Defining climate finance

Why is the new target contentious?

Climate finance status in Southeast Asia

Providing vs. mobilising climate finance

Funding access for developing nations

The amount, quality and access of climate finance among key issues to be discussed at COP29.

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Expectations are mounting on negotiators at COP29, the UN climate conference, to produce an outcome on climate finance. The annual summit, from Nov 11 to Nov 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is shaping up to be a “finance COP”, where discussions on the new collective quantified goal for climate finance – or how much money should be channelled to developing countries to help them take climate action – are expected to conclude.

In this episode, hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty chat with Ms Illari Aragon, the climate policy justice lead at nonprofit Christian Aid. 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

2:39 What do we mean by climate finance? 

4:18 Why are discussions on the new climate finance target so contentious? 

11:29 The situation on climate finance in South-east Asia

12:38 The difference between providing and mobilising climate finance 

14:40 Challenges for developing countries to access climate finance

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on X: https://str.sg/JLM6

Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu

Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

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All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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---

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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

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#greenpulse

The amount, quality and access of climate finance among key issues to be discussed at COP29.
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Expectations are mounting on negotiators at COP29, the UN climate conference, to produce an outcome on climate finance. The annual summit, from Nov 11 to Nov 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is shaping up to be a “finance COP”, where discussions on the new collective quantified goal for climate finance – or how much money should be channelled to developing countries to help them take climate action – are expected to conclude.
In this episode, hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty chat with Ms Illari Aragon, the climate policy justice lead at nonprofit Christian Aid. 
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
2:39 What do we mean by climate finance? 
4:18 Why are discussions on the new climate finance target so contentious? 
11:29 The situation on climate finance in South-east Asia
12:38 The difference between providing and mobilising climate finance 
14:40 Challenges for developing countries to access climate finance
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/848W">https://str.sg/848W</a>
Read her articles: <a href="https://str.sg/JLM2">https://str.sg/JLM2</a>
Follow David Fogarty on X: <a href="https://str.sg/JLM6">https://str.sg/JLM6</a>
Read his articles: <a href="https://str.sg/JLMu">https://str.sg/JLMu</a>
Hosts: Audrey Tan (<a href="mailto:audreyt@sph.com.sg">audreyt@sph.com.sg</a>) &amp; David Fogarty (<a href="mailto:dfogarty@sph.com.sg">dfogarty@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaf">https://str.sg/JWaf</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaY">https://str.sg/JWaY</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/JWag">https://str.sg/JWag</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
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The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#greenpulse

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Podcasters: Audrey Tan & David Fogarty

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Podcasters: Audrey Tan &amp; David Fogarty
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Green Pulse

Synopsis: Almost every weekday, our ALL-IN-ONE channel showcases discussions on Singapore youth perspectives and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.

Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST's app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.

Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Almost every weekday, our ALL-IN-ONE channel showcases discussions on Singapore youth perspectives and social issues, geopolitics through an Asian lens, health, climate change, personal finance and career.
Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST's app, which has a dedicated podcast player section.
Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis &amp; The Straits Times, SPH Media.

The Straits Times Podcasts

Climate finance at COP29: Loans can't help developing nations avert climate crisis

Types of deep sea mining

Environmental impacts of deep sea mining

Why countries push for deep sea mining

Nauru’s plans for seabed mining explained

Is deep sea mining avoidable?

Rich lodes of valuable metals lie on the seafloor. Will a global rush to mine them be allowed – and will doing so damage the world’s oceans?

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Scattered across the sea bed are trillions of potato-sized lumps brimming with lucrative metals vital to making electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, smartphones and much more. This is sparking a “blue rush”, as some countries and companies are eager to cash-in on them. 

Yet the mining of polymetallic nodules remains banned and there are growing concerns that scooping them off the sea floor risks disrupting one of the most important, but still poorly understood, parts of the planet. In this episode, hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty speak with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ project director of ocean governance Julian Jackson on the risks. 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

2:12 Three different types of deep sea mining

6:42 Environmental impacts of deep sea mining 

12:21 Why countries are pushing for deep sea mining 

14:58 Implication of Micronesian country Nauru announcing intention to start sea bed mining. 

17:02 Is deep sea mining necessary? 

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on X: https://str.sg/JLM6

Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu

Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#greenpulse

Rich lodes of valuable metals lie on the seafloor. Will a global rush to mine them be allowed &ndash; and will doing so damage the world&rsquo;s oceans?
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Scattered across the sea bed are trillions of potato-sized lumps brimming with lucrative metals vital to making electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, smartphones and much more. This is sparking a &ldquo;blue rush&rdquo;, as some countries and companies are eager to cash-in on them.&nbsp;
Yet the mining of polymetallic nodules remains banned and there are growing concerns that scooping them off the sea floor risks disrupting one of the most important, but still poorly understood, parts of the planet. In this episode, hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty speak with The Pew Charitable Trusts&rsquo; project director of ocean governance Julian Jackson on the risks.&nbsp;
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
2:12 Three different types of deep sea mining
6:42 Environmental impacts of deep sea mining&nbsp;
12:21 Why countries are pushing for deep sea mining&nbsp;
14:58 Implication of Micronesian country Nauru announcing intention to start sea bed mining.&nbsp;
17:02 Is deep sea mining necessary?&nbsp;
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/848W">https://str.sg/848W</a>
Read her articles: <a href="https://str.sg/JLM2">https://str.sg/JLM2</a>
Follow David Fogarty on X: <a href="https://str.sg/JLM6">https://str.sg/JLM6</a>
Read his articles: <a href="https://str.sg/JLMu">https://str.sg/JLMu</a>
Hosts: Audrey Tan (<a href="mailto:audreyt@sph.com.sg">audreyt@sph.com.sg</a>) &amp; David Fogarty (<a href="mailto:dfogarty@sph.com.sg">dfogarty@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaf">https://str.sg/JWaf</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaY">https://str.sg/JWaY</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/JWag">https://str.sg/JWag</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#greenpulse

Trashed or treasure? Will deep sea mining ruin oceans?

COP29’s impact on Singapore and SE Asia

Can carbon markets address integrity concerns?

Singapore’s carbon market reputation

New finance target’s effect on Asia

Declining US/EU leadership and investor trust

The implementation of developing countries’ climate targets hinges on the availability of finance and technology

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Despite the criticisms surrounding the UN climate conference COP29, which took place over two weeks in November in Baku, Azerbaijan, negotiators managed to reach an agreement on two key finance-related issues.  

A new goal for annual climate finance flows was set at US $300 billion by 2035, a three-fold increase from the previous $100 billion target. Developed countries should take the lead in delivering this amount to developing countries to help them take climate action. An agreement on carbon markets was also reached at the summit, allowing countries to cooperate through the international trade in carbon credits to meet their climate goals. 

But what do all these mean for Singapore and South-east Asia? In this episode, host Audrey Tan finds out from Ms Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment. 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

3:45 What does the COP29 outcome mean for Singapore and South-east Asia? 

9:17 Can the outcome on carbon markets at COP29 help to overcome concerns on environmental integrity? 

11:00 What is Singapore’s reputation in the area of carbon markets like? 

13:07 How will the outcome on the new climate finance target affect climate action in Asia? 

17:46 Will the waning leadership of traditional climate champions such as the US and the EU affect investor confidence in climate initiatives? 

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on X: https://str.sg/JLM6

Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu

Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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#greenpulse

The implementation of developing countries’ climate targets hinges on the availability of finance and technology
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Despite the criticisms surrounding the UN climate conference COP29, which took place over two weeks in November in Baku, Azerbaijan, negotiators managed to reach an agreement on two key finance-related issues.  
A new goal for annual climate finance flows was set at US $300 billion by 2035, a three-fold increase from the previous $100 billion target. Developed countries should take the lead in delivering this amount to developing countries to help them take climate action. An agreement on carbon markets was also reached at the summit, allowing countries to cooperate through the international trade in carbon credits to meet their climate goals. 
But what do all these mean for Singapore and South-east Asia? In this episode, host Audrey Tan finds out from Ms Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment. 
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
3:45 What does the COP29 outcome mean for Singapore and South-east Asia? 
9:17 Can the outcome on carbon markets at COP29 help to overcome concerns on environmental integrity? 
11:00 What is Singapore’s reputation in the area of carbon markets like? 
13:07 How will the outcome on the new climate finance target affect climate action in Asia? 
17:46 Will the waning leadership of traditional climate champions such as the US and the EU affect investor confidence in climate initiatives? 
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/848W">https://str.sg/848W</a>
Read her articles: <a href="https://str.sg/JLM2">https://str.sg/JLM2</a>
Follow David Fogarty on X: <a href="https://str.sg/JLM6">https://str.sg/JLM6</a>
Read his articles: <a href="https://str.sg/JLMu">https://str.sg/JLMu</a>
Hosts: Audrey Tan (<a href="mailto:audreyt@sph.com.sg">audreyt@sph.com.sg</a>) &amp; David Fogarty (<a href="mailto:dfogarty@sph.com.sg">dfogarty@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaf">https://str.sg/JWaf</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaY">https://str.sg/JWaY</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/JWag">https://str.sg/JWag</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
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ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
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---
#greenpulse

What the finance-focused COP29 is delivering for South-east Asia

Why Punggol is a monkey hotspot

Monkey see, monkey don’t

Otters and civets visiting homes

Is culling best for bird control?

What to do if you see a snake

While Singapore is transforming into a City in Nature, natural habitats have been lost to development, leading to more human and animal clashes. How can wildlife and humans live in harmony? 

Synopsis (headphones recommended): Green Trails is a four-part environment podcast special for 2024 where The Straits Times hits the ground with experts.

In this fourth episode, our trails won’t be entirely green. Instead of a nature park or a green space, we head over to an urban place surrounded by buildings and construction noise. 

The new neighbourhood of Punggol Northshore recently saw some monkey business, with troops of long-tailed macaques spotted at construction sites and even eating at a void deck of an HDB block. 

To find out how residents can responsibly live in a macaque hotspot, ST journalist Shabana Begum speaks with co-chief executive of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) Anbarasi Boopal, and president of the Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore) Andie Ang. 

Strolling along Punggol Settlement and the promenade opposite Coney Island, the conversation turns to other wildlife in our midst – from the common palm civets that tend to sneak into private houses, to the ever-present junglefowls. 

Animals in urban areas being culled is never a clear-cut decision, as Ms Anbarasi says: “Removal (of animals) is always not a solution. And where do we draw the line, right? 

“We are okay with hornbills, but we're not okay with other birds.”

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:10 Why is Punggol a monkey hotspot?

4:45 Monkey see, monkey don’t do

11:08 When otters and civets visit homes 

14:30 Is culling the best way to reduce bird numbers?

17:08 What to do when you encounter a snake

Read ST’s previous commentary about co-existing with wildlife: https://str.sg/tYpq

Find out more about macaques in Punggol:https://str.sg/ephc

Listen to other Green Trails episodes: 

Ep 1: Visit to Sungei Buloh: How Singapore can better host migratory birds - https://str.sg/BrqS

Ep 2: Visit to East Coast: How reclamation will shape up against rising sea levels - https://str.sg/mRG8

Ep 3: Visit to Windsor Park: Can insects in SG's backyard be foraged? - https://str.sg/4V6nQ

Host: Shabana Begum (nshab@sph.com.sg)

Trail producers: Hadyu Rahim, Fa‘izah Sani, Amirul Karim & Elsa Goh 

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive Producers: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) & Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg)

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#greenpulse #greentrails

While Singapore is transforming into a City in Nature, natural habitats have been lost to development, leading to more human and animal clashes. How can wildlife and humans live in harmony? 
Synopsis (headphones recommended): Green Trails is a four-part environment podcast special for 2024 where The Straits Times hits the ground with experts.
In this fourth episode, our trails won’t be entirely green. Instead of a nature park or a green space, we head over to an urban place surrounded by buildings and construction noise. 
The new neighbourhood of Punggol Northshore recently saw some monkey business, with troops of long-tailed macaques spotted at construction sites and even eating at a void deck of an HDB block.  
To find out how residents can responsibly live in a macaque hotspot, ST journalist Shabana Begum speaks with co-chief executive of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) Anbarasi Boopal, and president of the Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore) Andie Ang. 
Strolling along Punggol Settlement and the promenade opposite Coney Island, the conversation turns to other wildlife in our midst – from the common palm civets that tend to sneak into private houses, to the ever-present junglefowls.  Animals in urban areas being culled is never a clear-cut decision, as Ms Anbarasi says: “Removal (of animals) is always not a solution. And where do we draw the line, right? 
“We are okay with hornbills, but we're not okay with other birds.”
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:10 Why is Punggol a monkey hotspot?
4:45 Monkey see, monkey don’t do
11:08 When otters and civets visit homes 
14:30 Is culling the best way to reduce bird numbers?
17:08 What to do when you encounter a snake
Read ST’s previous commentary about co-existing with wildlife: https://str.sg/tYpq
Find out more about macaques in Punggol: https://str.sg/ephc
Listen to other Green Trails episodes: 
Ep 1: Visit to Sungei Buloh: How Singapore can better host migratory birds - <a href="https://str.sg/BrqS">https://str.sg/BrqS</a>
Ep 2: Visit to East Coast: How reclamation will shape up against rising sea levels - <a href="https://str.sg/mRG8">https://str.sg/mRG8</a>
Ep 3: Visit to Windsor Park: Can insects in SG's backyard be foraged? - <a href="https://str.sg/4V6nQ">https://str.sg/4V6nQ</a>
Host: Shabana Begum (<a href="mailto:nshab@sph.com.sg">nshab@sph.com.sg</a>)
Trail producers: Hadyu Rahim, Fa‘izah Sani, Amirul Karim &amp; Elsa Goh 
Edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive Producers: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg</a>), Ernest Luis (<a href="mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg">ernest@sph.com.sg</a>) &amp; Audrey Tan (<a href="mailto:audreyt@sph.com.sg">audreyt@sph.com.sg</a>)
Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaf">https://str.sg/JWaf</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaY">https://str.sg/JWaY</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/JWag">https://str.sg/JWag</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcast website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
ST Podcasts YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
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#greenpulse #greentrails

Climate finance at COP29: Loans can't help developing nations avert climate crisis

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