S1E87: Business, the power behind the green transition

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


The corporate world is a vital ally in the fight against climate
change. Businesses are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions
heating up the planet. But they are also major drivers of change.
Their investments in green energy and transport, low-carbon
supply chains, green data centres – and more – can drive positive
change in government policies and consumer behaviour. 


Yet some corporate actors are still hampering climate action by
failing to use their financial clout and influence to change for
the better. Driven by vested interests that see cutting carbon as
hurting their bottom line or simply not believing in the need to
change, some powerful businesses are increasingly out of step
with the rest of the world, especially when the urgency to cut
emissions grows along with the deadly nature of climate impacts,
from heatwaves to floods to storms. 


In this episode, The Straits Times’ environment correspondent
Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty discuss these
issues with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who is director of the
Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University in the
United States, and is recognised as a global leader in
sustainable development.


Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):


1:40 What defines a good company?


5:25 What are some examples of good corporate actors?


8:05 Why are some companies so fearful of change?


15:35 What outcomes from COP27 will help businesses focus on
action on climate change?


18:03 What is the best way forward on climate finance?


Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg), David Fogarty
(dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Eden Soh and Fa'izah Sani


Edited by: Hadyu Rahim


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


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


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


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Discover ST's special edition podcasts:


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The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east
Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2


Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB


Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn


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Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7


Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN


In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt


Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m


#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad


ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE


Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas


Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ


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