In a divided world, environmental treaties are still worth fighting for.

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.

President Donald Trump has pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement for the second time, prompting other countries to ponder about their involvement in the multilateral climate treaty. At the same time, other environmental agreements are running into speed bumps. Talks at the UN plastics treaty in December 2024 fell through; while the COP16 biodiversity conference, postponed in November 2024, reached a deal when talks resumed in February 2025. 

In such an increasingly polarised world, are global environment treaties under threat? Do they still matter and how can they be strengthened as the impacts of climate change, nature loss and pollution worsen? 

Green Pulse podcast hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss why treaties still matter, some of the key problems they face and offer some solutions. 

Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:54 Significance of environmental treaties in effecting change

5:52 Using climate data to measure success of international meets

9:23 The need for consensus to strengthen international environment treaties

18:06 Multilateral treaties can't be abandoned, but forming small groups with like-minded nations could alleviate climate problem

22:46 Bright spots amid the gloom - regulations for business driving positive change. 

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

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Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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