Personal profile
Research interests
Social Sciences - Global and Planetary Change
Social Sciences - Environmental Sustainability
Social Sciences - Renewable energy
Social Sciences - Developing countries
Biography
I led the Delina Research Group at HKUST. My research interests focus on the intersection of climate, energy, sustainable development, policy, and governance. I particularly emphasise the rapid mitigation of climate change through accelerated sustainable and equitable energy transitions, as well as just climate adaptation and resilience. I am affiliated with the HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies, the HKUST Energy Institute, and the Fok Ying Tung Research Institute.
I have secured nearly US$1 million in research funding from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, the United States Institute of Peace, the Sumitomo Foundation, the International Centre on Nonviolent Conflict, the World Academy of Sciences, the International Studies Association, and the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation of Hong Kong.
I serve as an associate editor for several publications, including Energy Research & Social Science, PLOS Climate, and the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. I have contributed articles to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bangkok Post, Jakarta Post, and The Conversation. Additionally, I have been featured on platforms such as Al Jazeera, Fortune, ABS-CBN News, Open Democracy, and the South China Morning Post. Furthermore, I have provided consultancy services to various organisations, including the United Nations, Oxfam, and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
According to metrics compiled by Stanford University, I was ranked among the top 2% of the most-cited scientists in 2021, 2024 and 2025. I held a Rachel Carson Fellowship in 2017, a Balik Scientist fellowship in 2019 and 2020-2021, and Visiting Fellowships at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2013 and 2016. In 2024, I received the Early Career Award from the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences. I earned his Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
PhD in Environmental Management, PhD, The University of New South Wales
2016
External positions
Senior Research Fellow, Manila Observatory
1 Jun 2024 → 22 Mar 2027
Keywords
- H Social Sciences (General)
- Human geography
- Development studies
- Asian studies
- Peace studies
- Sustainability science
- Energy research & social studies
- Rural studies
- Critical geography
- GE Environmental Sciences
- Southeast Asia
- Philippines
- Thailand
- HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
- Vulnerable populations
- Public health
- Mental well-being
- Social well-being
- JZ International relations
- United Nations system
- Southeast Asia
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Energy insecurity in Hong Kong’s vulnerable populations
MAH, D.N.-Y. (CoI), Tam, K.-P. (CoI) & Delina, L. (PI)
1/01/23 → 30/06/26
Project: Research
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Developing Hong Kong as a Global Green Finance Centre
HUANG, A. (CoPI), LAU, A. K. H. (CoPI), PARK, A. F. (CoPI), ZALDOKAS, A. (CoPI), MUKHERJEE, A. (CoPI), STEUER, B. (CoI), IM, E. S. (CoPI), CHENG, J. C. P. (CoPI), LEE, S. (CoI), WANG, Z. (CoPI), CHEN, Z. (CoPI), LOH, K. W. C. (CoPI), DU, D. (CoI), ZHANG, C. (PI), CHOI, D. (CoPI), BENZ, E. (CoI), HE, G. (CoPI), LI, K. (CoI), CHAN, K. K. C. (CoI), CHAN, K. (CoPI), HUI, K. L. (CoPI), TAM, K. Y. (CoPI), Delina, L. (CoI), FUNG, J. C. H. (CoPI), WANG, M. (CoI), PANAYOTOV, G. K. (CoPI), MOREAU, Q. B. A. (CoPI), SHI, X. (CoI), LAFON-VINAIS, V. J. A. (CoI), LI, W. (CoI), ZHAO, X. (CoI), QI, Y. (CoPI), NOZAWA, Y. (CoPI), LI, Y. (CoPI) & ZHOU, Z. Y. (CoPI)
RGC - Theme-based Research Scheme
1/01/22 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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Intangible assets and resilient rice farming in indigenous and vulnerable regions of Southeast Asia
Delina, L. (PI)
1/09/21 → 29/02/24
Project: Research
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China’s investments in the Philippine grid: Transitioning towards carbon neutrality or strengthening control?
MORI, A. (PI) & Delina, L. (CoI)
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
1/04/21 → 31/01/22
Project: Research
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Climate-fragility Risks in Bangsamoro, Philippines
Delina, L. (PI)
United States Institute of Peace
15/01/21 → 14/08/23
Project: Research
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Brewing in a Changing Climate: Assessing Risks and Resilience Strategies in Southeast Asia's Coffee Communities
FUERZAS, I. V. & DELINA, L. L., 3 May 2026, In: Sustainable Development. p. 1-18 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal Article › peer-review
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From thermal stress to health risk: Energy and housing injustice in Hong Kong's subdivided homes
DELINA, L. L., Cochon, K., CASTRO, J. R. R. & CHAN, C., Feb 2026, In: Energy Research and Social Science. 132, 13 p., 104567.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal Article › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Integrated policy and AI-assisted technologies to address extreme heat and enhance urban resilience
CASTRO, J. R. R. & Delina, L. L., Mar 2026, In: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. 16, p. 168-182 15 p., 113703.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Measuring household energy insecurity in a dense, warm-climate city: Behavioural coping profiles and perceived financial burden in Hong Kong
CHAN, C., Tam, K.-P. & DELINA, L. L., Jul 2026, In: Energy Policy. 214, 11 p., 115269.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal Article › peer-review
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On kilowatts and calories: integrating sustainable energy in food systems
DELINA, L. L. & CHAN, C., 10 Feb 2026, The Elgar Companion to Food System Transformation for Sustainable Development. Pradhan, P. & Pant, L. P. (eds.). Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., p. 101-115 15 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference Proceeding/Report › Book Chapter › peer-review
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Heat, Housing, and Health: Energy justice for energy-vulnerable Hong Kong
Delina, L. (Invited speaker)
11 Dec 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited
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Energising justice: Empowering vulnerable communities in urban and rural transitions
Delina, L. (Invited speaker)
3 Dec 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited
File -
Multiple dimensions of energy transitions
Delina, L. (Invited speaker)
30 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Contributed
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Expert insights on harnessing private finance for climate resilience through innovative partnerships in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia
Delina, L. (Invited speaker)
17 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited
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Adaptation Fund’s Innovation Spotlight: Cityscapes
Delina, L. (Invited speaker)
13 Oct 2025 → 15 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited
Awards
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Association of Environmental Studies & Sciences Early Career Award
DELINA, L. L. (Recipient), Jun 2024
Prize: Honorary Award
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Common Core Teaching Excellence Award 2020
LAU, P. S. (Recipient), DELINA, L. L. (Recipient), LU, Z. (Recipient), SHI, X. (Recipient), STEUER, B. (Recipient) & SAUERWEIN, M. (Recipient), Aug 2021
Prize: Others
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Press/Media
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Achieving peace-positive climate adaptation in the Philippines’ Bangsamoro Region
31/03/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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Climate change is getting real: Hong Kong’s winters getting shorter while summers simmering for longer
27/12/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Bali and Ifugao: Sustaining traditions in indigenous rice farming
10/10/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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US investment talks challenge China to step up in the South Pacific
2/03/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Is breaking things the best way forward for climate activists?
13/10/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
Courses
Datasets
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Energy-related Japanese investments in Southeast Asia, 2000 to 2020
DELINA, L. L. (Creator), CHAN, C. (Owner) & HENARES, T. J. G. (Owner), Harvard Dataverse, 24 Sept 2023
DOI: 10.7910/DVN/6N1EYH
Dataset
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Gridded Land Surface Temperature and Selected Environmental and Socioeconomic Features of Metropolitan Manila, Bangkok Metropolitan Area, and Greater Jakarta
PAGKALINAWAN, H. (Owner), DELINA, L. L. (Creator) & MACAGBA, S. F. A. P. (Owner), Harvard Dataverse, 5 May 2024
DOI: 10.7910/DVN/PIR5GI
Dataset