Healthy economies need a healthy Mother Earth
Connecting economic growth to environmental sustainability in Asean is a business imperative. Attention must be paid to the planet's failing health if Asean's potential is to be realised.
THE economic future of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) region looks bright. In recent years, the grouping has been growing by around 5 per cent a year, and the Asian Development Bank estimates that by 2030, nearly half a billion of Asean's population will be considered middle class. New International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections put the region on track to becoming the fourth largest economy in the world by 2050.
It would be difficult to find a business today that doesn't keep track of these projections in economic health and isn't excited about the region's prospects. From New York and Frankfurt to London and Singapore, the rise and fall of each trend is closely scrutinised to capitalise on opportunities and mitigate risks.
Yet, few businesses take note of another critical trend that can affect their operations and profits just as much, if not more - the failing health of the planet.
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