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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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Modular Carbon Capture Tech Slashes Cargo Ship CO2 Emissions By 70%

Wärtsilä, a global tech group, has introduced a modular Carbon Capture Solution (CCS) for cargo ships that can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 70%. Designed for both new builds and retrofits, the system uses a five-stage process that cleans exhaust gases, absorbs CO₂ with proprietary amine solvents, and then stores the liquefied CO₂ onboard for later disposal. The system has successfully processed 50 tonnes of CO₂ per day from engines running on heavy fuel oil. With the shipping industry facing strict emissions regulations by 2050, this scalable solution could help prevent up to 700 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, offering a viable path toward net-zero maritime operations.

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Designing Climate Finance Packages That Last

Integrated, full-spectrum climate finance strategies that align fiscal and monetary policy tools within nationally led frameworks is the key to sustainable climate financing. The authors argue that such cohesive financing—spanning public budgets, private investment, and monetary instruments—is essential to drive sustainable, long-term climate action. Success requires tailoring these financial packages to local economic contexts, ensuring coordination among stakeholders, and embedding them within coherent national systems to strengthen economic resilience and advance climate goals.

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Unmasking the Hidden Crisis: Addressing Plastics’ Unknown Climate Effects

Addressing plastic pollution is essential to climate action. Made from fossil fuels, it emits greenhouse gases throughout its lifecycle. By 2050, plastic could consume up to 13% of the global carbon budget. It also disrupts ecosystems and natural carbon sinks, with microplastics affecting climate processes. As the planet warms, plastics break down faster, releasing more emissions and creating a harmful feedback loop.

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5 Reasons Companies Are Adding Renewable Energy Credits to Their Net-Zero Emissions Programs

Companies are increasingly incorporating Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) into their net-zero emissions strategies for several key reasons. RECs help align clean energy use with real-time operations, enabling more accurate and credible sustainability claims. They support the infrastructure behind renewable energy markets and offer companies a flexible yet impactful way to reduce Scope 2 emissions. By investing in RECs, organizations not only meet environmental goals but also contribute to the growth of clean energy generation. Overall, RECs serve as a practical and verifiable tool in the transition toward net-zero emissions.

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Air Quality Worsens Despite China’s Renewable Energy Boom

Despite significant investments in renewable energy, China’s air quality has deteriorated in several northern cities. As of March 2025, 11 major urban centers reported PM2.5 levels exceeding national safety standards. While solar power generation increased by 30.8% and coal usage declined by 3.3%, these improvements have not translated into better air quality. Experts attribute this to factors such as industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and the continued reliance on coal-fired power plants. Additionally, challenges in integrating renewable energy into the existing grid infrastructure have limited its effectiveness in reducing pollution. This situation underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that address not only energy production but also broader environmental and infrastructural issues.

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