HONG KONG (Callaway Climate Insights) — World Ocean Day, observed each year on June 8, is a reminder that the ocean is far more than a scenic backdrop to our lives. It is the beating heart of the planet’s climate system, a primary source of food for billions, and the foundation of a global blue economy valued at more than $32 trillion, with over $3 trillion in annual output. More than three billion people depend directly on marine biodiversity for their livelihoods, and over

Global circularity and the need for standardized trade of plastic feedstock In 2018, the Norwegian government proposed classifying plastic as potentially hazardous waste under the Basel Convention. Following broad international support, but with only two years of preparation, the Plastic Amendments entered into force in January 2021. Originally established to regulate nuclear waste, and later expanded to chemical and electronic waste, the Convention has since been revised to

For decades, the economics of plastic have been tightly linked to oil. Virgin plastic is produced from petrochemical feedstocks such as ethane and naphtha, meaning its cost rises and falls with fossil fuel markets. When oil prices were low and stable, especially during much of the 2015-2020 period, virgin resin was often so inexpensive that recycled plastic struggled to compete on price alone. That dynamic suppressed demand for recycled resins and constrained investment in

The Prasat Bakong District Administration, in collaboration with the Bamboo Shoot Foundation and the Ocean Recovery Alliance, has chosen 300 families in the Kampong Phluk ecotourism community to serve as environmental role models. District Governor So Platong said the initiative aims to promote cleanliness, proper waste management, and responsible living. Running from November 30 to the end of December 2025, participating families will be assessed, awarded points, and those m