Solutions

While sustainable finance is key in facilitating the implementation of innovative solutions to tackle climate change, philanthropic organizations are taking an increasingly structured approach to help.

With annual cash waqf donations estimated at around $12 billion and total land waqf assets at $134 billion, authorities are now considering using these Islamic endowments to fight climate change.

Nature-based solutions, aiming to protect ecosystems such as forests, agricultural land, peatlands, mangroves and oceans while addressing societal and economic challenges, are widely accepted as the way forward.  

While Southeast Asia should leverage on data and artificial intelligence, governments should set up safeguards to ensure these technologies promote human dignity. 

With investments in ASEAN startups showing signs of weakness, policies are needed to support innovation ecosystems, both in individual member states and on a regional level.

Thanks to an EU-backed project that promotes clean fuel from agricultural wastes, small business owners see improvement in their earnings and end product, while contributing to fighting pollution.

ADB study favors limiting the use of gasoline motorcycles for specific zones over subsidizing electric-powered units.

Women entrepreneurs face a range of constraints in growing their businesses, including limited access to capital, advice, and training opportunities, as well as support networks for business-related resources.

Nusantara’s plan to achieve a carbon-neutral, resource-efficient, and livable city will contribute to Indonesia’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

Ensuring cities are livable, adopting nature-based solutions, adopting sustainable transport, and shifting to hydrogen power among initiatives seen to bolster fight against climate change.

MSMEs are the first and last mile of the economy. As such, more concerted support for MSMEs to chart a greener way forward is needed, from governments, platform companies, and new digital solutions providers.

Leaders want countries to brace for headwinds from COVID-19, supply chain disruptions, food shortage, climate change, and other threats.