Unlocking Environmental Progress: The Role of International Agreements in Achieving Global Sustainability Goals

Every month, on the first and third Tuesday, The Straits Times takes a closer look at the environment—covering everything from climate change to biodiversity.

Recently, President Donald Trump made headlines by withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement again. This has led many countries to reconsider their roles in global climate efforts. Meanwhile, other environmental talks have faced challenges. The UN plastics treaty discussions fell through in December 2024, and a key biodiversity conference, originally postponed, only reached a consensus in February 2025.

In today’s world, marked by divisions, the question arises: Are global environmental treaties still effective? Do they hold value, and how might they be improved as issues like climate change and pollution intensify?

On the Green Pulse podcast, hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty share their insights on the importance of these treaties. They explore the hurdles these agreements face and suggest ways to strengthen them. They discuss how essential it is to find common ground and the potential of creating smaller, cooperative groups among nations to tackle climate issues.

Here are some highlights from their conversation:

• 1:54 Why environmental treaties are crucial for change.
• 5:52 The role of climate data in evaluating international meetings.
• 9:23 The necessity of consensus to bolster international treaties.
• 18:06 The idea that rather than abandoning multilateral treaties, smaller coalitions can help address climate issues.
• 22:46 Positive developments driven by regulations for businesses.

To explore these important topics, be sure to listen to the Green Pulse podcast. You can find it on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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