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
New research highlights the extent of under-reporting of piracy against fishers worldwide, and the immense harm it causes to coastal communities.
Policy & Finance
Opportunities in the Gulf: Can a strategic shift in capital from the Middle East to Asia help the region meet ESG funding gaps?
Capital from Gulf nations are shifting eastward and Asia is emerging a a key destination for green investment. But turning this momentum into lasting impact will require the region to address gaps in ESG reporting standards and rules.
Policy & Finance
Refugees worldwide face hunger as donors slash aid
Food rations cut and cash transfers stopped: the cost of aid cuts in the world's refugee and displacement camps.
Carbon & Climate
What’s next for China’s personal carbon accounts?
The world’s biggest experiment in calculating and managing personal carbon footprints swelled and crashed in China over the past three years.
Carbon & Climate
Mangroves store ‘blue carbon’ - but they’re disappearing fast
Opinion
Policy & Finance
China’s lending to the Global South has been growing more commercial
Chinese state-owned banks has shrunk as commercial bank "co-financing" grows. But a meaningful green pivot to lower-income countries, especially for renewable projects, has yet to be seen.
Food & Agriculture
A food security imperative for the Johor-Singapore SEZ blueprint
There is a chance for Malaysia and Singapore to reinforce their food security by baking plans into the blueprint for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, before the opportunity passes by.
Concerns exist over the Prabowo administration's commitment to Nusantara's development, given its other priorities, unmet investment targets, and uncertainties surrounding coordination, transparency, and long-term vision.
Carbon & Climate
The World Court finally opens the door to ‘climate reparations’
The International Court of Justice’s landmark opinion means big polluters must answer for climate harm.
Policy & Finance
Nature risk is financial risk
Policy & Finance
Asian universities rise in global sustainability leadership rankings
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.
