Welcome to Pacific Environment’s December newsletter! This month, we highlight a major grant from the U.N. Environment Programme that will propel our marine conservation into the new year, consider ways to avoid toxic chemicals in our holiday purchases and applaud our allies in East Asia for continued progress toward cleaner maritime shipping.
$350,000 grant awarded to boost marine and coastal conservation efforts in seas of East Asia
Pacific Environment is one of seven community-based organizations recently awarded a total of $350,000 in an inaugural program by the SEAS Grant, a program funded by the United Nations Environment Programme and Global Environment Facility. The program, titled “Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand” — or SCS SAP — awarded Pacific Environment $50,000 along with crucial implementation support to be implemented over a time period of up to 18 months.
Learn more about SCS SAP funding and how it will support our critical Marine work focused on marine protected areas in Thailand.
Learn moreClimate headwinds at the IMO
In October, global negotiations at the International Maritime Organization to reduce the shipping industry’s greenhouse gas emissions fell apart. The United States’ threats of tariffs and other economic sanctions against any country voting in favor of the historic climate framework were to blame. Pacific Environment’s Climate Policy Director Davina Hurt was in London and tells the tale of her efforts to understand where things went wrong and what needs to be done to get negotiations back on track.
Explore nowIn the news
Explore some of our latest media highlights, op-eds and expert commentary featured in leading outlets.
- COP30: NGO’s demand action on shipping emissions (SeaTrade Maritime News)
- The Arctic’s dirty secret: Scientists urge immediate action to curb black carbon (Arctic Today)
- There Is Still Hope for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty (Common Dreams)
Your Cyber Monday purchases may contain toxic chemicals
Cyber Monday, the busiest online shopping day of the year in the United States, just wrapped up. Unfortunately, many everyday household items purchased online contain toxic chemicals — including PFAS, phthalates and lead. In our recent blog, consider ways to protect yourself and learn about organizations around the world that are working to make online shopping safer.
Read morePacific Environment applauds Singapore and the Republic of Korea announcement to establish a green and digital shipping corridor
As this year draws to a close, we celebrate another step forward for cleaner maritime shipping in the Pacific, as the Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding — or MOU — to establish the Singapore-Republic of Korea Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.
The agreement will further explore and implement the maritime shipping industry’s transition to zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels, as well as aiming to accelerate digitization that will enhance information exchange and operational efficiency. Learn more and see Pacific Environment’s input in our press release.
Learn moreSupport Pacific Environment by making a gift today
There is still time to make a difference for your environment by the end of 2025. Can we fix it? Not without you. Please consider making your gift to Pacific Environment today and changing our world for the better. Thanks to a generous $8,500 match, your gift will be DOUBLED for maximum impact.
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