Tag: Sustainable Development
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Canada’s Oil Sands Growth Faces a Condensate Challenge and What’s Being Done
The Condensate Challenge in Canada’s Oil Sands Growth Canada’s oil sands have long promised substantial economic benefits through high-grade crude and export potential. Yet, a persistent bottleneck threatens the sector’s expansion: condensate, the light hydrocarbon used as diluent to reduce bitumen’s viscosity for pipeline transport. When condensate supplies tighten or prices spike, the economics of…
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UNEA-7 Adopts 11 Resolutions Amid Debate and Division
Overview: UNEA-7 Concludes in Nairobi with a Mixed Outcome The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) wrapped up in Nairobi, Kenya on December 12, 2025, after a week of intense negotiations among nearly 200 member states and hundreds of civil society organizations. Delegates adopted 11 resolutions from a slate of 15 draft…
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A New Deal for the Mekong: A Cooperative Path to Shared Prosperity
Rethinking the Mekong: From Rivalry to Collaboration The Mekong River, a lifeline for millions across Southeast Asia, has long been a source of both opportunity and tension. As climate change intensifies extreme rainfall, droughts, and transboundary water pressure, a new approach is needed — one that reframes the Mekong as a platform for collective action…
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A New Deal for the Mekong: Toward Joint Management and Shared Prosperity
Overview: Reframing the Mekong Story The Mekong River basin sits at the heart of Southeast Asia’s development, culture, and ecological wealth. Yet fragmentation and competing claims over water resources, hydropower, fisheries, and flood control threaten both livelihoods and regional harmony. A new deal for the Mekong envisions a shift from unilateral projects to a coordinated,…
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Ruto: Climate Action Must Anchor Global Economic Strategy at UNEA
Ruto Emphasizes Climate Action as Core to the Global Economy In a pointed address to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), President William Ruto underscored a shift he believes is long overdue: climate action must be anchored at the core of national and global economic strategies, not treated as a voluntary pledge. Speaking at the…
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Bali Takes a Stand: Halting Farmland Conversions to Protect Agricultural Heartland
Introduction: Bali’s Farm Frontier Under Pressure The Indonesian island of Bali has long balanced tourism with farming, its emerald rice terraces and family plots forming a crucial part of the island’s identity and economy. Recently, Bali’s leadership took a pivotal step to curb the conversion of productive farmland into commercial developments, signaling a shift toward…
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Bali Halts Farmland Conversion to Shield Agricultural Heritage
Introduction: Bali’s Struggle to Preserve Farm Land Bali, Indonesia’s iconic island known for its vibrant culture and scenic landscapes, is facing a pressing challenge: the conversion of productive farmland into commercial developments. The decision to halt such conversions marks a significant policy shift aimed at preserving agricultural land, sustaining local livelihoods, and protecting Bali’s centuries-old…
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How the European Union is Countering China’s Influence in Africa
Overview: The EU’s Competitive Stance in Africa The European Union is recalibrating its approach to Africa amid China’s expanding footprint across the continent. From infrastructure funding and trade deals to development aid and diplomatic engagement, Brussels is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy designed to offer an alternative that emphasizes governance, sustainable development, and partnership. The aim…
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Africa’s Path to Green Industrialization: Strategies for a Sustainable Economic Leap
Introduction: Africa’s Green Industrialization Imperative Africa faces a pivotal choice: pursue rapid industrial growth while safeguarding its climate and natural resources. The continent’s green industrialization imperative rests on leveraging abundant renewable energy resources, modernizing key sectors, and building resilient institutions. As global climate negotiations push for ambitious NDCs and concrete action, Africa has both the…
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Why Community Mining Is No Panacea for Illegal Mining
Understanding the Promise and Limits of Community Mining Community mining is often pitched as a practical solution to illegal mining. The idea is simple: empower local residents to extract natural resources in a controlled, revenue-sharing framework that benefits communities and reduces the lure of illegal activity. Yet as recent moves from national leadership underscore, relying…