Economists suggest the 2026 haze will cost Singapore more than the 2015 episode, while other estimates state that Malaysia is losing RM20 million (US$4.9 million) to RM50 million (US$12.3 million) a day. Seven companies have been served notices under Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
SMEs form the backbone of Asia’s supply chains and labour force across Asia’s emerging markets, yet many struggle to access the finance and insurance needed to withstand climate shocks. Eco-Business speaks to UNDP’s Tom Beloe in Hong Kong, who explains what it will take to reach them.
Rising electricity demand from data centres is putting pressure on the country to expand generation and grid capacity, but shorter-term commitments from some operators could make it harder to recover the cost of those investments, said the country’s energy regulator.
AI, robotics, biotechnology and digital infrastructure could help the country boost agricultural productivity and resilience, but fragmented data, high adoption costs and uneven digital access remain barriers to scaling.
As environmental disasters increasingly spill across borders, timely and transparent crisis communication is becoming an important test of Indonesia’s regional leadership and diplomacy.
Oleh
Jessica Martha
Studio EB
Stronger standards and fire prevention can help, but lasting progress requires action across industries, governments and communities.
Oleh
Aryo Gustomo
The return of smoke haze underscores a sobering reality: while Asean has policies designed to combat it, the problem continues to occur.
Oleh
Melinda Martinus
The region’s stake in AI is not simply which great power builds the most capable model. The key is to ensure that AI remains affordable, locally relevant, continuously available and politically accessible.
Oleh
Zenobia Chan
NGOs urged the government to improve forest data transparency by making maps of protected areas publicly available, and to channel funds to frontline communities living near forests.
Studio EB
As Malaysia forges ahead with its 2050 net zero climate ambition, businesses must reshape their supply chains for a low carbon future. This Eco-Business video looks at how SMEs can adapt to new sustainability reporting requirements.
While some companies greenhush, others are upfront about their inability to meet sustainability targets. Eco-Business asked experts at the Ecosperity conference if it pays for businesses to be "vulnerable" about sustainability progress.
The origin of Covid-19 is believed to be a market selling live wild animals. Eco-Business asked Anbarasi Boopal of Singapore-based animal welfare charity Acres about the link between the exploitation of animals and pandemics, and what can be done to curb the illegal wildlife trade.
In the inaugural episode of Eco-Business's new Resilience podcast series, industry leaders say the palm oil sector's ability to weather disruption will depend not on certification alone, but on rethinking the relationships that underpin the entire supply chain.
The Malaysia-headquartered bank's sustainability chief tells the EB Podcast about the discipline's mandate to prove value, wrestling with NGOs, and greenwashing in finance.
As the Philippines gears up to chair Asean next year, Michael Sinocruz says the government will push offshore wind to bolster cross-border renewable energy trade, while protecting marine life impacted by infrastructure.
Getting climate finance on the agenda for COP30 negotiations is expected to be contentious. This article features the first half of a conversation with two veteran attendees of the annual United Nations climate conference.