Key 2026 events: High Seas Treaty is arriving!

Can climate agreements really deliver results?

Less talk, more tangible action for this year.

What's the weather forecast for the year 2026?

Positive news: Will global CO2 emissions peak?

Summing up: Cautiously optimistic, not gloomy.

Green Pulse hosts share what’s worth looking out for on the environmental front in Singapore and South-east Asia 

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.

For the first episode of 2026, Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss whether the new year will add wind to the sails of the climate movement, or whether it will be another year of climate action being stuck in the doldrums. 

David seems optimistic about certain developments, such as the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty. But Audrey is more cautious on other fronts. Singapore’s carbon tax is expected to go up from $25 per tonne of emissions in 2025 to $45 per tonne in 2026 and 2027, but will “allowances” given to emitters dampen the signal a carbon tax is supposed to send?

Who do you agree with? Let us know! 

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:45 Key events for 2026 - High Seas Treaty ahoy!

5:33 Can climate agreements really deliver on their promises?

11:03 ‘Less talk, more tangible action this year, please.’

16:43 What’s the weather forecast for 2026?

19:31 Let’s talk about positive things – will global CO2 emissions peak in 2026?

23:08 To sum up: Good to be cautiously optimistic – it’s not all gloomy!

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

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

Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy

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

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

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

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

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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

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#greenpulse

Green Pulse hosts share what&rsquo;s worth looking out for on the environmental front in Singapore and South-east Asia&nbsp;
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.
For the first episode of 2026, Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty discuss whether the new year will add wind to the sails of the climate movement, or whether it will be another year of climate action being stuck in the doldrums.&nbsp;
David seems optimistic about certain developments, such as the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty. But Audrey is more cautious on other fronts. Singapore&rsquo;s carbon tax is expected to go up from $25 per tonne of emissions in 2025 to $45 per tonne in 2026 and 2027, but will &ldquo;allowances&rdquo; given to emitters dampen the signal a carbon tax is supposed to send?
Who do you agree with? Let us know!&nbsp;
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
1:45 Key events for 2026 - High Seas Treaty ahoy!
5:33 Can climate agreements really deliver on their promises?
11:03 &lsquo;Less talk, more tangible action this year, please.&rsquo;
16:43 What&rsquo;s the weather forecast for 2026?
19:31 Let&rsquo;s talk about positive things &ndash; will global CO2 emissions peak in 2026?
23:08 To sum up: Good to be cautiously optimistic &ndash; it&rsquo;s not all gloomy!
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 LinkedIn: <a href="https://str.sg/jcvy">https://str.sg/jcvy</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>
SPH Awedio app: <a href="https://www.awedio.sg">https://www.awedio.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/wvz7" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-stringify-link="http://str.sg/stpodcasts" data-sk="tooltip_parent">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-stringify-link="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:&nbsp;<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.

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