Asia Pacific‘s leading platform for sustainable development
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. With over half the world population now living in cities, mass transport and renewable energy are becoming ever more important, as are the growth of new industries and information and communication technologies.
Technological progress is also key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges, such as providing new jobs and promoting energy efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries, and investing in scientific research and innovation, are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development.
More than 4 billion people still do not have access to the Internet, and 90 percent are from the developing world. Bridging this digital divide is crucial to ensure equal access to information and knowledge, as well as foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
To adopt SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure, in support of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, please contact us at partners@eco-business.com
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While government message boards and NGOs are growing in importance, community self-organising remains crucial.
The Philippines’ ambition to become a data centre hub is running up against high electricity prices and a coal-heavy grid.
Its industry would benefit from a plan to cut emissions, which the UN shipping regulator is due to finalise this year.
Carbon & Climate
Why developing countries oppose the EU’s carbon border tax
As the EU's carbon border tax takes effect in 2026, developing countries warn it could shift climate costs onto poorer exporters.
Opinion
In 2004, Aceh was hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami. In 2025, Indonesia’s most disaster-aware province was among the worst hit by floods. The failure was not forecasting, but what happened – or didn’t – after the alarms were raised.
Carbon & Climate
As climate diplomacy stalls, the economics are racing ahead
Despite political gridlock within countries and at global summits, climate change and ecological degradation are creating undeniable economic momentum. As renewables scale up, fossil fuels will become even less competitive; and as ecosystems degrade, markets will price in the risks and reward those who adapt.
Policy & Finance
Strategic priorities for Asean’s newest member
Membership of Asean brings Timor-Leste political visibility and economic opportunity, but also new exposure to disputes in a grouping where several members are wrestling with democratic backsliding.
Policy & Finance
The AI we need for sustainable infrastructure
Even as governments pour trillions of dollars into roads, power grids, data centers, water systems, and housing, the construction industry has yet to leverage the efficiency gains that AI and digitalisation have to offer. Given how important the sector will be for sustainable development, this must change.
Corporate Responsibility
The ESG skills gap nobody’s talking about
Food & Agriculture
War and weather show how fragile food systems are - we must act
Carbon & Climate
How insurance can transform our resilience to climate shocks
Carbon & Climate
‘They invite us to speak, but not to decide’
Videos
Policy & Finance
Simplifying sustainability reporting for SMEs
EB Studio
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.
Carbon & Climate
Climate tech in Asia – finding the ‘X’ factor for success
Funding for climate-related solutions has slowed down and it’s a ‘tough game’ for startups, said those familiar with the climate tech space at The Liveability Challenge Grand Finale 2025. What can founders and innovators do to bring an idea to commercialisation? And is Singapore an attractive-enough testbed?
Policy & Finance
Navigating uncertainty: AIA’s long-term bet on sustainable investing
In this wide-ranging fireside chat moderated by Eco-Business CEO Jessica Cheam, AIA Group's chief investment officer Dr Mark Konyn asserts there is “no U-turn” among corporates invested for the long term, even as political regimes change amid a new world order.
EB Studio
From sponge cities to coastal forests, Asia is seeking ways to work with nature and prepare for the risks in a warmer-than-expected future. This Eco-Business video looks at what else cities need to do to strengthen climate resilience.
Podcasts
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.
Speaking from the INC-5.2 talks in Geneva, the Singapore Youth for Climate Action president argues that having no treaty is better than a watered-down pact with no limits on plastic production. But there is no explicit Asean-wide support for such caps now, she observes.
Green Buildings
Are our climate targets too weak or too ambitious? Hang Lung Properties’ sustainability chief John Haffner
Having "stretch targets" can spur innovation, says the sustainability chief for one of Hong Kong's largest real estate firms in the latest episode of "On the frontlines". He also shares why the firm has chosen to publish the draft of its net zero plan for open discussion of its climate targets.
Green Buildings
Inaction is not an option for companies in climate-vulnerable nations like India: Lodha ESG chief Aun Abdullah
In the latest episode of 'On the frontlines', the real estate giant's ESG head tells the EB Podcast that while there has been no pushback on climate action by corporate India, questions remain over whether the booming real estate sector is decarbonising fast enough.
