Eco-Business

Aerial photo taken on 11 December 2024 showing young oil palms growing in a previously burned area in the concession of PT Samora Usaha Jaya, a company owned by Tunas Baru Lampung (TBLA). TBLA was financed by Danamon, a subsidiary of Japanese banking giant MUFG. Image: Rainforest Action Network

Funding for palm oil plantation expansion provided by MUFG's Indonesian subsidiary led to haze pollution from converted peatlands in South Sumatra, in breach of the bank's sustainability policy, analysis by Rainforest Action Network finds. In response, MUFG only said it conducts "rigorous" assessments of its palm oil clients.

EB Studio The operationalisation of Article 6 at COP29 can be a critical lever to enable Asia Pacific’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Fragmented standards across countries, however, still present implementation challenges amid global geopolitical shifts.

Environmental defender Meenakshi Raman, who has long advocated for climate justice for the Global South, warns that a lack of transparency and delayed adoption of the amendments of Malaysia's National Forestry Act by states can exacerbate resource exploitation.

Chinese factory workers manufacture solar panels

Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia's solar panel makers face varying tariff rates. Chinese manufacturers have already moved operations elsewhere, and smaller local players and workers will bear the brunt of the fallout.

By Hannah Alcoseba Fernandez

SciDev Net

By Irfan Maulana

By Ng Wai Mun

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Southeast Asia could use this disruption in food trade to strengthen collaboration, reduce dependency and create a truly integrated regional market. By Paul Teng

Lynas rare earth elements plant_Pahang_Malaysia

Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have a sizeable presence in the global REE supply chain – now a geopolitical focal point – but although they may have substantial reserves, their REE production levels are still lower than China's. By Gloria Lin

Chinese and American firms are seeking to export their autonomous driving technologies to Southeast Asia. The signal lesson is that their data-driven models require sensitivity and adaptation to the region’s diverse markets. By Shi Youwei

Farm labourers returning from overseas can, if empowered, form a pool of experienced talent that Southeast Asia’s vulnerable agricultural sector can tap into for food security. By Elyssa Kaur Ludher

By Steven R Galster

By Dadang Mujiono

By Mirza Sadaqat Huda

By Ghee Peh and Mutya Yustika

All Southeast Asia Opinion →

Transition credits explainer video_title card

There is consensus that coal needs to be retired early in Asia, but the mechanisms for financing the phase-out are not clear. This mini-documentary examines how transition credits work and whether they can fund Southeast Asia's equitable switch to clean power.

EB Studio From sponge cities to coastal forests, Asia is seeking ways to work with nature and prepare for the risks in a warmer-than-expected future. This Eco-Business video looks at what else cities need to do to strengthen climate resilience.

The vessel will scour Southeast Asia’s marine environment to gather data and support local conservationists.

The Green Mortician is Singapore's first water cremation service

The Green Mortician is the city-state's first water cremation service, which has a small carbon footprint compared to traditional funeral options.

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The Eco-Business Podcast speaks to reporters Nadiah Rosli, Adelia Dinda Sani, Gerald Flynn and Hannah Alcoseba Fernandez about funding limits, data access, and reporting against the odds in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions.

EB Studio 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.

Indonesian environmental campaigners took a novel approach to raising climate awareness by publishing five children's books about the country's environmental issues. This podcast explores their creative process and the public's response.

Climate tech podcast with Steve Melhuish

Entrepreneur Steve Melhuish tells the EB Podcast where the biggest opportunities to reduce emissions and make money are in Southeast Asia, and why finding the right economic incentives is critical for climate tech startups.

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