News
Basic Materials
December 03, 2025
Why ASEAN countries must prioritize recycling over new critical mineral mines
With critical minerals mining activity expected to expand in Southeast Asia, ASEAN countries must collectively tackle the resulting transboundary pollution and impose stricter socio-environmental regulation of the sector.
December 01, 2025EU backs another one-year delay for EUDR anti-deforestation law
The EU has voted to postpone implementing a key anti-deforestation law for the second year in a row, citing technical concerns. Critics of the move warn that a delay and other proposed changes will further weaken the law.
November 27, 2025Germany's industry alliance warns raw materials could become Europe’s “Achilles heel”
Germany’s government should cooperate more closely with industry to increase raw material supply independence by promoting domestic extraction, a joint alliance of industrial players said in a position paper.
November 26, 2025COP30: Indonesia secures 2.75 million carbon credits amid climate target criticism
Indonesia reported modest results from its carbon-credit sales at this year’s UN climate summit (COP30), booking pledges for 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ reductions amid criticism.
November 18, 2025Thailand launches world’s first commercial cement heat battery to supply 24/7 clean energy
A 33 MWh thermal battery integrated with a cement plant’s heat recovery system has begun operating in Thailand. The deployment was built by US thermal-energy-storage startup Rondo Energy in partnership with SCG Cleanergy.
November 11, 2025SBTi releases new net-zero standard draft: What companies should know
The SBTi has released a new draft of its Corporate Net-Zero Standard on Nov. 6, introducing for the first time the concept of Ongoing Emissions Responsibility (OER), along with more precise definitions for Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions.
November 06, 2025Indonesian coastal villages in the dark over nickel pollution
The government has recorded multiple environmental violations at the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, but locals are yet to see action.
November 04, 2025Brazilian lithium pitched as ‘carbon neutral’ relied on offset project linked to deforestation
A Canadian miner’s supposed ‘green lithium’ shipments used carbon credits stemming from Amazonian offsetting project now suspended amid a federal investigation.
October 29, 2025Rare earth mining expands into Laos, threatening entire Mekong River
Satellite data show at least 27 new rare earth mines have opened across Laos since 2022, mostly in protected areas and many within the Mekong River Basin, raising transboundary pollution risks for Vietnam and the wider Mekong system.
October 23, 2025From coal to clean: Ember urges Indonesia to green its nickel industry
Indonesia sits at the heart of the global clean energy transition, supplying nearly half of the world’s nickel reserves essential for electric vehicle batteries. Yet the country’s processing boom remains powered by captive coal.