Sign in

Spencer Low

@spencerlow.com
31 followers 62 following 132 posts

Head of Regional Sustainability, Asia Pacific at Google. Chair of the Innovation Task Force of the United Nations ESCAP Sustainable Business Network.

PostsRepliesMedia
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 23/04/2026
According to a recent study from Stanford University, the US is bearing the biggest brunt of the economic losses inflicted by climate breakdown – compared to every other country in the world – and will likely continue to do so.
sciencefocus.com
The US is now paying more than any other country for climate change damage, study suggests | BBC Science Focus Magazine
Despite being the biggest carbon emitter, the US is already paying a disproportionate price for the climate crisis.
000
Reposted by Spencer Low
Electrek @electrek.co · 20/04/2026
IEA: Solar overtakes all energy sources in a major global first
electrek.co
IEA: Solar overtakes all energy sources in a major global first
Global energy demand growth slowed in 2025 – but electricity use is still surging, and solar just hit a major milestone, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). more…
03814
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 05/04/2026
In the words of Winston Chow, #Singapore’s most prominent #climate scientist: “Singapore has always thrived by looking outwards. In an era defined increasingly by climate extremes, extending our adaptation efforts beyond our shores may prove to be one of the most strategic choices we can make.”
straitstimes.com
Science Talk: Climate change, S’pore’s adaptation strategy cannot wait for geopolitics to stabilise
S'pore, the ASEAN chair in 2027, can be the springboard for regional climate resilience. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 17/03/2026
The world’s worst mega-leaks of the potent greenhouse gas #methane in 2025 have been revealed by an analysis of satellite data. Fixing a leak can be simple and equivalent to closing a coal power station, making lack of action maddening, say analysts.
theguardian.com
Revealed: the world’s worst mega-leaks of methane driving global heating
Exclusive: Fixing a leak can be simple and equivalent to closing a coal power station, making lack of action maddening, say analysts
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 11/03/2026
A rather depressing read, and a timely reminder that we increasingly live in siloed #media bubbles. Some of us consume #climate stories constantly, but others clearly never hear anything about it. The latter may well change, but hopefully not in regrettable ways.
grist.org
The planet is overheating. Why is the news looking away?
Since 2021, global media coverage of climate change has dropped 38 percent. Blame wars, political chaos, and Jeffrey Epstein.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 08/03/2026
“During the last decade, the rate at which Earth warmed increased substantially. After removing the influence of known natural variability factors, the increase of the warming rate is statistically significant. At the present rate, we will exceed the 1.5°C limit of the Paris Climate Accord by 2030.”
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Global Warming Has Accelerated Significantly
During the last decade, the rate at which Earth warmed increased substantially After removing the influence of known natural variability factors, the increase of the warming rate is statistically...
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 28/02/2026
Singapore remains committed to #climate action, pursuing cross-border efforts via carbon trading agreements with 10 countries. However, recognizing emissions cuts are insufficient, Singapore will publish its national #adaptation plan in 2027 to protect infrastructure, public health, and coastlines.
straitstimes.com
S’pore stays firm on climate goals, will work on cross-border solutions like carbon credits: DPM Gan
It needs to prepare early for a world that will become increasingly carbon-constrained and climate-impaired, he added. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
010
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 28/02/2026
There can be beauty in hope: these restored stepwells look architecturally fascinating.
theguardian.com
Ancient stepwells brought back to life as India begins to run out of water
Centuries-old wells restored to provide drinking water as parts of the country head towards “day zero” when no water will be available
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 19/02/2026
“If a city is bold enough to create aggressive climate and decarbonization mandates, the private sector will come up with technology and business solutions to respond.”
apple.news
A quiet geothermal boom could reshape how cities heat and cool — Scientific American
A new Brooklyn, N.Y. high-rise sits atop 320 geothermal boreholes. It’s a feat of waterfront engineering—and one blueprint for decarbonizing the North American skyline A drill rig operates at the mudd...
010
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 15/02/2026
The South Australian government was criticised in the past for driving up electricity prices with its rapid adoption of #renewable #energy. At times, the state experienced spikes in electricity prices when the wind wasn’t blowing or the sun shining, and it had to fall back on expensive gas energy.
apple.news
This state’s power prices are plummeting as it nears 100% renewables — New Scientist
South Australia is proving to the world that relying largely on wind and solar energy with battery back-up is incredibly cheap, with electricity prices tumbling by 30 per cent in a year and sometimes ...
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 12/02/2026
Time will tell. I suspect, sadly, that there needs to be an accumulative effect.
phys.org
Hurricane Helene did not shift US climate views or votes, study finds
Hurricane Helene, one of the deadliest hurricanes in US history, did not affect people's views on climate change or their intentions to vote for politicians advocating stricter climate policies. This ...
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 17/01/2026
Spain has called the “fight against #disinformation” a top priority after witnessing a surge in hate speech directed at #climate #scientists. This is primarily on X, fka Twitter. And yet, Elon Musk declared that “climate change is real” in 2017, and unabated CO2 emissions a “dangerous experiment”.
euronews.com
How online abuse became the norm for Europe’s climate scientists
Spain could begin cracking down on online abuse targeted at climate scientists after finding an “alarming” increase in hate speech.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 14/01/2026
The impacts of #climate change are occurring sooner than expected, but governments and businesses continue to underestimate the #risks, which could add up to trillions of dollars in #economic losses by 2050.
newscientist.com
Sooner-than-expected climate impacts could cost the world trillions
A report warns that we may have seriously underestimated the rate of warming, which could damage economic growth
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 14/01/2026
“Businesses can anticipate shocks and disruptions, build scenarios to consider all outcomes from a situation, and prepare accordingly, and even invest in multiple redundant options for what might happen."
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 14/01/2026
“Some of the most #resilient countries are smaller ones. Dinosaurs grew too large and vanished; smaller organisms evolved and thrived. #Adaptation is the pathway to resilience, which can be measured by indicators such as #energy self-sufficiency, quality of governance, and social progress."
thepeakmagazine.com.sg
Why AlphaGeo CEO Dr Parag Khanna believes geography holds the key to the future
The founder of the AI-powered geospatial intelligence platform and renowned geopolitical strategist reveals why navigating geopolitical, climate, and infrastructure shifts is a blueprint for a more re...
120
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 12/01/2026
Scientists warn that our understanding and perception of climate-fuelled risks are “limited and flawed” and could delay necessary climate action. Even when people recognise the real risks posed by climate change, many seem to perceive these risks as primarily affecting others.
euronews.com
‘Psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing progress - study
Scientists warn that our understanding and perception of climate-fuelled risks are “limited and flawed”.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 05/12/2025
A sad state of affairs for Southeast #Asia at the end of 2025. #Adaptation and #resilience must attract more attention going forward, even while accelerating mitigation efforts.
scmp.com
Editorial | Asia’s floods a deadly reminder of need to combat growing climate threat
Devastating flooding and landslides have focused attention on disaster preparedness efforts as rising temperatures threaten the region.
010
Reposted by Spencer Low
Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford @ecioxford.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Carbon capture was meant to help fix past emissions — not replace real cuts to fossil fuels. ECI Director Michael Obersteiner talks to Bloomberg UK about how negative emissions reshaped climate policy — and why we should be cautious ahead of #COP30. Read more: www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/scienti...
eci.ox.ac.uk
The scientists who popularized carbon capture have a warning about it
042
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 16/11/2025
1️⃣ Clean up and grow the power sector 2️⃣ Electrify almost everything 3️⃣ Clean up the residual Asia leads in Task #2, electrification. 8 of the top 10 countries showing the highest share of electricity in their energy mix are: Taiwan, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 16/11/2025
The Norwegian research and intelligence company Rystad Energy recently released their new flagship report, Global Energy Scenarios 2025, on the next era of the global energy system. Rystad has constructed a Decarbonization Index based on three tasks:
rystadenergy.com
Global Energy Scenarios Report 2025: The next energy era
New insights: Rystad Energy's flagship report Global Energy Scenarios 2025. Discover the latest insights on the future of the global energy system.
100
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 12/11/2025
The words “colonial leverage” in the subtitle detract from what is otherwise an excellent analysis, and perhaps reflect Western fears of tables being turned. “ #Decarbonisation, by this logic, is statecraft, not #climate stewardship.” I think it’s both, which makes it even more strategic.
unherd.com
China’s new green order
010
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 11/11/2025
Interesting that Japanese investors consider the tech startup ecosystem in their own country to still be immature. Still, the facts are clear: there are over twice as many VC-backed startups in Europe than in Japan, per capita, and 4.3 times more unicorns. It’s likely even more skewed for greentech.
cnbc.com
Japanese investors turn to Europe as deep tech boom lures capital abroad
Japanese investors participated in European financing rounds worth more than 33 billion euros ($38 billions) since 2019.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 07/11/2025
🐦‍⬛ Even small interventions, like installing window deterrents or avoiding upward-facing lights at night, could benefit all focal bird species (23% of the total species of local interest).
010
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 07/11/2025
💧 39% of the focal species in the region could benefit from water-related interventions, such as removal of physical pollution from waterways or water treatment initiatives. 🪹 31% of focal species could be helped by improvements to their nesting habitats.
110
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 07/11/2025
Google released today a white paper on "Assessing Biological Ecosystems in Consumer Electronics Supply Chains: Northern Việt Nam Case Study", which details a novel approach to measuring and managing our ecosystem impacts within our consumer electronics supply chain. Key learnings are:
sustainability.google
Assessing Biological Ecosystems in Consumer Electronics Supply Chains: Northern Việt Nam Case Study
Case study describing geospatial measurements and local insights to describe the state of ecosystem services in Northern Việt Nam consumer electronics supply chain sites.
100
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 07/11/2025
1. Visualizing our planet and connecting the dots 2. Understanding the past, present and future of our planet 3. Putting technology in the hands of local experts
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 07/11/2025
With COP30 about to get underway, Google has just announced yesterday the three ways we’re accelerating global action for our planet, leveraging environmental data and AI technologies to help nature and people flourish together.
blog.google
How we’re using AI to help nature and people flourish together
Human wellbeing is deeply tied to the health of our planet. Here’s how we’re using AI to help nature and people flourish together.
100
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 17/10/2025
There is an increasing number of AI applications for grid management, and smart grids in ASEAN can help avoid losses from disruptions as well as create new economic opportunities and jobs. Congratulations to @ember-energy.org on this latest study.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 02/09/2025
“We have already entered the beginning of the age of non-tourism.” Let’s hope not, but lots of changes are definitely underway.
theguardian.com
Heatwaves, wildfires and the hot summers that could change how we holiday
With rising temperatures causing chaos worldwide, what does it mean to be a tourist in a world on fire?
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 30/08/2025
A study by @pik-potsdam.bsky.social and @bokuvienna.bsky.social finds that 60% of global land areas are now already outside the safe zone, and 38% are even in the high-risk zone. This points to the link between biomass and natural carbon sinks, which can contribute to mitigating climate change.
001
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 30/08/2025
The collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), a critical ocean current, can no longer be considered a low-likelihood event. This is according to a study published on August 29 via @ioppublishing.bsky.social. The tipping point may be reached in the next decade or two.
doi.org
Shutdown of northern Atlantic overturning after 2100 following deep mixing collapse in CMIP6 projections - IOPscience
Shutdown of northern Atlantic overturning after 2100 following deep mixing collapse in CMIP6 projections, Drijfhout, Sybren, Angevaare, Joran R, Mecking, Jennifer, van Westen, René M, Rahmstorf, Stefa...
020
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 29/08/2025
An exciting announcement from the Korea Energy Super Week in Busan that just ended. It was great to get to hang out with KAIST's Associate Professor Haewon McJeon. @hmcjeon.bsky.social
010
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 15/08/2025
As the saying goes, if #climate change is a shark, then #water is its teeth. 🦈 Water is increasingly seen as a critical theme for adaptation efforts, especially in #Asia Pacific. Let's make sure technology and entrepreneurial energy are harnessed to provide innovative solutions at scale.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 13/08/2025
When livelihoods depend on extractive, unsustainable industries, there are tough tradeoffs: @theguardian.com Iraq’s marshes were considered an Eden with wetlands teeming with fish and wildlife. In a land threatened by drought and desertification, oil drilling is draining the last of the water.
theguardian.com
Iraq’s marshes were considered an Eden. Now the oil industry is sucking them dry
Hawizeh’s wetlands once had abundant fishing and wildlife. In a land threatened by drought and desertification, oil drilling is draining the last of the water
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 10/08/2025
As the effects of climate change are felt across the Pacific, #Fiji has become an authority on the logistically and culturally fraught process of community relocation.
washingtonpost.com
Faced with rising seas and falling aid, Fijian villages move uphill
As the effects of climate change are felt across the Pacific, Fiji has become an authority on the logistically and culturally fraught process of community relocation.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 30/07/2025
Singapore could be the “most perfect example” of a country that needs nuclear energy given its territorial limitations, energy requirements, technological base and institutional maturity, said the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi.
channelnewsasia.com
Singapore could be ‘most perfect example’ of a country that needs nuclear energy: IAEA chief
“Singapore, with its technological base, with its institutional maturity, is ideally, I would say, prepared to host nuclear power relatively soon,” says the director general of the International Atomi...
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 29/07/2025
www.bbc.com/news/article... Santa feels the heat as Lapland buckles in Finland's record-breaking heatwave.
bbc.com
Santa feels the heat as Lapland buckles in Finland's record-breaking heatwave
After an unusually cold early summer, Finland has seen two weeks of temperatures topping 30C.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 26/07/2025
“Change is expensive, risky, and often unnecessary – until it’s too late.” Climate chaos is threatening #Pakistan’s food security. Can this nuclear-armed nation adapt in time? The hydrology of the Indus River basin, which extends into northwest #India, is exhibiting signs of growing instability.
scmp.com
Climate chaos is threatening Pakistan’s food security. Can it adapt in time?
Scientists warn that the country’s ‘new normal’ of extreme heat, floods and erratic rainfall is pushing farms and supply chains to the brink.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 19/07/2025
4️⃣ Own your narrative: frame communications from the outside in, starting with the meaningful outcomes you can deliver 5️⃣ Seek opportunity: companies and financial institutions in #Asia are innovating and investing in response to market needs, with carbon markets and water coming to the fore.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 19/07/2025
2️⃣ Adapt for each geography: success depends on recognizing that the energy transition is place-based and emphasizing just transition 3️⃣ Creating value requires getting into the details: identifying how sustainability programs create enterprise value is essential
100
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 19/07/2025
ERM summarized their 5 key takeaways from London Climate Action Week, with the benefit of over 50 of their leaders and experts on the ground: 1️⃣ Navigate volatility: companies need to reframe and retool their approaches to sustainability during this time of change www.erm.com/insights/vol...
erm.com
Volatility to value creation: Five key takeaways from London Climate Action Week 2025
Our team captured several key takeaways from our LCAW discussions with business leaders, investors, policymakers, and representatives of civil society organizations.
100
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 18/07/2025
Adaptation measures will become increasingly critical in a world where "dry gets drier, and wet gets wetter" (DDWW).
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 18/07/2025
As they say: if #climate change is the shark, then #water is its teeth. This is especially true in Southeast #Asia which is starting to see increasing water stress due to both human factors (e.g. loss, waste, and inefficiency) as well as the changing climate. www.sif.org.sg/form/SEAPAW-...
100
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 13/07/2025
Here's a new piece of research that highlights the benefits of hourly-matched 24/7 carbon-free energy, vs. the currently more common practice of annual matching, with #India as the reference market. Hourly matching enables a more efficient, cost-effective use of renewable energy and storage assets.
010
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 12/07/2025
David Suzuki: “We have failed to shift the narrative and we are still caught up in the same legal, economic and political systems. For me, what we’ve got to do now is hunker down. The units of survival are going to be local communities, so I’m urging local communities to get together.”
ipolitics.ca
‘It’s too late’: David Suzuki says the fight against climate change is lost - iPolitics
"We have failed to shift the narrative and we are still caught up in the same legal, economic and political systems," said David Suzuki in an exclusive interview with iPolitics. "For me, what we've go...
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 09/07/2025
Granular Certificates (GCs) are a system of timestamped energy certificates that track the production and consumption of clean energy on a granular, e.g. hourly or sub-hourly, basis. As a GC Trading Alliance member, Google is proud to support this initiative to make GCs more widely available.
leveltenenergy.com
Powering Progress: Announcing Awardees of the Registry Acceleration Fund
Today, LevelTen Energy announces the first awardees of the Registry Acceleration Fund: four pioneering organizations whose registries collectively issue or track more than 2,000 TWh of certificates ac...
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 08/07/2025
At Google, we’re working to scale new approaches to remove billions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. Today, alongside other Frontier buyers, we announced a deal with Arbor Energy to commercialize their technology, which uses waste biomass to deliver both carbon removal and clean energy at scale.
frontierclimate.com
Arbor moves closer to first commercial facility, fueled by Frontier deal
Frontier has facilitated offtakes with Arbor, a Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) company, to launch its first commercial facility.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 05/07/2025
This article points out that #Asia Pacific has the opportunity to lead in scaling up CO2 removal (CDR) solutions, and that momentum in the region is building through bold corporate commitments, enabling policies, and partnerships. APAC is well-positioned for nature- and bio-based pathways for CDR.
businesstimes.com.sg
From policy to pilots: Apac’s growing influence in carbon removal
CARBON dioxide removal (CDR) – a diverse set of pathways that pull carbon from the atmosphere – is gaining traction as a critical climate tool alongside reduction of emissions. But beyond environmenta...
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 28/06/2025
We know there is much more work to be done, but we are optimistic about the positive impact enabled by AI—from transforming how people engage with information, to enhancing business and economic growth, to enabling scientific breakthroughs and driving sustainable innovation for society.
000
Spencer Low @spencerlow.com · 28/06/2025
Google‘s impact extends far beyond our own operations. Just five of our AI-powered products—like fuel-efficient routing in Google Maps and our Solar API—enabled others to reduce ~26M tons of CO2e in 2024. That’s more than the emissions from powering around 12M Japanese homes for a whole year.
100