Eco-Business

A typical hyper-scaler data centre consumes water equivalent to the volume used by 30-50,000 people every day

Exclusive Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara and the Malaysian states of Perak and Pahang were raised as examples by industry leaders. Thai and Indoneisan policymakers also said that current tariff structures are being reconsidered to cope with rising water demand.

The Asian superpower is shielded from price shocks for now, being both one of the world’s largest oil importers and the biggest clean energy exporter. But weaker global growth from uncertain environment, could affect demand for Chinese exports, says Asian Development Bank economist Yothin Jinjarak.

A sweet sarghom plantation in Kijang, Bintan, Indonesia.

Exclusive Sweet sorghum plantations are to be grown on depleted mining sites in Bintan, a historical hub for bauxite extraction. Sweet sorghum can used as biofuel, feedstock for bioethanol and as green naphtha, a key ingredent for plastics in short supply as a result of the Iran War.

Cities across the region are expected to endure up to 120 days a year above 35°C by 2050, with Thailand's capital seen to be hit the hardest, according to a study by the Asean Centre for Energy.

By Samantha Ho

By Robin Hicks

By Hans Nicholas Jong

By Isa Lim

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Rainforest in Papua province, Indonesia.

Green policy targets environmental outcomes, while industry and trade focus on jobs and growth. When misaligned, green efforts stall and competitiveness weakens. By William Sabandar

The Middle East conflict is set to have a double-whammy impact on both Asean’s import of fertilisers, and its energy-intensive fertiliser production. The timing is critical as in the coming months, the five major crops, including rice, are being planted in Asean. By Jose Ma. Luis Montesclaros, Kayven Tan and Mely Caballero-Anthony

Countries can improve the lot of its women farmers by improving whose names land is registered in, who signs contracts, receives credit and training, and sits in the room when climate‑risk maps are drawn. By Elyssa Kaur Ludher

As countries scramble to secure the minerals needed for clean energy, digital technologies, AI, and defence industries, the new era of resource competition implies both great promise and grave peril. By Helen Clark

By Lidy Nacpil

By Mike Ng

By Wahyu Wilopo

By Yulida Nuraini Santoso

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A growing number of companies are admitting that they can't meet their sustainability targets. Has the era of "corporate vulnerability" begun, where companies are more honest about their sustainability progress?

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.

Wily Salim, founder and director, PT Karmic Virya Abadi

The convergence of the compliance and voluntary markets, demand for high-quality carbon credits and efforts to raise the bar on project credibility mean the conditions are right for a market rebound, observers said at the GenZero Climate Summit in Singapore.

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.

Air-conditioning units on a building in Singapore

Improving energy efficiency could meet a quarter of Southeast Asia’s emissions reduction targets. Here is how efficiency could drive Southeast Asia's energy transition.

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A small-scale miner in Bicol, Philippines

Critical minerals will be central to this year’s Asean meetings, said environment assistant secretary Noralene Uy, as the Philippines ushers the region towards domestic processing as summit chair.

As Southeast Asia eyes regional power trading to accelerate decarbonisation, veteran solar entrepreneur Frank Phuan unpacks the political, economic and logistical hurdles of moving clean energy across borders.

The region has been historically underrepresented in leadership at global standard setters like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Sharath Martin, who holds positions in global accounting body ACCA and WWF-Malaysia, tells the Eco-Business Podcast what must change.

Southeast Asian energy ministers will meet in October to discuss the future of the region’s power grid. GEAPP’s Kitty Bu tells the Eco-Business podcast what areas they must collaborate on, and how finance and industry can help.

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