Leong Yuen Yoong

Leong Yuen Yoong

梁圆融

Guiding Sustainability with Systems Thinking and Interbeing

Leong Yuen Yoong is an evidence-based policy leader, serving as Director of Sustainability Studies at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Asia Headquarters, and Professor of Practice at Sunway University. Her work focuses on leveraging philosophical principles, systems thinking and advanced modelling to elevate the quality of discourse in decarbonisation and re-carbonisation.

She co-leads landmark initiatives, including the ASEAN Green Future and Science Panel for Borneo, where she translates complex technical analysis into foundational frameworks that inform regional and national policy and strategy.

This strategic perspective extends to the private sector, where Yuen Yoong provides fiduciary oversight for public-listed companies and serves on various advisory panels. She holds a Ph.D. in International Manufacturing Strategy and Network Systems from the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, and a MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College London.

Comments by Leong Yuen Yoong, on Impacts of Farmers’ Adaptation to Extreme Weather Events on Rice Productivity
Asian Economic Papers 2025; 24 (2): 174–176 | 2025
Leong Yuen Yoong

The Economic and Regulatory Landscape of Nuclear Power: Implications for Malaysia
Journal of the Malaysian Parliament, 5 | 2025
Leong, Y. Y. & Lee, C. C.

Optimising Malaysia’s power mix for a sustainable future: a multi-scenario modelling approach
Fulbright Review of Economics and Policy, Vol. 4 No. 2, pp. 180-203 | 2024
Woo, W.T., Leong, Y.Y., Low, W.S., Liew, J.S. and Lee, C.C.

Accelerate Malaysia's Energy Transition by Leapfrogging Over Natural Gas
Kuala Lumpur: UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network | 2024
Woo, W. T., Leong, Y. Y., Lee, C. C., Low, W. S. & Liew, J.

Simulating Malaysia's Electrifying Future
Kuala Lumpur: UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network | 2023
Woo, W. T., Leong, Y. Y., Low, W. S., Liew, J., Lee, C. C., Fan, A., Seelen, V., Lim, J.

The Options in Decarbonization Pathways for Malaysia
Asian Economic Papers, 22(3), 64-80 | 2023
Fan, C. H., Leong, Y. Y. & Woo, W. T.

Net Zero Pathways for Malaysia Interim Report
United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network | 2022
Leong, Y. Y., Platts, M. J., Lee, C. C., Muniandy, V., Fan, A., Low, W. S., Liew, J.

Can An Ecosystem Be Transplanted?
The Compass, March 2022(8), 12-14
Leong, Y. Y. & Platts, M. J.

Options for Decarbonizing Malaysia
United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network | 2021
Leong, Y. Y., Platts, M. J., Amran, S., Fun, W. P., Teh, A. K., Fan, A., Low, W. S., Agamutu, P., Chen, J. E., Gopalasamy, R. C.

The Agenda for Decarbonizing ASEAN
United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network | 2021
ASEAN Green Future Teams

An ASEAN Regional Green Development Strategy Must Guide ASEAN's Covid-19 Recovery Plan
The Compass, no. 7 (March 2021): 18-19
Leong, Yuen Yoong

Soil Fertility Is a Productive Capital Asset
Agricultural Sciences, 11, 744-776 | 2020
Platts, M.J. and Leong, Y.Y.

Achieving High Soil Fertility, Efficient Fruit Harvesting and Low Carbon Footprint Palm Oil Production in Malaysia
Agricultural Sciences, 10, 1396-1403 | 2019
Platts, M.J. and Leong, Y.Y.

Combining Resource-Based and Evolutionary Theory to Explain the Genesis of Bio-networks
Industry and Innovation, 15:6, 669-686 | 2008
Elizabeth Garnsey and Yuen Yoong Leong

Combining Resource Based and Evolutionary Theory: A Synthesis Applied to Bio-Enterprise Networks
Centre for Technology Management Working Paper, No. 2007/03 | 2007
Elizabeth Garnsey, Yuen Yoong Leong

Biopharmaceutical Development Networks: Architecture, Dynamics Processes and Evolution
University of Cambridge: PhD Dissertation | 2005
Yuen Yoong Leong

Work‑in‑Progress

The Metabolic Leap: Decarbonising Vietnam’s Power Sector under the 10% Growth Mandate
In ASEAN Green Future, 700. To be published by World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd. in 2026
Woo, Wing Thye, Yuen Yoong Leong, Chun Meng Goh and Wai Sern Low

Navigating the Transition: A Deep Decarbonisation Analysis of the Malaysian Power Sector
In ASEAN Green Future, 700. To be published by World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd. in 2026
Woo, Wing Thye, Yuen Yoong Leong, Wai Sern Low, Chun Meng Goh, Chean Chung Lee and Anna Flessa

Borneo Sustainable Agriculture Assessment
In Science Panel of Borneo. To be published by World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd. in 2026
Barbara, Betrixia, Chua Hun Pin, Dawend Jiwan, Faizah Metali, Fengky Florante Adji, Gusti Anshari, Inggit Lolita Sari, Kustiyo, Leong Yuen Yoong, Low Wai Sern, Lulie Melling, Niina Yulianti, Nur Azima Busman, Muhammad Rokhis Khomarudin, Sabri Mohd. Ali, Syed Zahiruddin Bin Syed Musa, Tan Lee Tung, Yohanes Budi Sulistioadi and Yudi Setiawan

Retrofitting the Foundation: Evaluating the 2026 Carbon Tax and the Removal of Natural Gas Subsidy in Malaysia’s Power Sector
Submitted to the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science in January 2026
Woo, W. T., Leong, Y. Y., Low, W. S., Lee, C. C. & Flessa, A.

“Bamboo Diplomacy” and the Grid: Assessing the Geopolitical Architecture of Vietnam’s 2025 Revised PDP8
Submitted to the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science in January 2026
Woo, W. T., Leong, Y. Y., Goh, C. M. & Low, W. S.

From Ancient Floods to Future Grids: A Da Yu‑Inspired Tree of Life Model for Renewable Energy Development, Integration and Governance
Submitted to the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems in March 2026
Feng, L. & Leong, Y. Y.

The ASEAN Power Grid Tree of Life: A Living Blueprint of Creation and a Holistic Path for Regional Energy Integration
Submitted to the Global Energy Interconnection Journal in August 2025
Leong, Y. Y. & Feng, L.

ASEAN Power Grid Connects the Seas of Clean Energy
The Malaysian Reserve | 23 October 2025
Leong, Yuen Yoong and Wing Thye Woo

Free Nuclear Power Option Should be Viewed with Strategic Vision
The Edge Malaysia | 11 August 2025
Leong, Y. Y. & Feng, L.

Women Leading the Green Charge
360 Info | 23 September 2024
Leong, Y. Y.

Why Innovative Water Management Solutions Are Needed Globally
Apolitical | 26 March 2024
Leong, Y. Y. & Woo, W. T.

Making Better Use of Stormwater
The Star | 12 March 2024
Leong, Y. Y. & Woo, W. T.

Leapfrogging to Green Industry in Middle‑Income Countries
SDG Action | 7 November 2023
Leong, Y. Y.

For Sustainable Development, See the Life in Soil
The Edge Malaysia | 24 August 2023
Leong, Y. Y. & Platts, M. J.

Why Railways are Southeast Asia’s Answer to Decarbonisation and Growth
South China Morning Post | 11 November 2023
Leong, Y. Y. & Woo, W. T.

Coal‑fired Contradictions: Why Climate Action Needs a Circuit Breaker
360 Info | 18 September 2023
Leong, Y. Y.

Healthy Soil Can Help Grow More Food and Cut Emissions – but Government Inaction Means Too Much Soil Is Being Degraded
The Conversation | 14 September 2023
Leong, Y. Y. & Platts, M. J.

Decarbonising Technical Systems and Recarbonising Ecosystems in Southeast Asia
The Edge Malaysia | 5 September 2022
Platts, M. J. & Leong, Y. Y.

Sarawak’s Green Hydrogen Plans Will Take Some Doing
The Edge Malaysia | 23 July 2022
Liew, J. & Leong, Y. Y.

Re‑carbonising South‑East Asia’s Blue Carbon Ecosystems
The Star | 22 February 2022
Leong, Y. Y. & Platts, M. J.

Crossing the Great Decarbonisation River
The Star | 24 December 2021
Leong, Y. Y. & Platts, M. J.

Viewing the 12th Malaysia Plan Through the Lens of Decarbonisation
The Edge Malaysia | 29 November 2021
Leong, Y. Y., Platts, M. J. & Woo, W. T.

Peaceful Co‑existence: The Oil Palm Supports Both Economic and Environmental Outcomes
Global Oils & Fats Business Magazine, 4(2), 6‑12 | 2007
Khairudin Hashim and Yuen Yoong Leong

2026

2025

2024

2023

  • Bank Indonesia Kalimantan Public Lectures @ Universitas Mulawarman (8 February 2023)
    Speech: Starting Green Transition in Kalimantan
  • Global Climate Hub: Systematic Review on Integrated Assessment Models for Decarbonization Pathways in Athens (4 April 2023)
    Speech: Net Zero Pathways for Southeast Asia
  • China‑ASEAN Development Knowledge Symposium (6 July 2023)
    Speech: Malaysia’s Power Transition
  • Borneo Environment Conference 2023 (16–17 August 2023)
    Speech: Ocean is a Productive Capital Asset
  • Bank Indonesia International Seminar: Advancing Green Initiatives Sustainable Kalimantan Through Action and Collaboration in Banjarmasin (7 September 2023)
    Speech: Measuring the Value of a Standing Forest
  • Global Conference on Sustainable Development in Hong Kong (5 October 2023)
    Speech: Strengthening Regional Partnership in Advancing the SDG Agenda
  • Guarding Nature‑based System in Capital City Development – 1st International Seminar and Workshop on Public Service (28 Dec 2023)
    Speech: Linking Flood Prevention to Ecosystem Protection & Healing

2022

  • China‑ASEAN Development Knowledge Symposium (10 May 2022)
    Speech: Malaysia’s Power Transition
  • Asian Economic Panel Meeting in Helsinki (25 July 2022)
    Speech: Some Observations on Mitigating Climate Change from Malaysia’s Experience
    Discussant: Decarbonisation Pathways in Lao PDR – Challenges and Solutions
  • Asian Economic Panel Meeting in Seoul (26 October 2022)
    Discussant: A ‘No Regrets’ Net Zero Strategy for the Philippines – Doubling‑down on Adaptation and Climate Resilient Sustainable Development

2026

  • Wilton Park – International Carbon Leakage Solutions Forum (4–6 February 2026)
  • Westminster Foundation for Democracy – Roundtable Discussion on Environmental Democracy, Justice, and Accountability (17 March 2026)

2025

  • Asia Pacific Energy Week – Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation, Advancing Southeast Asia’s Green and Low‑Carbon Transition through Regional Energy Interconnection (4 September 2025)
  • Impact Week 2025: From Carbon to Coherence – ASEAN’s Leap into Regenerative Climate Economies (17 September 2025)
  • 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum 2025 – Accelerating ASEAN’s Energy‑Climate Nexus: Linking SDG 7 and SDG 13 for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition (17 October 2025)
    Video 1 | Video 2
  • COP30 – Science Panel for Borneo: Safeguarding Borneo’s Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future @ Malaysia Pavilion (11 November 2025)
  • COP30 – Fostering Cooperation in Industrial Decarbonisation and Sustainable Supply Chains through Net Zero Industrial Precincts (NZIPs) @ Regional Climate Pavilion (11 November 2025)
  • COP30 – Partnership for our Goals: The Sarawak Journey @ Malaysia Pavilion (13 November 2025)
  • COP30 – Safeguarding Borneo’s Future: Findings and Pathways from the Science Panel @ Indonesia Pavilion (14 November 2025)
  • COP30 – Building Climate Capacity: Strengthening Higher Education for Sustainable Development @ Thailand Pavilion (14 November 2025)
  • COP30 – Regional Approach to Designing Development Strategies for Rainforest Countries, Borneo as the First Phase for ASEAN‑wide Investigations @ ASEAN Pavilion (15 November 2025)
  • COP30 – Beyond Emissions: Systemic Design and Trust for a Net‑Zero ASEAN Power Grid @ ASEAN Pavilion (18 November 2025)
  • COP30 – Powering a Fair and Inclusive Future through Sustainable Cooling in ASEAN @ ASEAN Pavilion (19 November 2025)
  • Indonesia’s Carbon Pricing: Redefining Pathways through Global Insights @ ADBI (3 December 2025)
  • Regional Cooperation for a Green Future: Asia‑Pacific Action and Indonesia in Focus – Promoting Regional Grid Connectivity to Accelerate Low‑Carbon Transition @ ADBI (4 December 2025)

2024

2023

  • UN Climate Change Asia‑Pacific Climate Week: Pathways for a Low Carbon Energy Future in Southeast Asia – ASEAN Green Future (14 October 2023)
  • COP28 – Systemic Pathways to Sustainability, Climate Neutrality, and Resilience @ UN Climate Change Global Innovation Hub (1 December 2023)
  • COP28 – Systemic Pathways to Sustainability, Climate Neutrality, and Resilience @ Greece Pavilion (2 December 2023)
  • The Eighteenth Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements in Dubai: Nature‑based Solutions for Urban Resilience and Sustainability (3 December 2023)
  • COP28 – Investing in Southeast Asia’s Green Economy – Have we done enough? @ Monash University Pavilion (4 December 2023)

2025

2024

2023

  • Keynote Speaker & Participant | ASEZ Blue Carbon Movement (18 June 2023)
    Kuyoh River Cleaning Initiative. Speech: Deeper Action at the Root Cause Level

DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad

June 2021 – present

  • Independent Non‑Executive Director
  • Chairman, Nomination and Remuneration Committee
  • Member, Audit Committee

Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM)

September 2019 – February 2021

  • Independent Non‑Executive Director
  • Member, Risk Management Committee
  • Member, Finance & Investment Committee

ASEAN Expert Advisory Panel

Clean Industrial Manufacturing for Promoting ASEAN Competitiveness and Transformation (C‑IMPACT) programme, funded by the UK Government
November 2025 – present

Peer Reviewer

Provide critical scientific review for high‑impact journals and institutions, including Nature Sustainability, Cambridge Prisms: Water, and the Schmidt Sciences Decarbonization and Energy Climate Institute.

Scientific & Editorial Committee Member

5th ASEAN International Conference on Energy and Environment (2025)

External Advisory Committee Member

PhD in Sustainable Development, Sunway University
2024 – present

Selection Committee Member

Sir Jeffrey Cheah Scholarship‑in‑Residence in Cambridge and Oxford Universities (2024)

2022: International Climate Partnership

Leveraged UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) to elevate the ASEAN Green Future project. By facilitating knowledge transfer between top-tier UK climate experts and Southeast Asian researchers, we strengthened the region’s capacity for rigorous decarbonisation analysis and evidence-based policy advocacy.

2023–2025: Regional Energy Modelling Standardisation

Partnered with the Stockholm Environment Institute to co-lead a cohort of 40 researchers across Southeast Asia. This multi-year programme successfully standardised complex energy modelling across the region using the LEAP-NEMO framework.

2024–present: Energy Modelling and National Emissions Monitoring (EU Partnership)

Collaborated with the Delegation of the EU to Malaysia to spearhead RE-CONNECT in Malaysia. This European Commission-funded initiative is designed to bolster Malaysia’s national capacity for energy modelling and robust greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring.

2025: ASEAN Resilient Grid Initiative

Partnered with Global Energy Interconnection and Development Cooperation (GEIDCO) to co-create the ASEAN Resilient Grid Capacity Building Programme. The initiative was launched with pivotal ministerial support from the Sarawak government, serving as a practical building block within the broader effort to enhance regional energy security and accelerate the ASEAN energy transition.

My professional commitment to energy transition, soil health and regional security is mirrored in my personal dedication to practices of resilience and balance. I believe that the principles of systemic flow and harmonious management—whether applied to a regional power grid, soil or the human body—are universal.

For over a decade, I have integrated traditional practices like taichi and moxibustion into my life and care of my aging parents. These are not merely hobbies; they are disciplines of internal energy management that inform my approach to complex sustainability challenges. By cultivating personal and family resilience through these ancient arts, I find the clarity and moments of grace necessary to navigate the intricate, high-stakes shifts in our global energy landscape and the vital restoration of our living soils.