University of Oxford, 2021, Environmental Change and Management, MPhil
Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2019, Geography, B.S.Sc.
Natalie is a first-year Ph.D. candidate in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, jointly supervised by Michael Oppenheimer and Eric Tate. Inspired by a polar explorer at the age of 11, Natalie has dedicated her life to climate action. She is the co-founder of V'air Sustainability Education, a social enterprise that provides nature-based climate change education for schools and corporations, reaching >2 million population. Natalie is recognized by Eco-Business and The Japan Times as one of the most impactful sustainability leaders in Asia Pacific.
Natalie's professional experience with the World Bank on a Pacific Island environmental project led her to realize the life-and-death consequences of extreme weather for vulnerable communities, sparking her research interest in climate resilience (Link: TEDx Talk on Building Cities’ Climate Resilience). During her time at Princeton, Natalie aims to develop an evaluation model that integrates scientific and human elements to support nature-based adaptation. Her ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between academia and policy by advocating for increased investments in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and promoting community engagement to achieve transformative adaptation.
In recognition of her climate research and advocacy efforts, Natalie has been appointed by the Hong Kong government as a member of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development, the Green Tech Fund Assessment Committee, and the Country and Marine Parks Board to advise on policy decisions. As a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, Natalie initiated the Lead for Sustainability Mentorship program. She also served as the sole Hong Kong representative at the Dr Sylvia Earle Antarctic Climate Expedition, advocating for tackling the ocean-climate crisis.
Natalie holds an MPhil in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University and a BSSc in Geography and Resource Management from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the clarinet, Chinese painting, and hiking.
Chung, S. Y., Ives, M. C., Allen, M. R., Doorga, J. R., & Xu, Y. (2024). Accelerating carbon neutrality in China: Sensitive intervention points for the energy and transport sectors in Beijing and Hong Kong. Journal of Cleaner Production, 450, 141681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141681
Chung, S. Y., & Xu, Y. (2020). Reliability and resilience in a regulated electricity market: Hong Kong under Typhoon Mangkhut. Utilities Policy, 67, 101134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2020.101134
Doorga, J. R., Rughooputh, S. D., Chung, S. Y., & McGivern, A. (2022). A geospatial approach for addressing long-term solid waste management issues: Extracting value from waste. Journal of Cleaner Production, 334, 130282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130282