Eco-Business Podcast: Recent Episodes
Eco-Business
In this second episode of Eco-Business’s Resilience podcast series, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary and youth sustainability advocate Man Jing Kong dives into what resilience means for the city-state with Jessica Cheam. Watch as they discuss everything from climate adaptation to mental health and building public trust as an AI-driven economy reshapes daily life.
: How investors are influenced by sustainability Sustainable finance and greenwashing How to survive in sustainability
Amid back‑to‑back trash slides and a landfill fire in one of Southeast Asia’s leakiest waste systems, Philippine environment undersecretary Jonas Leones touts new science‑based safeguards for a waste‑to‑energy buildout.
Former Yale-NUS environmental social sciences professor Michael Maniates tells the EB Podcast that individual actions like going vegetarian, using less plastic or avoiding air travel are not only insufficient in saving the planet – they are counterproductive.
What does it mean to build a truly resilient food system? For two of the palm oil sector's leading experts, the answer lies not in ticking sustainability boxes, but in fundamentally reshaping the trust, partnerships, and long-term thinking that hold global supply chains together - especially as geopolitical and climate shocks grow more frequent and more severe.
Government must call on development finance institutions to tap on risk management tools to make the capital-intensive technology more investible, Global Wind Energy Council’s Ann Margret Francisco tells the EB Podcast.
On this episode of the Eco-Business Podcast, climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith talks to Robin Hicks about a career turning one of the world’s most complex and anxiety-inducing problems into something people can actually talk about – even laugh at.Tune in as we discuss:Is climate comedy getting harder?Should climate comedy now be called something else?How is comedy more effective than traditional forms of communication at changing behaviour?Are there elements of climate change that just aren’t funny?How does comedy get through to corporates?How does climate comedy persuade people to lead more environmentally aware lifestyles?Climate gags that bombed
In the latest episode of the Climate Tech in Asia series, Eco-Business speaks to Breakthrough Energy and Green COP about what the shifting geopolitical landscape means for the climate tech ecosystem in Asia.
Critical minerals will be a key part of the discussion at this year’s Asean, said environment assistant secretary Noralene Uy, as the Philippines ushers the region towards domestic processing of raw ore in its role as summit chair.
In the second episode of a new podcast series that profiles Southeast Asia's clean energy pioneers, Eco-Business spoke with Frank Phuan, co-founder of Singapore solar pioneer Sunseap and now founder of Equator Renewables Asia, a new company focused on unlocking cross-border green power.
As a global powerhouse for clean technology and green finance, China can do more to help Southeast Asia lower its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to net zero, says Dr Jeffrey Sachs, economist, Columbia University professor and president of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).Tune in to this episode of the Eco-Business podcast as we discuss:- How the GBA can help finance Asean's energy transition- Asean's rise as a strategically important player- How China can improve its climate leadership- Why investing in climate action and data still matters
Capping methane release in the oil and gas sector is one of the fastest – and cheapest – ways to tackle climate change. But measurement mandates are first needed to abate the dangerous climate agitant, Viknesh Andiappan and Shareen Yawanarajah tell the EB Podcast.
In this episode of On the frontlines, which profiles the changemakers on the hard edge of sustainable business, Anita Neville, chief sustainability and communications officer of palm oil company Golden Agri-Resources, talks about how the job of the chief sustainability officer is changing, and the growing influence of finance over the role in the context of the palm oil industry.
At the close of COP30, nations agreed to triple adaptation finance by 2035, while the fund for loss and damage appeared to remain sidelined. A veteran attendee of the climate conference explains why.
As the Philippines gears up to lead the Southeast Asian bloc next year, Departmet of Energy director Michael Sinocruz says the government will push offshore wind power to bolster cross-border renewable energy trade, while protecting marine life impacted by structures. An Asean bloc must be formed at COPs to drive such initiatives.
Countries are gathering once again for the annual United Nation’s annual climate conference, known as COP. This year’s COP30 host, Brazil, has pledged to focus on topics that range from boosting climate finance, adopting new adaptation goals, updating national climate targets, and launching a fund to protect forests that is the first of its kind.But all this is happening against a backdrop of the United States, one of the world’s largest historical emitters, pulling out of the Paris Agreement. Can the rest of the world maintain momentum on climate action through COP, and who are experts looking to for climate action today?Eco-Business spoke to two veteran COP attendees who have spent decades on the ground supporting the work of negotiators and communicating what’s happening to the public and press:▸Meenakshi Raman, head of programmes at Third World Network▸Ani Dasgupta, chief executive officer at the World Resources Institute Tune in as we discuss:▸The key climate finance issues at COP30▸The US’ next steps after leaving the Paris Agreement▸How civil society can be heard at COP▸What needs to be achieved on adaptation
The region has been historically underrepresented in leadership at global standard setters like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The region has been historically underrepresented in leadership at global standard setters like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Sharath Martin, who holds positions in global accounting body ACCA and WWF-Malaysia, tells the Eco-Business Podcast what must change.Tune in as we discuss:The reasons behind Asean's lack of leadership at global financial and sustainability standard settersThe region's strengths and challenges The need to price in nature and biodiversityWhether the consensus-driven Asean Way is still relevantHow Asean's mindset needs to shift
One of the biggest challenges facing Venisa Chu, Asia Pacific sustainability director for L'Occitane Group, is living up to the cosmetics giant's circular economy ambitions.Tune in as we discuss:How Venisa Chu started out in sustainabilityThe hardest sustainability target to achieveHow to persuade suppliers to get on board with sustainabilityIs being a B Corp an advantage in Asia?The impact of the ESG backlashWhere sustainability sits in the corporate structureIs re-fill working?Advice for aspiring sustainability practitionersManaging burnout
The public backlash has been intense for the ongoing probe on the flood control scandal facing the Philippines. On this podcast, Angelo Kairos dela Cruz, executive director of nonprofit Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), talks about how so-called Filipino resilience has been "trivialised" and often been used as an "excuse" for developers to dodge accountability for substandard projects.
Southeast Asia's energy ministers will meet in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025 to discuss the future of the Asean Power Grid. Kitty Bu, vice president for Southeast Asia at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), talks to the Eco-Business about what will be on their agenda.Tune in as we discuss:- How geopolitics is affecting Asean’s energy transition- Ideal outcomes from the Asean minister’s meeting- Upholding social justice in the energy transition- Optimistic examples of transition finance
Even as cases of greenwashing have declined globally as environmental, social and governance (ESG) language fades from the corporate lexicon, in Australia, greenwashing has remained a mainstream issue as regulators and consumer groups have pursued questionable green claims in the courts.Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to discuss how Australia has taken the lead in tackling greenwashing is John Pabon, a former United Nations policy analyst and China-based Business for Social Responsibility strategist who now runs sustainability consultancy Fulcrum Strategic Advisors. He authored the book, The Great Greenwashing: How Brands, Governments, and Influencers Are Lying to You.Tune in as we discuss:How did John Pabon get interested in greenwashing?Greenwashing cases in Australia this yearHow did Australia get to grips with greenwashing?Has Australia been influenced by Trump and a pivoting Europe?Why are companies still falling into the greenwashing trap?Greenhushing and corporate vulnerability
In a new podcast series that spotlights Asia's clean energy pioneers, Eco-Business spoke to Assaad Razzouk, chief executive of Singapore-headquartered Gurin Energy, about the challenges and opportunities of the renewables sector in Asia in uncertain times.Tune in as we discuss: From finance to carbon markets to renewables: Razzouk's career path Scaling renewables and the localisation imperative Where are the opportunities in Southeast Asia? Intermittency and planting wind farms in nature reserves "Winning" the conversation on renewables in the Trump 2.0 era China, India and the growth trajectory for clean energy* Advice for a new generation of clean energy entrepreneurs
The latest round of negotiations for a global plastic treaty ended in failure. Speaking to the Eco-Business Podcast, Doug Wooding, managing director of Hong Kong-based nonprofit Ocean Recovery Alliance, said that countries do not need to wait for a treaty, and should enact polluter-pays laws that mandate firms to recover the plastic they put into the market and finance the chronically under-funded circular economy.Tune in as we discuss:What now? INC5.3?Is no treaty better than a watered down treaty?Recycled content mandates versus virgin plastic capsPressure brands not petrochemical producersAction is possible without a treatyThe need for regulatory consistency for plasticsWhat will a realistic treaty look like?What should a treaty look like for Asia?
Speaking to the EB Podcast from the INC-5.2 talks in Geneva, Singapore Youth for Climate Action president Terese Teoh said that there is no explicit Asean-wide support for caps on plastic production, despite the region’s vulnerability to plastic pollution. She argues that no treaty is better than a watered-down treaty with no production limits.
Eco-Business spoke to Hang Lung Properties deputy director of sustainability John Haffner for the latest episode of On the frontlines, which profiles change-makers on the hard edge of sustainable business.Tune as we discuss:Discipline and sustainability spendingAre our sustainability targets too weak or too ambitious?How do you justify your job?Managing greenwashing riskAdvice for sustainability aspirantsBurnout risk
The EB Podcast spoke to Dr Bosco Chan, WWF Hong Kong's head of conservation, and Dr Stephan Gale, head of flora conservation at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, about threats to Hong Kong's unique biodiversity from mega-projects.We discussed:Conservation with Dr Bosco ChanThe state of Hong Kong biodiversity: reasons for concernThe Northern Metropolis development – what will it mean for Hong Kong's wildlife?How can developers reduce the impact on wildlife?Do cityfolk living in Hong kong or Singapore care about species loss?Models to follow in biophilic city designConservation with Dr Stephan GaleThe climate implications of Hong Kong's mega-projectsWhy nature restoration mattersNature-sensitive building designThe importance native plant species matter to Hong Kong and Singapore"Listen to ecologists"
On the latest edition of On the frontlines, which profiles changemakers on the hard edge of sustainable business, Aun Abdullah tells the EB Podcast when corporate India cannot retreat from climate action at a time of conflicting priorities.
In the third episode of ‘On the frontlines’, the Christer Gaudiano, sustainability chief of Meralco’s power generation arm says Filipino companies show no sign of backtracking on their sustainability pledges.
In our series 'On the frontlines', which profiles changemakers on the hard edge of sustainable business, Hendrik Rosenthal, CLP’s sustainability director, tells the EB Podcast that open dialogue with internal stakeholders is key to transitioning a company that has committed to a complete exit from coal by 2040. Tune in as we discuss:Recycling, Chernobyl and Canadian wastewater: Rosenthal’s route into sustainabilityWhere does sustainability sit in CLP’s corporate structure?How is sustainability incentivised at CLP?How realistic are CLP’s decarbonisation ambitions?Advice for a new generation of sustainability practitioners
Podcast with climate scientist Professor Benjamin Horton.Tune in as we discuss:Horton’s career in climate science, built in the US, shaped by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane SandyHow the US and Singapore view climate science differentlyWhy the attack on climate science in the US matters to AsiaThe private sector’s response to climate policyWhy businesses need climate scientistsClimate risks, Singapore and Hong Kong compared
Despite a drop in high-profile cases of greenwashing, Japan-based academic Kim Schumacher tells the EB Podcast that the problem isn’t going away, it’s just changing form.Tune in as we discuss: Is greenwashing really in decline?Why has greenhushing spread to Asia?The vulnerability of the EU Greens Claims DirectiveWhy has the finance sector been the fastest to respond to greenwashing risk?Is greenwashing awareness growing?Is competence greenwashing declining?Changing use of the term "ESG"
A podcast with the chief executive of World Resources Institute Ani Dasgupta on tariffs, funding cuts, climate finance and the COP climate talks
Fireside chat with Dr Mark Konyn, Group Chief Investment Officer, AIA Group with Jessica Cheam, CEO, Eco-BusinessHong Kong plays a pivotal role in Asia's growth, serving as a major hub for sustainable development investments. Leveraging its robust financial infrastructure and strategic position in the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong has emerged as a gateway for international investors seeking to capitalize on Asia's — and particularly China's —growing demand for sustainable capital. As part of its efforts to foster sustainable growth, Hong Kong has launched a comprehensive array of capital market initiatives, including promoting green bonds, sustainable banking, and ESG disclosures – supported by regulatory frameworks that provide clear guidelines and incentives. The city also plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration across the region.With China on track to peak emissions by 2025 and achieve carbon neutrality ahead of its 2060 target, the region is at the forefront of global climate action and the broader energy transition. Hong Kong and Greater China's policies will significantly influence the world's decarbonization pathway. As investors increasingly demand clear climate transition plans, businesses must adapt and respond effectively. The region must also mitigate and respond to mounting climate risks while integrating resilience into its infrastructure. Unlocking capital for sustainability, Asia’s premiere sustainable finance and business forum, hosted by Eco-Business and UNEP FI since 2018, will be hosting its inaugural dialogue in Hong Kong and convene thousands of key decision makers across Asia to chart the way forward on accelerating the region’s economic transition towards a sustainable future.SpeakerDr. Mark KonynGroup Chief Investment Officer, AIAModeratorJessica CheamFounder and CEO, Eco-Business; Independent Director, Wilmar International and ComfortDelGro Group, MSID, ICDM
Interview with the chief sustainability officer of one of India's largest conglomerates
Plastic waste is flooding the planet. Instead of waiting for regulation to drive change, give value to recyclables and mobilise the people, says Plastic Bank.
On the podcast, moderated by Eco-Business associate editor Robin Hicks: Adelia Dinda Sani, freelance contributing writer and multimedia journalist, Deutsche WelleHannah Alcoseba Fernandez, Philippines chief correspondent, Eco-BusinessGerald Flynn, Southeast Asia staff writer, MongabayNadiah Rosli, freelance environmental journalist and capacity development programme manager, Ocean Discovery LeagueTune in as we discuss:The challenges environmental journalists are facing in Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia and MalaysiaStories from the field and lessons learnedWhat are the type of environment stories people want to read, and what stories do editors commission? How to sustain independent journalism in Southeast Asia
Andrew Buay is VP of group sustainability for Singtel and Optus.He has spent the last eight years in sustainability in a dual role that also covers talent development, based in Australia – a country that has motivated him to work in sustainability, such is its exposure to climate impacts. He was in Australia in 2012, when the most intense cyclone in the country’s history – Cyclone Yasi – struck.Tune in as we discuss:Why a SingTel “lifer” pivoted to sustainabilityResponding to anti-ESG sentimentDoing two jobs at once – how to avoid burnoutDriving the sustainability agenda across culturesPhysical and transition risks in Singapore and AustraliaSurvival strategies for CSOsAdvice for aspiring sustainability practitionersDealing with “Chief Anti-Sustainability Officers”
Speaking at Eco-Business’s Sharpening the ESG focus: CSO Outlook 2025 dialogue held on 21 January in Singapore, Jaclyn Dove, global head of sustainable finance for Standard Chartered Bank and Mervyn Tang, Asia Pacific head of sustainability for asset management firm Schroders, joined a panel discussion moderated by Eco-Business founder Jessica Cheam.Tune in as they discuss:2025’s sustainable finance and investment outlook Do global net zero alliances have a future? Transition finance as a huge opportunity for Asia The region’s pragmatic net zero agenda
CapitaLand sustainability chiefs Vinamra Srivastava and Giovanni Cossu tell the Eco-Business Podcast that there is a viable path to net zero for the world’s fastest growing cities.Tune in as we discuss:Where is Asia Pacific on the road to a net zero built environment?CapitaLand’s net zero progressThe embodied carbon conundrumDecarbonising an Asian multinationalBuilt environment low-carbon solutions – what works?Isn’t the only real decarbonisation solution to build less?
Indonesian courts have seen a steady increase in climate litigation over the past decade. Last year alone, the indigenous Knasaimos peoples in Southwest Papua won a long fight for legal land rights, while citizens in South Sumatra sued three pulpwood companies for burning in their concessions that contributed to toxic haze air pollution.While these cases could have substantial impacts on the environmental rights of Indonesians and their children, raising awareness about climate litigation has been challenging for environmental campaigners, said environmental lawyer Sekar Banjaran Aji, who is also a campaigner for Greenpeace Indonesia.In response, Greenpeace Indonesia worked with journalist and author Titah Aw and illustrator Sekar Bestari to produce a series of children’s books that simplified these topics into narratives that could be easily understood.In this podcast, they share:How they combined key facts and imaginative elements to tell climate storiesWhy it is important for stories of climate change and litigation to be told more widelyWhat parents and children have learned from reading the booksHow the author and illustrator’s own experiences with nature shaped their environmental advocacy
The joke in Alasha League in China’s Inner Mongolia region is that people in Beijing only discovered their existence when local newspapers blew over to the capital city in a sandstorm.Such growing pollution in the 1990s nearly spelt the end of traditional animal herding in Alasha (also spelt Alxa), as China banned livestock and resettled herders to tame the deserts and restore grasslands.But community leaders lobbied for their camels – their beasts of burden since time immemorial – to be recognised as a “protected livestock breed”. And camel herding continues to this day.Success story? It’s not that simple to Dr Thomas White, a researcher who spent years living with the herders to understand what they’re going through. In his recently published book China’s Camel Country, he documented the tensions the herders faced to keep in line with China’s nation-building project. Taboos also emerged as culture courted capitalism to survive – think embellishments for tourism and butchering a treasured species to feed an upscale market.What does his account of Alasha tell of China’s bid to marry development with sustainability? What lessons do the herders have for communities worldwide, who may be bracing against both development pressures and large-scale conservation schemes at home?The Eco-Business podcast speaks with White, lecturer in China and sustainable development at King’s College London, to unpack the complexities he uncovered in China’s northwestern frontier.Tune in as we discuss:- What camel conservation in Alasha shows about China’s green growth ambitions- Whether camel herding resulted in net benefits for the environment- The herders’ “partial success” in preserving their culture amid political and environmental change- What insights Alasha’s herders hold for other local communities facing pressures from development and sustainability initiatives
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to discuss the implications of RSPO’s draft revised standard is the organisation's director of standards and sustainability, Yen Hun Seng.Tune in as we discuss:What’s changed about RSPO in the last five yearsHow has RSPO managed lobbying from various interest groups?How has the new standard changed on deforestation?How does the standard align with EUDR?What about smallholders?What to expect from RSPO’s annual conference this month?
A climate science group under the United Nations recently faced a fight over the date of its next set of reports – a seemingly small squabble that could have big implications on future global climate policy.Many countries want these reports, covering the science behind the latest trends and ways to tackle the growing risks, by 2028, in time for a review of whether global climate efforts are sufficient. But others want a longer timeline, an ask that critics think represents some governments avoiding advice they do not want to hear.So how does this whole process work? What is the IPCC doing in the years between the major reports, and what challenges do they have to deal with? More broadly, how is the IPCC keeping itself useful – given that most people today generally think they know enough about climate change?The interaction and debates between science and policymakers becomes “more heated” as global warming raises the stakes for governments to get climate action right, Dr Theresa Wong, head of science at the technical support unit of IPCC’s Working Group II, tells the Eco-Business Podcast.Tune in as we discuss:- The latest work on an IPCC special report on cities- Upcoming work to finalise contents for the next set of main assessment reports- What the debate over report timelines show about the state of science and policymaking today- Whether the interface between policy, politics and science benefits climate action- How the IPCC can keep itself relevant amid greater public understanding of global warming
With alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuel still too expensive and low in demand for the aviation industry to consider, carbon offsets could be a way to reduce emissions – if used right. EcoSecurities and the International Air Transport Association tell the Eco-Business podcast how airlines can ensure compliance when new regulations become mandatory
Can a desert city be liveable? Eyes are on whether the Dubai's plan to build the world’s “greenest highway” will take off. Envisioned as a 64-kilometre corridor that people can easily walk and bike on, the development aims to challenge conventional urban planning norms in the Middle East and shift the residents of the metropolis away from their old habits, including heavy car use. Design plans for the urban initiative, unveiled in July this year by developer URB, have attracted media attention, although some are sceptical if it will inspire similar projects adopting sustainable practices, in a city more known for opulent luxury real estate and towering skyscrapers. The Eco-Business Podcast speaks to Marwa Nahlawi from Diamond Developers, the real estate developer behind Dubai’s “Sustainable City” brand, which adopts a similar green spine concept.Tune in as we discuss: - The challenges and opportunities of sustainable infrastructure planning in the region’s harsh climates - How the ‘green spine’ concept works- The importance of creating holistic sustainable design to build a sense of community- Replicating ‘Sustainable City’ across the Middle East
Joining the Eco-Business to discuss how the sport can reach the net zero finishing line in just six years is Mercedes F1’s head of sustainability, Alice Ashpitel. Tune in as we discuss:Why an earth sciences graduate chose to work in F1What has been driving down Mercedes F1’s emissions?How sustainable is sustainable aviation fuel?Is sustainability accepted in F1 culture?Which solutions are missing to decarbonise F1?The elephant in the room: logistics and travelFossil fuels sponsorship and reputational riskIs F1’s net zero by 2030 goal realistic?Will Formula E make Formula 1 obsolete?
Goumbook launched a regional oceans network that brought discussions on the blue economy to the forefront at the last COP summit. Founder Tatiana Abella tells the Eco-Business Podcast why healthy oceans are important for the Middle East.
Environmental disclosure non-profit CDP was founded on this premise: “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”23 years on, this theory that increased environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures would lead investors and other stakeholders to reward companies with strong sustainability performance, and punish those who lagged, has gained widespread market acceptance. However, evidence to support this dominant theory of change has been mixed, with global emissions continuing to climb alongside corporate disclosure rates over the last two decades.But why hasn't more corporate disclosures led to emissions reductions?Tune in to the Eco-Business Podcast with environmental disclosure non-profit's CEO Sherry Madera as we discuss:- Why rising disclosures has not led to more ambitious climate action- How to bring up the rate of credible transition plan disclosures- Criticism of the new CDP questionnaire- CDP's "much stronger strategy" for Asia post-restructuring- Will we see further consolidation of ESG ratings and data providers?- Is the "ESG party" is over?
Voluntary carbon markets have been in existence for over three decades, and the industry could well be set for future growth despite a recent bump in the road. But its potential to combat climate change may never be fully realised without a rethink of some key mechanisms, industry veteran David Antonioli believes.The founding chief executive of Verra, the world’s largest carbon credit certifier, sees at least two key areas where change is needed.First, the market should adopt an “end game” for emissions-saving initiatives to become economically viable without carbon financing. Someone will need to define the “positive tipping point” at which this happens in each sector – be it sustainable agriculture, reforestation, or clean energy – rally participants towards the goal, and then disallow the sale of carbon credits thereafter.Second, Antonioli thinks that project approval rules should be simplified to help initiatives get going faster. This means approvals should be based on simple lists of eligible activities, instead of complex mathematics, PhD-length reports and multiple rounds of checks that are currently required.Antonioli shared these ideas in a recent series of reports published by his advisory firm Transition Finance. He had earlier spent 15 years at Verra, and had helped mainstream many of the carbon market rules used today. He was also in the hot seat last year when Verra was accused of having rules that allowed developers to massively oversell forest carbon credits – a charge Antonioli rebutted prior to his leaving last summer.How would Antonioli’s ideas work, and will the market accept them, given that its participants are still polarised on issues of integrity, scrutiny and the worth of carbon offsetting?Tune in as we discuss:- How the idea of a “new paradigm” for carbon markets came about- Who has the authority to define positive tipping points for various sustainability sectors- The unique circumstances surrounding nature-based projects- Whether the market will accept a push for efficiency, given its hunger for scrutiny- Antonioli’s next steps
Eco-anxiety is a healthy psychological response, says 24-year-old activist Clover Hogan. The founder of nonprofit Force of Nature tells the Eco-Business Podcast how to respond to anxiety in a world that is “numb” to the climate crisis.Tune in as we discuss:The birth of a climate activistDoes the future look like a techno utopia or a dying planet? Real versus “shiny” climate solutionsHow to communicate climate chaos to childrenIs climate anxiety hurting fertility?The media and climate storytellingHow does Big Oil internalise climate anxiety?
Which sectors are hottest for climate tech startups in Southeast Asia, and what are the challenges faced by entrepreneurs who want to tackle climate change and also make money?Tune in to the Eco-Business Podcast with Steve Melhuish as we discuss: Why PropertyGuru’s co-founder pivoted to climate techWhy bet on climate tech in Southeast Asia?What are the hottest trends in climate tech?How to tell which climate solutions actually work?Common pitfalls in climate techSoutheast Asia’s debt finance gapThe “never-ending challenge” of time-management for entrepreneurs
LGBTQ people have long had to chart their own paths in the face of discrimination on bread and butter issues, like housing and employment. Pink Dot campaigners Clement Tan and Rachel Yeo tell the Eco-Business Podcast their hopes amid a political leadership refresh.Tune in as we discuss:- Measuring the success of Pink Dot's past campaigns- Has the Pink Dot movement been too homogenous in the past?- What changes are expected with Pink Dot's leadership leadership refresh?- Why has Pink Dot chosen not to focus on legalising same-sex marriage post-repeal?- How Pink Dot sponsor numbers have changed over the years and tackling corporate "pink-washing"- Key asks for Singapore's new generation of leaders on LGBTQ issues
In this podcast, Eco-Business' Middle East correspondent Rachel Kelly interviews ADX's chief strategy and transformation officer Matthias Büchler to talk about sustainability as one of ADX's key growth pillars, and how COP28 helped shape the ESG investment narrative in the region.
The new head of Japan and Southeast Asia for ClientEarth tells the Eco-Business Podcast how the law can be used to hold polluters to account in the world's biggest emitting region. She also says it's time the legal profession faced scrutiny for greenwashing.Tune in as we discuss:Why be a environmental lawyer? Tan's "Lightbulb" momentHow climate law varies in AsiaThe rise of climate litigation in the Global SouthThe legal perils of transition-washingThe big leap from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reportingScrutiny of greenwashing in the legal professionProtesting against climate inaction in illiberal countriesHow to use the law across borders
Steve Willis and Genevieve Hilton, the authors of "climate optimism" novel Fairhaven, tell the Eco-Business Podcast: Why did you write this book?Why do we need an optimistic take on climate change?Does individual action matter?Refreezing the Arctic – far fetched idea?Criticism of fossil fuels executives writing a novel about climate solutionsBook chapters as pitches to industry
How can Asia Pacific secure water for future generations? The Eco-Business Podcast talks to the Vice President, Global Lifecycle Services, Emerging Markets, of water technology company Xylem, on why climate change will exacerbate existing water scarcity and quality issues in the region
Heat, storms, floods, fires – Asia is highly vulnerable to climate risk, but massively underinsured against it. This trend is putting the wallets and livelihoods of billions in jeopardy.Data by global insurer Munich Re last month showed that the region was once again poorly indemnified in 2023, with only 14 per cent of US$50 billion of damages recovered.Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to examine the factors holding Asia back on climate insurance are Dr Jack Xia, chief actuary of Singapore-based insurer Igloo, which offers an automated “Weather Index insurance” for farmers in Vietnam, and Dr Christopher Au, head of risk advisory and insurance firm WTW’s Asia Pacific Climate Risk Centre.Tune in as we discuss:- The reasons Southeast Asia is underinsured against growing extreme weather risks- How insurers can strike a balance between keeping premiums affordable and ensuring business continuity- The risk of uninsurable climate risks in the region- The role of government and blended finance models- What climate insurance could look like in the future
Can sustainable real estate address the climate-induced problems plaguing the Philippine capital of Manila? The Eco-Business Podcast talks to the chief sustainability officer of Arthaland Oliver Chan about the growing sustainable real estate market in the Philippines and how the company strikes a careful balance between sustainability and affordability
A strong oil and gas presence is expected at the COP28 climate summit this month, after host United Arab Emirates said everyone needs to be at the table to find better solutions to stop global warming.But many remain sceptical of whether the industry can be earnest contributors to the climate agenda.Fossil fuels are the primary cause of global warming, and some of the biggest energy majors have in recent years walked back their sustainability ambitions.Blockbuster Big Oil earnings last year amid high fuel prices have led to profiteering accusations, while environmentalists suspect that fossil fuel lobbyists blocked more ambitious targets at last year’s COP27 in Egypt.Joining the Eco-Business podcast to discuss the role that fossil fuel firms will play at COP28 is Charlotte Wolff-Bye, the chief sustainability officer of Petronas.Petronas is Malaysia’s state-owned energy company, and one of the country’s biggest financial contributors. It has operations around the world, and its daily production averaged 2.4 million barrels of oil equivalent last year.The company has also been present at past COP summits, where it has pledged action in areas such as better managing methane emissions.Tune in as we discuss:- What Petronas will bring to COP28- Can there be greater action on the fossil fuel sector’s sizeable Scope 3 emissions?- How Petronas aims to build trust with sceptics- What a “responsible phase-down” of fossil fuels – as floated by COP28 leadership – entails- The ideal outcomes from the climate summit
Transboundary haze pollution is back with a vengeance in Southeast Asia. The Eco-Business Podcast talks to RSPO CEO Joseph D'Cruz about what the palm oil oil sector can do to put out the peatland fires that have burned annually for four decades.
In celebration of Indigenous People month in the Philippines, the former United Nations special rapporteur tells the Eco-Business Podcast about her lifelong work to empower communities in Asia’s most dangerous place for environmental defenders.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas assistant governor talks to the Eco-Business Podcast about the regulator’s maiden sustainability report that she says focuses not only on meeting international standards for green finance but features an empirical study of climate impacts on banks and the nation’s first taxonomy.
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about climate adaptation is Professor Winston Chow, who was recently appointed co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's working group on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability.
Tune in as we talk about: What does climate adaptation really mean? The road ahead for climate-vulnerable countries How well prepared is the Global South for cascading risks? Climate adaptation success stories How can we get better at telling the climate story? What businesses ask scientists about climate adaptation Dealing with climate deniers Will the world achieve net-zero 2050?
Plant-based milks have grown in popularity in recent years, driven by a combination of health, environmental and practical concerns. Nutritionists on the Eco-Business podcast, produced in association with taste and nutrition firm Kerry, weigh the pros and cons of non-dairy milk for consumers.
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast is Kim Schumacher, associate professor at the University of Kyushu, who coined the term "competence greenwashing". Tune in as we talk about:Asia is starting to crack down on greenwashingTackling greenwashing will start in financeIntentional or unintentional greenwashing?Is there a cultural element to calling out greenwashing?Asia's most glaring greenwashing firmsCompetence greenwashing in AsiaAI, Big Data and the future of greenwash
There is a growing awareness that the benefits and burden of the energy transition must be equally shared between men and women. In Southeast Asia, with its long-held traditional gender roles and energy inequality, the process is easier said than done.Big energy developments are on the horizon in the region. Renewables and biofuels are starting to proliferate, while coal is increasingly being shown the exit. Many of these developments will help cut carbon emissions, but a growing body of research suggests that there is no guarantee the benefits and risks can be shared equitably without proper planning.Such rifts could be especially salient along gender lines. Few women work in the energy sector, while their livelihoods are at risk of being upended by big energy projects. The loss of coal sector jobs, held mostly by men, could have profound consequences on gender dynamics in families and societies too.Eco-Business discusses these issues with Amira Bilqis, an energy modelling and policy planning associate at intergovernmental group Asean Centre for Energy, and May Thazin Aung, a climate change researcher at United Kingdom-based think tank International Institute for Environment and Development.Tune in as we talk about:- The intersection between gender and energy in Southeast Asia- The unique challenges impeding progress- What good governance in energy and gender looks like- The social risks of coal phase-out- How stakeholders can chart a viable way forward
Joining the Eco-Business podcast to discuss the issue of competency greenwashing are Darian McBain, the former chief sustainability officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Thai Union, and Paddy Balfour, the executive director, Asia, of Acre, a specialist sustainability recruitment firm. Tune in as we talk about:Why competency greenwash is a problemWhich industries are fudging ESG skills?Sustainability centres of "excellence"The rise of generalistsReal value or buzzword bluster?The future of ESG talent in Asia
The stories of Malaysia’s indigenous tribes are now being captured through the fresh lenses of young female filmmakers. In this bilingual podcast recorded in English and Bahasa Melayu, they tell Eco-Business why they've picked up the camera.
Earlier this month, Indonesia started its detailed planning into closing more coal plants and scaling up renewable energy capacity, with the launch of the secretariat for its Just Energy Transition Partnership, or JET-P, the landmark tie-up with wealthy countries and large private investors.The stakes are high. If done well, the US$20 billion of loans and grants pledged to the country could help it shave 20 per cent off peak power industry emissions in 2030, and get the coal-reliant sector to net-zero by 2050.But at the same time, Indonesia is one of the world’s largest miners, exporters and users of coal. The fossil fuel is pollutive, but also cheap. It has been key to helping millions of people escape poverty over the past few decades – a wrong move could mean energy insecurity, unaffordable bills and job losses.So how can Indonesia continue to grow and help its people secure better livelihoods while meeting its green targets? What should be included in its JET-P implementation plan, which is due in half a year? What exactly is “just” in the Indonesian context?Eco-Business discusses these issues with Dr Siwage Negara, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, who keeps a keen eye on economic and development issues in Indonesia, and Peter Godfrey, Asia Pacific Managing Director at the Energy Institute, a think tank.This is the first episode in a series of podcasts dedicated to Southeast Asia's clean energy transition.
Solar geo-engineering, the process of spraying aerosols in the sky to block the sun’s light and heat, may seem far-flung, but some scientists believe we could need the technology sooner than expected. And sooner than we are prepared for it.Recently, non-profits The Degrees Initiative and The World Academy of Sciences awarded US$900,000 in grants to 15 research projects in developing countries that look into how artificial sun-dimming would affect their communities. Studies include modelling the sea level in Benin, water deficit risks in Cameroon, and hydroclimatic extremes in Malaysia.The idea is that the Global South, where climate risks strike the hardest, must know what the risky technology means for them, and be able to make informed decisions on its use.In this podcast, Eco-Business speaks to Prof Athar Hussain, head of the Centre for Climate Research and Development at COMSATS University in Islamabad, Pakistan. He is leading a study on how solar geoengineering would affect the spread of malaria in South Asia. The mosquito-borne disease has been receding from the region in recent years, but still affects millions and kills over 10,000 people annually across Asia.Tune in as we discuss:- Details of Prof Hussain’s research.- How the results could help South Asian policymakers better understand the effects of solar geoengineering.- Whether sun-dimming is a technology we should take seriously today.
This podcast, produced in association with Kerry Group, explores the latest trends in alternative protein innovation and the drivers of the R&D effort amid slowing sales and a lacklustre economy.The guests are:- Mindy Leveille, senior global marketing manager at Kerry- Jennifer Morton, corporate engagement specialist at Good Food Institute APACTune in as we discuss:- Key trends of research and development in the alternative protein industry- Consumer expectations and how firms are responding to them- Challenges and opportunities for the sector
In this podcast, Eco-Business explores what it takes to get people to shift to sustainable diets.
The guests are: - Daniel Campion, sustainable nutrition lead for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Kerry Group - Dr Brent Loken, global food lead scientist at WWF
The podcast was hosted by Eco-Business correspondent Liang Lei, and produced in association with Kerry Group.
Tune in as we discuss: - The progress towards a planet-based diet - Are food businesses taste-takers or taste-setters? - How to persuade consumers to choose good food - The effects of conflict and Covid-19
"Earth For All" is an update to the landmark 1972 book that warned of our unsustainable growth. Jørgen Randers, author who worked on both titles, tells Eco-Business what is at stake if we don't fix our broken economic system.
The podcast was hosted by Eco-Business correspondent Liang Lei.
Tune in as we discuss: - Why social inequality is so dangerous in the age of climate change - Challenges of large-scale redistributive efforts - What has changed between 1972 and 2022 - The role of technology - How to stay optimistic
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to explore the sustainability of the alternative protein market are Didier Chanove, alternative proteins business director for Asia, Middle East & Africa for nutrition firm Kerry and Chris Coggin, investor outreach analyst for the FAIRR Initiative, an investor network that assesses the ESG risk of intensive animal protein production.
Tune in as we discuss:
What does the fall in share price of big alternative protein brands tell us about the state of the market? The ESG risk for alternative protein What is driving alternative protein market growth? Vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or meat-eater? Where will plant-based fit in the future of diets?
Joining the Eco-Business podcast are Veemal Gungadin, founder and CEO of events technology company Globalsign.In, which is behind the digital events platform GEVME, and Teymoor Nabili, chief executive and publisher at Tech for Impact, a sustainability innovation publication.
Tune in as we discuss:
How did Covid affect the sustainability of events? How did Covid change sustainability event content? Are sustainability events tamed by digital tools? What's the secret to being a good moderator? What makes a great sustainability event?
Dexter Huerto Jr, sales development manager, Asia Pacific, for engineering firm Danfoss, tell the Eco-Business Podcast how food supply chains have been affected by a pandemic and conflict, and how they can be fixed.
Tune in as we talk about:
The three ‘C’s — Covid, crisis and climate Have we learned anything from the 2008 food crisis? How is climate change affecting food supply chains? Solutions to the food crisis How well prepared is Asia for future food shocks?
GoTo, Indonesia’s largest internet company, has set what is arguably Southeast Asia’s most ambitious sustainability target — to be a zero-emissions firm by 2030.
Tune in as we talk about:
Setting sustainability targets in a pandemic, during a merger Are Goto’s targets ambitious — or unrealistic? Growth versus sustainability Regulating zero-emission targets Collaborating to decarbonise
Eco-Business asks two hospitality executives about balancing post-Covid recovery and the need for speed in going green.
The guests are: Kwee Wei-Lin, president of the Singapore Hotel Association and head of hotels at Pontiac Land Group Andrew Dixon, director of Nikoi and Cempedak private islands
The podcast was hosted by Eco-Business correspondent Liang Lei.
Tune in as we discuss: The pace of sustainability initiatives post-Covid-19 Balancing luxury, good service and guest expectations with sustainability The best ways to reach net-zero emissions How to better support employees and local communities in the post-pandemic tourism boom
In this podcast, Eco-Business speaks to two energy experts on plans for clean energy imports into Southeast Asia from its neighbouring countries.
The guests are: Beni Suryadi, manager of the Power, Fossil Fuel, Alternative Energy and Storage department at the ASEAN Centre for Energy Elrika Hamdi, energy finance analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis
The podcast was hosted by Eco-Business correspondent Liang Lei.
Tune in as we discuss: The current prospects for clean energy imports into Southeast Asia Whether Southeast Asia need clean energy imports from other countries The challenges in clean energy imports into the region The key ingredients for successfully leveraging opportunities Expected trajectory for clean energy import projects in the next few decades
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about what can be done about greenwashing are: James Lorenz, executive director of Action Speaks Louder, a non-profit that holds firms to account for their climate promises, Janissa Ng, senior account director of public relations firm Spurwing, and the former head of PR and content at conservation group WWF-Singapore. Ng is chair of a new taskforce to address greenwashing in the PR industry in Asia.
Tune in as we talk about:
Why greenwashing is dangerous Have we reached "peak greenwash?" Greenwash in Asia Who are the worst greenwashers? Are consumers wising up? Should PR firms work for big polluters? How can PR firms avoid greenwashing? What's the most effective way to stop greenwash? Is there future public health warnings on fossil fuels ads?
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about the benefits and challenges of retrofitting old buildings is Vinod Jethani, Asia Pacific business development manager, commercial buildings, for engineering company Danfoss.
Tune in as we talk about:
Why retrofits matter to the climate fight Are retrofits always less carbon-intensive than building new Low-hanging retrofit fruit What ROI do we see from retrofits? The challenges of retrofits Which companies and industries are leading the way?
The Eco-Business Podcast talks to client scientist Professor Ben Horton about how close the world is to reach crucial climate tipping points, and what can be done to stop runaway climate change.
In this new podcast series 'Climate Tech in Asia', we speak to Gogoro chairman and CEO Horace Luke on the company's recent listing on the Nasdaq and its quest to electrify Asia's ubiquitous two-wheelers and make battery swapping mainstream.
This Earth Day, we speak to oceanographer & marine biologist, and founder of Mission Blue, Dr Sylvia Earle about why the ocean plays a crucial role in our fight against climate change.
In this podcast, Eco-Business speaks to three contributing authors to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report from Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
The guests are:
Associate Professor of Science, Technology and Society, Winston Chow, from the Singapore Management University, Dr Zelina Ibrahim, from the Faculty of Forestry and Environment in Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr Rodel Lasco, executive director of the Oscar M. Lopez Center, a climate research foundation in the Philippines.
The podcast was hosted by Eco-Business correspondent Liang Lei.
Tune in as we discuss:
The most important findings for Southeast Asia, Challenges and personal sacrifices from working on the report, Contentious discussions to approve a report summary, The value of the IPCC report, six editions and 30 years in, The scientists' hope for the future
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to unpack the challenges of sustainable packaging are Alvin Lim, chief executive of packaging firm Rypax — which produces packaging from bamboo and sugarcane — and Professor Seeram Ramakrishna, chair of the Circular Economy Taskforce at the National University of Singapore.
Tune in as we talk about:
What is sustainable packaging? Why is sustainable packaging more expensive? Creating a circular economy for sustainable packaging Greenwashing in the packaging sector Will consumers pay more for sustainability?
The Eco-Business Podcast talks to Madhumitha Ardhanari, senior sustainability strategist at Forum for the Future.
Tune in as we talk about: - How the invisibility of sand contributes to its secrecy - How Singapore came to be the world’s biggest importer of sand - Why speaking up about sand extraction matters - The three different ways sand is discussed in Singapore, which continue to justify the extraction of sand - How we may begin to think about alternative discourses of sand
A US$22 billion project involving 12,000 hectares of solar panels and 3,800km of cabling running from Darwin to Singapore might be the most ambitious renewable energy project ever. How will it work? Eco-Business talked to Fraser Thompson of project developer Sun Cable.
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast are Vanessa Ho, executive director of Project X, an NGO that campaigns for the rights of sex workers in Singapore, and Bernadette Victorio, programme director for Fair Finance Asia, which pushes for a fairer, more sustainable finance system.
Tune in as talk about:
The rules of engagement for NGOs in Singapore A campaign to help Vietnamese KTV workers What FICA means for NGOs How can businesses talk about human rights? Compassion fatigue and human rights How to rejuvenate Singapore's NGO sector The need to connect like minds
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about what the COP26 climate talks could mean for businesses in Asia is Malavika Bambawale, APAC MD of sustainability solutions for ENGIE Impact.
Tune in as we discuss:
The main themes to look out for at COP26 Taxes, subsidies, and carbon markets Asia’s “Chicken and egg hesitation” The net-zero backlash How can Asian businesses access climate finance? The need for immediate climate action
Burying archaic systems of waste management to make way for the circular economy is not an easy task, but it is urgently needed to support growing populations and to save our planet’s precious finite resources.
Eco-Business speaks to Clarissa Morawski of Reloop about the government and corporate imperatives already driving this change in different parts of the world, as well as the legislative steps needed to close the holes in industry that are slowing the circular economy shift. Tune in as we talk about:
- Moving away from the take-make-dispose model
- Post-covid circular economy recovery models
- The energy required to recycle
- Solving waste management issues and changing consumption habits
It is no longer business as usual when it comes to how we tackle climate change and rising global temperatures. Eco-Business speaks to Elena Philipova, Refinitiv about how data can ensure countries and businesses are delivering on pledges to decarbonise.
Tune in as we discuss:
How the recent IPCC climate report will likely shape conversation at COP26 Moving from rhetoric to implementation Net-zero commitments and the danger of not moving fast enough to decarbonise economies Data and the importance of measuring absolute carbon emissions
Music is about escape, isn't it? When revellers are cutting shapes on the dance floor, can they really be inspired to take climate action? Eco-Business spoke to Robin Perkins, AKA El Búho, and Dilo from DJs For Climate Action, who argue why dance music can be a powerful force for the climate movement.
A plan is underway to enlarge the areas of the oceans that are safe havens for marine life. More than 190 countries have called for 30 per cent of the ocean to be protected by 2030.
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about how target might be achieved is ‘Aulani Wilhelm, senior vice president, Center for Oceans at Conservation International.
The Laysan albatross How marine protected areas work Why protecting the ocean matters The challenges of protecting the ocean Is the 30 by 30 target realistic?
With governments and companies racing towards net zero, Google has set a target to use clean energy for every location and every hour of operation by 2030. Is this possible?
The International Energy Agency was founded in 1970s to protect oil supplies. But in a bombshell report published last week, the IEA proposed an end to fossil fuels extraction if the world is to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.
The Eco-Business Podcast spoke Peter Kiernan, lead energy analyst for The Economist Intelligence Unit, about:
- The IEA's backstory
- The changing link between energy and climate
- What does no fossil fuels mean for Asia?
- A turning point for decarbonisation
- Net-zero targets: the devil is in the detail
The World Economic Forum – best known for its Annual Meeting in Davos since 1971 – has been a dynamic platform bringing together the best in business, politics and society to shape global industry agendas. How is WEF helping to shape China’s economic goals alongside its environmental and societal priorities?
Forget Lady Gaga and K-pop. It’s time to celebrate those working feverishly to avert climate doom, says Aaron Olivera, the man behind a proposed research ship that will gather more than a hundred scientists to study climate solutions.
The Eco-Business Podcast talks to Assaad Razzouk, renewable energy entrepreneur and host of the popular podcast, Angry Clean Energy Guy.
Tune in as we talk about:
Which climate solutions are most flawed? 'No time for nature-based solutions' The corporate net-zero trap The ESG bandwagon The scale of greenwashing How to communicate sustainability
In this podcast, Eco-Business talks to womentech investor Ananya Chandra about the dangers of gender bias in design and the importance of technologies that center women’s needs.
In this Eco-Business podcast, Victoria Haldane, a researcher with the Centre for Sustainable Health Systems and a PhD candidate at the Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation at the University of Toronto unpacks the reasons why sustainability in the healthcare sector is an under-covered issue in the media and global healthcare forums, despite its outsized footprint.
Eco-Business talks to environmental psychologist Dr Denise Dillon about Singapore's uncomfortable relationship with nature, whether loving nature is essential for conservation, and why climate anxiety might be a good thing.
Only 9 per cent of the billions of tonnes of plastic produced is recycled, and the business of recycling is beset with challenges. Recycled plastic certification is one way to improve recycled plastic rates, but plastic certification schemes also face obstacles.
Ryan Schoenike is the co-founder of recycling certification firm OceanCycle.
Tune in as we talk about:
Are consumer goods firms living up to their commitments? Where are the weak links in the plastic recycling chain? Protecting the people collecting plastic The impact of Covid on recyclers in Asia What is meant by "ocean plastic"? The future of plastic, recycling and the oceans
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about which technologies we need to fight the climate crisis is Hendrik Tiesinga, the outgoing co-founder and chief strategy officer of New Energy Nexus, a clean energy startup accelerator headquartered in California.
Join us as we talk about: - Sexy, boring tools to fight climate change - Why we don't need carbon capture technology—yet - Inside the mind of Elon Musk - The potential of nature-based solutions - The ambition of net zero targets - What are the best bets in renewables? - Reasons for pessimism, reasons for optimism
The dairy industry has an enormous environmental impact, from the methane emissions of cows, from the land cleared to grow animal feed.
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about how dairy is raising its sustainability game is Karen Scanlon, senior vice president of environmental stewardship for Innovation Center for United States Dairy.
Laos has announced the construction of two new coal plants for this year, despite growing evidence that coal power come with significant financial risk. What is holding back the country from tapping its rich clean energy resources instead?
Speak to CapitaLand Group’s chief sustsainability officer Lynette Leong and she will tell you of a harrowing incident in New Zealand some years ago that forced her to evacuate by helicopter to safety. The unprecedented event, triggered by uncertain weather patterns, helped to hit home the growing threat of climate change around the world.
It is with this knowledge that she leads the sustainability and business strategy of the Singapore-listed property developer, which recently published a masterplan outlining aggressive ESG (environment, social and governance) targets by 2030.
As part of its strategy, it recently announced the CapitaLand Sustainability X Challenge (CSXC) — “the first sustainability-focused innovation challenge by a Singapore real estate company on a global scale”, says Leong.
It offers individuals and companies opportunities to test-bed sustainability innovations in CapitaLand’s properties across more than 220 cities in over 30 cities. To date, it has received over 270 entries in over 30 cities, prompting CapitaLand to extend its deadline for submissions to 17 February 2021.
Last week, the Group also annnounced state investor Temasek as a lead partner of CSXC, with winners of CSXC given the opportunity to showcase their innovations to a global community at the annual Ecosperity Week, a sustainability forum organised by Temasek Holdings.
In this exclusive podcast, Eco-Business speaks to Leong on why one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups with a global portfolio of about S$133.3 billion has banked on sustainability and innovation to drive its next era of growth.
In this wide ranging interview, Leong also elaborates on a new metric called “Return on sustainability” that measures the return of investment the Group makes on ESG efforts, net zero targets in the real estate sector, Covid-19’s impact and the role of developers in addressing migrant worker welfare issues.
Join the CSXC before 17 February 2021 at www.capitalandsustainabilityxchallenge.com
Gas is still needed in the Philippines’ clean energy transition: PEIC chief Don Paulino by Eco-Business
Are schools preparing students for the climate crisis? And even if they are, how do you teach children about the realities of climate change without instilling a sense of dread about the future?
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about how young people can learn about climate change in a fear-free environment is Leslie Medema, head of learning, at Green School.
Tune in as we talk about:
A day in the life at Green School - How does discipline work at Green School? - How to teach kids about climate change without scaring them - Explaining the "real side" climate change - What will the school of the future be like?
2020 was a car-crash year for plastic recycling and ocean pollution. Eco-Business asked Rob Kaplan, CEO of circular economy investment firm Circulate Capital, how to rebuild the circular economy in Asia this year.
Tune as we talk about:
What went wrong in 2020 for the circular economy How have recyclers survived a ‘car-crash’ year? Should consumer goods companies also be recyclers? Do we need a plastic tax? Asia’s opportunity as a circular economy hub
A recent study by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) found that 9 out of 10 accountants want companies to be more sustainable after the Covid-19 pandemic. Eco-Business asked ACCA sustainability head Jimmy Greer about the role accountants play in building a better future.
Join us as we talk about:
The gripes accountants have about ESG reporting Are there too many sustainability reporting frameworks? Do the net zero numbers add up? How well versed are young accountants in ESG issues? Reinventing capitalism
The waste oil dumped into the ocean by ships every year is equivalent to eight Exxon Valdez oil spills, and nowhere is the problem as severe as Southeast Asia.
The EB Podcast talks to hotelier Andrew Dixon about how a clever idea using a ship tracking system can help curb an environmental crime that has been largely ignored.
The world's largest asset manager says it has put sustainability at the core of its investment approach. Eco-Business speaks to Shinbo Won, BlackRock's investment stewardship director in Singapore about what this means for investors, and how companies are responding to increased ESG pressure
A Singapore-based firm has just hatched a new plant-based egg product. Will consumers pay more for plant-based eggs, even if they are healthier and less harmful to the planet? The Eco-Business Podcast asked Vinita Choolani, co-founder and CEO of Float Foods.
A new report from Fair Finance Asia points to a bleak future for the region if banks do not embrace sustainable finance.
Bernadette Victoria tells the Eco-Business Podcast why banks need to act fast if they are to help the world's most climate-vulnerable region avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Tune in as we talk about:
Dystopian future: What Asia could be like by 2030 Why the future is already here The risk of unsustainable banking — for banks Covid, an excuse to delay action? Is green finance too expensive? How banks help hit net zero targets Will banks change in time?
As more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and the planet heats, warmed waters are expanding and glaciers are melting, raising the level at which the sea meets the land at an alarming rate. Rising sea levels pose an existential threat to low-lying Singapore, and other island nations.
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast is climate scientist Professor Benjamin Horton, who has studied sea-level rise for more than 25 years. He is now director of Earth Observatory of Singapore, a research institute that studies the impacts of climate change in and around Southeast Asia.
Tune in as we talk about:
The region in most danger from sea-level rise How quickly are the waters rising? What if Greenland and Antarctica melted? The best defences against sea-level rise Using nature to keep the waters at bay Sea-level leaders and laggards The US presidential elections and climate science Where's the safest place to live in the future?
In September and October 2020, China, Japan and Korea announced exciting emissions reduction targets to set their economies in line with the Paris Agreement.
On the Eco-Business podcast, Dr Frank Rijsberman, director general of the Global Green Growth Institute, talks about what these targets mean for the region's development and our climate.
Humanity produces enough food to feed 10 billion people — 2.2 billion more people than are alive today — but the way food is produced and what we eat is harming human health and our planet.
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to talk about is Brent Loken, WWF's Stockholm-based global food lead scientist. A flexitarian who holds a doctorate in resource and environmental management, Loken is an authority on how to change the food system for the good of human health and the planet.
Tune in as we talk about:
Is being flexible the best way to eat? Why changing diets isn't that hard Making healthy eating sexy Why do governments recommend unhealthy food? Will feeding the hungry always mean biodiversity loss? Not everyone needs to be vegan The social stigma of food
The coronavirus pandemic has brought cleaner air to polluted cities, as the economic slowdown has curbed emissions from factories and traffic.
But the air pollution picture is more complicated than that. In some places, such as Jakarta, air pollution has deteriorated during the pandemic, according to a study by Vital Strategies, a public health civic society group.
Joining the Eco-Business podcast is Dr Vivian Pun, an air pollution epidemiologist with Vital Strategies, to talk about the real air quality story behind the pandemic, and what the virus is telling us about tackling the world's most underrated environmental issue.
The clean energy sector’s poor human rights performance places its legitimacy at risk. Jessie Cato of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre sheds light on how the industry can avoid labour abuse, land grabs and other violations.
Mining can come at great environmental cost. But it is necessary to fuel the energy transition by extracting the minerals needed to make solar panels and wind turbines.
Michael Salvatico from Trucost tells the Eco-Business podcast about the risk and opportunity confronting Australia's mining sector — and what it could mean for Asia Pacific.
Many people think there is no such thing as sustainably grown palm oil.
Palm oil’s reputation makes it hard for companies that grow oil palm in a way that doesn’t fit the destructive stereotype of palm oil production.
One such company is Rotterdam-headquartered Natural Habitats, which works with independent farmers in South America to grow organic palm oil that is deforestation-free, wildlife-friendly, fair for farmers, and for local communities.
Joining the Eco-Business podcast is Monique van Wijnbergen, global head of sustainability and corporate communications for Natural Habitats, and a spokesperson for the Palm Done Right campaign.
What can the law do to protect us from a changing climate, and hold those most responsible for climate change to account?
A law firm in Australia, Equity Generation lawyers, specialises in climate change risk.
In Its most recent case, the firm is representing 8 young students and a nun, who are trying to stop government approval of a coal mine in New South Wales.
On this Eco-Business Podcast, David Barnden, principal lawyer at Equity Generation Lawyers, talks about the legal case against climate change.
The ocean floor is scattered with vast beds of minerals that could be used to make modern gadgets from smartphones to solar panels and batteries.
But environmentalists warn that mining it could remove entire habitats and threaten as-yet-undiscovered species, and release toxins and create pollution in areas that have been undisturbed for millennia.
Though there is rising demand for the materials we need to transition to clean energy and combat climate change, do we need to plunder nature’s last frontier to find them?
On this podcast, Sian Owen, from conservation group the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, argues that mining the deep seas shouldn’t happen, no matter what treasures are buried in an environment scientists know less about than the surface of the moon.
Air-con provides home comfort and boost works productivity, but it is a dangerously energy-intensive technology.
It is the largest and fastest growing use of building energy in Southeast Asia, and by 2040 is predicted to account for 40 per cent of Southeast Asia’s electricity demand.
Australian engineer Professor James Trevelyan invented an air-conditioner in 2007 that is smaller scale than regular AC units, more energy efficient, cheaper to run and less emissions intensive.
To discuss Southeast Asia's cooling predicament, and how the region can keep cool without cooking the planet, Trevelyan joins the Eco-Business podcast to talk about:
The impact of rising air-conditioning use on our climate Why is innovation in air-conditioning so slow? Air-con, luxury and progress How air-conditioning affects build design Air-conditioning and the spreading of disease The future of cooling technology
Eco-Business speaks with top Filipino environmentalist Loren Legarda on how the economy can be revived through climate resilience.
Do people in Asia know or care where their banks invest their money? And even if they do, can they do anything to push their banks towards sustainable investments?
To discuss this, Eco-Business spoke to Mayur Singh, a Singapore-based entrepreneur who co-founded tech firm Mattrvest last year. His company helps young people invest in things that align with their values.
Singh is also involved in a campaign called My Money My Planet, which encourages consumers to ask their banks to tell them how their money is being spent.
Tune in as we talk about:
How much impact do consumers really have as investors? How much of our money is being spent on unsustainable investments like fossil fuels, unhealthy food, slave labour, and guns? Do people in Asia really care how their money is being invested? What can we do about greenwashing in green finance products? Are banks changing fast enough to meet climate goals?
Is plastic waste a battle the Philippines could win?
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a surge in the use of single-use plastics as the material is relied upon to protect people and goods. From face shields and syringes to plastic packaging for takeaway food, how can the Philippines manage its plastic waste streams, increase its recycling rate, and stop an impending plastic pandemic?
In this podcast, "What happens to waste? Digging into the recycling systems in the Philippines", Eco-Business speaks to Bonar Laureto, executive director of the non-profit Business for Sustainable Development, and Toff Rada, country manager for corporate and government affairs at food and beverage company Mondelez Philippines.
Tune in as we tackle questions including:
What happens to waste after people put them in the trash can, and how can Filipino households recycle properly? How must various sectors of society transform to strengthen the country's waste management infrastructure? What can the private sector do to help to reduce plastics use and accelerate plastics recycling in the country What is extended producer responsibility means and what is its role in the Philippines' response to plastic pollution?
In this podcast, we discuss an alliance between an environmental group and an agribusiness company that aims to reduce encroachment by coffee farmers in one of Sumatra’s last stands of lowland forest.
On this podcast, Eco-Business talks to experts on how more smallholders can adopt sustainable practices.
Tune in as we talk about:
Smallholders—are they really responsible for the haze? What is the biggest challenge of moving smallholders towards sustainable practices? Is certification out of reach for smallholders? How has RSPO’s new standard for smallholders affected the market? What a sustainable future look like for smallholders, and how can we get there?
An often overlooked part of the palm oil story is people. What is the industry doing to protect the rights of workers on plantations? On this podcast, Eco-Business spoke to industry experts from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and workers' rights group Verité.
New rules from the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RPSO) ban deforestation and growing on peat. But what are the challenges of putting the new rules into practice, and how will they be effectively enforced to protect forests and the people who depend on them?
Tune in as we discuss: The impact of the new standards The challenges of making them work How can the rules be effectively enforced? What next for RSPO’s standards? Brand palm oil and fighting fake news
Technologies that keep us cool are among the biggest guzzlers of energy in Southeast Asia.
As the region gets richer and more populous, cooling systems are set to account for 40 per cent of Southeast Asia’s electricity demand by 2040.
At Singapore International Energy Week last year, Fatih Birol, president of the International Energy Agency, called cooling the global energy market’s “biggest blind spot” as the world works out how to de-carbonise in the wake of a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that revealed humanity has about a decade to reverse global warming or else face dire consequences.
But can people in the tropics really be expected to live without cooling as temperatures rise? If not, how can we provide affordable, efficient cooling that doesn’t cost the Earth?
In the fourth episode of Tomorrow’s cities: Engineering the energy transition, Eco-Business sat down with David MacKerness, director, business development for cooling-as-a-service company Kaer, and Soren Kvorning, president, Asia Pacific, for engineering firm Danfoss, to discuss better ways to keep cool as the planet warms up.
The forecast for the marine sector is stormy, as more stringent international regulations on fuel are due to take effect in 2020, and the International Maritime Organisation has challenged the industry to halve its carbon footprint by 2050. Yet, shipping is responsible for 90% of goods transported around the world and provides an exciting way to travel. At the same time, countries are beginning to experiment with electric, methane, and natural gas-powered vessels. In the third episode of the series Tomorrow’s cities: Engineering the energy transition, we explore which type of vessel provides the best way forward, how the marine sector is coping with IMO’s new targets, and technological innovations that could help the sector transition into a low-carbon world.
In the second episode of the series Tomorrow’s cities: Engineering the energy transition, we explore how to create zero carbon cities.
Palm oil is blamed for many environmental and social ills, from deforestation to child labour. How true are these assertions?
Eco-Business speaks to Anita Neville, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Sustainability Relations at Golden Agri-Resources, and Cynthia Morel, Senior Sustainability Strategist for Forum for the Future Asia Pacific to address 5 myths about palm oil.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution sets a brisk pace for businesses and policymakers alike to adapt their models and practices in order to keep up with changing trends. Doing so will require equipping the population with new skills, fostering innovation, and of course, finance to get cutting-edge ideas from the drawing board to users. How can societies foster and support innovation, and more importantly, channel it for good? We spoke to Steve Leonard, CEO of SGInnovate to find out.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution has made some rather exciting promises to society: New business opportunities, sustainable societies, and transformed lives. But it will take new hardware, software, and financing to make this transition possible. To find out how the future will be implemented, we spoke to Alpesh Patel, director of the Digital Capability Centre at McKinsey Singapore,
With cities set to grow become more populous and densely packed, what is the key to making them liveable and sustainable? How do elements like the built environment, transport, and urban planning interact to create a financially and resource efficient yet liveable environment?
Deeply encoded in the idea of a high-tech, smart, automated and ultra-efficient future is anxiety about jobs, skills, and the future of work. As robots and computers take over a broad range of tasks that create livelihoods for millions around the world, what will the future look like for current and future workers, employers, as well as policymakers? What skills do workers today need to learn to stay relevant, and how do policymakers support their people in a job-scarce world?
We speak to Johan de Villiers, country managing director, ABB Singapore, to find out how the Fourth Industrial Revolution can deliver a future that makes life better for everyone.