S2E13: Can international agreements still help environmental goals?

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


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


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


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


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section:


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