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Compiled by Ms. Purnima Joshi
With climate change identified as one of the biggest challenges facing India and South Asia — the World Bank stated that annual economic losses in the region caused by negative fallouts of climate change could average USD 160 billion by 2030. Since children are currently not recognized as rights holders and crucial stakeholders in environmental laws and policies, policymakers have been urged to include children's rights in climate policies. Closer to home, Singapore has made a number of climate commitments in recent years, but it was last Friday's Budget speech that won the nod of approval from many climate observers there. And IIFL HFL, digital first home finance company, has signed a 68 million loan with ADB to improve financial access to affordable green housing for lower-income groups in India.
Plus, there’s lots more, so Happy Reading!
ENVIRONMENT
Green Pulse Podcast: Asean’s forests with benefits
The Straits Times, 21 Feb 2022
The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Read further ...
Policymakers urged to include children's rights in climate policies
New Straits Times, 21 Feb 2022
This is because children are currently not recognised as rights holders and crucial stakeholders in environmental laws and policies, said United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) representative to Malaysia and special representative to Brunei Darussalam Dr Rashed Sarwar.
ECONOMY
Green Budget for evergreen India
The Times of India, 21 Feb 2022
Climate change has been identified as one of the biggest challenges facing India and South Asia — the World Bank states that annual economic losses in the region caused by negative fallouts of climate change could average USD 160 billion by 2030.
Commentary: Why it pays for Singapore to be much more ambitious in raising carbon tax
Channel News Asia, 16 Feb 2022
Taxes will be high on the agenda this Budget 2022, as authorities and observers note the need to raise government revenue for greater social spending. Read further ...
Budget 2022 paves the way for S’pore to move decisively to tackle climate crisis
The Straits Times, 23 Feb 2022
Singapore has made a number of climate commitments in recent years, but it was last Friday's Budget speech that won the nod of approval from many climate observers here. Read further ...
FINANCE
HDFC Bank finances Asia’s largest waste to energy plant in Indore
The Print, 22 Feb 2022
HDFC Bank under its ESG commitment is proud to be associated with Indore Clean Energy Private Limited (ICEPL) for the development of 550 tonnes/day of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant – the largest Bio-CNG plant in Asia. Read further ...
IIFL Home Finance (IIFL HFL) inks $68 million loan with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to boost affordable green housing in India
Bdsi.eletsonline.com, 21 Feb 2022
IIFL HFL, digital first home finance company, has signed a 68 million loan with ADB to improve financial access to affordable green housing for lower-income groups in India. Read further ...
Budget 2022: $35 billion in green bonds to be issued by 2030 to fund green public sector projects
The Straits Times, 18 Feb 2022
Some $35 billion of green bonds will be issued by 2030 to fund public sector green infrastructure projects, as the nation moves to tap opportunities in green finance.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainable bond growth likely to slow in Asia-Pacific, says Moody’s ESG Solutions
The Edge Markets, 23 Feb 2022
SUSTAINABLE bond issuance in Asia-Pacific grew at a solid rate of 129% to US$165 billion (RM690 billion) last year, but is likely to moderate this year amid an environment of monetary policy tightening, says Moody’s ESG Solutions (MESG). Read further ...
ENERGY
Renewable Energy vs Coal: Where Does India Stand?
IPS News, 18 Feb 2022
Coal—considered to be one of the most polluting fossil fuels and, therefore, one of the biggest contributors to climate change—took centre stage at COP 26. A last-minute intervention by India during the negotiations resulted in a crucial amendment to the coal pledge in the Glasgow Climate Pact. Read further ...
EDUCATION & CAREERS
Imperial begins South Asia search for women scientists in climate and energy
Imperial.ac.um, 24 Feb 2022
The academic fellowships are part of the College’s Transition to Zero Pollution initiative and are funded by the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM. Read further ...
VIDEO
ChannelNewsAsia, 15 Feb 2022
Activists in Malaysia call for 25-year logging moratorium to safeguard against climate change.
CGM's Asia-Pacific Climate Digest is compiled by communications consultant Purnima Joshi.
With over two decades of experience in corporate communications, Purnima combines her skills in creative and communication along with her passion for working for the community. She has worked on a multitude of projects in waste management, circular economy, building active citizenship in the community, some of which have won awards. These also include a project on building climate resilience for UNICEF as well as some award-winning projects. She has been associated with several NGOs in an advisory capacity for over 10 years.