A carbon tax is a government charge placed on greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions , usually applied to fossil fuels based on their carbon content (e.g., per ton of CO₂e ). The policy goal is to raise the cost of emitting so companies and consumers shift to lower-carbon options, while generating public revenue that can be recycled through rebates, tax cuts, or climate spending. Carbon taxes typically work in two ways: Upstream fuel tax : levied on coal/oil/gas producers or import

Why nature risk is turning into a finance conversation in APAC This topic echoes a question a university student asked me during an ESG sharing session: beyond climate, what should we pay more attention to in 2026? Biodiversity and nature-related risk has moved beyond “ESG reporting” and into the practical mechanics of credit . In APAC, the link is especially direct: several economies depend heavily on land, water, fisheries, forestry, and agriculture, while rapid urban growt

For years, climate has been the center of gravity in corporate sustainability. That’s changing fast. In 2026, “nature” ( biodiversity, land use, water, and deforestation ) is moving from a specialist conversation into mainstream risk and strategy—because companies are realizing a simple truth: climate resilience depends on healthy ecosystems, and many supply chains depend on nature whether or not it appears on a balance sheet. This is why nature-related disclosure and due dil

With no doubt, Scope 3 has become the pressure point for many Asia-Pacific companies because the emissions sit outside your own operations , yet the consequences show up in tenders, customer scorecards, loan conversations, and reputational risk. Scope 3 Caterogies: the 15 essentials What used to be a “sustainability report” topic is now a commercial requirement: Buyers want product footprints and credible reduction progress. Banks and investors increasingly want transition ev

Introduction: From “ ESG as a report ” to “ ESG as a management system ” With 2025 behind us, what ESG and sustainability changes and requirements should we expect in 2026? By 2026, ESG in Asia is expected to move further away from being a communications exercise and closer to a daily management discipline that affects budgets, risk controls, product design, and talent strategy. For many organizations, the question will shift from “Do we have an ESG report?” to “Can we defend

Grid Innovation  is one of the most important and fast‑moving areas of sustainability and energy transition today. Let’s look into more details today. What Is Grid Innovation? Grid Innovation  refers to the modernization and smart transformation of the electrical power grid  — the system that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity — to make it more flexible, efficient, and sustainable . Traditionally, power grids were designed for one‑way electricity flow  (from l

🌱  “Green Christmas” in the Context of ESG and Sustainability In the field of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)  and sustainability , the phrase “ Green Christmas ”  refers to efforts to celebrate the Christmas season in an environmentally responsible and socially conscious manner . It is about reducing the negative environmental impacts  that often accompany traditional holiday celebrations and promoting sustainable consumption, ethical practices, and community we

What Is a Living Wage Benchmark ? A Living Wage Benchmark is a data‑driven reference wage level that estimates the minimum income required for a worker to afford a decent standard of living in a specific country, region, or city. Unlike statutory minimum wages , living wage benchmarks are: Needs‑based , not politically negotiated Location‑specific Designed to cover basic but dignified living costs These benchmarks are widely used in ESG, human capital management, and suppl

What is ESRS? ESRS stands for European Sustainability Reporting Standards. They are the mandatory ESG reporting standards that companies must use under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) . ESRS define what sustainability information companies must disclose, how, and with what level of rigor , covering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics. Brief History of ESRS 1. Origins (2019–2022) ESRS emerged from the European Green Deal and the

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Chan (IPCC) AR (Assessment Report) is the United Nations’ most comprehensive scientific evaluation of climate change. Here is a quick explanation: What it is: A major report published every 6–7 years by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It summarizes all the latest scientific research on climate change. What it covers: How and why the climate is changing Impacts on ecosystems, economies, and societies Future climate

The official bible for building owners and managers to quantify, report, and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals within building operations. Brief Introduction The Guidelines to Account for and Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals for Buildings (Commercial, Residential or Institutional Purposes) in Hong Kong were jointly issued by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) . First publ

ESG Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are quantifiable metrics used by organizations to measure and communicate their performance on environmental, social, and governance priorities. These indicators help companies monitor progress toward sustainability goals, identify risk areas, and demonstrate transparency to regulators, investors, and stakeholders. Common ESG KPIs include environmental measures such as greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy use, and waste recycling;

The LEAP process in ESG and sustainability (especially in frameworks such as the Task Force on Nature‑Related Financial Disclosures [TNFD] and broader environmental‑risk management ) stands for a structured approach used by organizations to identify, assess, and manage nature‑related or sustainability‑related impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities . It serves as a practical method for integrating environmental and social considerations into business strategy and

GRI = Global Reporting Initiative It is an international, independent standards organization that helps companies and governments report their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts in a transparent and comparable way. Short explanation: GRI provides globally recognized sustainability reporting standards that organizations use to disclose topics like carbon emissions, labor practices, human rights, waste, energy use, supply‑chain impact, and community effects.

Acute Climate Hazards Acute climate hazards are sudden, short‑term extreme weather events caused or intensified by climate change. They occur rapidly and can cause immediate damage. Examples: heatwaves, cyclones, flash floods, hurricanes, wildfires, storm surges. Chronic Climate Hazards Chronic climate hazards are long‑term, gradual climate‑related shifts that build up over time and progressively impact ecosystems, infrastructure, and economies. Examples: rising sea levels, l

The triple bottom line (TBL) means measuring success in three areas instead of just profit: People – social impact, fair labor, community well‑being Planet – environmental impact, sustainability Profit – financial performance Brief History Coined by John Elkington in 1994  as a challenge to traditional profit‑only accounting. Popularized in the late 1990s and early 2000s as companies adopted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). By the 2010s, investor pressure and regul

What is Permanence? In sustainability (especially in carbon accounting and waste management), permanence  refers to how long a material, carbon storage method, or environmental impact remains stable without being reversed . In simple terms: It measures how long something lasts without breaking down, leaking, or being re‑released into the environment . Permanence matters because long‑lasting materials (or carbon storage methods) carry different risks : • Long permanence = go

What Is TPA — Total Portfolio Approach The Total Portfolio Approach (TPA) is an integrated investment management framework where an investor (such as an asset owner, sovereign wealth fund, pension fund, or endowment) manages the entire portfolio holistically, rather than in isolated asset‑class silos . Instead of focusing on traditional asset classes (equities, bonds, real estate, etc.) separately, a TPA framework considers the total portfolio’s overall risk, return, and lo

1. What Is “Assurance” in ESG/Sustainability Reporting? Assurance provides external verification of non‑financial (ESG) data — confirming that the information in a sustainability or climate report is reliable, consistent, and prepared in accordance with recognized standards such as: ISAE 3000 (Revised) – International Standard on Assurance Engagements AA1000 AS v3 – AccountAbility Assurance Standard CSRD / ESRS (EU) – which will mandate limited or reasonable assurance

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) is an independent, non-profit organization that develops sustainability disclosure standards to help businesses communicate financially material sustainability information to investors. SASB focuses on identifying sustainability factors that are most relevant to financial performance, industry by industry. Before its integration into the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in 2022, the Sustainability Acco