Raising Public Awareness in the Kendeng Movement via Speleology Article The mineral industry sector is the cause of conflict in various karst regions in Indonesia as companies are keen to exploit natural resources to make cement. But the science of exploring caves – speleology – can help local communities understand the potential of their unique landscapes, contribute to furthering local solidarity, and empower them to make clearer decisions about mining in their areas. By A.B. Rodhial Falah
Right to Clean Air: The People v. Haze across Southeast Asia Article Transboundary haze has plagued Southeast Asia for decades, with the most recent episodes occurring in 2015 and 2019. While COVID-19's constraints on economic activity delivered the qualified blessing of two comparatively haze-free years, the region is now bracing itself for the return of the almost annual haze as countries shift to endemic mode. By Helena Varkkey
Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Revenues: The Challenges of Managing ‘Easy Money’ Article Since the restoration of independence, the petroleum sector is the dominant sector in Timor-Leste’s economy and for state revenue. While petroleum income enables the government to finance its development needs, it also poses significant challenges for public policy and public institutions in terms of its management. By Guteriano Neves
Thailand’s Plastic Challenge and Circular Economy Dossier While Zero-Waste communities, Urban Refill-Shops and student initiatives are challenging Thailand's mindset on plastic usage, an increasing amount of COVID-19 related plastic trash and waste imports from overseas seem to undermine the progress made for a sustainable foundation of a circular economy in the country. From interviews with committed young people who are trying to make a difference, to the effects of policy implementation on the ground. This web-dossier sheds a light on Thailand's plastic pollution problem from a mainly urban perspective.
Duterte Says Yes to Mining in the Philippines. But at What Cost? Opinion President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent decision to overturn a nationwide moratorium on new mining projects, which had been in place since 2012, was lauded by mining and business entities and criticized by environmental and human rights groups. Aside from allowing new mines to open in the country, Executive Order No. 130 (EO 130), which was signed on 14 April 2021, calls for a number of reforms. By Gino Garcia
ADB Announces Coal Exit in Draft Energy Policy Press Release The Asian Development Bank (ADB) through its draft energy policy announced today that it will not finance any coal mining, oil, and natural gas field exploration, drilling, or extraction activities, and it will no longer finance any new coal-fired capacity for power and heat generation or any facilities associated with new coal generation. By NGO Forum on ADB
Natural resource struggles: Shrinking spaces for civil society Study Governments and corporations are driving the demand for water, land and organic resources of all kinds as never before. Citizens are fighting for their rights and working to preserve their livelihoods. Our study "Tricky Business" shows how the mechanisms of expropriation work.
Right Livelihood Conference 2014 In March 2014 a conference was held to show the outcome of the capacity building program on Participatory and Indigenous Natural Resource Management. By Timmi Tillmann
The Salween Dams and the problems of resource governance in Myanmar’s’ ethnic border areas At least since the “energy-protests” of May 2012, Myanmar’s strategy of exporting energy to its neighboring countries came under heavy criticism by its own population. Yet while the contested Myitsone hydropower dam on the confluence of the Irrawaddy River was suspended by President Thein Sein due to public pressure, several other big hydropower dams are still being under construction on the Salween River in Myanmar’s eastern border areas with the support of Thai investors. By Wanwadee Erawan
Indigenous Knowledge & Natural Commons in Myanmar During the 3rd International Conference on International Relations and Development (ICIRD 2013) entitled “Beyond Borders: Building a Regional Commons in Southeast Asia”which took place on 21-23 August 2013 at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand the Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs) organized a workshop on Indigenous Peoples’ natural resource management and the creativity of Indigenous Knowledge and the Natural Commons.
