Renowned business magnate and philanthropist, Bill Gates, has articulated his conviction that the issue of climate change necessitates global collaboration and innovation from all corners of the world. In an exclusive interview with CNA, the Microsoft co-founder underscored the need for diverse contributions to combat climate change, recognizing the significant scientific capabilities present in Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Gates notably commended Singapore for its strong universities and designated it as a highly attractive location for the development of new climate technology teams. He highlighted the country’s capacity to take a long-term view and play a significant role in nurturing and incubating these technologies due to its proven success.
Aligned with this vision, Breakthrough Energy, an organization founded by Mr. Gates, has entered into a strategic partnership with Enterprise Singapore and Temasek, with the aim of identifying and fostering emerging climate technology in Southeast Asia. This partnership involves a joint funding commitment over the next three years, signifying a strong dedication to addressing the urgent global issue of climate change.
As part of this initiative, the Breakthrough Energy Fellows programme will establish a hub in Singapore, the first of its kind outside of the United States. The programme seeks to co-fund and support deep-tech climate startups dealing with renewable energy and carbon footprint, ultimately contributing to the region’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Start-ups accepted into the programme will benefit from an initial seed funding of US$500,000, in addition to gaining access to a global network of industry partners, mentors, experts, and investors.
Commenting on the collaboration, Enterprise Singapore chairman Lee Chuan Teck expressed optimism about the wide-ranging impact of the partnership. He emphasized the focus on game-changing technologies to combat global warming, such as new materials that do not emit carbon, innovative energy sources including hydrogen, and effective carbon capture methods.
Ashley Grosh, vice president of Breakthrough Energy Fellows, also lauded the technical talent present at the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, highlighting the opportunity to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among researchers in the region. Additionally, the strategic location of Singapore enables Breakthrough Energy to engage with markets and corporate partners, further enhancing the impact of their efforts.
During the interview, Mr. Gates reiterated the urgency of the climate crisis and underscored the necessity of engaging intelligence from across the globe to address this pressing issue. He emphasized the potential for groundbreaking ideas to emerge from Asia and pointed out the strength and competitiveness of industrial sectors such as cement and steel in the region. Moreover, he highlighted the importance of early-stage research and development, which can often be conducted at a relatively low cost, paving the way for potential breakthroughs.
In conclusion, Mr. Gates expressed confidence in the partnership with Temasek and Enterprise Singapore, emphasizing the significance of scientific ideas and the role of government in driving awareness and collaboration with universities. He outlined the collective skills and expertise necessary to expand the Fellows programme into Asia, affirming the commitment to leveraging innovation in the region to address the global climate crisis.