37% of global energy-related carbon emissions. In Singapore, the built environment contributes ~20% of national emissions—including both ‘embodied carbon’ from material production and transportation, and operational carbon generated throughout a building's use.
As urbanisation continues, emissions are anticipated to rise substantially, which will intensify the challenge of achieving net-zero emissions within the built environment.
Beginning with Associate Professor Matthew Dearth, he will highlight solutions to decarbonise the building sector and current obstacles that prevent firms from adopting them. Alakesh Dutta presents research investigating the potential for high-rise building typologies to evolve into low-carbon models in the future. Often associated with higher emissions today, the high-rise typology remains indispensable in high-density cities such as Singapore. This lecture will be moderated by Professor Thomas Schroepfer.
🔗 Free registration – link in bio
⏰ Tue, 31 March | 6:30–8:30pm
📍 The Hall, NTU CCA Singapore
Blk 6 Lock Rd, #01-09 Gillman Barracks, S108934
🖼️ PARKROYAL Collection Pickering, Singapore, aerial view. Image by Eurthe. Courtesy of WOHA Architects, Singapore.
The Climate Transformation: Sustainable Societies Series is supported by the MOE AcRF Tier 3 Grant [MOE-MOET32022-0006] for the Climate Transformation Programme.
Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/lecture-decarbonising-urban-futures-tickets-1984352287108?aff=SocialMedia
