Why do environmental treaties matter?

Measuring success amid missed targets

Solving environmental issues needs unity

Can nation "clubs" boost treaty impact?

Positive steps: Business regulations help

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

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 Podcasts 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

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.&nbsp;
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?&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/848W">https://str.sg/848W</a>
Read her articles:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/JLM2">https://str.sg/JLM2</a>
Follow David Fogarty on X:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/JLM6">https://str.sg/JLM6</a>
Read his articles:&nbsp;<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 Podcasts website:&nbsp;<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

The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

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.

Advertisement