Eco-Business

Plastic_Pollution_Mekong_Woman_Fisherfolk

Plastic is now ubiquitous in the Mekong, Asia’s Mother of Rivers, and experts and local people are struggling to contain the risks to human health, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Climate tech financing has dwindled in recent years, while investor doubts on alternative proteins persist. In a difficult year for sustainability technologies, Eco-Business spotlights some of the innovations that still made the headlines.

The Singapore anti-waste non-profit sees executive director Huileng Tan move on after three years. Partnerships director Lionel Dorai succeeds Tan in the top job.

This year, readers paid attention to how climate featured on critical electoral campaigns that saw leadership change hands. Cebu and Bali, both popular tourist destinations, featured on the top story list, but for very different reasons.

By Robin Hicks

By Emma Bryce

Thomson Reuters Foundation

By Ng Wai Mun

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Instead of backtracking on net zero, companies are retracting unsubstantiated carbon neutrality claims – a positive development. By John Lang

Bali has a unique opportunity to address plastic waste by integrating sustainable practices into the tourism experience. By Attar Hikmahtiar Ramadan, Elprida Agustina and Emenda Sembiring

Biopolymers that are cheaper to produce, heat-resistant, biocompatible and biodegradable are promising alternatives to plastics. By Sanmitra Barman

As lobbyists flood plastic treaty talks, negotiators must uphold the rule of law to prevent corporate capture, including existing guidelines to stop the tobacco industry — a major source of plastic waste — from influencing policies. By Vera da Costa e Silva and Deborah Sy

By Rayhan Dudayev

By Eka Permanasari and Denis Teoman

By Mohd Yusoff Ishak

By Dr Theresa Mundita Lim

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Exclusive Jack Johnson says yes, but it is a long road ahead. In this exclusive interview, we ask the American singer-songwriter and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador about his hopes for the state of the world and how music plays a role in providing a dose of optimism in dark times.

EB Studio Singapore gets through 2 million plastic bags a day. Why do Singaporeans use so many bags, and what will it take to reduce consumption?

Katherine Desbaillets, co-owner of SaladStop!

As Singapore-based salad bar chain SaladStop! marks its 10th anniversary, co-owner Katherine Desbaillets talks to Eco-Business about phasing out meat, food waste and single-use packaging, and dealing with customers who refuse to pay 10 cents for a plastic bag.

The Philippine government has begun the process of relocating more than 200,000 families living along waterways to restore Manila Bay, the main body of water in the capital.

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EB Studio 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.

EB Studio As a landmark treaty is thrashed out to tackle plastic pollution, the Eco-Business Podcast debates whether the world is ready to pay a premium for packaging that doesn't damage the planet.

Recycling keeps some plastic out of waterways, but it is no silver bullet for ocean pollution. Ryan Schoenike of OceanCycle tells Eco-Business how recycled plastic certification works, and how his firm is faring in a sector rocked by Covid.

2020 was a bad year plastic recycling and ocean pollution. Eco-Business asked Circulate Capital CEO Rob Kaplan how the circular economy can be rebuilt in Asia this year.

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