Shows
The Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 12 - Financing Sustainability in a Time of UncertaintyTo address biodiversity loss, climate change, poverty and inequality, trillions of dollars in public and private financing are required. And yet the world seems to be churning faster than ever before with daily setbacks at both national and international levels. Some observers say that meeting our sustainable development ambitions are increasingly unlikely under current political and economic circumstances. Is a full-fledged revolution in sustainable financing needed? The private sector has NOT been sitting on the sidelines, but can it do more? Can it afford not to?Join us for Episode 12, "Financing Sustainability in a Time o...
2025-11-2517 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 11 - China, Social Entrepreneurship and the Future of SustainabilitySocial entrepreneurship has taken off in the region, including in China, with remarkable energy and results. Governments and private organizations are taking note and increasingly supporting this sector through funding and enabling policies.How might impact-focused entrepreneurs change the shape of nature conservation and sustainable use in China and elsewhere? What does their rise mean for the “sustainability recession” we seem to be going through? In Episode 11, we will hear from Richard Brubaker, an influential voice in both sustainability and social entrepreneurship circles in the region, but especially in China. As the Managing Direc...
2025-11-1720 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 10 - Malaysia's Green Transformation and the Role of the Business and Human Rights AgendaMalaysia is a study in contrasts: a mega-diverse country at the verge of reaching advanced economy status. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the country has transformed in more ways than one over the course of its development journey. Edmund Bon, the Chair and Malaysia representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Committee on Human Rights provides insights into how attitudes in his country have changed towards nature, IPLCs and human rights, and how businesses have adapted. Evidencing a value-shift, the country has recently adopted a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) which contains strong environmental provisions. How can this...
2025-11-0325 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 9 - Financing Nature: Opportunity and Risks in Asia PacificA recent World Economic Forum survey ranks biodiversity loss as one of the top threats to our global economy over the next ten years. Yet, a 700 billion USD annual financing gap to halt and reserve nature loss persists. Why the disconnect between the recognition of the risks to our economies and the rate and size of investments made in nature? Are the returns on investment in nature too small? Is the opportunity to invest in nature misunderstood? To help clarify the picture, Matteo Marinelli, the Asia Pacific Lead for Sustainable Finance at the World Wildlife F...
2025-10-2028 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 8 - The Right to Development and NatureDr. Surya Deva, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development is using his position to advance a planet-centered, participatory approach to development that, “prioritizes ecological sustainability and human participation, moving away from anthropocentric, growth-focused models.” How well is his message being received? What countries are buying it? And how might this novel interpretation of the right to development help us reach the aspirations of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?
2025-10-0227 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 7 - Retreat vs Renewal: Shifting Approaches to Business on Nature and SustainabilityBusinesses and banks are leaving net-zero alliances and governments are walking back sustainability disclosure requirements. Are we in a "sustainability recession"? In this episode of the Nature Pledge, we speak to Eva Zabey, CEO of Business for Nature, about how the Asia-Pacific business community is reacting in these uncertain times. Eva challenges sustainability professionals to think of this period as an opportunity to take stock, reset and consider changes in our approach to business and finance. She offers a pathway forward and concludes with an inspired view of the value, economic and, policy and practice shifts necessary to reach...
2025-07-1520 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 6 - Negotiating Nature: Papua New Guinea and New Economic AmbitionsIn this special episode of the Nature Pledge, we journey to Papua New Guinea, a nation of unparalleled natural richness and enormous economic potential. From the capital of Port Moresby to the remote, vibrant islands off the coast of West New Britain, we talk to policy makers, civil society actors and local communities to understand the impacts of economic growth and demographic pressures on nature. How might we fairly negotiate our interests in nature protection, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods to provide for all? What lessons might be applied to other middle-income settings, rich in biodiversity and ambition?
2025-06-1822 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 5 - Biocredits and Nature’s Value PropositionIn this episode of The Nature Pledge, we explore the burgeoning world of biodiversity credits, or ‘biocredits,’ a potentially powerful tool for incentivizing nature conservation and restoration.As demand for biocredits grows in interest among private investors, individuals, and governments in the region, so do critical questions and concerns. Can we put a value on nature without risking its exploitation and exacerbating inequalities? Are biocredits susceptible to greenwashing, and how can we accurately measure and verify biodiversity gains? To navigate these complex issues, we hear from Manesh Lacoul, the Global Coordinator for the Biodiversity Credit Alliance. Drawing on h...
2025-05-1924 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 4 - Corporate Lobbying, Human Rights and the Environment: A Conversation with Tulika BansalIn this episode, we explore the impact of corporate lobbying on human rights and nature with Tulika Bansal, a well-known business and human rights expert in our region. Tulika draws on decades of experience, including her work at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, to reveal how corporate influence has weakened or “simplified” sustainability accountability and reporting initiatives. From the Bhopal disaster to modern seafood industry practices in Asia and the Pacific, Tulika shares powerful stories of resilience, while looking over the horizon at the challenges to come.
2025-04-2921 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 3 - Living in Interesting Times: Political Realignments and a New Chapter for SustainabilityThe mood in the hallways of the UN Convention Center in Bangkok is both unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Stakeholders gathered here are troubled by what they see as a sudden and definitive drop in support for sustainable development, including climate action. Recent political developments outside of Asia and the Pacific may be driving the prevailing sentiment. Still, where does that leave the sustainability agenda here in the region? Where do we find new sources of commitment and support? And what consequences might there be for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework? ...
2025-04-0916 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 2 - Investing in Women: A Key to Solving the Biodiversity Crisis?Government funding for biodiversity in Asia and the Pacific is a mixed picture. While countries like Australia, China, and India have increased investments, the region still faces a staggering $100–150 billion annual biodiversity financing gap. With economic stagnation, rising debt, and competing priorities like public health and education, where does nature fit into government agendas?One potential solution lies in women’s leadership. Studies show that when women lead conservation efforts, success rates improve—boosting solidarity, rule compliance, and ecosystem regeneration. Could greater investment in women be the key to bridging the biodiversity funding gap, especially as conservation budget...
2025-03-0518 minThe Nature Pledge: Biodiversity and Sustainability in Asia and the PacificEpisode 1 - 30x30: Can Southeast Asia Balance Economic Growth and Nature Conservation?Economic recovery following COVID-19 has been uneven in SE Asia. Countries face rising joblessness, household debt, and pressures on export industries. Some argue for reduced business regulations—including environmental safeguards—to attract investment. Yet, elsewhere, business leaders recognize that nature loss is the second biggest risk to the global economy, second only to climate change. In this context, where do we place the ambitions of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and its 30x30 target—a global call to conserve 30% of land and sea? In this episode, we sit down with Vivi Siriporn, founder of the 30x...
2025-03-0520 min2024-12-0602 min
Cyber BriefingApril 17, 2024 - Cyber Briefing👉 What's trending in cybersecurity today?
🚨 #CyberAlerts
Cisco Issues Global Alert on Brute-Force Attacks Targeting VPN and SSH Services
Source: Cisco Talos
Command-Line Interface Vulnerability Exposes AWS and Google Cloud Credentials
Source: Roi Nisimi via Orca Security
Secret Key Recovery Enabled by Critical PuTTY Flaw
Source: the PuTTY project
TP-Link Archer Vulnerability Unleashes Botnet Threats
Source: Cara Lin and Vincent Li via Fortinet
Ivanti Patches Critical Avalanche Vulnerabilities
Source: Ivanti
2024-04-1708 min
ESG: Defining Asia Pacific’s FutureEpisode 4: The Governance ImperativeWe are in a time of change when it comes to global supply chains, the imperatives for more sustainable supply chains are changing. What can business leaders expect from their investors and regulators over the coming years? In this episode we talk to Melissa Brown, Director at Daobridge Capital and Sean Lees, Business and Human Rights Specialist at UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, who both have deep experience and engagement on these issues.
2023-02-1336 min
Tree Lady TalksCarbon OffsettingSend us a textFor the past 22 years, as Director of Business Development, Joh Stulen's Innovatek team has delivered business improvement services through WoodWORKS and Forest Industry Engineering Association. FIEA is the leading provider of technology transfer to forest and wood products sectors in Australasia. The group has developed over 200 international forest and wood technology conferences in New Zealand, Australia and North America.Sean Weaver is founder and CEO of Ekos – an environmental financing consulting business focusing on indigenous forest carbon projects and zero carbon certification for organisations and products. He is an international expert in...
2021-04-021h 13Tree Lady TalksSo You Think You Know About Carbon Offsetting? SoundbiteSend us a textFor the past 22 years, as Director of Business Development, Joh Stulen's Innovatek team has delivered business improvement services through WoodWORKS and Forest Industry Engineering Association. FIEA is the leading provider of technology transfer to forest and wood products sectors in Australasia. The group has developed over 200 international forest and wood technology conferences in New Zealand, Australia and North America.Sean Weaver is founder and CEO of Ekos – an environmental financing consulting business focusing on indigenous forest carbon projects and zero carbon certification for organisations and products. He is an international expert in...
2021-03-3102 min
Terms Of Reference PodcastTOR074: FrontlineSMS with Sean McDonaldSean Martin McDonald is the CEO of FrontlineSMS. Frontline technologies is used by thousands of organizations to reach tens of millions of people, saving lives, improving healthcare and building inclusive societies. Frontline was named the #1 Technology NGO in the world and was listed by the Nominet Trust Social 100 in 2014.Sean is a Trustee of the Awesome Foundation DC and an affiliate with Harvard University's Berkman Center. Sean is an advisor to Digital Democracy, DoSomething.org, ECPAT USA, the Law Without Walls Program, TechChange, and UNDP. Sean is a lawyer, barred in New York. He also holds an...
2015-06-0836 min