Mathilda Dsilva

Just two weeks ago, I wrote about Malaysia's upcoming water crisis after attending the United Nations Global Compact's (UNGC) Future Leaders of Water Sustainability 2024 conference last month. And starting today, the Klang Valley region is already undergoing a 3-day water cut till June 7. Seems very much like a coincidence but conserving water is ever so important as water plays a vital role in our survival. But how many of us are mindful of our water footprint? Read the story to better understand why water is an issue of natural security for Malaysia. #UNGC #UnitedNations #SDGs #Malaysia #water #sustainability #FLOWS2024

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ST Explains: What does S’pore’s more ambitious clean import targets mean for energy transition? Summary: Singapore's decision to increase its electricity import target from 4GW to 6GW by 2035 represents a significant step in its energy transition strategy, aiming to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on natural gas. This target, covering about 30% of the country's projected electricity needs, addresses the expected annual demand growth of 3-5%. While 3.4GW of these imports will come from Indonesia, Singapore is actively pursuing partnerships with other countries like Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and potentially Australia to diversify its energy supply. Key Implications: Diversification and Risk Management: Despite Indonesia being the largest contributor, partnerships with other ASEAN nations and potential Australian imports are crucial for reducing risks associated with geopolitical uncertainties. Impact on Natural Gas Dependence: Clean energy imports are projected to lower Singapore's reliance on natural gas, currently over 90% of the mix, to more than 50% by 2035. The scale of this reduction will depend on advancements in green hydrogen, carbon capture, and potential nuclear energy. Regional Clean Power Trade: Singapore's strategy highlights the complexity of regional power trade, with current progress mainly in bilateral deals. Multilateral cooperation, like the ASEAN power grid, faces challenges due to differing national priorities. Economic and Environmental Benefits for Indonesia: The imports will support Indonesia's renewable energy sector, attracting investment and creating jobs. However, concerns remain about balancing export projects with domestic renewable energy needs. Future Outlook: While immediate focus is on bilateral agreements, integrated regional energy markets could develop over time, with the ASEAN power grid being a long-term strategic goal. #SingaporeEnergyTransition #CleanEnergyImports #RenewableEnergy #ASEANPowerGrid #EnergyDiversification #RegionalEnergyTrade #SustainableFuture

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[Call for Nominations] Nature-based Carbon Project Development and Measurement, Reporting and Verification Course NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions will be conducting this in-person course from 17 – 21 February 2025 under the auspices of the Singapore Cooperation Programme Training Award (SCPTA) and is one of the courses offered under the Sustainability Action Package. This five-day programme will provide participants with a basic understanding of carbon offset project development and the different types of nature-based offsets, providing them with foundational knowledge on important value chain activities governing nature-based projects, existing methodologies of certification standards as well as key facets behind project design and implementation, including project management, working with local communities, and insights into nature-based project life cycles. Course Topics • Overview of nature-based carbon project development • Generation of high-quality carbon credits from nature-based solutions  • Policies for carbon credit generation and trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement • Collaboration with local communities and investors to ensure project success • Standards and methodologies for measuring and reporting carbon units to ensure high quality This course is open for nominations from mid- to senior-level government officials involved in leading or preparing for sustainability reports and carbon markets, including the use of Article 6 towards achieving NDCs and LEDS/net-zero commitments; who are proficient in written and spoken English; and in good health. Closing Date for Nomination: 03 Jan 2025 For more details, and to nominate your government officials, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gYSN7yEW

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The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand 19 - 21 August 2024 Groundwater plays important roles in our environment and in our economies. However, the challenges from climate change and global uncertainties make people more and more reliant on groundwater in order to maintain well-being, livelihoods, ecosystems, industries, agriculture and urban development. Currently, groundwater provides as much as 50 percent of the global population’s drinking water supply, and around 40 percent to irrigate crops. It is estimated that 2.5 billion people worldwide depend on groundwater sources for basic needs to survive. In addition, groundwater is vital to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (ensure access to water and sanitation for all) but also directly contributes to poverty eradication (Goal 1), food security (Goal 2), gender equality (Goal 5), sustainability of cities and human settlement (Goal 11) combating climate change (Goal 13), and protecting terrestrial ecosystems (Goal 15). Therefore, sustainable development and management of groundwater is required to make full benefit of its potential, to protect its quality and to guard against over-exploitation of the aquifers. The 2nd Thailand Groundwater Symposium will be hosted by the Department of Groundwater Resources (DGR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Groundwater Development Fund. It aims to provide participants with opportunities to share their experiences, research findings, innovations and technologies regarding groundwater-related issues, and to serve as an international platform for leading researchers, policy makers, practitioners and private executives to identify common and emerging issues, hotspots and opportunities in groundwater management, as well as to discuss how to further build the coalition. It is our pleasure to announce that the 2nd Thailand Groundwater Symposium will be held in Thailand during 19 - 23 August 2024. The Symposium comprises of a three-day oral and poster presentation program (19 - 21 August 2024) and a two-day excursion in Phetchaburi Province (22 - 23 August 2024). The main theme of this symposium is “Strengthening Groundwater Sustainability under Climate Change”. #groundwaterexploration #departmentofgroundwaterresources

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The International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea’s opinion said that greenhouse gases are a form of marine pollution and laid out governments’ legal obligations to reduce that contamination and limit global warming. Those obligations include adopting laws and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; preventing emissions under their jurisdiction or control from causing damage to other states; protecting fragile ecosystems and threatened species; cooperating with other governments and sharing scientific information; adopting measures aimed at controlling invasive species; and restoring degraded ecosystems. Tuesday’s advisory opinion is the first time an international tribunal has specified the legal obligations governments have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The opinion was issued unanimously from 21 judges elected by the 169 member countries of the convention. Another landmark judicial opinion. When will governments take court rulings seriously? #climateaction

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In April 2024, the Federal Government announced that it had agreed to enact national legislation related to carbon regulation and trading, and that such Federal carbon legislation would be based on existing carbon trading laws in the state of Sarawak. Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia that presently has a standalone carbon trading legislation, namely the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance 2023 which came into force on 1st March 2024. The Sarawak carbon legislation seeks to strictly regulate and control carbon emissions of high emission sectors. How these translate into a Federal carbon legislation remains to be seen, but these provisions (with modification), may lend an insight as to what's to come for Malaysia in the future. Please refer to the article published by our Strategic Alliance Abhilaash Subramaniam at https://lnkd.in/gz_vxP42

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Key takeaways from today's WWF-Singapore #EarthHourSummit: 1. Asia faces a massive US$1Tr/yr funding gap, to be able to meet our 2030 #NetZeroTargets - so #PublicPrivatePartnerships and #BlendedFinance initiatives are critical to mobilise all available funding for #ClimateTransition. 2. 19 of 25 cities most affected by #RisingSeaLevels are right here in Asia, including Singapore - so climate change should be on all our agendas. 3. Tech can help scale eco innovations, Science can provide credibility, but ultimately such #ClimateSolutions must be #FinanciallySustainable to be viable. Very thought-provoking day, thanks to Jacqueline Poh, Boon Heong Ng, Maya Hari, Prof. Veera Sekaran, Kamal Prakash Seth, Siew Jin Kiat, Grace Fu, Iwona Piórko, Paul Town, Enric Casals Brufau, Vivek Kumar, F.IOD, Helen Wong, Vivek Pathak, Kelvin Tan, Pamela Lee, Akshat Garg, Rohit Singh, Gerald Ng, Christopher Ong, Yiran G., Stephanie Lim. And glad to hear what companies like Epson Southeast Asia, Terrascope, Marina Bay Sands, Agoda, OCBC, HSBC, DHL and Subway are doing. Are we collectively and individually doing enough to counter #ClimateChange? https://lnkd.in/graa3pKq

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S’pore’s demand for clean imported energy helps usher in a regional power grid: EMA chief Summary: Singapore's increasing demand for clean, imported energy is setting the stage for the development of a regional power grid in Southeast Asia, a key step toward decarbonizing the region’s energy systems. According to Puah Kok Keong, Chief Executive of the Energy Market Authority (EMA), Singapore's willingness to invest in renewable energy imports from its neighbors, including Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, is catalyzing efforts to build an ASEAN power grid. This grid, long in discussion, would strengthen cross-border energy connectivity, stimulate investments in renewable energy infrastructure, and contribute to regional energy security. Singapore has already secured agreements to import around 5.6 gigawatts (GW) of clean electricity by 2035, close to half of the nation's 2023 generation capacity. The imported renewable energy will account for around 30% of Singapore's electricity demand by 2035, as part of its larger strategy to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on natural gas, which currently powers over 95% of the country’s electricity. While Singapore faces geographical limitations on domestic renewable energy production, its ability to pay for imported clean electricity is bolstered by its high electricity prices compared to regional neighbors. This economic dynamic makes Singapore a pivotal player in Southeast Asia’s energy transition, with the construction of subsea cables to transmit electricity potentially laying the groundwork for the broader ASEAN power grid. This grid could benefit other countries in the region that, despite abundant renewable resources, struggle with infrastructure challenges. For example, Indonesia’s renewable energy-rich regions are often far from the centers of economic activity. Connecting supply with demand through a robust grid would help attract investments in upstream power generation, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, and boost the manufacturing of key technologies like solar panels, batteries, and cables. However, significant infrastructure upgrades will be needed within Singapore itself, including the renewal of power lines to accommodate increased electricity imports and the establishment of new facilities to handle this clean energy. These upgrades could cause short-term disruptions but are vital to Singapore’s long-term energy goals. While it's uncertain how much these upgrades will impact consumer electricity bills, Puah noted that grid charges are likely to increase as part of the overall costs of maintaining and renewing infrastructure. #SIEW2024 #CleanEnergy #ASEANPowerGrid #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #Singapore #Decarbonization #EnergySecurity #SoutheastAsia #SolarEnergy #Infrastructure

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WWF is deeply concerned by the recent oil spill at the Pasir Panjang Terminal. The incident on Friday has significantly impacted marine and coastal ecosystems, with oil washing up on the coastlines of East Coast Park, Sentosa, and other areas. Oil spills degrade water quality and threaten marine ecosystems by causing habitat loss and contaminating vital resources. They also harm marine life through physical smothering, suffocation, and chemical toxicity, disrupting key species and habitats. WWF commends the swift response of authorities and local community groups in Singapore. We have extended our offer of support and will continue to monitor the situation. This incident highlights the critical link between healthy ecosystems and human well-being, emphasising the need for coordinated inter-agency and community strategies to prevent future incidents. Together, we must protect our precious marine resources.

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I rushed home after the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) exhibition with my "red nose" that lasted 2 weeks to meet some young communicators online to discuss the landscape of communication undergoing a seismic shift that is propelled by rapid advancements in technology. We discussed holographic meetings, AI-powered assistants, & virtual reality environments that are all within our grasp. The possibilities are endless these days. Old bones like myself might wonder what our role is in the cosmos itself. In my opinion, while technology may change, the essence of effective communication remains constant with the rule of AUTHENTICITY, CLARITY & CONNECTION. As we harness the power of technology to amplify our voices, the warmth of a genuine connection or human touch amplifies the sincerity of a heartfelt conversation. In a sea of digital noise, AUTHENTICITY cuts through the clutter like a beacon of light. Information proliferates at breakneck speed these days & CLARITY then becomes the currency of communication. In a world inundated with data, the ability to distill complex concepts into digestible insights is a prized skill. Clear, concise communication is a necessity in an age of information overload. Whether through a shared laugh, a thoughtful exchange, or a moment of empathy, meaningful CONNECTIONS enrich our lives & nourish relationships. So as we venture into the uncharted territories of tomorrow, let's prioritise building bridges, forging alliances, & fostering genuine connections & explore the infinite possibilities that lie ahead with curiosity, courage, & a healthy dose of wit. STAY HUNGRY. STAY FOOLISH. #boredandalivesg #marketing #communications #marketer #communicator #marketingcommunications #branding #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #corporatecommunications #AI #virtualreality #future #influencer #technology #smw #smw2024 #singaporemaritimeweek ##stayhungrystayfoolish

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How Singapore is trying to develop the market for Article 6.2 credits that can be used to offset the carbon tax liabilities of large emitters here. We are not a big market per se, but I daresay we are a leading market in Southeast Asia, and regional market development is something Singapore is strong at. With the huge amounts of CO2e that need to be avoided and removed, the global market for CO2e as a commodity will be massive. Both for physical movement and virtual trading. "A national platform that will help “match-make” developers of carbon credit projects with potential buyers of such credits was launched on July 31. The Singapore Carbon Market Alliance (SCMA) will help buyers keen on sourcing for high-quality credits identify reliable projects, as it will be dealing with projects that supply credits compatible with the Paris Agreement. Singapore-based corporates could buy these credits to advance their climate goals and offset part of their carbon tax." "The SCMA is a collaboration between the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Ieta, a non-profit group that represents businesses committed to smart, well-designed and effective carbon markets around the world. High-quality credits are aligned with the Paris Agreement’s Article 6, which governs carbon trading between countries. A key criterion is that steps must be taken to prevent double-counting of emission reductions in both the credit buyer and the host country’s national greenhouse gas inventories." "Two of those countries have signed bilateral agreements with Singapore – Papua New Guinea and Ghana. They are formally known as implementation agreements. But, to date, there are currently no credits for sale from those countries that currently meet the criteria set by the Singapore Government. EDB managing director Jacqueline Poh said: “We signed these agreements, as yet there are no credits. So we need to work together on this.” The alliance is a by-invitation-only platform, and has more than 50 members from sectors including energy, healthcare, semiconductors, logistics and carbon services. Any organisation interested in joining can write in to EDB and Ieta. They need to meet the criteria of being leading international developers and suppliers of carbon credits, and the companies must have strong climate commitment and interest in purchasing Article 6 credits. SCMA will also help its members learn how to enable and access Article 6 credits, as well as provide updates on the Government’s requirements and initiatives for the credits." https://lnkd.in/gMVR-VYf

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Fascinating dance between environmental priorities and economic pragmatism! 🌿💰 It’s like watching a tango between a tree-hugging hippie and a spreadsheet-wielding accountant. Let’s break it down, shall we? Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS isn’t a simple task. It’s equal parts engineering wizardry and financial calculus. The closer a CCS system gets to 100% efficiency (meaning it captures nearly all the CO₂), the more challenging and expensive it becomes. So, yes, people are willing to spend on CCS, but it’s a complex balancing act. We’re talking about capturing CO₂ from industrial processes, power plants, and other sources. The cost of transport and storage varies widely depending on factors like volumes, distances, and storage conditions. It’s not just about the upfront investment; it’s also about long-term maintenance and monitoring. Energy Efficiency ROI: Ah, energy efficiency—the unsung hero of the climate fight! 🌟 When we make our homes, factories, and gadgets more energy-efficient, we’re essentially giving Mother Earth a high-five. But why the obsession with ROI here? Well, my friend, it’s because businesses and individuals want to know that their green investments pay off. When you slap solar panels on your roof or upgrade to LED bulbs, you’re not just doing it for the planet; you’re also hoping it’ll save you some greenbacks in the long run. Energy efficiency ROI calculations involve looking at the upfront costs (those solar panels don’t grow on trees, you know) and estimating the future savings (lower electricity bills, reduced maintenance, etc.). It’s like deciding whether to buy that fancy electric car—you weigh the cost against the fuel savings and environmental impact. The Great Climate Tango: So, why the apparent discrepancy? Why do we sometimes throw money at CO₂ storage while scrutinizing energy efficiency like a hawk? Well, it’s partly because CCS often involves large-scale infrastructure—think pipelines, storage facilities, and monitoring systems. These aren’t cheap endeavors. But they’re necessary to tackle emissions from heavy industries and power plants. On the other hand, energy efficiency improvements can happen incrementally. You swap out incandescent bulbs for LEDs, insulate your attic, and suddenly your energy bills do a happy little dance. It’s less about grand gestures and more about consistent small steps. Maybe we need to host a climate-themed dance-off: “CCS vs. Energy Efficiency”—who can cha-cha their way to a greener world faster? 🌎💃 In the end, both approaches matter. We need the carbon Alcatrazes (CCS) and the everyday eco-warriors (energy efficiency) working together. So, whether you’re investing in CO₂ storage or tightening up your home’s insulation, you’re part of the solution. Keep dancing, my friend! 💚🕺 https://lnkd.in/g62wEiZc

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Emergency power rationing among measures for Singapore’s energy security under new Bill Other proposals will also strengthen EMA’s ability to regulate, introduce new guard rails for electricity sector Summary: The Energy Market Authority (EMA) in Singapore has introduced the Energy Transition Measures and Other Amendments Bill, aimed at bolstering the nation's energy security. This comprehensive bill encompasses several key measures: Emergency Power Rationing: EMA will have the authority to implement power rationing as a "last resort" in emergencies where electricity supply is disrupted. This measure is designed to be temporary and lifted as soon as possible to minimize impact. Centralized Gas Procurement: The Bill proposes the creation of a regulatory regime for centralized gas procurement. This involves setting up a Central Gas Entity (CGE) to aggregate demand from power generation companies, which will help diversify energy sources and ensure sufficient gas supply. Cost Recovery: EMA will have the power to recover costs for initiatives that enhance energy security, develop competitive markets, or decarbonize the power sector. Cost recovery will be applied judiciously to ensure energy costs remain manageable. Shared Access to Critical Infrastructure: Due to Singapore's limited size, there may be instances where licensees need access to critical energy infrastructure owned by others. EMA will be able to direct such access to ensure energy security and reliability. Approval for Repurposing Assets: Owners of key electricity and gas assets will need EMA's approval before repurposing such infrastructure. This ensures that repurposing does not compromise overall energy security and system reliability. Future Energy Fund: The Bill establishes the Future Energy Fund with an initial injection of S$5 billion, aimed at supporting the adoption of low-carbon energy sources. This fund will focus on nascent technologies that come with higher capital expenditures and commercial and geopolitical risks, ensuring prudent use and oversight of funds. These measures collectively aim to fortify Singapore's energy resilience, address future emergencies, and support the nation's transition to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future. #EnergySecurity #Singapore #EMA #PowerRationing #EnergyTransition #GasProcurement #Sustainability #LowCarbonEnergy #FutureEnergyFund #ElectricityRegulation #EnergyResilience https://lnkd.in/gkZviTEd

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RimbaWatch's newly launched State of Malaysian Rainforests 2024 report shows Sarawak is by far at highest risk of deforestation due to timber plantations (68.2 per cent, more the four times that of the next highest state, Sabah, at 16.1 per cent). I noticed the data currently includes the Marudi concession, where SaraCarbon has a forest carbon study permit and is working towards applying for a license to develop a carbon project instead of pursuing earlier plans for a timber plantation. This means the concession area is not out of the woods (pun intended) yet but the watchdog's findings are another reminder that Malaysian states need to make geospatial data on land use public, so that that financiers, international agencies and civil society are properly informed. Find Rimbawatch's report here, which also highlights the problems with non-transparency in Malaysian forest data: https://lnkd.in/gSP3DHdG Adam Farhan #Malaysia #rainforests #deforestation

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[MONKEY BUSINESS] 🐒 Find out how Singapore's "Jane Goodall" Andie Ang is pushing for langur conservation in SEA through the first genus action plan on my latest episode of Climate Connections! Primates will always hold a special place in my heart among local Singapore wildlife - they are so expressive and emotive. And yes, we do have langurs in Singapore - like the critically endangered Raffles banded langur. Despite being highly threatened, only a few langur populations have been studied in detail, owing to their elusive nature, arboreality and the challenging terrains where they inhabit. As a result, conservation of these species has been challenging. Over 85 per cent of Asian langurs are threatened with extinction, making them one of the continent’s most threatened primate groups. A new landmark Asian langurs (Presbytis) Conservation Action Plan 2024-2034, combining the efforts of international primate experts and conservationists, has just been launched, in a bid to galvanise conservation for Asian langurs across Southeast Asia. On this episode of Climate Connections, lead of the initiative, Dr Andie Ang, Head, Primate Conservation & Singapore Programmes, Mandai Nature shares her first-hand insights on putting together the conservation plan and her experience out in the field. Thanks Cheryl W. Mandai Wildlife Group for letting me have the exclusive first dips post action plan release! Catch up on the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/gKeavrft #primates #langurs #asia #singapore #monkeys #conservation #wildlife #biodiversity #environment #wildsingapore #monkeybusiness #ecology #science #sciencecommunications

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"For the past 10 years (2013-2023), the area of old palm trees that were over 25 years old had increased by 5.1 per cent per year, coupled with the current replanting rate remaining below the recommended level, thus causing the decline in productivity during the period. We believe this is largely due to financial constraints many industry players face. We hope to see more incentives directed towards replanting initiatives, as a significant portion of ageing trees reduces the overall yield," he stated. Ahmad Parveez also suggested the government introduce policies or financial aid to expedite replanting activities involving plantation companies, which would greatly benefit the sector. He added that an incentive scheme for machinery, especially for infield collection activities, should be considered to encourage planters to increase the level of mechanisation to reduce dependence on manual labour. https://lnkd.in/grrUCfqJ

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NEXUS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION IN MARINE ECOSYSTEMS The combined impacts of climate change and microplastic pollution in the world's oceans have become rampant and a threat to marine ecosystems (Brown & Anderson, 2020; IPCC, 2021), harming a variety of aspects of marine life. Marine creatures mistake plastic waste for food which resort to internal damage (Johnson et al., 2020), malnourished, fewer offspring, and eventually dying (Garcia & Thompson, 2019).   Globally, about 8 million metric tons of plastic waste is estimated to enter the ocean annually (Jambeck et al., 2015). It is estimated that Africa generates about 13 million metric tons of plastic waste each year, and out of that, only 9% is recycled; leaving the rest to end up in landfills, waterways, and the ocean (UNEP, 2018). According to the World Bank (2020), Ghana is contributing about 1-3% of the global plastic waste entering the ocean. Therefore, adequate and sustainable management strategies are needed to curb this issue. Some of the management approaches that can be adopted to control the rate of microplastic pollution and climate impact in coastal ecosystems include; Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM); Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM); Participatory Community-Based Management (PCBM); and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). First, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) promotes a comprehensive and cooperative approach to managing coastal resources by including waste management techniques, land-use planning, and environmental protection measures in coastal management plans, offering a thorough framework for managing plastic pollution and climate impacts. Also, Ecosystem-based Management, or EBM, focuses on preserving the resilience and health of ecosystems. This method highlights how crucial it is to understand the intricate relationships between species and their surroundings to create management plans that safeguard ecosystem services and functions. Furthermore, Participatory Community-based Management (PCBM) gives local residents the opportunity to make informed decisions about their surroundings by involving them in the management of natural resources (Ostrom, 1990). This strategy encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members. Finally, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) encourages manufacturers to design items for recyclability and take-back programs by shifting the burden of managing things at the end of their useful lives from consumers to manufacturers (OECD, 2016). By making sure that manufacturers pay for trash management, this strategy can significantly reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the environment and encourage creative thinking in sustainable product design, which also has the potential to reduce climate impacts #Sustainable Marine Ecosystem Conservation Practices #Sustainable Development Agenda #Climate Change Reduction Strategy #Repost if you find it useful Have a great weekend

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Such closed containment systems need a lot of energy. Getting clean energy to the farms will be an issue. "The two new sea parcels will help ease overcrowding at the Johor Strait, where most fish farms are currently located. Mr Leow Ban Tat, CEO and founder of Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, told CNA: "The Southern Islands sea space is a wonderful sea space for aquaculture given it is close to (islands) like Pulau Jong, and water there is more pristine and clean.” Dr Michael Voigtmann, co-founder and chief technology officer of Singapore Aquaculture Technologies, said that farming in a relatively isolated location exposes crops to a lower risk of diseases, compared to sharing a body of water with other farmers and other activities in the vicinity." "The size of the space, however, is not enough to get farms to bite, due to investment in new technology needed. Bidders must use something called a “closed-containment system” to prevent damaging the environment. Mr Leow said that such a system would allow farms to optimise the use of space, while protecting the natural biodiversity. This means traditional fish farmers could face more challenges when it comes to ramping up the technology that is needed. Powering such farms will be a challenge as closed-containment aquaculture systems are very energy intensive, said Dr Toh Tai Chong, a marine biologist from the National University of Singapore (NUS). “With the technological requirements, there will be a huge amount of investment of costs involved on the monitoring front, the filtering of wastewater, as well as to optimise the production systems,” he explained." "The SFA indicated the two new plots will meet about 80 per cent of the current local production, a level which Dr Toh said is “quite significant”. “Basically, this increases our food supply by easily 1.7 times what we have currently,” he explained." https://lnkd.in/gKUAyK6z

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A little undercurrent that has been brewing but yet to be captured - disagreements over maritime boundaries between the federal government and Borneo states. With Malaysia now planning to legislate carbon storage projects - which could prove to be lucrative - Sarawak and Sabah are standing firm on their quest to reclaim their domain over offshore seabeds, where most of the carbon is expected to be sequestered. This argument over maritime borders is a longstanding one, dating back nearly 50 years to when Malaysia's government passed laws to claim federal jurisdiction of continental shelfs - precursor to the formation of a certain company called Petronas. Will the need for a CCS legislation (and the potential investment it brings) finally push federal and state governments to come to a common understanding?

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