This week, let us take a look at the impact COVID-19 has had on the palm oil plantation sector. Indonesia’s palm oil export volume has dropped, and prices are also falling. While low export volumes and prices are a disincentive for growers to clear land and...
The COVID-19 crisis emerged on the back of what was already considered a tough year for commodities such as pulp and paper and palm oil. However, not all commodities are impacted equally. This infographic highlights the impact COVID-19 has had on the pulp and paper as...
ASEAN is on the brink of the regional wildfire season, which usually peaks in August and September, according to this article by CIFOR. There are concerns that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could boost the incidence and severity of uncontrolled fires, if mobility limitations...
Southeast Asia is not a stranger to the transboundary haze, a recurring air problem that poses serious health hazards and contributes significantly to climate change. In our recent Haze Outlook report, the SIIA warns that a severe transboundary haze remains a risk this year because...
As part of the Ecosperity Conversations series, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) partnered with Temasek to organise a webinar, , on 14 August 2020. Speakers included Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA, Ms. Meixi Gan, Assistant Director of Sustainability at the...
The Haze Outlook report released by the SIIA in late June forecasts a moderate risk of a severe transboundary haze incident this year. One reason for the forecast is that resources to prevent and mitigate the fires would largely be diverted to the government's efforts...
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everyday life on a global scale and thrown economies into disarray. For the SIIA Haze Outlook 2020 report, we interviewed private sector, government, academia, and NGO representatives to understand the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the risk of fires...
While many companies are remaining committed to sustainable practices despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the SIIA believes that regulators, financial institutions and NGOs also have important roles to play to ensure that companies uphold good standards of environmental protection, engagement with workers and suppliers, and supply...
The SIIA released its annual Haze Outlook report in June, warning that a severe transboundary haze in 2020 remains a risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is rated amber on a scale of green (low risk), amber (moderate risk) and red (high risk). As...
The People’s Movement to Stop Haze (PM Haze) held a webinar, “Clear the Air 2020”, on 1 July 2020, to discuss the causes of the transboundary haze problem and potential solutions. Ms. Meixi Gan, Assistant Director of Sustainability at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs...