On 18 February 2025, ATSEA took part in a full-day roundtable on Nature-Positive Engineering (NPE) at the School of Economics, Singapore Management University. This mission was supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The roundtable was organised as a joint initiative by the Singapore Green Finance Center (SGFC), the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI), Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and Conservation International (CI). It brought together 40 participants (19 female and 21 male) from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, and China. The discussions combined expert presentations, best practice case studies, and interactive dialogues to explore innovative approaches to sustainability in engineering and infrastructure.
The discussions focused on coastal protection and adaptation, addressing the increasing risks faced by coastal communities. Ports and shipping were also a major topic, ensuring that future developments in this sector align with biodiversity conservation and pollution reduction efforts. Financing and investment challenges, gaps, and opportunities in funding nature-based solutions for coastal protection, ports, and shipping were also explored.
During the opening session, Ms. Savina Carluccio, Executive Director of ICSI, emphasised the significance of NPE and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) as transformative strategies for addressing environmental challenges while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health. She highlighted that integrating ecological principles into engineering practices fosters resilience and promotes sustainable development. Discussions throughout the event identified existing challenges, gaps, and opportunities for implementing NPE.
Representing ATSEA, Dr Handoko Adi Susanto, Interim Executive Director, delivered a presentation on the transformation of ATSEA from a project-based initiative to a long-term regional collaboration. Additionally, he shared a success story from Rote Ndao, Indonesia, highlighting coastal community resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Dr Susanto also actively contributed to breakout sessions throughout the event.
ATSEA’s Contribution: Lessons from Rote Ndao
Dr Susanto’s presentation showcased ATSEA’s successful initiatives in Rote Ndao, Indonesia, as an example of how NPE can be applied in coastal community resilience efforts. He also introduced ATSEA’s ongoing transition from a project-based initiative to a long-term regional collaboration, including the promotion of the 10-Year Strategic Action Programme (SAP).
In 2021, regional assessments identified Rote Ndao as one of the most vulnerable areas in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) region to oil spills, discarded fishing gear, and the impacts of climate change. A similar vulnerability was observed along the southern coast of Timor-Leste, particularly in Barique, Manatuto Municipality. These findings were further supported by localised assessments.
To enhance community resilience, ATSEA-2 worked closely with women’s groups in four of the most vulnerable villages in Rote Ndao which are Boa, Oeseli, Daiama, and Landu Tii. This collaboration focused on developing alternative livelihoods, such as producing essential oil from virgin coconut oil, seaweed soap, seaweed sticks, dried fish, mangrove coffee, and seaweed syrup. Community members received training in production techniques, enterprise development, and business management, helping to diversify income sources and strengthen economic resilience.
Key Takeaways from the Roundtable
Several important insights emerged from the discussions. Establishing a shared terminology around natural capital and nature finance is essential to unlocking investment and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Enhancing data collection is necessary to assess the long-term impact of NbS, ensuring informed decision-making and effective project design. Strengthening collaboration across sectors and disciplines is crucial for successfully implementing NbS. Integrating climate adaptation strategies with gender equity considerations enhances the resilience and inclusivity of coastal community solutions. Overcoming financing barriers requires more resilient financial frameworks to support nature-positive projects while maintaining economic viability.
A key theme that emerged from the discussions was the importance of hybrid solutions for storm response and coastal protection. The shared commitment to enhancing sustainable engineering practices and integrating nature-based solutions reflects the innovative thinking required to address climate resilience challenges effectively.
By participating in this roundtable, ATSEA reinforced its role in advancing nature-positive approaches and supporting long-term sustainability efforts in the ATS region. The insights gained will help inform future initiatives aimed at fostering resilience in coastal and marine environments.
By Dr Handoko Adi Susanto