New research into selected geographical regions across Vietnam, for example, finds that the majority of plastic waste is being recycled by informal workers in craft villages. These waste pickers need to be given a voice. By Annerieke Douma

In Asia, where many carbon-intensive industries operate, there is a need to ensure that financing is available for an orderly transition. The Singapore-Asia Taxonomy is expected to provide clearer definitions for a managed coal phase-out while considering national priorities. By Troy Han

To achieve carbon neutrality, ASEAN+3 countries must overhaul their economic strategies, which will almost certainly mean a period of slower growth. By mobilising public and private climate finance, however, policymakers could mitigate the transition’s impact and create a greener and more resilient continent. By Masyita Crystallin and Marthe M. Hinojales

Indonesian president Joko Widodo sees building infrastructure as a key national priority. China’s lending filled a funding gap, but can Indonesia avoid a debt trap? By Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro