Sustainable finance has become a major part of the global push towards tackling climate change and protecting nature. By helping direct investment towards projects that deliver environmental and social benefits, it has the potential to reshape how development happens. Here in Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia are developing a Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to help classify which economic activities can be considered sustainable. But civil society groups say that the framework needs stronger safeguards for forests, biodiversity and community rights, and that without those protections, projects that damage nature could still end up being labelled as "sustainable". We take a closer look at why these concerns matter, and what they could mean for the future of sustainable development in Malaysia, with Hilary Kung, Senior Researcher at Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), and Gulzhan Musaeva, an independent expert on sustainable finance.

Sustainable finance has become a major part of the global push towards tackling climate change and protecting nature. By helping direct investment towards projects that deliver environmental and social benefits, it has the potential to reshape how development happens. Here in Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia are developing a Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to help classify which economic activities can be considered sustainable. But civil society groups <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://foe-malaysia.org/articles/a-stronger-sustainable-finance-taxonomy-is-needed-for-our-forests-biodiversity-and-community-rights/">say</a> that the framework needs stronger safeguards for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://forestsandfinance.org/">forests</a>, biodiversity and community rights, and that without those protections, projects that damage nature could still end up being labelled as "sustainable". We take a closer look at why these concerns matter, and what they could mean for the future of sustainable development in Malaysia, with Hilary Kung, Senior Researcher at Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), and Gulzhan Musaeva, an independent expert on sustainable finance.

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

Earth Matters

Sustainable Finance: Protecting Forests or Greenwashing?

On this episode of Nature Reads, we speak to Malaysian children's author and scuba diver Gloria Chieng, together with co-host Jennifer Neoh Tan, Bookshop Manager at Sunda Shelves. We explore the books and experiences that inspired Gloria's love of nature, how her time beneath the waves led to her debut picture book, Paco the Hermit Crab, and why stories can help children connect with the ocean and the importance of protecting it.



Nature Reads on Earth Matters is a monthly show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us, in collaboration with independent bookstore Sunda Shelves.

On this episode of Nature Reads, we speak to Malaysian children's author and scuba diver Gloria Chieng, together with co-host Jennifer Neoh Tan, Bookshop Manager at Sunda Shelves. We explore the books and experiences that inspired Gloria's love of nature, how her time beneath the waves led to her debut picture book, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanismyfriend.wordpress.com/">Paco the Hermit Crab</a>, and why stories can help children connect with the ocean and the importance of protecting it.Nature Reads on Earth Matters is a monthly show where we explore the stories behind books that bring us closer to nature and the world around us, in collaboration with independent bookstore <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/sundashelves">Sunda Shelves</a>.

Nature Reads: Small Stories, Big Ocean Lessons

Land reclamation is often promoted as a driver of economic growth, but it's also one of the most controversial forms of development, with lasting impacts on the environment, coastal communities, and traditional livelihoods. Now, a recent Court of Appeal judgment involving the Penang South Islands reclamation project has sparked a new debate, not just about the environmental impacts of reclamation, but about who has the legal authority to approve it in the first place. Although the appeal against the project was dismissed, the court's written judgment has prompted environmental groups to question whether the proper legal authority existed to approve reclamation over Malaysia's territorial sea and seabed. They argue the issues raised go far beyond Penang and could have implications for how future reclamation projects are governed across the country. Joining us to unpack what the ruling means, why civil society groups are still calling for answers, and what this could mean for the future of coastal development, is filmmaker and Programme Coordinator for Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim, or JEDI, Andrew Han.



*Watch Andrew’s film “Doa Seorang Nelayan” here.



Image Credit: Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim Facebook

Land reclamation is often promoted as a driver of economic growth, but it's also one of the most controversial forms of development, with lasting impacts on the environment, coastal communities, and traditional livelihoods. Now, a recent Court of Appeal judgment involving the Penang South Islands reclamation project has sparked a new debate, not just about the environmental impacts of reclamation, but about who has the legal authority to approve it in the first place. Although the appeal against the project was dismissed, the court's written judgment has prompted environmental groups to question whether the proper legal authority existed to approve reclamation over Malaysia's territorial sea and seabed. They argue the issues raised go far beyond Penang and could have implications for how future reclamation projects are governed across the country. Joining us to unpack what the ruling means, why civil society groups are still calling for answers, and what this could mean for the future of coastal development, is filmmaker and Programme Coordinator for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/jedipenang">Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim</a>, or JEDI, Andrew Han.*Watch Andrew’s film “Doa Seorang Nelayan” <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYiOgdTE7Hw">here</a>.Image Credit: Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim Facebook

Who Decides Coastal Development?

Birds are often described as indicators of the health of our environment. When bird populations change, they're often telling us something about the ecosystems we all depend on. That's one reason projects like MY Garden Birdwatch matter. Returning this July after a four-year break, the nationwide survey invites Malaysians to spend just 30 minutes observing birds in their local area and contribute to a growing body of scientific knowledge. Joining us to share more is Liu Lai-Wah, an avid birdwatcher and Secretary of the Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch Bird Group.

Birds are often described as indicators of the health of our environment. When bird populations change, they're often telling us something about the ecosystems we all depend on. That's one reason projects like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mygardenbirdwatch.com/">MY Garden Birdwatch</a> matter. Returning this July after a four-year break, the nationwide survey invites Malaysians to spend just 30 minutes observing birds in their local area and contribute to a growing body of scientific knowledge. Joining us to share more is Liu Lai-Wah, an avid birdwatcher and Secretary of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/sbbgbirdgroup/">Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch Bird Group</a>.

Sustainable Finance: Protecting Forests or Greenwashing?

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