In order to lower the carbon emissions that lead to global warming, Malaysia is considering the deployment of market-based carbon pricing policies such as carbon trading and a carbon tax. This paper, which is based on a memorandum submitted to the Malaysian government, presents a critical assessment of these policies …
The world’s most effective vaccine candidate against dengue is all set for trials in India and if all goes to plan, the vaccine will be available globally by 2015. The vaccine will be tested on 120-odd adults in the beginning, the results of which should be available by 2013. Thereafter, …
The geographic distribution of Bornean orang-utans and its overlap with existing land-use categories (protected areas, logging and plantation concessions) is a necessary foundation to prioritize conservation planning. Based on an extensive orang-utan survey dataset and a number of environmental variables, we modelled an orang-utan distribution map. The modelled orang-utan distribution …
The controversial Murum dam in Malaysia is the first big overseas project for the China Three Gorges Project Company (CTGC) which is building hydro- and coal-fired power stations in 23 countries. So how it resolves its current conflict with the protesting Penan tribe will set an important precedent as to …
Malaysia is currently building the world's most advanced low-carbon mega-city comparable in size to the area of Luxembourg, with an expected population of 3 million by 2025. Iskandar Malaysia, the first "smart metropolis" of Southeast Asia founded on principles of social integration as well as low carbon emissions thanks to …
Socio-economic considerations are important components for careful decision-making to ensure that society enjoys the benefits of modern technology while minimising or avoiding its potential costs. However, in many parts of the world, information and analysis of the social and economic impacts of modern biotechnology are lagging behind. There is little …
Second Asian Ministerial Conference: “This is not a pledge to save tigers, but a pledge to save humanity itself,” agriculture minister (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho said yesterday, at a follow up meet on the commitment that 13 tiger range countries made two years ago. The commitment then was to double the …
ASIA-ECONOMY-ADB:ADB cuts India's growth forecast to 5.6 pct for 2012 The Asian Development Bank cut most of its 2012 and 2013 growth estimates for developing Asia on Wednesday as a slump in global demand weighs on the region's powerhouses China and India and on its export-dependent economies. The Manila-based bank …
Kuala Lumpur Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), India’s biggest government-owned energy explorer, is considering bidding for part of ConocoPhillips Canadian oil sands holdings worth around $5 billion, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Tuesday. The Houston-based company has been looking to sell assets in …
India may launch an anti-dumping investigation against solar panels made in China, after the US and Europe launched similar probes, the Guangzhou Daily reported on Monday. The Indian anti-dumping authority said that they have received an application from local companies, asking them to start investigating solar panels made in China, …
After a downturn during the 1990s, global investments in hydropower infrastructure have begun to rise. Governments and financiers have strongly pushed for hydropower to play a central role in “green growth” strategies, claiming that large dams are the best option to achieve sustainable development’s triple bottom line of economic growth, …
A surge in carbon emissions from power demand in the developing world is overwhelming progress by nations, including China and the United States, in improving efficiency, new research shows. Seeking to cut costs, numerous nations in recent years have scaled back or revamped the dirtiest plants that use coal, which …
China has begun building sewage and waste disposal facilities on a disputed South China Sea island, state media said on Monday, a move likely to stoke a growing territorial row with its neighbours. The report in the China Daily came a month after Beijing enraged Vietnam by announcing the establishment …
The Green Building Index (GBI) is Malaysia’s industry accepted green rating tool for buildings to encourage sustainability in the built environment and hoist consciousness and understanding of these issues along with related stakeholders in the construction industry. The application of GBI has became the benchmark rating system incorporates internationally recognized …
PAPUA New Guinea's former Somare government introduced a controversial concession that allegedly accelerated deforestation of its tropical forests and gave away a potential $US23 billion in carbon-trading rights to foreign interests, according to a Greenpeace report. The political time-bomb that awaits PNG's new government, in a report by Greenpeace Australia …
Gandhinagar:In an oblique attempt to keep its vegetarian banner high, the Gujarat government is meandering into a so far unexplored area to fight higher malnutrition levels. Well-placed Sachivalaya sources said the government is working out a complete plan of seaweed cultivation. Small farmers living next to the sea shore can …
A significant rise in sea levels due to global warming could result in the loss of species and habitats in the coastal areas of more than a thousand islands in South-East Asia and the Pacific region, leading to the potential displacement of many millions of people, according to a study. …
Palm oil was once touted as a social and environmental panacea — a sustainable food crop, a biofuel that could help to cut greenhouse-gas emissions and a route out of poverty for small-scale farmers. In recent years, however, a growing body of research has questioned those credentials, presenting evidence that …
Rapid urbanisation may lead to 605 million people in Asia going without improved drinking water sources by 2015, says a new report by Asian Development Bank and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore. The report, which cites best practices in eight Asian cities, including Jamshedpur in India, advocates …
Amid growing threat to the existence of rhinoceros species in rhino range countries, including in Africa and Asia, Indonesia has declared 2012 as International Rhino Year. Indonesia is among 11 countries supporting the declaration. Other supporters of Rhino Year include Nepal, India, Bhutan, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. …
Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian prince is promoting an “upstream” technology that can put an end to the dengue menace affecting thousands of people in many countries, including India. Tunku Naquiyuddin Ja’afar, son of the late 10th King of Malaysia, was recently in the Philippines to present his new organic pesticide …
