Earth Matters

Delegates from 175 countries met at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee - INC-5 - to develop a historic and international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Debates centered on reducing plastic production and managing waste, but did resistance from fossil fuel-producing nations stall progress? We find out what happened at this critical meeting from Wong P...

Delegates from 175 countries met at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee - INC-5 - to develop a historic and international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. Debates centered on reducing plastic production and managing waste, but did resistance from fossil fuel-producing nations stall progress? We find out what happened at this critical meeting from Wong P...

Back from Baku, Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Head of Programmes at the Third World Network , fills us in on what went down at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29 - which finished more than 35 hours in overtime, but still left many delegates unhappy, especially from the developing n...

In this round-up of top environmental news from the month past, we first look back at the major outcomes of COP29 involving climate financing, then at how two cities in Malaysia were ranked globally for their efforts to combat the effects of climate change through the One Planet City Challenge by WWF. Finally we wonder how Ecological Fiscal Transfers in Malaysia actually work, and how and to whom...

Every year, Reef Check Malaysia (RCM) coordinates the nationwide International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event, held annually in September since 2018. Organisations, groups and individuals collect data during the cleanup and key in data into the Clean Swell app to contribute to the global database of cleanups by Ocean Conservancy. This year, over 8,500 volunteers from all around Malaysia collected 41,...

In the heart of Selangor lies the newly established Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark, a 112,955-hectare area that integrates natural beauty with community-centred conservation. Officially launched by the Sultan of Selangor, this Geopark is an evolving effort toward UNESCO Global Geopark status. We explore this journey with Noina Baharuddin, the Coordinator of the AJ Rimba Collective , and Assoc. Prof. D...

In a city as dynamic as Kuala Lumpur, the drive for urban renewal brings both opportunities and challenges. KLRA+ SD , a network of resident associations, NGOs, and academic institutions, is dedicated to advocating for policies that prioritise community interests over purely transactional property development. We speak to Tan Booi Charn (Chairperson, KLRA+ SD), Han Jun Siew (Volunteer, KLRA+ SD) a...

Despite being home to some of the world’s most unique species, Malaysia ranks 106th on the 2024 Nature Conservation Index (NCI), underscoring both its rich biodiversity, and the many risks it faces. The index, which evaluates conservation efforts globally, points to challenges like land management, invasive species, and climate change as key areas for improvement. We speak to biologist Chrishen Go...

In Kuching, outdated drainage infrastructure and rapid urbanisation have exacerbated flash flooding, leaving residents vulnerable and frequently facing severe property damage and safety risks. Persistent heavy rainfall, worsened by climate change, causes rivers to swell and drains to overflow, inundating homes, cars, and streets. For locals living there, flooding is a recurring crisis, disrupting...

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), will take place from the 11th to the 22nd November 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Described as a "pivotal opportunity to accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis" what are the key focus areas for these talks, and what's at stake? We chat with Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, to di...

Malaysia is home to ten hornbill species, who play vital roles in preserving the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems. But these beautiful and iconic birds face threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and also suffer from the effects of climate change. We explore how conservation efforts - driven by science and community involvement - are giving hornbills a fighting chance in Malaysia’s rain...

In a follow up interview, we speak to Datuk Dr. John Payne, the CEO of Bringing Back Our Rare Animals (BORA) , a pioneering conservation organisation based in Sabah. Originally founded to prevent the extinction of the Sumatran or Hairy rhinoceros, BORA has now expanded its focus to include efforts to boost wild food productivity for endangered species such as Bornean orangutans, elephants, and the...

Macaranga Wrap-Up is our ongoing monthly series done in collaboration with the co-founders of environmental journalism portal Macaranga , where we cover the top environmental news from the month past. This October, we cover Malaysia's proposed Climate Change Act and what it will hopefully encapsulate, before turning our attention to extra responsibilities for Op Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK) operations...

Budget 2025 was announced on the 18th of October 2024, by Malaysia's Prime Minister & Finance Minister, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. We speak to Meenakshi Raman, the President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Head of Programmes at the Third World Network, to discuss both highlights and missed opportunities from Budget 2025 in terms of allocations for the environment.  Brought to you by Mah...

Ecotourism offers significant benefits to both people and the planet by promoting responsible travel that conserves the environment, sustains local communities, and fosters cultural appreciation. The Sustainable Tourism Network Malaysia is a platform aimed at fostering responsible travel and supporting operators in adopting more sustainable approaches. We find out more about their work and plans f...

In conjunction with the Journey to End Plastic Pollution event, we speak to Weng Dun Xin, a Zero Waste Campaigner, at Greenpeace SEA (Malaysia), to explore the pressing issue of plastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts on our health, wildlife, and climate. The three-day event, organised by the Malaysia Stop Waste Trade Coalition, will feature art installations, interactive activities, and ex...

Sharks and rays are vital to marine ecosystems, but their populations are dwindling rapidly. Conservation efforts face challenges due to the lack of detailed data on their critical habitats, but in a bid to map these areas, a groundbreaking atlas has been created, drawing from the collaborative efforts of divers, fishers, and scientists. We explore more about Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs)...

Malaysia's Budget 2025 will be tabled in parliament on the 18th of October. How will the Madani government prioritise environmental sustainability and sustainable financing of the economy? We speak to two Malaysians working in the environment and conservation field - Thing Siew Shuen, the Senior Program Manager of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, and Celine Lim, the Managing Director of Save Rivers - ab...

We catch up with Adam Farhan, the Director of environmental watchdog RimbaWatch , for updates on some of the research and analysis they have been focussing on over the last few months. First, we look back at the State of the Malaysian Rainforest 2024 report which was released back in May, which found that up to 3.2 million hectares of Malaysian rainforests are at risk – an area nearly the size of...

The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 ( Act 672 ) is one of Malaysia's key legislative frameworks, and was designed to address the shortcomings of waste management laws across Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territories, ensuring better coordination, enforcement and sustainability. What are some of the pressing issues Malaysia is facing when it comes to dealing with its wast...

Through innovative approaches and collaborations, BORA or Bringing Back Our Rare Animals , is working to reverse the decline of rare species, and safeguard Malaysia's unique biodiversity for future generations. Datuk Dr. John Payne, the Chief Executive Officer of BORA, shares insights into the organisation’s mission to prevent extinction and restore endangered species in Malaysia. He discusses BOR...

It's time for another roundup of top environmental news from the month past, with Macaranga 's co-founders Wong Siew Lyn and Law Yao Hua. On this month's list, we have updates on EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and how environmental and rights groups have called on the EU to classify Sarawak as "high risk" under these new anti-deforestation regulations, and we also have updates on the first...

As part of its Environmental Vision 2050, the Daikin Group has the ambition to become carbon-neutral across all its activities by 2050. They have also launched an initiative to collect refrigerants from installers in a recovery and recycling initiative. What does this all actually entail? We learn more about the 3 R's of Refrigerants - Recovering, Recycling and Reclaiming - from Linda Wong, the De...

The Mak Jintan peat swamp forest in Terengganu is the last known virgin peat swamp in Peninsular Malaysia. Peatlands are essential ecosystems, teeming with biodiversity and playing a critical role in carbon storage and water regulation. So when plans emerged to convert the Mak Jintan peat swamp forest into an oil palm plantation, it sparked significant concern among scientists, conservationists, a...

We delve into the hidden treasures of the Nenggiri River caves and the looming environmental threats posed by the RM5 billion Nenggiri Hydroelectric Project in Kelantan. While the dam is expected to generate renewable energy, create 2,000 new jobs, and mitigate flood issues, it comes at a steep cost. For the Orang Asli in Gua Musang, this project will submerge 5,834 hectares of their ancestral for...