Showing 21 - 30 of 188
Understanding the mindset of green growth
Oped, Published on 10/10/2023
» Everyone needs a foil, and for many who are focused on climate and sustainability, economic growth -- capitalism -- is a convenient target. This is understandable. Economic expansion is the quintessential capitalist imperative, but infinite material growth on a finite planet is physically impossible. Hence the rise of "degrowth", "agrowth", "post-growth", and other concepts that have emerged to underpin seemingly sophisticated criticisms of the "standard" economic model.
An Opec for critical minerals?
News, Published on 06/09/2023
» We know that the future will be powered by metals, but it remains to be seen if those metals will be fenced in by iron curtains. After all, most critical minerals come from only a handful of countries: China controls nearly all heavy rare-earth materials (including 91% of magnesium and 76% of silicon metal), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accounts for over 60% of the global cobalt market, and South Africa controls 71% of the world's platinum supply.
What the climate fight is really about
Oped, Published on 02/08/2023
» Climate change is no longer a future problem. It is here, and the effects are all around. Worse, today's extreme weather events are just a preview of the pain that awaits humanity in the coming decades, almost regardless of how fast we manage to decarbonise the economy this year or next.
Sources of East Asia's industrial capabilities
Oped, Published on 29/04/2023
» As the US works to limit China's access to advanced technologies like semiconductors, it cannot ignore its own dependence on small Asian economies like South Korea and Taiwan for many of those same technologies. The question the US and its allies must ask, then, is how reliable these economies are as producers.
Indonesia's EV goals hinge on green mining drive
News, Published on 01/04/2023
» With the world's largest reserves of nickel, used extensively in making batteries, Indonesia is aiming to become an electric vehicle powerhouse, not least by courting Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Multilateralism is still the best course of action
Oped, Published on 25/02/2023
» The great statesmanship and leadership that the United States showed during and after World War II is well known. America was the world's preeminent political, economic, and military power, and instead of using its position to penalise the losers and demand reparations, it helped plan and found multilateral global-governance institutions that would give all countries a seat at the table.
Smarter climate finance needed
Oped, Published on 15/02/2023
» Recent estimates suggest that the developing world will need US$1 trillion of external climate finance annually by 2025, and $2.4 trillion per year by 2030, to meet the goals enshrined in the Paris climate agreement. But these targets will not be met unless international financial institutions and governments create stronger incentives, paying special attention to three key areas.
Clean energy key to Thai climate goals
Oped, Published on 15/02/2023
» Thailand has vowed to reach net-zero emissions by 2065, but without taking action against its biggest polluter -- the energy sector -- its promise will fall flat.
Is Asean ready for green hydrogen?
News, Published on 30/01/2023
» Climate change and the energy transition have made research and development (R&D) in clean energy a priority as countries aim to reach net-zero by 2050. Hydrogen has been categorically singled out as a possible source of energy in the not-too-distant future. Indeed, hydrogen has been widely used in many applications, including in refining ammonia and petroleum, and the production of methanol and synthetic fuels which have more emissions. These applications accounted for more than 93% of global hydrogen consumption in 2020.
Tackling our plastic waste woes
Oped, Published on 05/01/2023
» Today, most of the products and packaging in our local market are designed to be "disposable", with little or no concern for environmental impacts and any negative influences on human health.