Registration Open for ASEAN Conference on Combatting Plastic Pollution 2024

  

    Registration open to public: Date: October 28-29, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM GMT+7 Registration: https://forms.gle/xCzPk1UHZ3ffcvHG9

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Lao PDR, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia and its Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, and United Nations Development Programme Lao PDR will host the ASEAN Conference on Combatting Plastic Pollution 2024. This conference aims to bring together stakeholders from ASEAN Member States, the private sector, innovators, academia, and civil society to discuss innovative solutions, best practices, and regional policies to address plastic pollution.

The two-day event will focus on fostering partnerships and sharing knowledge on combatting plastic pollution across Southeast Asia. It will also feature an exhibition showcasing innovations from across ASEAN. The conference will be open to the public and could be joined online. Please find the date, time, and registration link below:

Date: October 28-29, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM GMT+7

Registration: https://forms.gle/xCzPk1UHZ3ffcvHG9

Prominent speakers, including government officials, international experts, and innovators working on sustainability and circular economy solutions, will be among the participants. The conference will be held under the patronage of H.E. Mme. Bounkham Vorachit, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Lao PDR.

ERIA’s involvement through its Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, underscores its dedication to fostering regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing. ERIA remains committed to contributing to ASEAN’s efforts in reducing plastic pollution through collaborative and innovative solutions.

About RKCMPD

The Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris was established under the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia in 2019. The 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.

SOCCSKSARGEN Photography Adventure: Must-Have Gear for Capturing Mindanao’s Hidden Wonders!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Embarking on the SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX) photography tour is an exciting journey that promises breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and action-packed experiences. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, it's essential to have the right gear and personal items to maximize your experience. 

Here's a comprehensive guide on what you need to bring, especially for your camera equipment, based on the reminders Jay Jallorina gave us about our Landscapes SOX 2024 Photography Tour.

Essential Camera Gear

DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: This is your primary tool for capturing the scenic beauty of SOX. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or street scenes, a quality camera is non-negotiable.


Lenses: To ensure versatility, bring a range of lenses:

Wide or ultrawide lens: Ideal for capturing expansive landscapes and waterfalls, a wide lens will allow you to take stunning panoramic shots.

Medium lens (24-70mm f/2.8): This is perfect for travel portraits and capturing detailed street photography.

Telephoto lens (70-200mm): Essential for distant subjects, particularly in nature photography, where you want to zoom in on specific elements without moving closer.

Tripod and Ballhead: Stability is key for long exposure shots, especially when photographing at the coastlines and waterfalls in SOX. Ensure your tripod is sturdy enough for use in seawater and rugged environments. A ballhead and camera baseplate will also help you quickly adjust and secure your camera in challenging terrain.


Filters: Filters enhance your photographs by controlling light, reducing glare, and adding dramatic effects. 

Recommended filters to bring:

Circular Polarizer (CPL): Reduces reflections and enhances colors, especially when shooting water or skies.

Neutral Density (ND) filters (6 and 10 stops): These help control light, allowing for long exposure shots during the day to create smooth, flowing water effects.

Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filters (3 stops, both hard/soft and reverse): These are particularly useful for balancing the exposure between a bright sky and a darker landscape.

Filter holder and adapter ring: To mount your filters securely.


Additional Accessories:

Filter bag: To safely store and organize your filters.

Batteries and charger: SOX is full of shooting opportunities, and the last thing you want is to run out of battery. Bring extras.

Memory cards: Ensure you have ample storage for your photos and videos. SOX’s landscapes and culture will fill your memory cards fast.

Rain cover or shower cap: For protecting your gear from unpredictable weather.

Lens wipes: Keeping your lenses clean is crucial, especially when photographing near water.

Optional Gear:Drone, GoPro, Insta360: If you want to capture stunning aerial footage or immersive 360-degree views, these can be excellent additions to your kit.

Other Equipment 

Headlamp or Flashlight: For those early morning or late evening shoots when natural light is low, a headlamp will free up your hands for camera adjustments.

Mobile phone, power bank, fast charger: Essential for communication, navigation, and quick shots during travel. Keep them charged!

Camera backpack: Choose a comfortable, weather-resistant backpack to carry your gear, ensuring everything is well-protected and accessible.

Personal Essentials

While the focus of the tour is photography, personal comfort is equally important. Here's what else you need:Clothing: 

Light, breathable clothing is ideal, as SOX's climate can be warm. 

Pack:Shorts for wading and coastal shooting

Long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
Outdoor sandals or aqua shoes for the rugged and coastal areas.

Sunscreen and Sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun, especially during outdoor shoots.

Sweat towel and headwear: A multifunctional headwear or sweat towel will keep you cool and comfortable during long shooting sessions.

Water bottle and snacks: Stay hydrated and keep your energy up, especially during long excursions.
Personal medicines and toiletries: Always good to have your essentials handy.

Special Considerations for the SOX Tour

The SOX photography tour is a diverse mix of landscapes, including seascapes, waterfalls, cultural landmarks, and bustling tuna ports. As such, be prepared for various shooting conditions—from bright, reflective waters to soft, misty waterfalls. SOX is also known for its vibrant Tboli culture, which you'll experience firsthand during the traditional presentations, offering unique portraiture opportunities.

Lastly, don’t forget to bring some extra cash for emergencies, souvenirs (pasalubong), and snacks, as these are not included in the tour package.

Conclusion

The SOX Photography Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capture the essence of Mindanao's stunning landscapes and rich culture. By ensuring you’re well-prepared with the right camera equipment, personal items, and a sense of adventure, you’ll not only enjoy the tour but also come away with beautiful images that reflect the magic of SOCCSKSARGEN.

Pack smart, stay inspired, and get ready to chase the light!

Asuene APAC has signed MoU in partnership with REDEX, the largest renewable energy certificate trading platform in Asia

    

Asuene APAC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with REDEX, a Singapore-based renewable energy certificate solutions provider. Through this partnership, we aim to promote "ASUENE," a carbon accounting platform, and facilitate the buying and selling of renewable energy certificates (RECs) to provide comprehensive support for companies in their decarbonization efforts.

Status of sustainability regulations in Singapore

In Singapore, starting in 2025, all listed companies will be required to report on climate change-related issues. Additionally, the carbon tax will significantly increase from the current S$5 per ton of GHG emissions to S$25, with expectations to rise to S$50-80 by 2030. Furthermore, Singapore is strengthening climate-related disclosures in line with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), accelerating its efforts to achieve net-zero as a hub in the APAC region. As a result, local companies and those with a presence in Singapore will need to calculate, reduce, and report their CO2 emissions.

Against this background, the number of companies participating in RE100, which aims for 100% renewable energy usage, is increasing. However, many companies face challenges in reducing Scope2 emissions due to the high cost and limited supply of renewable energy in Singapore. To address this issue, Singapore is encouraging the purchase and use of RECs from Southeast Asian countries based on Singapore Standard 673.

Details of the Partnership

"ASUENE" provides a carbon accounting platform for companies and local governments across their entire supply chains, in accordance with the GHG Protocol's Scope 1-3. Additionally, we also provide sustainability consulting services. ASUENE’s strength lies in delivering comprehensive one-stop solutions for decarbonization, supporting companies in advancing their decarbonization management.

REDEX provides innovative technological solutions that enable companies to adopt renewable energy with ease. Headquartered in Singapore, REDEX is the developer and operator of Asia’s leading trading platform for RECs. It offers a one-stop ecosystem for RECs, supporting clients through the full REC lifecycle – asset registration, verification, marketplace and retirement.

With the signing of this MoU, we will strengthen our partnership in customer referrals and enhance our support for businesses aiming to achieve net zero through CO2 emissions visualization and the utilization of RECs.

Comment from Kang Jen Wee, Founder and CEO of REDEX

"Achieving the global ambition of net zero requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders. We are pleased to sign this memorandum with Asuene, sharing our expertise, resources, and services to create innovation and synergy that will further strengthen the decarbonization ecosystem and the renewable energy certification market."

Comment from Masaaki Hamada, Managing Director of Asuene APAC

"As a leading provider of carbon accounting solutions in the APAC region, we continuously seek partnerships with companies that offer high-quality decarbonization solutions. Through our collaboration with REDEX, Asuene will enhance its portfolio of decarbonization options, allowing us to deliver even greater value to our customers in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region."

About REDEX

Company name: REDEX

Representative: ：Founder & CEO Kang Jen Wee

URL: https://redex.eco/

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: 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/asuzero/apac