Asia Pacific‘s leading platform for sustainable development
15. Life on land
Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth’s surface and in addition to providing food security and shelter, forests are key to combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and the homes of the indigenous population. Thirteen million hectares of forests are being lost every year while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares.
Deforestation and desertification – caused by human activities and climate change – pose major challenges to sustainable development and have affected the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the fight against poverty. Efforts are being made to manage forests and combat desertification.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 15: Life on land
To adopt SDG 15 Life on land, in support of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, please contact us at partners@eco-business.com
Adopt this goalNews
Findings from a new report reveal that current regulatory frameworks fall short of meeting the assessment criteria for financial regulation of global biodiversity targets.
Corporate Responsibility
Resorts World Sentosa sustainability lead departs for Macao casino brand SJM
Brian Ho has left the Singapore casino operator after a year as vice president of sustainability and joined SJM Resorts in Macao in an equivalent role. RWS has replaced Ho with his predecessor Loh Su Kim.
A new study finds Australia spends far more on subsidies that harm biodiversity than on conservation, underscoring the need to reform fiscal policy to meet its 2030 global nature targets.
The devolved government in West Sumatra province, which is home to 5.8 million people on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, intends to present new zoning plans to the central government that could regulate currently illegal mines operated by small groups of people.
Food & Agriculture
China can drive Asia’s transition to green agriculture
Opinion
Food & Agriculture
Changing diets amid a changing climate
Much attention has been paid to switching from meat-based diets to plant-based ones. Less attention has been paid to the effects of climate change on the quality and quantity of plant foods.
At 2°C warming, US$1.2 trillion a year is needed to protect everyone exposed to climate hazards. That may sound expensive, but the benefits of this adaptation would exceed the cost by roughly seven times.
Carbon & Climate
‘They invite us to speak, but not to decide’
There was no shortage of Indigenous representatives at COP30, but the conference did not always seem to be listening, writes Dunio Chiriap Jimbicti.
COP30 delivered gains on climate finance and forests but stalled on fossil fuel phaseout – exposing both the limits of consensus talks and the growing role of action outside negotiations.
Videos
Carbon & Climate
More forest protection and financing needed in 13th Malaysia Plan, say environmental groups
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.
The Green Mortician is the city-state's first water cremation service, which has a small carbon footprint compared to traditional funeral options.
Carbon & Climate
Lending forests a voice with primatologist Andie Ang
Amid competing concerns such as urban development and tackling climate change, keeping biodiversity conservation in people's minds can be a challenge. Eco-Business asks primatologist Andie Ang how that can be tackled.
Carbon & Climate
Climate spiral: what 141 years of global warming looks like
As planetary temperatures reach an all-time high, a climate scientist has designed a new way to show how global temperatures have changed every month since the start of the industrial revolution and 2021.
Podcasts
Food & Agriculture
‘I want others to own sustainability too – but letting go is hard’: Golden Agri CSO Anita Neville
Unless sustainability heads allow other functions to lead ESG, it will never be fully integrated into a business, the CSO of the world's second-largest palm oil company tells the EB Podcast. But in doing so, how confident can they be that the business will stay on the right path?
The head of waste management non-profit Ocean Recovery Alliance tells the EB Podcast that recycled content mandates will drive the circular economy better than caps on virgin plastic production. Brands should be pressured more than petrochemical producers to phase out unnecessary plastics, he says.
A new report predicts Hong Kong could lose one quarter of its wildlife to new developments. WWF Hong Kong conservation head Dr Bosco Chan and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden's Dr Stephan Gale tell the EB Podcast that developers must build in ways that protect nature and bolster climate resilience.
Carbon & Climate
America’s attack on climate science could affect adaptation capacity in Asia: climate scientist Ben Horton
The sea-level rise expert has moved to Hong Kong – now seen as a gateway to more collaboration with China on climate science. But he tells the EB Podcast that data from US agencies is still critical for calculating climate defences in Asia.
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