https://www.scmp.com/rss/510658/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Young entrepreneurs everywhere dream of finding the support and funding to get their big idea off the ground. So the news that the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund/ HSBC JUMPSTARTER 2023 Global Pitch Competition is now open for applications will definitely be music to their ears.   Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund is inviting entries from start-ups around the world for the chance to present their plans and make their case... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3217805/high-profile-competition-start-ups-will-drive-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3217805/high-profile-competition-start-ups-will-drive-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:00:09 +0000 [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Actions speak louder than words and today’s consumers all demand that sustainability commitments are not just made, but actually met.  For Marriott, being sustainable is not only the right way to do business, but it’s the better way. In support of its global commitment towards net zero, the group is strengthening its sustainability efforts in Asia Pacific across five key areas: renewable energy, plastic reduction, food... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3199250/marriotts-quest-sustainability-asia-being-better-people-planet-and-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3199250/marriotts-quest-sustainability-asia-being-better-people-planet-and-business?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Nov 2022 16:00:10 +0000 [The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] The concept of sustainable investing has really taken hold over the past few years and is now seen as a key part of any well-planned portfolio. The objective, of course, is to direct a reasonable proportion of available funds into areas and initiatives which will mitigate climate change and improve the lives and livelihoods of people around the world in ways which reflect the best ESG (environmental, social and... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3194074/rbc-guides-clients-towards-sustainable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3194074/rbc-guides-clients-towards-sustainable?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Oct 2022 16:00:20 +0000 High end German home appliance maker Miele has turned to low carbon “green steel” to decarbonise its supply chain, as it seeks to bolster the sustainability credentials of its products known for their durability. Last November, the 123 year-old company launched a pilot project to source around 24 tonnes of low carbon steel a month from German steel maker Salzgitter for use in its cookers and ovens measuring 60cm in size. “This is a pilot project,” said Kenny Lam, managing director of Miele Hong... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3177949/german-home-appliance-firm-miele-adds-low-carbon-green-steel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3177949/german-home-appliance-firm-miele-adds-low-carbon-green-steel?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 May 2022 02:00:15 +0000 The Republic of Palau is the little country that does, when it comes to sustainability. As well as being home to the world’s first shark sanctuary, the archipelago of 500-plus islands in the western Pacific Ocean introduced the world’s first nuclear-free constitution and was the first to turn all of its territorial waters – that’s almost 600,000 square kilometres (230,000 square miles) – into a marine park, and thus ban commercial fishing. And then there is the Palau Pledge. Introduced in 2017,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3174011/where-sustainable-tourism-rewarded-special-cultural?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3174011/where-sustainable-tourism-rewarded-special-cultural?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:45:12 +0000 Asia’s publicly traded companies lag behind companies in the United States and Europe in their climate impact disclosures, underscoring the work that remains to be done to get them to comply with investors’ expectations. Stocks listed on the exchanges of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Mumbai fare poorly in disclosures, where between 28 and 52 per cent failed last year to inform investors about their greenhouse gas emissions and their mitigation plans, according to a survey by ESG... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3168960/esg-investing-asian-listed-firms-have-lot-catching-do?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3168960/esg-investing-asian-listed-firms-have-lot-catching-do?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Mar 2022 12:00:19 +0000 From Haa to Trashigang, the width of a country that measures its success in gross national happiness can now be counted in footsteps. Well, almost. The Trans Bhutan Trail – a model for sustainable tourism development – doesn’t quite touch the Tibetan border to the west or the Arunachal Pradesh (India) border to the east. The name Trans Bhutan Trail refers to both the 400km (250 mile) historical route across the small Himalayan kingdom and the organisation (TBT) responsible for its restoration,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3167123/model-sustainable-tourism-development-400km-trans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3167123/model-sustainable-tourism-development-400km-trans?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:45:08 +0000 German chemicals firm Covestro is likely to deploy sustainably sourced hydrogen at its Shanghai plant, its first facility globally, putting it on track to reach its decarbonisation goal. Covestro last month signed a memorandum of understanding to procure up to 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year from Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), which will allow it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900,000 tonnes a year. The Leverkusen-based firm reported 5.45 million tonnes of greenhouse gas... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3166123/climate-change-covestro-plans-use-green-hydrogen-make-mattresses-water?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3166123/climate-change-covestro-plans-use-green-hydrogen-make-mattresses-water?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Feb 2022 23:30:19 +0000 China’s decision to include alternative proteins in its five-year agricultural development plan shows Beijing’s desire to nurture home-grown technology to ensure sustainable food supply, industry watchers say. Lab-grown meat, plant-based eggs and recombinant protein production are among the food production technologies that will be supported, according to the 2021-25 blueprint published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs last month. Recombinant protein production, also known as... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3165879/how-china-plans-lead-world-sustainable-food-latest-five-year-agricultural?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3165879/how-china-plans-lead-world-sustainable-food-latest-five-year-agricultural?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Feb 2022 02:00:15 +0000 Transition finance – or labelled bonds and loans that help companies transition their carbon-intensive operations to climate-neutral outfits aligned with global green ambitions – has failed to become mainstream despite rapid growth in recent years. Difficulty in defining and standardising the hurdles that decarbonisation projects need to overcome to qualify for transition finance has been blamed, deal arrangers and asset managers said. “The fact that transition bond and loan labels have not been... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3165563/sustainable-finance-why-transition-bonds-and-loans-are-not-popular-even?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3165563/sustainable-finance-why-transition-bonds-and-loans-are-not-popular-even?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Feb 2022 06:00:31 +0000 As the world’s governments and corporations face up to sustainability risks amid extreme weather patterns under the Earth’s changing climate, regulators are inching towards creating a common standard out of an alphabet soup of regulations. The world has at least 200 sets of standards for reporting and assessing climate and sustainability risks, most of them created in recent years without coordination between regulators, industry guilds, companies or financial institutions across different... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3164217/green-finance-global-standard-may-cut-through-alphabet-soup-global-esg?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3164217/green-finance-global-standard-may-cut-through-alphabet-soup-global-esg?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jan 2022 02:00:30 +0000 The conglomerate led by Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, announced plans to invest US$76 billion towards clean energy projects, dwarfing an earlier commitment of US$10 billion by the world’s biggest fossil-fuel billionaire. Reliance Industries Ltd, controlled by Ambani, signed pacts with the state government of Gujarat for a total investment of 5.96 trillion rupees (US$81 billion) on Thursday. Of this, about 5 trillion rupees would be used over the next 15 years to build 100 gigawatts of... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3163309/asias-richest-man-mukesh-ambani-invest-us76-billion-green?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3163309/asias-richest-man-mukesh-ambani-invest-us76-billion-green?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Jan 2022 15:13:05 +0000 The rapid growth in sustainable finance deals will continue in 2022, supported by the growing practice of taking environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues into consideration while making asset allocation decisions, bankers and asset managers said. The proceeds from green and social bonds are earmarked for projects with specific environmental or social benefits, while sustainability bonds finance a combination of green and social projects. The use of proceeds from... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3161266/sustainable-finance-deals-asia-hong-kong-continue-growing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3161266/sustainable-finance-deals-asia-hong-kong-continue-growing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Dec 2021 03:30:09 +0000 From repurposing used milk bottles to recycling water barrels and making biodegradable bags, multinational chemical firms are trying to make plastic packaging more sustainable in China amid growing pressure from regulators and customers. Dow, an American company based in Michigan, has a target to work with partners to collect and recycle 1 million tonnes of plastic globally by 2030. In April it teamed up with Chinese milk brand Shiny Meadow to collect and repurpose more than 6,000 used plastic... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3160254/circular-economy-how-multinationals-are-recycling-plastic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3160254/circular-economy-how-multinationals-are-recycling-plastic?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Dec 2021 01:15:21 +0000 Hong Kong, a major player in the Asian green bond market, can help plug a financing gap of some US$25 billion a year in Asia for projects that enhance the resilience of cities to climate change, according to Fitch Ratings. “Hong Kong plays a key role in the Asian green bond market,” said Nneka Chike-Obi, director of Sustainable Fitch, the sustainable finance research unit of the credit ratings agency, in written comments to the Post. “For [mainland] China, its banks are one of the largest... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3159401/hong-kongs-green-finance-credentials-can-help-plug-asias?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3159401/hong-kongs-green-finance-credentials-can-help-plug-asias?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:30:17 +0000 When Tesla beat expectations in 2017 and delivered 102,000 electric cars to customers, the feat inspired an entrepreneur born in the former Soviet Union to think big: one day, battery packs can power airplanes too, not just cars. Valery Miftakhov, who holds a doctorate in physics from Princeton University, founded the start-up ZeroAvia that same year and developed a system for running electric motors with hydrogen fuel cells. With backing from the UK government, British Airways, private... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3157498/world-needs-more-elon-musks-turn-zero-emission-planes-and-ships-commercial?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3157498/world-needs-more-elon-musks-turn-zero-emission-planes-and-ships-commercial?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Nov 2021 02:00:22 +0000 [Sponsored Article] Heightened awareness of the causes and consequences of climate change is having a significant impact on every corner of the business world. In particular, companies and investors see the need to do more to promote sustainability by taking action and making choices that have a real impact. They are reengineering operations, reordering priorities, and seeking out opportunities to put their money behind initiatives which take due account of environmental and social factors and,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3151082/why-royal-bank-canada-believes-sustech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3151082/why-royal-bank-canada-believes-sustech?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Oct 2021 16:00:20 +0000 Sustainability is now a mainstream agenda, and it is more clear than ever that “the health of the planet, humans, businesses, and economies are interdependent and interconnected,” says Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited. ESG (Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance) is a fundamental component to many companies in the modern-day, and for a good reason. This panel in SCMP’s Asia Sustainability Conference is moderated by Eric Ng, Correspondent at South... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148824/rethinking-future-esg-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148824/rethinking-future-esg-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Sep 2021 09:00:35 +0000 Digital healthcare tools have been prevalent in the healthcare industry for many years, but “the pace of its evolution and growth significantly ramped up as a result of the pandemic,” says Rana Karadsheh-Haddad, Regional Industry Director in Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services of South Asia & East Asia and Pacific at International Finance Corporation (IFC). SCMP’s Asia Sustainability Conference introduces a panel, moderated by Elizabeth Cheung, a Senior Reporter at the Post, to give insight... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148788/embracing-change-healthtech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148788/embracing-change-healthtech?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Sep 2021 07:00:12 +0000 Sustainability has become a higher priority for many businesses as investors, customers, and employees voice their support for diversity, equity, and inclusivity. How are diversity and inclusivity related to the sustainability agenda, and how are companies implementing programmes and embodying ideals to help achieve greater equity in the workplace? This panel in SCMP’s Asia Sustainability Conference is moderated by Eric Ng, Correspondent at South China Morning Post. How Diversity and Inclusion... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148636/driving-corporate-sustainability-forward?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148636/driving-corporate-sustainability-forward?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Sep 2021 03:52:55 +0000 Asia’s agriculture and food industries face unique challenges due to the needs in feeding the rapid increase in population. Not only is the population growing, but crop yields and land productivity are being negatively affected by climate change, market instability due to Covid-19, and more. It’s clear the issues of agriculture sustainability and food production need to be addressed, but what is the solution? The panel, moderated by Anton Wibowo, CEO of Trendlines Agrifood Innovation Centre, in... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148560/farm-table-can-we-meet-asias-future-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3148560/farm-table-can-we-meet-asias-future-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:20:28 +0000 The financial services industry is changing rapidly thanks to financial technology, or FinTech. From new developments in banking and shopping to online lending and digital currency, FinTech is paving the way to a more financially inclusive and sustainable future. This panel in South China Morning Post’s Asia Sustainability Conference covers what FinTech is, how it is evolving, and what it means for individual consumers and larger organisations. What Is FinTech? FinTech, or financial technology,... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147251/fintech-way-improve-financial-inclusion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147251/fintech-way-improve-financial-inclusion?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Sep 2021 03:15:19 +0000 Hosted by South China Morning Post, Asia Sustainability Conference returns in 2021 with this session moderated by Andrew Chang, Program Director for New Energy Nexus China. Climate change is an imminent and pervasive issue in the modern world. The transition to green technology can help the environment heal and pave the way to a future of sustainability. 45 per cent of global investment in the transition to cleaner power is found within Asia, and the priorities are clear: a low-carbon future,... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147160/how-greentech-solution-climate-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147160/how-greentech-solution-climate-change?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Sep 2021 08:24:18 +0000 South China Morning Post’s Asia Sustainability Conference returns in 2021 with a panel discussion on the green buildings of the future. Though energy-efficient systems are not yet the norm, 70% of companies in Asia Pacific are willing to pay a premium to rent spaces in sustainable buildings. Why is this the case, and what exactly does it mean to make a building sustainable? Founder & President of BEE Incorporations Alessandro Bisangi says the competition between building developers is now about... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147035/buildings-future-rebuild-green?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147035/buildings-future-rebuild-green?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Sep 2021 04:05:07 +0000 One of the major goals related to the building of Smart Cities is to “connect the different city infrastructure elements,” Erdal Elver, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Ltd. in Hong Kong and Macao, says. This kind of connection between infrastructure, transportation, utilities, services, residential areas, and more will not only greatly improve urban life, but will also support sustainability and help create a better environment for future generations.    South China Morning... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147006/smart-cities-using-technology-connect-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3147006/smart-cities-using-technology-connect-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Aug 2021 06:56:21 +0000 By Thomas G. Tsao, Founding Partner, Gobi Partners Issues surrounding climate change and inequalities across the globe multiplied with the onslaught of the Covid pandemic over the last year. Already underserved groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, children, migrants, women and the elderly were hit the hardest by the pandemic. This widened the gap between vulnerable groups and populations, and deepened socioeconomic inequalities.  At SCMP’s Asia Sustainability Conference... https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3146486/how-vcs-can-lead-way-esg-and-impact?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/events/business/topics/sustainable-asia/article/3146486/how-vcs-can-lead-way-esg-and-impact?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Aug 2021 04:13:35 +0000