9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. With over half the world population now living in cities, mass transport and renewable energy are becoming ever more important, as are the growth of new industries and information and communication technologies.
Technological progress is also key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges, such as providing new jobs and promoting energy efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries, and investing in scientific research and innovation, are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development.
More than 4 billion people still do not have access to the Internet, and 90 percent are from the developing world. Bridging this digital divide is crucial to ensure equal access to information and knowledge, as well as foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
To adopt SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure, in support of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, please contact us at partners@eco-business.com
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Carbon & Climate
Asian carbon border levy the ‘lowest-cost pathway’ to decarbonise heavy industries: report
Enacting an Asian Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism involving Australia, Japan, China, Singapore and South Korea is the "most cost-effective way" to spur industrial decarbonisation and ease reliance on public subsidies, says think tank Climate Energy Finance.
Policy & Finance
Setting personal politics aside: Governments, corporates to form new company aimed at ‘fixing blended finance’
State leaders from Germany, Canada, global corproations and institutional investors called for standardisation of blended finance in order to speed up financial flows for sustainable development. The company, to be launched later this year, aims to develop specialised blended finance vehicles.
The ex-chief investment officer for Asia at Morgan Stanley Investment Management will head up the new office tasked with deploying up to US$500 million from the Singapore government towards clean energy infrastructure in the region.
Green Buildings
Regulation and green building incentives only way for Hong Kong to meet net zero: Fredrick Leong
Emissions from Hong Kong's built environment cannot be ignored any longer, says the Sustainability Leadership A-List winner. While greening infrastructure could nip carbon emissions in the bud, regulatory and retrofitting hurdles in the city remain.
Opinion
Policy & Finance
The climate challenge as a development opportunity
Even if policymakers in developing countries see little value in pursuing large emissions reductions at the pace that climate advocates would like, climate-aligned development is still the best path forward.
Through recycling, R&D and diversifying imports as well as by facilitating a regional market for rare earth minerals, the dependence on the Chinese supply chain can be reduced.
Carbon & Climate
An intelligent trade-off: AI as a double-edged sword in Southeast Asia’s climate battle
Although artificial intelligence (AI) offers positive benefits for Southeast Asia’s climate battle, the region should not look at its usage through rose-tinted glasses. Without careful consideration, such systems may inadvertently undermine and be counterintuitive to the very climate goals that they aim to achieve.
Policy & Finance
Carbon pricing is advancing despite Trump
While many fear that Donald Trump’s re-election to office in the United States will undermine efforts to combat climate change, there have been two major steps toward widespread carbon pricing where it is needed most since March.
Policy & Finance
The business case for a sustainable blue economy
Policy & Finance
Climate action requires debt relief
Videos
Carbon & Climate
Climate tech in Asia – finding the ‘X’ factor for success
Funding for climate-related solutions has slowed down and it’s a ‘tough game’ for startups, said those familiar with the climate tech space at The Liveability Challenge Grand Finale 2025. What can founders and innovators do to bring an idea to commercialisation? And is Singapore an attractive-enough testbed?
Policy & Finance
Navigating uncertainty: AIA’s long-term bet on sustainable investing
In this wide-ranging fireside chat moderated by Eco-Business CEO Jessica Cheam, AIA Group's chief investment officer Dr Mark Konyn asserts there is “no U-turn” among corporates invested for the long term, even as political regimes change amid a new world order.
EB Studio
From sponge cities to coastal forests, Asia is seeking ways to work with nature and prepare for the risks in a warmer-than-expected future. This Eco-Business video looks at what else cities need to do to strengthen climate resilience.
Policy & Finance
Tackling climate change in a mosaicked Asia
EB Studio
Asia's green transition pathways need to be socially inclusive given huge differences in economic development across the region, says experts at the Boston Consulting Group. State-owned enterprises have an "outsized" role to play, they add.
Podcasts
Green Buildings
Inaction is not an option for companies in climate-vulnerable nations like India: Lodha ESG chief Aun Abdullah
In the latest episode of 'On the frontlines', the real estate giant's ESG head tells the EB Podcast that while there has been no pushback on climate action by corporate India, questions remain over whether the booming real estate sector is decarbonising fast enough.
EB Studio
CapitaLand sustainability chiefs Vinamra Srivastava and Giovanni Cossu tell the Eco-Business Podcast that there is a viable path to net zero for the world's fastest growing cities.
EB Studio
With alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuel still too expensive and low in demand for the aviation industry to consider, carbon offsets could be a way to reduce emissions – if used right. EcoSecurities and the International Air Transport Association tell the Eco-Business podcast how airlines can ensure compliance when new regulations become mandatory
Green Buildings
Can a desert city be liveable? Dubai scales green spine concept as developers eye ‘eco-friendly’ projects in harsh climate
Eyes are on whether the city’s plan to build the world’s “greenest highway” will take off. The Eco-Business Podcast speaks to Marwa Nahlawi from Diamond Developers, the real estate developer behind Dubai's "Sustainable City" brand, which adopts a similar green spine concept.
