Droston Tang 邓健祥

Waste management is a pressing issue in Southeast Asia, accounting for 25% of waste worldwide. Rapid urbanisation could see solid waste doubling from over 150 million tons of waste annually in 2016 to 300 million tons by 2030. Despite its critical role in addressing environmental challenges, only 123 of the 1,157 startups covered in our report focus on waste management, highlighting a significant gap in innovation and investment. With improper disposal contributing to severe pollution and health risks, particularly from plastic waste, improving waste management systems is essential for sustainability and public health in the region. Here are a few highlights in Waste Management, from our Southeast Asia Green Economy Landscape report. The 7 key sectors covered in the report are: 🔹 Nature and Agriculture 🔹 Energy 🔹 Environmental Services and Finance 🔹 Transportation 🔹 Materials and Manufacturing 🔹 Waste Management 🔹 Built Environment What to learn more about how startups are helping to accelerate the region’s transition to a sustainable future? Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/gmHcFxEZ. Adam Lyle | Derrick Chiang | Divakar Subramaniam #southeastasia #greeneconomy #sustainability #decarbonisation #startups #wastereduction #wastemanagement #ESG

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Here we go again. The NEA announced their effort as usual for cleaning up the public toilets in Singapore but they're not serious enough to make a real impact. 1. There are 1200 coffeeshops in Singapore. NEA issued fines of SGD 500 to 1200 owners as a penalty for keeping their toilets dirty for a whole year. It costs the owners SGD 2k a month or 24k a year to clean up. If the fine is SGD 500 a year average, they saved SGD23,500 a year by keeping it dirty. Therefore, this Deterrent is quite useless. 2. Pasting posters telling the public to keep toilets clean. This has been the same thing since 40 years ago and repeating it will not change anything, since it has never changed anything for the last 40 years. The definition of insanity is to do the same thing and expect a different result. 3. Suspending 10 coffeeshop licenses. We have to name and shame these coffeeshop so that the others will not want to ne named and shamed and will clean up. Why didn't the SFA want to use this opportunity to motivate the other owners? Justice needs to be done and also seen to be done. 4. Getting Primary Schools students to clean up toilets. Is this a compulsory course? Please let us know the details. Mr Baey Yam Keng has not offered any new ideas after heading the Toilet Task Force. Time to bring in another person who is more innovative. https://lnkd.in/gDsVeEKT

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Thanks you Rachel Tan Yuen Ting and team for producing such a detailed report which is available for free download. 🙏 With such comprehensive decarbonisation information available, we hope that stake holders can no longer give the reason that they have no idea cannot on the 5Ws and 1H to decarbonisation. #decarbonisation #southeastasia

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It’s often been said that we manage what we measure. I think that we actually manage what we value. It should be a surprise to no one that we value gold. What might be a surprise, though, is that it is estimated that about 85% of all the gold ever found is still being used today, which means that the gold in your favorite jewelry could have had several past uses and lives. It isn’t just precious metals that are valued. Foods are too. When I was sourcing ingredients from the Amazon 35 years ago, I heard about a palm fruit (but never saw or tasted it) that was so valued by one indigenous group that they would not share the fruit even with their neighbors. When harvested, the fruit was buried in the ground at a secret location for several months to allow it to ferment and be devoured later. From the descriptions, it seems to have been akin to a vegan blue cheese. Three weeks ago, I read about rapidly increasing demand in China for durian from Southeast Asia, where it is reshaping the landscape. In Vietnam, farmers are tearing out coffee trees, while in Cambodia they are simply deforesting to produce durian. The fruit is known for its rich taste and intense smell. It can vary in size but is generally the size and shape of a rugby ball covered in half-inch spikes. The fruit’s odor is so powerful that it is banned from most hotels and from virtually all airplanes. In 2017, the value of durian exports to China was $550 million, but just six years later it had increased 12-fold, to $6.7 billion. The surge in exports is a testament to the power of Chinese demand in the global economy. China may be struggling economically, but when 1.4 billion people decide to consume something, the demand will reshape other parts of Asia. China now controls 70% of the durian wholesale and logistics business. Local aggregation companies are disappearing as fruit prices have increased. But a curious thing has happened with this increase in demand — suppliers have found that cryogenic freezing mitigates the odor and prolongs the shelf life. Chinese consumers have also become more discerning about specific flavors that they want and will pay for. As a result, at one Thai firm, durian is passed under a laser that etches a serial number onto each fruit. This allows Chinese retailers to trace bad fruit back to the orchard where it was grown. More importantly, this lets producers start differentiating their fruit’s flavors and cultivating markets for those traits. The flavors are based on genetics and soils. This is akin to markets like those for wines, cheeses, etc. But what is also interesting here is that we can trace product back to farms and fields. If this technology can be developed further, it will become cheaper and make traceability possible at a level never seen before. And if China is having this impact today, consider what the effect will be from India in 5 to 10 years, and Africa in 10 to 20. Think about it.

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Scarce engineering talent in the age of AI is a topic which does not appear to have exercised policymakers. I attempt to address this issue in my latest column for #ForbesAsia. There are engineer surplus regions (Asia) and engineer scarce countries like America and parts of Europe. Countries in the former are already taking measures to hoard talent. Ultimately talented engineers will become like highly prized Nvidia graphic chips - scarce! https://lnkd.in/dUUxkSiD

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Hi fellow Earthlings, How do you spot the next big thing in a region with 650 million potential climate innovators? Let's be honest - people often ask us about our "secret sauce" for mapping ClimateTech companies across Southeast Asia. While we love getting creative, we're not too proud to admit we've borrowed from the best! Think of it as standing on the shoulders of giants... with our own special twist added to the mix. This systematic mapping serves multiple purposes: it helps us identify current market leaders, spotlight emerging innovators, and crucially, uncover underserved areas and opportunities in the regional ClimateTech ecosystem. By sharing these insights, we aim to inspire and guide the next generation of climate innovators in Southeast Asia. In the meantime we also want to celebrate some of the local founders that are a generous inspiration to the rest of us. 🙇 🙇‍♂️ 🙇‍♀️ You guys rock! Bolong Chew (周博隆) Joel CY Chang Rayner Loi Jeevan Gnanam David Ng 伍 立伟 William G. Temple Nidhi Gupta Avishek Kumar Reuben Lai to name a few. Our full mapping exercise here: https://lnkd.in/ga4axtwi 🪴 🌏 🌞

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Can bean counters drive change? This morning’s joint report by Schneider Electric and Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) found that nine out of 10 Singapore companies are not fully measuring and analysing Scope 3 emissions. Link to the full report at the end of this post. Scope 3 emissions refer to pollution attributed to the supply chain. Some interesting highlights from the press release: - Leaders from larger businesses significantly more likely to have set Scope 3 emissions targets. - Less than four in ten business leaders claim to have a strong understanding of Scope 3 emissions. Given that it’s only the larger businesses with the resources and knowledge to decarbonising, that will actually think about decarbonising, Scope 3 serves as a pressure point for larger companies to lead sustainability initiatives in their supply chain. Basically, providing impetus to support smaller suppliers in their decarbonisation journey. I do wonder though, how effective will the accounting department be in driving change within their own organisation and more broadly, across the industry. Especially since there is neither carrot, nor stick, to take care of emissions that are not directly caused by company activities. Unless you’re Christian Wolff working for a particularly violent CSO. Seems like a good idea for the sequel. 😉 https://lnkd.in/gJ8pGYc6

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Advancing Thailand's Food Security Through Strategic Policy Thailand is taking critical steps toward enhancing food security by integrating sustainable practices and policies that address global challenges. Key highlights include: - Promoting innovation in agriculture to boost productivity and sustainability. - Strengthening the resilience of food systems to climate change impacts. - Collaborating with stakeholders to advance smart agriculture solutions for long-term sustainability. As the global demand for sustainable food systems grows, Thailand is positioning itself as a hub for AgTech innovation. This presents a unique opportunity for venture capital to fuel projects that transform agriculture and enhance the country's competitive edge in the region. Let's cultivate a greener, a smarter, and more secure agricultural future! #AgTechThailand #VentureCapital #SmartFarming #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #InnovationInAgriculture

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Our Partner Puiyan LEUNG recently spoke on the topic “Green Horizons: ClimateTech Innovations Solving Asia’s Challenges” at Echelon X, where she discussed the unique challenges of Southeast Asian climate startups as well as potential opportunities with the other esteemed speakers on the panel. In this nascent space, one may ask, how do we balance #impact and #profit? Puiyan shares that for Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, seeking potential returns for our LPs is the ultimate north star. Hence, our approach is to seek out opportunities in the space that generates outsized returns. For more insightful discussions, check out the e27 (Optimatic) article below by Anisa Menur A. Maulani. #impact #sustainability #impactinvesting

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Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) is driving innovation in sustainable agriculture and green energy with new incentives to attract investments in eco-friendly industries. Focused on AgTech, clean energy, and green manufacturing, these initiatives align with Thailand's Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model. Key strategies include tax breaks, grants, and other incentives to help companies advance sustainable practices. The BOI's push for green investment reflects Thailand's commitment to a climate-resilient economy and strengthens its appeal as a hub for future-forward AgTech and sustainability-focused ventures. #AgTechThailand #VentureCapital #SustainableInvesting #GreenEnergy #ThailandEconomy #BCGModel #InnovationInAgriculture

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The Pressure is Working in Singapore Now that they've set up the Clean Toilet Taskforce and also named 2024 the Year if Hygiene, the only obstacles to having a 100% clean toilets Singapore are the wealthy and powerful coffeeshop owners. They are still trying to save money by refusing to employ cleaners to clean up their toilets or renovate them when they're dysfunctional. If the government have the courage to enforce heavy penalties upon these coffeeshop owners, then things will change. Otherwise, whatever they say will come to nothing if they let the coffeeshop owners off the hook. https://lnkd.in/gbhefv55

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Empowering Thai Farmers Through Agroforestry Initiatives Thailand is taking bold steps to enhance sustainable farming and combat climate challenges by integrating agroforestry into its agricultural practices. The approach emphasizes the cultivation of trees alongside crops to boost biodiversity, improve soil health, and secure farmers' livelihoods. Key highlights: - Agroforestry combines modern farming with natural ecosystems, promoting sustainability. - Farmers benefit from diversified incomes through timber and crop production. - The initiative aligns with Thailand's broader climate and sustainability goals. This shift showcases how innovative practices can transform traditional agriculture, making it resilient, sustainable, and economically viable for smallholder farmers. It's a win for both the planet and the people! #Sustainability #Agroforestry #AgTech #ClimateAction #VentureCapital #Thailand #AgricultureInnovation

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Thailand's new Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, is prioritizing policy reforms to address economic challenges, focusing on stimulating growth and improving livelihoods. Key initiatives include restructuring public debt, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and increasing foreign investment. Thai Government is also committed to enhancing social welfare programs to help reduce economic inequality across the country. These moves are intended to create a more robust and inclusive economy in Thailand. #EconomicGrowth #ThailandEconomy #PolicyReform #Investment #SMEs #SretthaThavisin

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At the end of August, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) officially approved and released the GB/T 24067-2024 Greenhouse Gas—Product Carbon Footprint—Quantification Requirements and Guidelines, led by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). This standard is a foundational component of the Implementation Plan for Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System, jointly issued by 15 ministries, and of the Action Plan for Strengthening the Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Standards and Measurement System (2024–2025). It provides guidance for various industries to develop specific product carbon footprint accounting standards. These standards will underpin China’s product carbon footprint management system, supporting the country in achieving its carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. The GB/T 24067-2024 is an adaptation of the international standard ISO 14067 with modifications. On the one hand, it aligns with the internationally recognized lifecycle assessment standards (ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006), specifying the scope, principles, and methods for quantifying product carbon footprints. The standard outlines four stages in the quantification process: defining the goal and scope, lifecycle inventory analysis, lifecycle impact assessment, and interpreting the lifecycle results. On the other hand, the standard introduces a reference framework for developing specific product carbon footprint standards, and proposes methods for calculating product carbon footprints. It also covers requirements for validation reviews, product carbon footprint declarations, and the framework for specific product carbon footprint standards to guide and ensure effective implementation. https://lnkd.in/gTva4XwH

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New Paper! Life-cycle GHG emissions of standard houses in Thailand Greenhouse gas (#GHG) emissions from building activities are one of the most prominent contributors to the problem of global warming. Life-cycle assessment (#LCA) is a widely used tool to investigate GHG emissions from buildings. However, there appears to be a lack of LCA studies on buildings in tropical climates, and especially in Thailand. This study aims to improve the understanding of GHG emissions from standard Thai residential buildings. LCA was conducted on five typical house designs in #Thailand in order to determine potential mitigation strategies for future design of these houses. The amount of GHG emissions over the entire life-cycle of these detached houses was estimated, and the results were analysed with different viewpoints. The results indicate that emissions from the operational energies of detached houses in Thailand have the highest share of GHG emissions. Significant emissions also came from construction materials. Improvements to the building envelope and air-conditioner usage have high GHG mitigation potential in the operational stage of the buildings, while replacing cementitious and metallic materials with low-emissions alternatives can considerably reduce embodied emissions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gXdcpnGQ Authors: Bergpob Viriyaroj Matti Kuittinen Shabbir Gheewala

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I’m happy to share that Japhet Lim and I recently had the honor of being interviewed by Sonny Mohanty, Head of Ecosystems at XinFin Powering XDC Network, on the XDC Podcast! 🎙️ During the podcast, we covered key aspects of Frac’s mission and journey, including: 🔍 The Problem Statement: 16:26 - 16:44 💎 Luxury Asset Tokenization: 21:22 - 21:45 💼 Frac’s Business Model: 23:58 - 24:17 💡 Key Startup Advice: Learn to Sell Before You Build: 31:30 - 31:43 🌍 Current Market Reality: 37:01 - 37:23 📜 End Users & Regulations: 39:38 - 39:57 🎯 Frac’s Major Milestone: 41:10 - 41:20 📈 Frac’s 3-Year Plan: 42:53 - 43:29 Japhet and I shared our vision for revolutionizing the tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWAs), especially Luxury Assets, and discussed how we’re tackling challenges to bring Web3.0 solutions to the mainstream. 🔗 Check out the full podcast on YouTube: 📺 If you’re interested in the future of asset fractionalization or how blockchain is disrupting industries, don’t miss this insightful conversation! #XDC #Blockchain #Tokenization #LuxuryAssets #Web3 #Crypto #Fintech #Frac #Podcast #FractionalOwnership #RWA #B2B2C

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Cambodia’s Cashew Processing Industry: A Profitable Investment Opportunity Cambodia's cashew nut industry is growing at an impressive pace. With over 790,000 tonnes of cashews exported in the first ten months of 2024, generating $1.110 billion in revenue, the Kingdom is fast becoming a major player in the global agricultural sector. However, the real opportunity lies in building cashew processing units within the country, enabling Cambodia to move up the value chain and become a global hub for premium processed cashew products. 🌍 Why Cambodia? Cambodia offers everything investors need for success in the cashew processing industry: ✅ Abundant raw materials: With 840,000 tonnes of production in 2024 and growing annually, Cambodia ensures a consistent supply of high-quality cashews. ✅ Strategic location – Cambodia’s proximity to key markets in Asia, Europe, and North America makes it an ideal export hub. ✅ Cost-effective operations – Competitive labor costs and supportive government policies make investments in Cambodia highly profitable. ✅ Increasing demand – Global markets are hungry for processed cashew products like roasted nuts, cashew butter, and oils. 💡 The Opportunity for Investors By investing in modern processing facilities, you can: ✔️ Capture higher margins by producing value-added products. ✔️ Diversify into by-products like cashew oil and shell liquid for industries such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. ✔️ Create jobs, support rural economies, and contribute to Cambodia’s growth story. 📈 The demand for processed cashew products is rising globally. Cambodia’s cashews, known for their quality, are poised to meet this demand. As an investor, this is your chance to make an impact while reaping substantial financial rewards. ⏳ The Time to Act is Now The Cambodian government is actively supporting the agricultural sector with tax incentives and streamlined policies for foreign investors. Take advantage of this momentum and become part of Cambodia’s transformation into a cashew processing powerhouse. 🌟 Ready to invest in Cambodia’s cashew future? Let’s discuss how you can lead this industry revolution and position yourself at the forefront of one of the most exciting growth markets in Southeast Asia. 📌 Reach out to us today to explore this golden opportunity! [email protected] 🎯https://lnkd.in/gmnFegQi

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