Eco-Business

A beach in north Jakarta, Indonesia, devastated by plastic pollution.

Plastics lobbyists are pushing recycling as a remedy to the plastic crisis, which NGOs decry as a "false solution" and demand deep cuts in polymer production to meet climate goals. Some fear that a legally binding treaty is unlikely.

As UN talks in Canada seek global plastics treaty, research says levels of plastic waste have become unmanageable.

A single-use plastic soup spoon in use in HK

The city's disposable tableware ban which comes into force today has spooked small retailers over the price of "sustainable" items. Limited composting facilities is another concern. But NGOs hail the territory for the scope and breadth of measures to cut plastic pollution.

Filipinos want efforts to tackle ocean pollution to focus on plastic production cuts, a survey by Greenpeace found ahead of the penultimate meeting for the first ever pact on plastic trash. But environmentalists fret that negotiators are prioritising waste recovery instead.

By Robin Hicks

By Gabrielle See

By Erich Parpart

By Moushumi Basu

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The ongoing negotiations have the potential to strengthen global cooperation and provide a framework for concerted action to tackle both plastic pollution and its climate impacts. By Shahriar Hossain

Applying lessons from the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will forge an effective Global Plastics Treaty. By Jorge Emmanuel

To restore Earth’s stability, governments must recognise the need to respect the nine planetary boundaries. This requires a steadfast commitment to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and protecting biodiversity and water resources. By Robert Redford and Xiye Bastida

Air pollution is a 'silent killer', say former New Zealand PM and former WHO chief scientist. By Helen Clark and Soumya Swaminathan

By Tamil Salvi Mari

By Eka Permanasari, Dian Nostikasari and Derry Wijaya

By Benja Faecks and Eleanor Scott

By Mirei Endara de Heras

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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.

Launched as policymakers lock horns with petrochemicals lobbyists over a treaty to end plastic pollution, the documentary produced by Eco-Business asks why opportunities to solve humanity's waste crisis are being wasted. It will premiere in Singapore and screen on the sidelines of the upcoming COP28 climate summit.

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?

An e-jeepney in the Philippines. A growing movement is underway to electrify Southeast Asia's transport. Image: Eco-Business

In gridlocked, smoggy Southeast Asian cities, change is afoot to electrify transport and clear some of the world's most polluted skies. This video documents the pockets of hope for e-mobility around the most climate-vulnerable region.

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EB Studio If a real estate development can reduce energy and water consumption – and emit fewer carbon emissions – it is built to last, Oliver Chan tells the Eco-Business podcast. The key, however, is to first educate future homeowners and businesses that going green does not mean breaking the bank.

GoTo sustainability head Tanah Sullivan tells the Eco-Business Podcast that regulating net-zero claims would decarbonise Southeast Asia faster. Indonesia's biggest internet firm aims to cut emissions to zero by 2030 — a target critics say is unrealistic.

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.

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