Kenneth Lim

Kenneth Lim

FREELANCER

Kenneth Lim is a deputy news editor at BT who oversees coverage of environmental, social and governance issues. Over his career, he has covered Singapore public capital markets and regulations, South-east Asian private capital markets and US debt markets, as well as non-journalism work related to sustainable finance.

Generic photo for stories related to COE, carbon emission,ERP, carbon emissions-based vehicle scheme (CEVS), carbon tax.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Carbon tax calibration undertaken to protect business competitiveness

The Singapore government’s cautious signal is a recognition that most of the rest of the world is putting the brakes on decarbonisation...

The problematic Just Energy Transition Partnership’s financing packages are far short of what is needed, researchers say.
ESG INSIGHTS

Issue 182: Private equity targets coal; Singapore’s carbon tax realism

This week in ESG: Eastspring, Reviva launch coal phase-out strategy; Singapore Budget 2026 signals caution on carbon tax

Both Singtel and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres have been reducing greenhouse gas emissions since 2022.
ESG INSIGHTS

Issue 181: Singtel acquires greener data centres; carbon tax in focus for Singapore Budget 2026

This week in ESG: ST Telemedia Global Data Centres may improve Singtel’s emissions profile; businesses call for relief from carbon tariff

Sembcorp will miss its 2028 emissions intensity targets if it acquires Alinta.
ESG INSIGHTS

Issue 180: Sembcorp shareholders vote on Alinta deal; new directorship institute launches

This week in ESG: Sembcorp acquisition’s coal exposure raises questions; GDInstitute offers alternative to Singapore Institute of Directors

Coal consumption growth in South-east Asia will lead the world until 2030, says the International Energy Agency.
ESG INSIGHTS

Issue 176: Indonesia’s U-turn on coal phase-out; climate scenarios caught in paper retraction

This week in ESG: Cancellation of coal plant’s early retirement jeopardises multilateral programme; Retracted study used to model climate damage by central...

As at end-2024, 68% of Sembcorp’s total energy portfolio came from installed, secured or under-construction renewable capacity.
HOCK LOCK SIEW

Sembcorp’s purchase of Australia's Alinta Energy has green risks

Post-acquisition, the Australian utility may present significant capital expenditures or a slower-than-expected green transition

Alinta’s indirect emissions exceed Sembcorp’s mostly due to contracted power purchased from a coal plant.
ESG INSIGHTS

Issue 175: Sembcorp courts still-brown Alinta; Asia can’t let coal go

This week in ESG: Sembcorp to buy Australian utility A$6.5 billion; coal phase-out fizzling out in Asia

The power sector touches many parts of society, and the needs of various stakeholders must be considered to achieve and sustain progress.
COMMENTARY

Asian utilities slow to confront climate risk

ASIA might need to grow up when it comes to protecting its power sector against climate-related loss and damage, a new report...

Key Asian utilities mostly meet only some or fail expectations in addressing climate risk, says a new report.
ESG INSIGHTS

Issue 174: Asian utilities ill-prepared for climate risk; compliance sparks demand for carbon credits

This week in ESG: MSCI, Asia Investor Group on Climate Change analyse power sector’s exposure to climate damage; carbon exchange Climate Impact...

East Asia and South-east Asia are key regions with large pipelines of potential coal phase-out projects, a study finds.
ESG INSIGHTS

Issue 173: Coal confronts imperfect pathways; COP30 leaves world wanting more

This week in ESG: Coal Transition Commission tackles scaling solutions; COP30 wraps up with adaptation target