Received Sylff fellowship in 2024
Academic supervisor : Professor Michael Oppenheimer and Professor Eric Tate
Current affiliation : PhD in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy, Princeton University
Natalie Sum Yue Chung is a Ph.D. researcher 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 over 2 million population. Natalie is recognized by The Japan Times, Tatler and Eco-Business as one of the most impactful sustainability leaders in Asia Pacific.
In recognition of her climate research and advocacy efforts, Natalie has been appointed by the Hong Kong government as the Deputy Convener in Youth and Capacity Building at the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development, member at 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 the ocean-climate crisis through launching a follow-up multimedia exhibition entitled "Climate Witness: Changing Polar Landscapes" at the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change.
Natalie holds an MPhil in Environmental Change and Management (Distinction) from Oxford University and a BSSc in Geography and Resource Management (First Class Honors) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the clarinet, Chinese painting, and hiking.
Academic Achievements, Social Engagement Initiatives
Natalie Sum Yue Chung gained multinational exposure through working with the World Bank, World Economic Forum Global Shapers, UN SDSN, Kadoorie Conservation China on missions spanning across Australia, China, the UK and the US. With substantial experience in climate education and sustainability assessment, Natalie was appointed by the Hong Kong SAR Government as the Deputy Convener of the Youth and Capacity Sub-Committee of the Council for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development.
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, on which she delivered a TEDx talk to an audience of over a thousand. 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.
With a passion for climate storytelling, Natalie served as the researcher and host of the Radio Television Hong Kong TV documentary series "Climate Insight", where Natalie captured the journey of climate adaptation in Fiji, insights from COP28 in the UAE and COP29 in Azerbaijan through fieldwork, community engagement and expert dialogues.
Natalie has published two books on the themes of sustainable tourism and hiking culture in Hong Kong, and various peer-reviewed journal articles on the themes of carbon neutrality, energy decarbonization and waste management. Her MPhil research on identifying sensitive intervention points to accelerate carbon neutrality in Beijing and Hong Kong has been featured on established outlets, including University of Oxford and The Conversation.
Website: https://cpree.princeton.edu/people/natalie-chung
Personal site: https://chungsumyue.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chungsumyue/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chungsumyue
Twitter: https://x.com/chungsumyue
