Indonesian palm oil smallholders union welcomes EU deforestation law, but wants help to comply

Indonesian palm oil smallholders union welcomes EU deforestation law, but wants help to comply

Indonesia's smallholders union says small farmers "deserve" help from Big Palm Oil to comply with new EU regulations because of historical exploitation.

Sea level rise may threaten Indonesia’s status as an archipelagic country

Sea level rise may threaten Indonesia’s status as an archipelagic country

Indonesia risks losing its exclusive rights to all of the resources in and under the waters between its islands, as the basepoints it has used to draw its archipelagic baselines become submerged.

‘Don’t disturb our economic growth’: Asian leaders weigh energy transition, development at Davos

‘Don’t disturb our economic growth’: Asian leaders weigh energy transition, development at Davos

Expanding wealth and creating jobs remain top priorities for many policymakers in the rapidly emerging region. Several industrial powerhouses also promoted nuclear power as a green energy source.

World needs global carbon price and tax reform for carbon-heavy trade – or will miss 2030 climate goals, warns WTO chief

World needs global carbon price and tax reform for carbon-heavy trade – or will miss 2030 climate goals, warns WTO chief

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, told the World Economic Forum that decarbonising global trade and supply chains must occur in a way that does not disadvantage the Global South.

Under Anwar, Malaysia can 'do better' on climate, using global funds

Under Anwar, Malaysia can 'do better' on climate, using global funds

Malaysia's new government can reset how the country tackles the impacts of climate change, such as monsoon floods, by investing more in nature backed by international green funding.

Asia needs to be on board for global ESG rule-setting: IFRS chair Erkki Liikanen

Asia needs to be on board for global ESG rule-setting: IFRS chair Erkki Liikanen

The International Sustainability Standards Board, a standard-setting body launched after COP26 to harmonise ESG reporting is opening an office in Beijing by mid-2023. Plans are underway for Tokyo to host another Asia office.

The energy transition confronts reality

The energy transition confronts reality

Given the scale and complexity of the transition away from hydrocarbons, some worry that economic analysis has been given short shrift in the policy planning process. At least four major challenges stand in the way.

Would a global plastic treaty solve plastic pollution in Asia?

Would a global plastic treaty solve plastic pollution in Asia?

Asia needs to have greater representation at plastic treaty negotiations to tackle plastic pollution in the region more effectively, said a senior executive from recycling company Tomra.