Environment
The Bulgarian Energy Market between Subsidies and Challenges
Many know Bulgaria as the poorest country in the EU. The country consistently lags behind its Western partners and ranks the lowest in a variety of areas. From disposable income to media freedom, as well as corruption and trust in the government. However, there seems to be an area in which Bulgaria is outperforming the EU average: green development. A combination of subsidies and ponderous growth has fostered this outcome, but the way ahead is not guaranteed.
Carbon Neutral by 2060? The Environmental Implications of China’s New Climate Target for Southeast Asia
On September 22, China announced its long term target to be carbon neutral by 2060 and reach peak CO2 emissions before 2030. This has been deemed a game-changer for international
China’s Renunciation of Single-use Plastic
Recently, China has decided to gradually abolish the use of single-use plastic. This decision was reached by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) at the beginning of 2020. The reason why they would make this decision is quite simple: China has contributed to worldwide pollution much more than other countries.
Southeast Asia’s Transboundary Haze: Obstacles to a Regional Solution
The so-called ‘ASEAN Way’ can be an obstacle to effectively addressing regional transboundary issues, and the transboundary haze problem is no exception.
African Continent: Challenges of Climate and Demographic Changes
Impacts of climate change and growing population, as well as the threats to human development – such as poverty, crime and health – could lead to insecurity and instability in African countries.
Canada: Environment and taxpayers face pollution threats
The environmentally precious river remains threatened by the proposed construction of an open-pit gold and copper mine by one of Canada’s most notorious polluters: Imperial Metals.
Bolsonaro’s Environmental Policy: An Increasing Risk
President Jair Bolsonaro’s inauguration in January marked Brazil’s entry into the ranks of nations recently electing far-right leadership. In the first five months of his term, Bolsonaro’s r has drawn particular ire for altering environmental policies.
An unlikely partnership in New Zealand leads the way on biosecurity
Biosecurity New Zealand and Onions New Zealand have begun to work together to ensure that they are prepared for biological threats – a partnership that could serve as an example for other countries.
Environmental, social, and governance trends in Asia
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues traditionally have not been a priority for investors and asset owners throughout Asia as compared to their Western counterparts. However, recent decisions by Japanese pension funds and Chinese policymakers may stimulate more interest throughout the region.
DRC Cobalt: A potential achilles heel of electric vehicles
With the global transition to electric vehicles (EVs), corporations are increasingly forced to rely on cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where a culture of corruption, unscrupulous mining practices, and political instability threaten supply security.
