Comprehensive Guide and Capacity Building Program Announced to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities

  

The Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

The Capacity Building Programme for Reducing Recycling-Related Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN Cities (CaRMPAC Project) will be officially launched on 16 August 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This significant regional initiative is designed to address the pressing issue of marine plastic pollution through targeted capacity building and implementation strategies. In conjunction with the launch, the outcomes of Phase 1 of the project have been published, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines for six key ASEAN cities, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities.

Publication of Situation Assessment and Technical Guidelines

Phase 1 of the CaRMPAC Project focused on a comprehensive situation assessment and the development of technical guidelines, which aimed at preventing plastic and resin pellet leakage from recycling facilities. This phase covered six key ASEAN cities: Pattaya, Nonthaburi, Hanoi, Iloilo, Manila, and Vientiane. The situation assessment revealed critical factors contributing to plastic leakage. That resulted in the creation of technical guidelines and manuals tailored to each city to improve recycling process and practices to prevent plastic leakage across both formal and informal sectors. The outcomes of Phase 1, including the Situation Assessment Reports and Technical Guidelines, have been published and are available for free access here.

Launching Phase 2: Capacity Building Programme

Following the successful completion of Phase 1, Phase 2 of the CaRMPAC Project aims to expand its reach to additional cities and countries, including Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Bandung, Davao City, and others. Over the next 24 months, this phase will address the capacity gaps identified in Phase 1, with a particular focus on informal plastic recyclers and relevant city government regulators. The objective is to promote responsible recycling practices and sustainable plastic management through enhanced training, increased awareness, and improved regulatory support.

The CaRMPAC Project is being implemented by the Asian Institute of Technology’s Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific, with support from the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris of ERIA and the ASEAN Secretariat.

About RKCMPD

The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD) was established under the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in 2019. The Knowledge Centre’s mission is to provide information and support to ASEAN+3 Member States, thereby helping them to improve the circularity of plastic and prevent leakage into marine environments.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Asuene establishes a new company, Asuene Veritas, through the acquisition of a third-party verification business for GHG emissions and non-financial data, as its first M&A deal.

Asuene Inc. has completed an M&A deal for CoRocket Co, LTD., a third-party verification business for non-financial data. Along with acquiring personnel and resources, Asuene established a new company, Asuene Veritas Inc., on August 1, 2024. Asuene Veritas provides third-party verification for climate change and non-financial data, offering one-stop support from third-party assurance to verification during disclosure.

Background of the establishment of the new company "Asuene Veritas" and the business acquisition
"ASUENE" is the No.1 carbon accounting platform in Japan and Asia, and surpassed 9,000 number of customers. We provide "ASUENE", a carbon accounting platform to support companies in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

As we support companies with calculating CO2 emissions data and other non-financial information, we have recognized a growing demand for third-party verification and validation of data, as well as system functionalities to enhance third-party assurance and future audits. Starting from the fiscal year ending March 2027, large corporations with a market capitalization of over JPY 3 trillion are expected to be required to disclose information related to sustainability and climate change, making third-party verification and auditing of non-financial information an urgent issue.

To meet these customer needs, Asuene has been in discussions with CoRocket and have established a new company, "Asuene Veritas," utilizing their talented personnel and assets. From CoRocket, we have acquired highly specialized personnel from major audit firms (such as KPMG, KPMG AZSA and Deloitte Tohmatsu) and will deepen business partnerships in the future. With this, "Asuene Veritas" will be able to provide third-party verification services for non-financial data, as well as a wide range of climate change advisory services, including support for CSRD compliance.

"Asuene Veritas" will strengthen its service capabilities for both existing and new customers of "ASUENE," aiming to expand third-party verification and assurance in the non-financial domain and grow its advisory business.

About Asuene Veritas

Asuene Veritas specializes in providing third-party assurance and verification services for climate change and non-financial data. The company also offers advisory services related to decarbonization and climate change measures, as well as support for system functionality development. By providing third-party assurance and verification of non-financial information, which many large enterprises seek, Asuene Veritas helps efficiently support decarbonization efforts across the Asuene Group in a one-stop decarbonization solution. Furthermore, by enhancing the third-party assurance, verification, and audit functions of the carbon accounting platform "ASUENE," the company aims to streamline the processes from CO2 emissions calculation to disclosure, reducing the burden of verification and auditing for businesses.

Comments from CoRocket and Asuene Representatives 

Representative Toru Shiotsuki, CoRocket Co., Ltd
We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Asuene Inc., a leading company in visualizing CO2 emissions and providing systems for disclosing non-financial information. In modern corporate management, non-financial information has become as important as financial information. As a certified public accountant who has long supported and assured corporate financial disclosures, I recognize the growing importance of third-party assurance for non-financial information. With this understanding, we are establishing Asuene Veritas Inc. As a group company of Asuene Inc., which is closest to the creation of non-financial information, we will support companies' sustainability initiatives and build trust with society by providing transparent and reliable third-party assurance of non-financial information.

Co-Founder&CEO Kohei Nishiwada, Asuene Inc.
We are honored to announce the acquisition of CoRocket Inc. and the establishment of our new company, Asuene Veritas. This milestone allows us to enhance ASUENE’s one-stop decarbonization solutions by providing more accurate and reliable data. Our role will be to offer third-party assurance for globally significant GHG and non-financial data. Furthermore, we have formed a strong business alliance with CoRocket Inc. and Mr. Shiotsuki, and together we will challenge new industrial transformations based on the integration of non-financial and financial data.

Asuene Veritas Company Profile
Company name: Asuene Veritas Inc.
Representatives: Chairman Kohei Nishiwada, CEO Masayuki Kobayashi
Date of establishment: August 1, 2024
Shareholder: Asuene Inc. (100%)
Capital: 70 million yen
URL：https://veritas.earthene.com/

About Asuene APAC Pte. Ltd.
Asuene Company Profile
Asuene Inc. is a leading Climate Tech company in Japan with the mission of ”Making a better world for next generations”. We provide "ASUENE", a carbon accounting platform to measure, report and reduce carbon emissions of companies and we contribute to the net zero society.

Company name: Asuene Inc. Representative: Co-Founder&CEO Kohei Nishiwada Date of establishment: October, 2019 Headquarters: WeWork, KDX Toranomon 1Chome Building 4F, 1-10-5 Toranomon, Minato-Ku URL: https://earthene.com/apac

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian discuss increase in 4Ps social amelioration fund

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

At Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on August 12, 2024, hosted by Manila Prince Hotel President and former Senator Atty. Jose “Joey” D. Lina, Jr., and Manila Bulletin Publisher Sonny Coloma, they interviewed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon “Rex” T. Gatchalian, who discussed the recent increase in the 4Ps social amelioration fund. This boost will provide additional support for pregnant women and children during the latter’s first 1,000 days of life, along with other DSWD programs aimed at improving overall health outcomes.

This strategic move is expected to foster a generation of healthier, more educated Filipinos over the next decade. Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the direct link between early malnutrition and poor school performance, highlighting the importance of investing in the holistic development of Filipino children. By enhancing support for expectant mothers and young children, the government aims to tackle the root causes of learning poverty and nutritional deficiencies.

“Although there is no master list for pregnant and lactating mothers, the expanded 4P’s program will provide essential resources such as nutritional supplements, healthcare services, and early childhood development interventions. These measures are designed to optimize children’s growth and cognitive development during their formative years,” Secretary Gatchalian stated.

The administration has engaged two government agencies, the DSWD and the Department of Health (DOH), to collaborate on this initiative. “We need to be nutrient-specific and nutrient-sensitive, and ensure the provision of wash facilities and daycare centers. We will standardize measurements in the 4th and 5th class municipalities with our health service providers and develop a software system to trackprogress,” Gatchalian added.

The DSWD is also overhauling its programs to enhance impact and inclusivity. This includes adopting digital payment platforms like Gcash and Maya to streamline grant access and integrating e-wallets to improve transparency and accountability. “DSWD’s tagline is ‘Maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo,’ and we are equipping our beneficiaries with digital financial literacy programs in collaboration with partners like the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Landbank, and Maya. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations from online scams and reduce the need for in-person transactions,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

 “Our social workers and community support are crucial, especially in disaster response. We’ve expanded Senator Erwin Tulfo’s family food packs program in local government units for better preparedness and timely deployment. The DSWD Academy also provides training and certification for social workers in partnership with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).” He added, “After seven years in the 4Ps program, the government supports families to prevent them from falling back into poverty, with TESDA offering work opportunities and skills training to complete the support spectrum.”

The DSWD remains committed to collaborating with government agencies, the private sectors, and local units to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Kapihan sa Manila Hotel (Kapihan) stands as a distinguished platform for dialogue and progress, organized and hosted by The Manila Hotel’s esteemed president and former Senator, Atty. Jose “Joey” D. Lina, Jr. This weekly forum is designed to engage media members on a diverse array of topics and issues of national interest. It serves as a dynamic meeting ground for government officials, industry experts, journalists, content creators, and community members. Each session of Kapihan features Atty.

Lina, alongside Manila Bulletin Publisher Mr. Sonny Coloma, who guide the discussions. A curated panel of guests delves into a specific topic, followed by an interactive segment, where media participants can pose questions. Building on its success, Kapihan has expanded its dialogues to The Manila Hotel’s sister property, and now hosting Kapihan sa Manila Prince once a month. To broaden its reach and facilitate a wider audience engagement, Kapihan is streamed live on Facebook through https://www.facebook.com/Joey.Lina.51.

Secretary Gatchalian also highlighted a significant drop in poverty incidence from 18% to 15%, reflecting the government’s progress towards its 2028 target of a single-digit poverty rate. He attributed this success to various poverty alleviation programs, including job creation and infrastructure development.