Asia Pacific‘s leading platform for sustainable development
11. Sustainable cities and communities
More than half of the world’s population now live in urban areas. By 2050, that figure will have risen to 6.5 billion people – two-thirds of all humanity. Extreme poverty is often concentrated in urban spaces, and national and city governments struggle to accommodate the rising population in these areas. Making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, and upgrading slum settlements. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities is supported by ABB
News
Gen Z protesters are shaking governments worldwide but experts wonder if rage can lead to lasting reform.
New mapping of climate firms shows region rich in solutions but constrained by grids, finance and coordination.
Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia are now among the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle markets, surpassing major economies in EV share of new car sales, a report from Ember finds.
The COP30 climate summit has brought these minerals, and China’s central role, to the fore of just transition debates.
Policy & Finance
Climate change in court: cases to watch in 2026
Policy & Finance
After a year of big cuts, where does US aid stand going into 2026?
Policy & Finance
Philippines gets $500 million in blue economy investment from ADB
Opinion
Carbon & Climate
Three reasons why China wants global green leadership after COP30
China wants to lead the climate agenda on its own terms – exporting clean tech and influence, while sidestepping tougher cuts and accountability.
Food & Agriculture
India’s food waste is turning into an environmental time bomb
India’s colossal food waste problem is both a symptom and a significant accelerator of the climate crisis.
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.
Women make up more than half of public transport users in Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur, but urban transport systems must be designed to ensure their time, safety and well-being are accounted for.
Carbon & Climate
COP30 must do good, not just avoid harm
Carbon & Climate
How to measure climate progress
Policy & Finance
Governments are failing environmental defenders. COP30 must act
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.
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.
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.
There is consensus that coal needs to be retired early in Asia, but the mechanisms for financing the phase-out are not clear. This mini-documentary examines how transition credits work and whether they can fund Southeast Asia's equitable switch to clean power.
Podcasts
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.
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.
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.
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.
