Eco-Business: News, Opinion, Jobs, Events, Press Releases and Research for topic Energy

• Brand leaders have a duty to pay a premium for sustainability to improve industry, says L'Oreal supply chain chief
  Big brands have a duty to pay top whack for sustainability solutions, the supply chain head for the world's largest cosmetic firm says. L'Oreal recently announced new commitments to 'operate within planetary boundaries'.
• Pakistan pushes renewables—but coal expansion continues too
  A new policy aims for 30 per cent electricity from renewables by 2030—but planned coal plant expansion could stand in the way.
• Business risk and Covid-19 are pushing Asian financiers away from coal
  Coal divestment plans from three major Japanese banks and South Korea’s pledge for a similar policy proposal are part of a growing investor backlash due to costs of building coal power plants amid sluggish electricity demand.
• Oil giant BP to slash oil and gas production, boost renewables capacity 20-fold by 2030
  Analysts welcomed the timeframe and said the Covid-19 pandemic and plunge in oil demand were contributing factors. Earlier this year, BP had pledged to achieve net zero by 2050.
• Bangladesh may ditch 90% of its planned coal power
  A huge shake-up of the Bangladeshi energy sector may be afoot but the government must be clearer about its plans.
• Covid-induced energy plunge shrinks coal development in Southeast Asia
  Travel restrictions and obstruction of supplies borne out of the pandemic have fast-tracked the drop in new coal in a region considered one of the strongest growth markets for dirty energy, a new Global Energy Monitor report has found.
• Singapore startup claims breakthrough in Lithium-ion battery recycling
  Singapore-based Green Li-ion says its tech can ease the looming e-waste crisis by dramatically increasing the efficiency and profitability of rechargeable battery recycling.
• India's tribal farmers tap solar irrigation to cut migration
  Using renewable energy to water crops, poor rice farmers are growing vegetables to feed their families and earn an income.
• South Korea proposes ban on overseas coal financing
  The new legislation would prohibit public firms from pouring money into coal overseas. It could see a planned project in Vietnam fall over, but with the deal about to be sealed, the window of opportunity is closing fast.
• Envision Digital hires Ynse de Boer from Accenture as smart city and decarbonisation lead
  Based in Singapore, de Boer will lead Envision's smart city, smart spaces and decarbonisation programmes, after 17 years with Accenture.
• Costlier solar power a fallout of India-China border clash
  Companies owned by the Indian government stop buying Chinese solar equipment, while private firms face higher tariff; domestic manufacturing too small to make a difference.
• Duterte’s Covid-19 recovery plan criticised for excluding clean energy policies
  In his penultimate State of the Nation address, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not indicate how renewable energy could aid in the country’s recovery. Green groups were disappointed with his 'narrow environmental agenda'.
• Vietnam considers scrapping half of coal power plant pipeline in favour of gas and renewables
  With coal development sluggish, the country eyes alternative power sources to meet burgeoning demand. Analysts say the plan is contingent on gas prices staying low.
• Amid the Covid-19 crisis, what does a determined path to the SDGs look like?
  Countries must not return to business as usual after the pandemic if they are to have any chance of creating a greener and fairer world in the years ahead. As lockdowns ease, what will it take to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?
• How stored electricity can make cleaner fuels
  EU industry is seeking ways to save surplus power. Now it’s also hunting for methods to use that stored electricity to make green fuels.
• Will Vietnam’s new energy policy mark a turning point for coal?
  As other countries pull out of Vietnam’s coal sector, Chinese banks have become the lender of last resort for struggling projects.
• Additional coal supply in Covid-era Philippines will increase electricity costs for consumers, experts say
  The state-run Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation is seeking new coal. Energy observers explain why consumers will be saddled with higher bills.
• South Korea backtracks on green promise
  For South Korea, it seems, climate care is a case of going green at home – and doing the opposite overseas.
• Students for sustainability... Young Sustainable Impact SEA founders Sai Surya Yarlagadda and Irsyad Ramthan
  Sai Surya Yarlagadda and Irsyad Ramthan founded Young Sustainable Impact SEA while they were students at National University of Singapore. They share what it takes for students to convince startups and investors to believe in them.
• 14 billion appliances could be needed by 2050: Why cooling must be a part of post-pandemic recovery
  Amid rising temperatures, cooling technologies will be needed to protect people from heatwaves and keep vaccines and food fresh. Climate-friendly cooling could help humanity avoid 0.4°C of global warming by 2100.