Episodes
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‘We’ve got each other’s backs’: A blueprint for shared resilience?
In this second episode of Eco-Business’s Resilience podcast series, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary and youth sustainability advocate Man Jing Kong dives into what resilience means for the city-state with Jessica Cheam. Watch as they discuss everything from climate…
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'Show me the money' – this is what sustainability has become: CIMB CSO Luanne Sieh
In this episode of On the frontlines, which profiles changemakers on the hard edge of sustainable business, CIMB chief sustainability officer Luanne Sieh shares how she built credibility in her field, what she's learned from dealing with activists, and why she feels criticism of sustainability...
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Waste to energy ‘safe’ for Filipinos amid health, pollution fears: environment official
Amid back‑to‑back trash slides and a landfill fire in one of Southeast Asia’s leakiest waste systems, Philippine environment undersecretary Jonas Leones touts new science‑based safeguards for a waste‑to‑energy buildout.
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Is green living a myth? Why individual action won't save the planet
Former Yale-NUS environmental social sciences professor Michael Maniates tells the EB Podcast that individual actions like going vegetarian, using less plastic or avoiding air travel are not only insufficient in saving the planet – they are counterproductive.
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'Resilience is not a buzzword': Palm oil leaders call for industry reset as global shocks test sustainability's limits
What does it mean to build a truly resilient food system? For two of the palm oil sector's leading experts, the answer lies not in ticking sustainability boxes, but in fundamentally reshaping the trust, partnerships, and long-term thinking that hold global supply chains together - especially as...
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De-risking offshore wind could put Philippines ahead in clean energy race: GWEC’s Ann Francisco
Government must call on development finance institutions to tap on risk management tools to make the capital-intensive technology more investible, Global Wind Energy Council’s Ann Margret Francisco tells the EB Podcast.
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‘Comedy can say the elephant in the room’: Why climate action needs a sense of humour
On this episode of the Eco-Business Podcast, climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith talks to Robin Hicks about a career turning one of the world’s most complex and anxiety-inducing problems into something people can actually talk about – even laugh at. Tune in as we discuss: Is climate comedy getting...
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Despite US rollbacks, Asia’s climate innovators push ‘hard tech’ forward
In the latest episode of the Climate Tech in Asia series, Eco-Business speaks to Breakthrough Energy and Green COP about what the shifting geopolitical landscape means for the climate tech ecosystem in Asia.
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We don’t want others to take advantage of Asean's rich mineral resources: PH enviro exec
Critical minerals will be a key part of the discussion at this year’s Asean, said environment assistant secretary Noralene Uy, as the Philippines ushers the region towards domestic processing of raw ore in its role as summit chair.
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Cross-border clean energy projects are worth the pain: Sunseap co-founder Frank Phuan
In the second episode of a new podcast series that profiles Southeast Asia's clean energy pioneers, Eco-Business spoke with Frank Phuan, co-founder of Singapore solar pioneer Sunseap and now founder of Equator Renewables Asia, a new company focused on unlocking cross-border green power.
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Jeffrey Sachs: China is unequivocally the world's climate power today. Asean's opportunity is next.
As a global powerhouse for clean technology and green finance, China can do more to help Southeast Asia lower its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to net zero, says Dr Jeffrey Sachs, economist, Columbia University professor and president of the United Nations Sustainable Development...
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‘Regulation and measurement needed to fix methane emissions in Southeast Asia’: Experts on controlling potent climate agitant
Capping methane release in the oil and gas sector is one of the fastest – and cheapest – ways to tackle climate change. But measurement mandates are first needed to abate the dangerous climate agitant, Viknesh Andiappan and Shareen Yawanarajah tell the EB Podcast.
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'I want others to own sustainability too – but letting go is hard': Golden Agri CSO Anita Neville
In this episode of On the frontlines, which profiles the changemakers on the hard edge of sustainable business, Anita Neville, chief sustainability and communications officer of palm oil company Golden Agri-Resources, talks about how the job of the chief sustainability officer is changing, and…
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'We don't want to pit both adaptation and loss and damage funds against each other': Lidy Nacpil
At the close of COP30, nations agreed to triple adaptation finance by 2035, while the fund for loss and damage appeared to remain sidelined. A veteran attendee of the climate conference explains why.
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Philippines must link energy and environmental issues as Asean chair
As the Philippines gears up to lead the Southeast Asian bloc next year, Departmet of Energy director Michael Sinocruz says the government will push offshore wind power to bolster cross-border renewable energy trade, while protecting marine life impacted by structures. An Asean bloc must be formed...
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What to expect on climate finance and justice at COP30
Countries are gathering once again for the annual United Nation’s annual climate conference, known as COP. This year’s COP30 host, Brazil, has pledged to focus on topics that range from boosting climate finance, adopting new adaptation goals, updating national climate targets, and launching a…
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Asean must learn how to 'flex' on global finance and sustainability standards: policy expert
The region has been historically underrepresented in leadership at global standard setters like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The region has been historically underrepresented in leadership at global standard setters like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Sharath...
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Refill fountains may not reduce waste: L'Occitane sustainability chief Venisa Chu
One of the biggest challenges facing Venisa Chu, Asia Pacific sustainability director for L'Occitane Group, is living up to the cosmetics giant's circular economy ambitions. Tune in as we discuss: How Venisa Chu started out in sustainability The hardest sustainability target to achieve How to...
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Resilience has limits: ICSC's Kairos dela Cruz on flood control corruption in the Philippines
The public backlash has been intense for the ongoing probe on the flood control scandal facing the Philippines. On this podcast, Angelo Kairos dela Cruz, executive director of nonprofit Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), talks about how so-called Filipino resilience has been...
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The Asean energy ministers meeting – what's at stake?
Southeast Asia's energy ministers will meet in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025 to discuss the future of the Asean Power Grid. Kitty Bu, vice president for Southeast Asia at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), talks to the Eco-Business about what will be on their agenda. Tune in...
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How Australia took the lead in policing greenwashing
Even as cases of greenwashing have declined globally as environmental, social and governance (ESG) language fades from the corporate lexicon, in Australia, greenwashing has remained a mainstream issue as regulators and consumer groups have pursued questionable green claims in the courts. Joining...
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Power and economic strength are now determined by who can harness solar and batteries fastest: Assaad Razzouk
In a new podcast series that spotlights Asia's clean energy pioneers, Eco-Business spoke to Assaad Razzouk, chief executive of Singapore-headquartered Gurin Energy, about the challenges and opportunities of the renewables sector in Asia in uncertain times. Tune in as we discuss: * From finance to...
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We don't need a plastics treaty for nations to enact polluter-pays laws now: Doug Woodring
The latest round of negotiations for a global plastic treaty ended in failure. Speaking to the Eco-Business Podcast, Doug Wooding, managing director of Hong Kong-based nonprofit Ocean Recovery Alliance, said that countries do not need to wait for a treaty, and should enact polluter-pays laws that...
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Southeast Asia has too much to lose – we need an ambitious plastics treaty: Singapore campaigner Terese Teoh
Speaking to the EB Podcast from the INC-5.2 talks in Geneva, Singapore Youth for Climate Action president Terese Teoh said that there is no explicit Asean-wide support for caps on plastic production, despite the region’s vulnerability to plastic pollution. She argues that no treaty is better than…
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Are our climate targets too weak or too ambitious? Hang Lung Properties’ John Haffner
Eco-Business spoke to Hang Lung Properties deputy director of sustainability John Haffner for the latest episode of On the frontlines, which profiles change-makers on the hard edge of sustainable business. Tune as we discuss: Discipline and sustainability spending Are our sustainability targets…
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‘Listen to ecologists – don’t bury nature under cement’: Hong Kong faces acute biodiversity loss as megaprojects loom
The EB Podcast spoke to Dr Bosco Chan, WWF Hong Kong's head of conservation, and Dr Stephan Gale, head of flora conservation at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, about threats to Hong Kong's unique biodiversity from mega-projects. We discussed: Conservation with Dr Bosco Chan The state of Hong…
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No action is not an option for companies in climate-vulnerable nations like India: Lodha ESG chief Aun Abdullah
On the latest edition of On the frontlines, which profiles changemakers on the hard edge of sustainable business, Aun Abdullah tells the EB Podcast when corporate India cannot retreat from climate action at a time of conflicting priorities.
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MGen's Christer Gaudiano on Philippines firms amid ESG backlash in US
In the third episode of ‘On the frontlines’, the Christer Gaudiano, sustainability chief of Meralco’s power generation arm says Filipino companies show no sign of backtracking on their sustainability pledges.
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CLP Power's Hendrik Rosenthal on justifying sustainability in turbulent times
In our series 'On the frontlines', which profiles changemakers on the hard edge of sustainable business, Hendrik Rosenthal, CLP’s sustainability director, tells the EB Podcast that open dialogue with internal stakeholders is key to transitioning a company that has committed to a complete exit…
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America’s attack on climate science could affect adaptation capacity in Asia: climate scientist Ben Horton
Podcast with climate scientist Professor Benjamin Horton. Tune in as we discuss: Horton’s career in climate science, built in the US, shaped by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy How the US and Singapore view climate science differently Why the attack on climate science in the US matters to…
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Is greenwashing really in decline?
Despite a drop in high-profile cases of greenwashing, Japan-based academic Kim Schumacher tells the EB Podcast that the problem isn’t going away, it’s just changing form. Tune in as we discuss: Is greenwashing really in decline? Why has greenhushing spread to Asia? The vulnerability of the EU...
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World Resources Institute CEO Ani Dasgupta on tariffs, funding cuts and climate finance
A podcast with the chief executive of World Resources Institute Ani Dasgupta on tariffs, funding cuts, climate finance and the COP climate talks
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Unlocking capital for sustainability 2025 Hong Kong | Fireside chat with Dr Mark Konyn
Fireside chat with Dr Mark Konyn, Group Chief Investment Officer, AIA Group with Jessica Cheam, CEO, Eco-Business Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in Asia's growth, serving as a major hub for sustainable development investments. Leveraging its robust financial infrastructure and strategic position…
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On the frontlines: Mahindra Group CSO Ankit Todi
Interview with the chief sustainability officer of one of India's largest conglomerates
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Could putting a value to plastic waste reduce ocean pollution? Plastic Bank says yes
Plastic waste is flooding the planet. Instead of waiting for regulation to drive change, give value to recyclables and mobilise the people, says Plastic Bank.
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The challenges of the environment beat: A conversation with journalists in Southeast Asia
On the podcast, moderated by Eco-Business associate editor Robin Hicks: Adelia Dinda Sani, freelance contributing writer and multimedia journalist, Deutsche Welle Hannah Alcoseba Fernandez, Philippines chief correspondent, Eco-Business Gerald Flynn, Southeast Asia staff writer, Mongabay Nadiah...
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To fight ESG scepticism, build alliances: Singtel’s Andrew Buay on the survival secrets of a CSO
Andrew Buay is VP of group sustainability for Singtel and Optus. He has spent the last eight years in sustainability in a dual role that also covers talent development, based in Australia – a country that has motivated him to work in sustainability, such is its exposure to climate impacts. He was...
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As US pulls back, ‘huge opportunity’ for Asia to lead in green transition
Speaking at Eco-Business’s Sharpening the ESG focus: CSO Outlook 2025 dialogue held on 21 January in Singapore, Jaclyn Dove, global head of sustainable finance for Standard Chartered Bank and Mervyn Tang, Asia Pacific head of sustainability for asset management firm Schroders, joined a panel...
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Decarbonising Asia’s built environment – mission impossible?
CapitaLand sustainability chiefs Vinamra Srivastava and Giovanni Cossu tell the Eco-Business Podcast that there is a viable path to net zero for the world’s fastest growing cities. Tune in as we discuss: Where is Asia Pacific on the road to a net zero built environment? CapitaLand’s net zero...
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How children's books are raising environmental awareness in Indonesia
Indonesian courts have seen a steady increase in climate litigation over the past decade. Last year alone, the indigenous Knasaimos peoples in Southwest Papua won a long fight for legal land rights, while citizens in South Sumatra sued three pulpwood companies for burning in their concessions…
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Faraway tale of pastoralist struggles spotlights China’s green growth complexities
The joke in Alasha League in China’s Inner Mongolia region is that people in Beijing only discovered their existence when local newspapers blew over to the capital city in a sandstorm. Such growing pollution in the 1990s nearly spelt the end of traditional animal herding in Alasha (also spelt...
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What RSPO’s new rules for sustainable palm oil mean for people and planet
Joining the Eco-Business Podcast to discuss the implications of RSPO’s draft revised standard is the organisation's director of standards and sustainability, Yen Hun Seng. Tune in as we discuss: What’s changed about RSPO in the last five years How has RSPO managed lobbying from various interest...
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IPCC expert on fighting to keep to the science as global climate politics flares
A climate science group under the United Nations recently faced a fight over the date of its next set of reports – a seemingly small squabble that could have big implications on future global climate policy. Many countries want these reports, covering the science behind the latest trends and ways...
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The case for carbon offsets as interim solution for aviation emissions
With alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuel still too expensive and low in demand for the aviation industry to consider, carbon offsets could be a way to reduce emissions – if used right. EcoSecurities and the International Air Transport Association tell the Eco-Business podcast how...
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Dubai scales green spine concept as developers eye more ‘eco-friendly’ projects
Can a desert city be liveable? Eyes are on whether the Dubai's plan to build the world’s “greenest highway” will take off. Envisioned as a 64-kilometre corridor that people can easily walk and bike on, the development aims to challenge conventional urban planning norms in the Middle East and…
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‘Decarbonisation does not cost seconds on the track’: Mercedes F1 on the race to net zero
Joining the Eco-Business to discuss how the sport can reach the net zero finishing line in just six years is Mercedes F1’s head of sustainability, Alice Ashpitel. Tune in as we discuss: Why an earth sciences graduate chose to work in F1 What has been driving down Mercedes F1’s emissions? How...
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Social enterprise Goumbook on why the Middle East needs an oceans initiative
Goumbook launched a regional oceans network that brought discussions on the blue economy to the forefront at the last COP summit. Founder Tatiana Abella tells the Eco-Business Podcast why healthy oceans are important for the Middle East.
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‘We can’t keep asking more questions’: CDP acknowledges it needs to do more with less ESG data
Environmental disclosure non-profit CDP was founded on this premise: “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” 23 years on, this theory that increased environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures would lead investors and other stakeholders to reward companies with strong sustainability...
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Former Verra veteran envisions an unshackled carbon market and a new endgame
Voluntary carbon markets have been in existence for over three decades, and the industry could well be set for future growth despite a recent bump in the road. But its potential to combat climate change may never be fully realised without a rethink of some key mechanisms, industry veteran David...
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How to deal with climate anxiety: climate activist Clover Hogan
Eco-anxiety is a healthy psychological response, says 24-year-old activist Clover Hogan. The founder of nonprofit Force of Nature tells the Eco-Business Podcast how to respond to anxiety in a world that is “numb” to the climate crisis. Tune in as we discuss: The birth of a climate activist Does…
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