Roberto De Vido

Is it too vague? What about the Rakyat? The effects of climate change has undoubtedly been accelerating and will become even more severe if nothing is done to address it. The necessary checks and balances, environmental rights and climate adaptation will be crucial in combating climate change for Malaysia and its citizens. Part of Malaysia’s climate action plan is to introduce a Climate Change Act but according to stakeholders, the draft bill (now closed for consultation) lacks a focus on climate change adaptation and risk impact assessments to protect vulnerable communities.

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INFOGRAPHIC: BT explores how the US presidential election will shape Southeast Asia’s future.

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“The next wave is truly kind of gargantuan, but it still has to happen, right? It doesn’t take much for things to tighten back up when you get a few unscheduled events. It’s not a foregone conclusion by any means that the world is going to be flooded with LNG.” I took a closer look at the projected LNG supply glut later this decade and what it means for the market. Natural Gas Intelligence #LNG https://lnkd.in/dCerPsns

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It's often said that energy-hungry SE Asia will determine whether the world succeeds or fails in limiting global warming to 1.5 deg C. With nearly 700 million people and fast-growing economies, the region needs energy and lots of it. What's the outlook for the region in shifting that growth towards green, rather than black (fossil fuels)? The answer is that there are huge green investment opportunities in agriculture, transport, energy, buildings and more -- to the tune of US$300 billion (S$408 billion) in new revenue opportunities, according to the report out today by Bain & Company, GenZero, Standard Chartered and Temasek at the Ecosperity Week 2024 conference. What's needed is for SE Asia's governments to step up cooperation on regional grids and carbon markets, offer better incentives for clean energy and EVs and clearer rules and support for green financing, say the authors. More here in my story for The Straits Times #climatechange #renewableenergy #CO2 #fossilfuels #oilandgas #coal #blendedfinance #philanthropy #justtransition #greenfinance #electricity

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TMRW 10am Astro AWANI 🎥 ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF EXTREME HEAT Southeast Asia has been enduring a brutal, record setting heat wave since March which is expected to expand mid-May onwards. It is being called by climate scientists as “the most extreme event in world climate history”. Niaga Spotlight speaks with Adam Farhan, Director RimbaWatch about their newly launched, one of a kind ‘Forest Tracker’ and the importance of reducing deforestation rates in Malaysia to zero as an impactful method to manage extreme weather. Dr Nik Rahimah, Universiti Putra Malaysia delves into the economic impact on Malaysia and mitigation approaches for rising cost of living and overall productivity impacts, especially on vulnerable sectors. #NiagaSpotlightWithTehminaKaoosji #501Awani #ExtremeHeat #ClimateCrisis #Deforestation #CostOfLiving #Malaysia

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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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Kudos to the team for turning around a quick yet intriguing piece on Malaysia's overtures to Russia at a time when it's chairing the ASEAN grouping. Amir Yusof Amanda Oon How would its invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the ASEAN summits next year be perceived by fellow Southeast Asian nations? If the Russia-Ukraine war is still raging on then and if Mr Putin does turn up, what would other ASEAN members and its dialogue partners do? How would it affect the dynamics between ASEAN states? Interesting times ahead under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship.

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How long before #Singapore gets a Chief Heat Officer? This feature by Thomson Reuters Foundation is timely: In the era of global boiling, chief heat officers are key in dialling down the risks from hotter weather. So far, a handful of heat tsars are working with officials in cities from Miami to Melbourne in a race against time to cool urban heat traps and prevent tens of thousands of deaths. Seven chief heat officers – who all happen to be women – are working in Miami, Melbourne, Dhaka, Freetown and Athens to plant trees, create “pocket parks”, install water fountains and teach people about the effects of extreme heat on the human body. Yet, despite the growing risks from heat, many people still don't understand the threat, making education vital in saving lives, the heat officers say. #climatechange #heatwaves #heatstress #humanhealth #urbanheatislandeffect #urbandesign More here: https://lnkd.in/gqb_R8SU

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The weaponization of deepfakes is a growing concern, exemplified by a recent incident involving over 100 Singapore public servants, including five ministers, who were targeted with extortion attempts using AI-generated compromising images. Key points to note from this event: - Targeting has evolved to focus on public officials with easily accessible online information and images. - The impact is widespread, affecting multiple government agencies simultaneously. - Similarities to attacks in Hong Kong indicate potential cross-border coordination. - Notably, the democratization of this threat is alarming, as deepfake attacks, once requiring advanced technical skills, are now more prevalent. Globally, there has been a significant 245% year-on-year increase in deepfakes, reflecting the technology's growing accessibility and sophistication, providing malicious actors with a potent tool for exploitation. https://lnkd.in/gRuWQHgU #Singapore #Deepfakes #Government #EthicalAI

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#1 Green Earth Henry K. H. Wang, a climate change expert based in Hong Kong, discusses his extensive career and contributions to climate action. Henry has worked with major corporations and been appointed by the Prime Ministers of the UK and China to bilateral climate working groups. He has also advised G20 leaders and B20 CEOs on climate, energy, and sustainability. Henry has authored six books, three on successful business negotiations and management and three on energy, climate change, and sustainability–with a seventh on carbon neutrality in the works. In this episode, Henry emphasizes the urgent need to address climate change, citing extreme weather events like wildfires, typhoons, and flooding as evidence of its impact. He highlighted the complexity and global nature of climate challenges, stressing the importance of international cooperation and preparedness. Henry K.H. Wang: “I was born in Hong Kong, did my university education in the UK, and then had the fortune of joining one of the biggest companies in the world, working in different locations in Europe and Asia. I’ve also worked in the Middle East. In my 40 years of corporate life, I was very fortunate to be the director for strategy, guiding these major enterprises towards their successful development. I was lucky to be involved with climate change for the past 20 years. I found this to be a great area for me to devote a lot of my time and energy.” * Have a listen as I interview my special guest Henry K. H. Wang. Find out what climate change really means.

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Is China more or less likely to invade Taiwan in Trump wins? With Beijing's increasing pressure for unification with Taiwan remaining committed to the status quo, a question I get at every one of my election analysis event on the Harris v Trump is a version of the above. It is a question I ask myself whenever I speak privately with current and former government officials in the region. In "How would the Trump or Harris administration approach Taiwan?", Ryan Hass and Richard Bush The Brookings Institution provide an excellent framing in responding to a question requiring a non-existent crystal ball. They note that Trump has shown skepticism about supporting Taiwan, viewing foreign policy through a transactional lens but also pointing out Trump 1.0 was proactive in security support (less so in economic relations). They think Harris would emphasize a more systematic foreign policy, focusing on upholding global principles and strengthening alliances. Her approach to Taiwan would likely continue the Biden administration's policies, emphasizing security commitments and global cooperation.  https://lnkd.in/gXbdXw86

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The green power rush is sparking a PPA dealmaking frenzy, experts say. As corporate sustainability goals become more ambitious, the appetite for power purchase agreements (PPAs) is surging. But be forewarned: this booming demand could add layers of complexity to negotiations, analysts tell Montel. Experts Simona Soci at MBS Consulting, energy consultant Sergio Giraldo, and Flemming Sørensen, vice president for Europe at LevelTen Energy - as well as Bruno Leoni Institute analyst Carlo Stagnaro - tells us at Montel that PPAs and more broadly, renewable procurement are no longer mere nice-to-haves but are now an integral part of a company’s commercial and development strategies. As such, they are becoming increasingly sought-after, as well as ever-more sophisticated. For a deeper dive into this topic, check out the full Montel News story available in both English and Italian. And do share your thoughts 💡 in the comments section on how you think this will impact the future of energy. English version: https://lnkd.in/ekZH_P52 Italian version: https://lnkd.in/ej45vy5f #BigTech #RenewableEnergy #PPAs #PowerTrading #CFDs #Solar #WindEnergy #GreenInvestments #SolarPower #CleanTech #EnergyTrends #PowerGeneration #Trading #PowerMarkets #Hedging #PowerPurchaseAgreement #PowerPrices #TSO #Heatwave #renewableenergy #ppas #ppa #powertrading #cfds #solar #windenergy #greeninvestments #solarpower #cleantech #energytrends #powergeneration #trading #powermarkets #hedging #powerpurchaseagreement #powerprices #TSO #heatwave #GoldmanSachs #Amazon #Microsoft #Apple #Google

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Welcome to the crisis front line – Ruder Finn Asia's new SONAR5.5 crisis simulation platform launches #today. Experience it. Before you experience it. Key points: Implications of being unprepared for crisis: loss of #narrative, #control, #value. SONAR5.5 allows corporations to practise their crisis preparedness. SONAR5.5 operates in multiple languages. In a crisis, management teams often discover the planning they have in place fails under pressure. SONAR5.5 is fast, effective and action-oriented. It identifies planning gaps and proposes practical, workable, real-world solutions. SONAR5.5 has generative AI built-in to simulate stakeholder interactions with regulators, activists, employees and consumer groups. With close to 100% client satisfaction rates, SONAR5.5 creates an immersive crisis environment. Participants experience every aspect of a fast-evolving crisis. Output of every SONAR? More experienced teams. Upgraded risk planning. Greater vigilance. Preparedness for the future. Pls email me for more info: [email protected]

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Deepening military and economic cooperation between Russia and North Korea is helping sustain the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine and offering Pyongyang a technological boost, feeding unease in China and the West about the increasingly intimate relationship between the two authoritarian countries. In recent months, expansionist Russia and reclusive North Korea have exchanged everything from food and oil to weapons. As the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine drags on, Russian President Vladimir Putin has looked to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to help restock his depleted arsenal. In turn, Moscow plans to transfer military technology to nuclear-armed Pyongyang, a move that could further the rogue state’s weapons capabilities, unnerving Western powers. Putin’s visit to North Korea, which is set to begin this week and is only his second to the reclusive nation in more than two decades, serves a dual purpose for the two leaders. Each wants to extract more from the other while rattling the West, analysts who follow Russian and North Korean dynamics said. For Washington, military cooperation between its authoritarian adversaries increases the potential for prolonged regional conflicts and the overstretch of its military capabilities. With WSJ colleague Dasl Yoon

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Pulau Satumu, the southernmost island in Singapore, is known for Raffles Lighthouse, an important marker for vessels travelling through the Singapore Strait, as well as its pristine coral reefs. But it could soon also play a significant role in the decarbonisation of the country's maritime industry. Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched a tender for a feasibility study, expected to begin in Q4, for what experts tell me would be a first-of-its-kind, 30ha floating solar and tidal farm. This means solar panels above the surface of the sea, and tidal turbines underwater. According to tender documents, the agency is looking for concepts that support the charging of electric harbour craft, as well as energy storage. Dr Srikanth Narasimalu from Energy Research Institute @ NTU says that if this concept takes off, we could in the future see a network of charging points around the various offshore islands, giving electric harbour crafts more flexibility when it comes to powering up. The feasibility study also calls for an environmental impact assessment, as well as measures to mitigate any potential impact, which Dr Tai Chong TOH (PhD) from National University of Singapore tells me could include noise from the underwater turbines, as well as a change in hydrodynamics which would affect the coral larvae that arrive at the island. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gQDsH6-b #maritime #sustainability

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe believes that he should be an independent candidate for the President Poll 2024 and bring most parties together on a national platform in order to strengthen the country’s economy, said United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene, in an interview with The Sunday Morning. “He believes that this will be the best option, where he comes in as an independent candidate and all the other parties or members of other parties can support his endeavours to strengthen the country’s economy,” he pointed out. Despite the decimation of the UNP at the last General Election and ongoing attempts to reform the party, Wijewardene opined that the President’s move to contest independently, setting aside the ‘elephant’ symbol, would not hamper the UNP’s revival process. “With this election, there will be people who have left our party and joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) who will come back to the party and strengthen the ‘Grand Old Party’ once again,” he asserted. As for the party’s alliances with its longstanding adversaries, Wijewardene conceded that there was some apprehension from the party grassroots and activists about the President and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP or ‘Pohottuwa’) being on one platform, but that everyone was on board now, “because they know that President Wickremesinghe’s platform right now is to bring everyone together to try and sort out the economic issue”. Wijewardene also emphasised the importance of setting aside party politics at this juncture, given the key national issues that needed to be addressed: “The cost of living is still very high. Our health sector needs to be strengthened; our education system needs to be reformed; our Judiciary system needs to be looked into and reformed. For all those reforms to be done, there has to be a strong economy. Due to that, I think that we all feel that this is the best time to leave our political parties aside and come onto a national platform so we can sort out all these issues.” Read here https://lnkd.in/grT6ZtyY

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In my twenty years in government (including two years as Chief of Staff to a Deputy Minister), I have attended countless meetings between public servants and stakeholders. Too many of those meetings were not successful for one or both parties – resulting in a waste of precious resources. In my role as consultant, I often get asked about the best way to set up meetings with government. I have three basic rules. 1 - Know Who You Want to Meet It is important to choose the appropriate level of official for your meeting. Many people assume that targeting the highest level of authority in a government organization will yield the best results. This is not always the case and can be counterproductive.  Choose your official wisely. 2 - Be Specific About Why You are Requesting a Meeting Are you seeking funding ? Are you looking to introduce your organization or project? When you request a meeting with an official, be explicit about the reason for the request. Make it easy for them to understand why you want to meet and how they should prepare to be useful for you. 3 - Have an Engaging Conversation Let’s be real, you will probably only get a 30–45 minute meeting window. It’s important to make the most of it by driving a conversation to the 2 or 3 main points that will advance your priorities. Be direct, be concise, be honest. An engaging discussion will get their attention and get them talking. I wrote an article describing these rules in more detail, in the hopes to help if you have a government meeting on the horizon.  Read on! https://lnkd.in/dyxwUvf3

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Policy Shifts on the Horizon in Thai Politics With an upcoming cabinet reshuffle, some impacts on policy continuity are expected. Notably, the much-debated 14B digital handout program (in the form of digital money) is likely to be discarded. As Thai politics navigate through this transitional phase, it's crucial for stakeholders in the private sectors to stay informed. The implications of these changes could ripple across various sectors. #ThaiPolitics #PolicyChange #Government #Economics #SoutheastAsia

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In S&P Global Sustainable1's latest sustainability-related regulatory update, we look at Malaysia’s proposed climate change law, a delay for the EU’s deforestation regulation and Canada’s plan to mandate climate-related financial disclosures, among many other topics.

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