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India-EU Relations: Charting New Vistas for Climate Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

Following EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s 2025 visit to India, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, and climate-resilient Indo-Pacific, building on frameworks like the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership. Both parties are positioned to collaborate on clean energy, climate adaptation, and sustainable development. While India has initiated solar projects and funding support for island nations, its impact could be significantly scaled with EU support through technology transfer, climate finance, and strategic alignment. This emerging alliance could not only address regional vulnerabilities but also help bridge the Global North-South divide in the global climate response.

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Labubu, Stanley, Matcha: Are Your “Must-Haves” Harming The Planet?

Ever thought your favorite Stanley cup or Labudu toys or matcha latte might be hurting the planet? This article may make you pause. It unpacks how even the trendiest “must-haves” like Labubu toys come with hidden climate costs—from overproduction to waste. It’s a wake-up call to rethink how our personal choices add up in the fight against climate change. As of now, nearly 80% of all toys end up in landfills, incinerators or the ocean and account for almost 6% of landfill plastics.

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Australia’s Green Edge: Boosting India’s Energy Transition

Philip Green; Australia’s High Commissioner to India, in talks with the author, highlights how Australia’s expertise in rooftop solar, clean tech, and critical minerals can accelerate India’s green transition. Australia leads globally in per capita rooftop solar adoption and holds around 14,000 patents in solar and wind energy. With its vast innovation but small population, Australia sees India as a partner to scale and globalize green technologies. He also emphasized collaboration in skills training and climate-resilient infrastructure, while sharing Australia’s own climate challenges, renewable goals, and efforts to decarbonize mining and protect biodiversity through indigenous knowledge.

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A Japanese Bank Digs Deep on Emissions from its Vehicle Portfolio

A major Japanese bank worked with S&P Global to measure the climate impact of the vehicles it helps finance. Since car makers use different methods to report emissions, the bank needed accurate, consistent data. S&P helped calculate emissions for each vehicle—from fuel production to driving—then projected future emissions based on production trends. This allowed the bank to set clear net-zero goals for 2030 and 2050 and create a plan to work with car companies to reduce emissions. The project shows how banks can use detailed data to support climate-friendly investments.

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India Incorporates Green Bonds Into Its Climate Finance Strategy

India has begun integrating sovereign green bonds into its climate finance strategy to support its ambitious decarbonization goals. To help bridge its substantial $170 billion annual climate finance gap, India issued its first green bond in 2023 worth ₹80 billion (≈$980 million), with proceeds directed toward clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate adaptation projects. These bonds exclude fossil fuel-related projects and highlight India’s commitment to green growth, backed by technical support from the World Bank.

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How climate risks are shaping the landscape for Asia-Pacific financial institutions

A study by S&P Global Sustainable1 shows that financial institutions in the Asia-Pacific region face rising risks from climate change and biodiversity loss, given the region’s high exposure to extreme weather. Despite their key role in funding climate action, only 13% have net-zero targets for financed emissions, 19% have adaptation plans, and 35% conduct climate risk scenario analyses. Biodiversity commitments are limited, though higher in countries like India. The report calls for more data-driven, localized strategies to help institutions manage environmental risks and support a low-carbon transition.

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