Climate finance summit wraps up eyeing bigger progress

The global summit on overhauling the financial system aims to address debt burden and climate crises for developing nations.

DHL Express advances sustainability agenda with the launch of electric vans in Indonesia

DHL Express is electrifying its fleet in Indonesia with 24 new electric vans, aimed at reducing 177 tons of carbon emissions annually, furthering the company’s commitment to sustainable operations.

Paris summit to push for global debt and climate reform

World leaders will convene in Paris for the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, aiming to address climate change, debt burdens, and poverty. Ideas include innovative taxation, restructuring international financial systems, and increasing climate financing. Developing nations seek tangible progress and timelines.

UN chief slams ‘pitiful’ world response to climate change

UN Secretary-General Guterres warns of a climate disaster due to inadequate global response. Urgent action is needed to meet climate goals and transform the fossil fuel industry toward clean energy. The lack of ambition, trust, and cooperation hinders progress. The fight against climate change must be immediate and global.

Sustainability legislation and business actions lead the way in APAC, reveals ERM-GlobeScan survey

New research from ERM-GlobeScan survey emphasizes the need for businesses to integrate sustainability into their core strategies, highlighting significant legislative actions and rising corporate responsibility.

Emirati COP28 chief recognises reduction of fossil fuel use ‘inevitable’

Sultan al-Jaber, the head of the upcoming COP28 climate summit and CEO of UAE’s national oil company, acknowledged the inevitability of reducing fossil fuel use. He stated that the speed of this transition depends on the rapid adoption of zero-carbon alternatives. While his comments were seen as a step forward, activists and experts emphasized the need to phase out fossil fuels completely, as they are the main driver of global warming. Some called for energy firms to be excluded from climate negotiations.

Fossil fuelled: Climate talks begin with spotlight on oil chief

The upcoming UN climate negotiations will scrutinize the future of fossil fuels, with an Emirati oil chief, Sultan al-Jaber, at the forefront. As pressure mounts for ambitious plans to combat climate change, al-Jaber’s appointment as head of COP28 has faced criticism from campaigners urging him to step aside. While al-Jaber advocates for renewable energy development, he also emphasizes carbon capture technologies and the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition. The discussions aim to address the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels while assessing progress in reducing carbon emissions.

One dead, two missing in Japan after heavy rain

The remnants of former Typhoon Mawar have resulted in heavy rainfall across Japan, leading to one fatality, two missing persons, and power outages affecting thousands of households. As the storm has been downgraded to a tropical storm, some evacuation warnings have been eased, but flooding risks persist, particularly near Tokyo. Scientists link the increased risk of heavy rain in Japan and elsewhere to climate change, which intensifies atmospheric water retention.

Vietnam detains climate activist on tax evasion accusation

Prominent climate activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong has been detained in Vietnam on charges of tax evasion, according to her husband. Hong, founder of the NGO CHANGE, focused on environmental issues such as climate change and wildlife trade. Her arrest adds to the government’s crackdown on environmentalists, drawing concern from human rights organizations.

UN Human Rights offices urges global action to address plastic pollution and protect human rights

The UN Human Rights Offices for South-East Asia and the Pacific are urging nations to prioritize human rights in a global legally binding instrument to tackle plastic pollution. The Asia and Pacific region, responsible for 49% of global plastic production, recycles only 9% of its plastic waste, posing a severe threat to the environment and human health. The UN emphasizes the need for inclusive processes and a human-centered approach to protect the rights of affected communities and ensure a just transition for workers in the plastic supply chain.