Prof. Laurence L. Delina is an associate professor of environment and sustainability at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where he leads the Delina Research Group. His research interests focus on the intersection of climate, energy, sustainable development, policy, and governance. He particularly emphasises the rapid mitigation of climate change through accelerated sustainable and equitable energy transitions, as well as just climate adaptation and resilience. Dr. Delina is affiliated with the HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies, the HKUST Energy Institute, and the Fok Ying Tung Research Institute.
Dr. Delina has 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.
Dr. Delina serves as an associate editor for several publications, including Energy Research & Social Science, PLOS Climate, and the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. He has contributed articles to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bangkok Post, Jakarta Post, and The Conversation. Additionally, he has been featured on various platforms, including Al Jazeera, Fortune, ABS-CBN News, Open Democracy, and the South China Morning Post. Furthermore, Dr. Delina has provided consultancy services to various organisations, including the United Nations, Oxfam, and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
According to metrics compiled by Stanford University, Dr. Delina was ranked among the top 2% of the most-cited scientists in both 2021 and 2024. Laurence has 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, he received the Early Career Award from the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Our recent publications and other updates are announced on LinkedIn.
Current Postgraduate Students
Ms. Johanne Rei CASTRO
Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management candidate
Extreme heat policy and AI-assisted technology use in Hong Kong and Manila
Ms. Sharon Feliza Ann P. MACAGBA
Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management candidate
Urban overheating and well-being of vulnerable populations in Manila and Bangkok
Mr. Ryan MEINTJES
Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management candidate
Best dressed emitters: Evaluating science-based climate targets of China’s and Bangladesh’s garment industries
Alumni
Supervised Postgraduate Alumni
Dr. Agnes Kit Ying TAI
Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2022). Red Bird Awardee.
Thesis: Do carbon risks matter for Hong Kong equity prices?
Co-supervisor: Adj. Assoc. Prof. Calvin KWAN (HKUST)
Post-Delina Research Group: Director at Greater Glory Investment Corporation. LinkedIn
Dr. Ivee FUERZAS
Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2025)
Resilience in the Philippine coffee supply chain: Challenges and opportunities.
Co-supervisor: Prof. Kevin Kim-Pong TAM (HKUST)
Post-Delina Research Group: Assistant Professor at the University of Southeastern Philippines. LinkedIn
Dr. Xinyi WANG
Ph.D. in Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship (2024)
Thesis: Closing energy poverty in China’s ageing society Co-Principal supervisor: Prof. Kira MATUS (HKUST)
Post-Delina Research Group: Postdoctoral Associate at HKUST Division of Public Policy. LinkedIn
Ms Dane Ellice ANCHETA
MPhil. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2022). Asian Future Leaders Fellow.
Thesis: Towards a sustainable and low carbon waste management in Hong Kong: An assessment of emissions pathways and waste management strategies. Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Maria Obiminda CAMBALIZA (Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines)
Post-Delina Research Group: Consultant at IBIS Consulting. LinkedIn
Ms Chloe CHAN
M.Phil. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2024)
Thesis: Energy insecurity in Hong Kong’s vulnerable populations.
Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Daphne MAH (Hong Kong Baptist University).
Post-Delina Research Group: Research Associate at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. LinkedIn
Ms. Jifei Jazmin CHEN
M.Phil. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2025)
Thesis: Extreme heat risks on the mental well-being of older adults in urban China.
Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Xiaoming SHI (HKUST)
Post-Delina Research Group: PhD student at the University of Maryland. LinkedIn
Ms. Rainbow Yi Hung LAM
M.Phil. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2025)
Towards intercity collaboration on adaptation finance: resilience against extreme heat in urban Asia
Co-supervisor: Prof. Alexis LAU (HKUST)
Post-Delina Research Group: Research Associate at Civic Exchange. LinkedIn
Ms Eireka MEREGILLANO
M.Phil. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2024).
Thesis: Resilient energy systems in typhoon-prone coastal communities in the Philippines. Co-supervisors: Dr. Long Seng TO (Loughborough University, UK) and Dr. Xinfang WANG (University of Birmingham, UK)
Post-Delina Research Group: Assistant Professor at Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. Linkedin
Ms Olivia Anne PEREZ
M.Phil. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (2023). Asian Future Leaders Fellow and a Belt and Road Scholar
Thesis: Environmental behavioural changes among Hongkongers during the COVID pandemic
Co-supervisor: Dr. Benjamin STEUER (HKUST)
Post-Delina Research Group: Multilateral Governance Intern at the Green Climate Fund. LinkedIn
Mentored Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Nicolo LUDOVICE
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2023
Ph.D. in History (University of Hong Kong, 2021)
Post-Delina Research Group: Research Assistant Professor at the Division of Public Policy at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. LinkedIn
Dr. Lei SHI
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2024
Ph.D. in Public Policy (HKUST, 2023)
Post-Delina Research Group: Assistant Professor at Macau University of Science and Technology. LinkedIn
The Delina Research Group 