Asia Pacific‘s leading platform for sustainable development
14. Life below water
The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation. Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 14: Life below water
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Food & Agriculture
Indigenous voices shape fight for climate, food sovereignty from COP30 to Sri Lanka
Indigenous protests at the recently concluded COP30 echo global climate-justice demands, calling for territorial rights, forest protection and an end to extractive industries – themes strongly reflected in the discussions at the Nyéléni Global Forum on Food Sovereignty held this August in Sri Lanka.
The United Nations Environment Assembly takes place this week in Nairobi, at a time when wars, protectionist economic policies and global divisions are undermining nations’ ability to reach consensus on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – issues that require collective action.
A decision to drill at the mouth of the Amazon drew criticism at the UN summit. But Brazil’s oil production still soars, as it hopes to consolidate its role as an exporter.
As coral reefs worldwide face warming seas and ocean acidification, scientists in the Pacific turn to ‘cryopreservation’.
Food & Agriculture
Asia’s banks are failing to grasp growing food system risks: study
Opinion
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.
Carbon & Climate
COP30: five reasons the UN climate conference failed to deliver on its ‘people’s summit’ promise
From Indigenous exclusion to the absence of the United States, a range of factors contributed to another disappointing outcome at the climate talks in Brazil.
Carbon & Climate
Australia’s withdrawal from COP31: Strategic recalibration or retreat from climate leadership?
Australia’s withdrawal from hosting the climate talks is a test of intent – and raises questions about ambition, readiness, and political courage.
With the planet headed for well beyond 1.5°C of warming, the stakes for business are rising. Those who confront climate risk now could unlock what many economists say is the growth story of the century.
Carbon & Climate
COP30 must do good, not just avoid harm
Policy & Finance
Governments are failing environmental defenders. COP30 must act
Policy & Finance
Indigenous women leaders at COP30: Listen to us as equals
Carbon & Climate
Climate justice is no longer an aspiration but a legal duty
Videos
The vessel will scour Southeast Asia’s marine environment to gather data and support local conservationists.
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.
Do children ask the toughest questions? This World Oceans Day, we get renowned oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue, to field questions from curious kids on the mysteries of the deep.
Podcasts
Corporate Responsibility
Refill fountains may not be effective at reducing waste: L’Occitane Asia sustainability chief Venisa Chu
The Asia Pacific ESG head of the B Corp-certified cosmetics firm says refill stations have been disappointing and getting suppliers on board with decarbonisation is difficult, but her team has not been affected by the ESG backlash.
In the first of a podcast series featuring Southeast Asia's clean energy entrepreneurs, the CEO of Gurin Energy says that Asean countries will be left behind in artificial intelligence and robotics if the region does not connect its grid and deploy renewables at speed and scale.
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.
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.
