eco-business

Singapore to ratify long-delayed Asean haze centre agreement ahead of 2027 chairmanship Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said Singapore will ratify the treaty creating Asean's haze coordination centre and work to strengthen the region's haze agreement when the city-state chairs the bloc in 2027.

Gaps in skills recognition a barrier to just transition in Asia Pacific: report Energy and mining workers face barriers to moving between sectors, including unnecessary repeated training, according to a report by nonprofit Opito.

Asean risks locking in decades of coal emissions without coordinated, 'people-centred' just transition, report warns Experts say the region's next challenge is turning climate commitments into enforceable coal retirement plans that protect people, local communities, and energy security.

COP31: Q&A: 'We suffer the consequences more, then pay more to finance the response' Uruguay's climate change director María Fernanda Souza talks finance and geopolitics ahead of the UN climate summit.

From haze law to the Asean power grid: what is at stake for the region this week Singapore will table changes to its haze law on Tuesday, as Malaysia weighs a law of its own and Jakarta's stance on gas and electricity exports raises questions for the region's energy plans.

Rough seas squeeze fishing livelihoods in eastern Indonesia Fishers in Indonesia's Maluku Islands say increasingly rough seas are keeping them ashore and reducing their catches as the current El Niño intensifies, threatening livelihoods in communities dependent on fishing.

Nature funding falls for second year, putting global conservation bargain under strain at COP17 Support for protected and conserved areas fell from more than US$1.2 billion in 2023 to US$1 billion in 2025, as governments conclude COP17 in Yerevan to advance the goal of protecting 30 per cent of land and waters by 2030.

Nearly all global coral reefs face collapse within 50 years: IUCN Climate-driven heat stress is pushing coral reefs towards widespread ecological collapse – threatening marine biodiversity, coastal livelihoods and food security as ocean temperatures rise.

Asia Pacific sees highest heat-related productivity losses at US$2.4 trillion: MSCI study Real estate firms operating mainly in the region account for most of the companies analysed by MSCI with more than 5 per cent of revenue at risk from heat-related productivity losses.

Singapore to study geothermal power after survey finds vast potential beneath the city-state METI minister Tan See Leng also unveiled plans to triple battery storage, a S$75 million fund for cleaner power generation, approval for a 1.3GW renewable import project to Sembcorp and a deal to store Saudi crude oil in Singapore's underground caverns.

China to lower VAT rebate for new energy vehicle exports China is cutting tax rebates for new energy vehicle exports to curb price competition and reduce trade tensions – with lower-margin models likely to face the greatest pressure.

Taiwan's tea growers rethink farming as climate pressures intensify Alishan, a mountain region in central Taiwan, is famous for producing the prized high-mountain tea, but its tea production has declined in recent years.

Singapore tightens renewable power claims to curb greenwashing, boost clean energy imports The revised standard will build trust in corporate sustainability reporting, Minister of State for Energy, Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang said at the Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) held in Singapore.

COP31 hosts Türkiye, Australia continue to pursue coal expansion ahead of climate talks, says Urgewald report Though smaller than those of China, India and Indonesia, the COP31 hosts' coal expansion plans raise questions about their credibility ahead of the November summit, according to a new report by environmental nonprofit Urgewald.

COP31 hosts Türkiye and Australia pursue coal expansion ahead of climate talks: Urgewald report Though smaller than China, India and Indonesia's, their coal expansion plans raise credibility concerns ahead of the November talks, environmental advocates say. Previous hosts have faced similar scrutiny over fossil fuel policies.

Climate migrants find little protection in Bangladesh's cities Climate migration is often considered an adaptation strategy, as it moves people out of harm's way from the immediate shocks of climate change.

Indonesia signals gas export curbs for countries that do not 'respect' it Energy minister Bahlil Lahadalia's warning came as Singapore and Malaysia stepped up pressure on Jakarta over the haze, a day after President Prabowo Subianto hit back at countries that "insult" Indonesia.

Thailand's low-carbon push puts jobs and livelihoods in focus A new transition roadmap will examine support for workers and smaller businesses, but participation and implementation funding remain unclear.

Plastic accounting masks chemical recycling harms, critics say As scientists and dozens of nations call for major reductions in plastic production, the plastics industry continues to push pyrolysis — dubbed chemical or advanced recycling — as a primary solution to the global plastic waste crisis.

Chinese social media used to facilitate illegal wildlife trade in Laos Using simple keyword searches on Chinese social media, Mongabay found hundreds of videos promoting the sale of endangered wildlife in Laos. Two major Chinese media companies have user agreements specifically barring the posting of content related to the illegal wildlife trade; a third does not have specific terms.

Latest Asean energy outlook ditches carbon neutrality pathway, projects higher emissions by 2050 Asean's official energy outlook, endorsed by its energy ministers on 8 October, reveals a gap between the region's energy plans and its members' net-zero pledges, and allows new coal plants to be built even in its lowest-emissions scenario.

Climate change could worsen toxic mine waste pollution along coasts: study Worst-case climate change modelling shows that rising temperatures and changing weather patterns could heighten mining contamination risks for marine environments, with some regions exposed to compounding hazards.

'Mana hutan kami?' The Malaysian youths turning climate anxiety into legal action Six young Malaysians are taking their government to court to ask 'where is our forest?' as they demand a halt to deforestation.

Water insecurity an 'invisible barrier' to AI and chip industry growth, say specialists Taiwan's water-intensive industries are exploring AI-assisted treatment as rising costs, workforce shortages and extreme weather heighten supply risks, according to speakers at the Taiwan International Water Week.

India's forest communities build livelihoods beyond timber Erratic rainfall and changing weather patterns are disrupting the availability of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) affecting communities that depend on these products in India.

Concerns raised as data centres go underwater in China A Chinese firm is deploying data servers to the sea for natural cooling. Experts say more information on their environmental impacts is needed before expansion.

Philippine president orders creation of carbon market framework The framework's contribution to Philippine climate ambition remains uncertain, as the country's updated pledge lacks clarity on how much of its conditional target will be met through carbon markets, says civl society.

AI wildfire platform Satellites on Fire seeks Indonesia partnerships as regional haze worsens Earthshot Prize finalist Satellites on Fire uses AI, satellite imagery and ground data to detect blazes earlier, and is now discussing potential projects in Indonesia as its fires blanket parts of Southeast Asia in haze.

Global mangroves rebound after decades of loss Globally, mangrove cover has grown by 477 square kilometres (184 square miles) between 1985 and 2025, marking a turnaround from the losses that have predominated for years, but gains are uneven.

COP17: Nature knows no boundaries – neither can our solutions To protect nature and livelihoods in a changing climate, consider both systems together and listen to local people, say local government leaders.