Latest news with #DavidFogarty
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Can philanthropy revive a stalling environmental agenda in Asia?
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. The world is becoming an increasingly risky place as the impacts of climate change and nature loss worsen. And there's a growing need for more funding to limit the damage and improve the livelihoods of communities. But the problem is, funding from governments, especially aid money, is drying up in some places. The funding gap is huge but philanthropy is helping fill some of the void. Family offices, international foundations, wealthy individuals and more are stepping in and their money is vital in helping de-risk climate and nature investments to make them more palatable for private and government funders. Every dollar of philanthropic capital can mobilise $9 of additional funding. Together, the money can be directed towards vital areas, such as ocean health and coastal protection, sustainable land use, nature restoration and climate adaptation and much more. The end game is not band aid solutions, Shaun Seow, CEO of Philanthropy Asia Alliance, tells Audrey Tan and David Fogarty in this latest episode of Green Pulse. The end game is to de-risk and allow private capital to 'work its magic'. Have a listen, and let us know what you think! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:20 How are philanthropies responding to the different environmental agendas, and funding gaps, of governments? 6:14 To what extent are philanthropies in Asia focusing on climate and catalytic funding? 12:42 How is PAA bringing together different funders? 18:54 What other areas can be a focus for philanthropies interested in Asia? 21:20 For catalytic capital, what are the key concerns for philanthropists in Asia? 25:15 As climate risks grow, are more foundations and wealthy individuals knocking on PAA's door? Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: Read her articles: Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: Read his articles: Hosts: Audrey Tan ( audreyt@ ) & David Fogarty ( dfogarty@ ) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: Get more updates: The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store:
Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Can transition credits help SE Asia kick the coal habit?
How Asia can retire young coal plants early using transition credits and whether the market is ready. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM Green Pulse host and ST deputy foreign editor, David Fogarty looks at Asia's tough balancing act: meeting rising electricity demand while cutting emissions, and the role of transition credits in helping shut down young coal plants early. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM Green Pulse Podcast Can transition credits help SE Asia kick the coal habit? Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Carbon credits are increasingly regarded as a key way to accelerate investment in renewable energy in Asia while also shutting down polluting coal plants early. Burning coal is a top source of planet-warming CO2 and air pollution. Asia faces a major challenge of meeting its growing appetite for electricity while also curbing emissions growth. A further challenge: The average age of coal power plants in the region is about 15 years – when the plants have a life of up to 50 years. To compensate plant owners, a coalition of power companies, banks, governments and philanthropy have come together to embrace transition credits, which monetise each tonne of CO2 saved from shutting down a coal plant early. The money from credit sales helps pay for the renewable energy power generation that replaces the coal power plant. But how far are we from viable transition credit projects and the sale of these credits? And who will buy them? Join Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss these questions in this episode. Have a listen and let us know your thoughts! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:42 What are transition credits? 3:53 Are there any projects in the pipeline that could yield transition credits? 5:53 Any idea how much transition credits might be? 9:08 Who will be the main buyers? 11:46 What are the criticisms of transition credits? 16:19 The chicken-and-egg problem. Build the green power project first, credit money comes later. Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: Read her articles: Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: Read his articles: Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@ & David Fogarty (dfogarty@ Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: ST Podcast website: ST Podcasts YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: Google Play: --- Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
'Things are bad. But don't lose hope' - A Singapore climate scientist's view of the world
Many nations and businesses are still investing in climate action, with green energy seen as smart economics. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM Hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty in the ST podcast studio. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM Green Pulse Podcast 'Things are bad. But don't lose hope' - A Singapore climate scientist's view of the world Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. The world is in a very dangerous place, says Singapore climate scientist Professor Winston Chow. Right when nations need to be united in fighting climate change, we seem more divided than ever, more focused on what are perceived to be more pressing issues, from cost of living to hot wars and trade wars. But climate change is exacting an ever greater toll and is a today problem, not the 'tomorrow problem' that many policymakers believe, Prof Chow tells Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty Scorching heat, increasingly costly climate-linked disasters, melting ice caps and rising sea levels – these are threats that need much greater attention from policymakers, including in SE Asia. The good news is that many nations and businesses remain committed to investing in climate adaptation and cutting emissions, such as green energy investments. And sustainability isn't dead – it's just good economics to factor in the cost-benefits of greener investing, he says. Have a listen and let us know your thoughts! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 2:27 What is your feeling right now given the dark clouds on the climate and policy fronts? 8:41 What is the one thing that has alarmed you? 13:37 Does the average person really understand how serious things are? 18:24 How worried should we be in SE Asia? 20:55 But there is reason for optimism, too, isn't there? 25:59 What's your message for those in the climate space? 'Don't lose hope.' Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: Read her articles: Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: Read his articles: Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@ & David Fogarty (dfogarty@ Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: ST Podcast website: ST Podcasts YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: Google Play: --- Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Why is everyone talking about an Asean power grid?
A long-discussed regional power grid could help Southeast Asia meet rising energy demands while curbing carbon emissions driving climate change. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM Green Pulse Podcast Why is everyone talking about an Asean power grid? Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. Rapidly growing Asean is hungry for power to keep its economies humming. With electricity demand growth of 3 to 4 per cent a year, meeting that demand is a costly challenge for governments in the region. A regional grid, long-talked about, could help the region meet its energy needs while also putting a lid on growing carbon emissions that are heating up the planet. The regional grid could shift power around the region, helping move green electricity to countries less able to produce it. And the grid is becoming a reality, with Singapore's demand for low-carbon electricity imports helping drive investment. But wiring up the whole region will be expensive and large hurdles remain, including stronger policy support from regional governments, guaranteed power purchase agreements and lack of regional power trading networks. Join Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss these questions in this episode. Have a listen and let us know your thoughts! Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:52 The ASEAN power grid was first floated as an idea in 1997 but languished for years. 3:16 What are the key turning points that are helping make the grid a reality? 6:26 Lower air pollution, cheaper power are just some of the potential benefits 9:54 But high upfront costs of wiring up the region is a key challenge 14:48 What are some of the other challenges? 21:41 Blended finance and other funding sources are needed to come together to lure investors Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: Read her articles: Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: Read his articles: Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@ & David Fogarty (dfogarty@ Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: ST Podcast website: ST Podcasts YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: Google Play: --- Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
Sunday World
29-05-2025
- Sunday World
Fraudster jailed for four years over €120k ‘spree' selling machinery he didn't own
Judge says level of manipulation used by David Fogarty was 'simply outstanding' A businessman has been jailed for four years over a 'spree of deception' in which he conned machinery buyers out of over €120,000. A judge said David Fogarty (28) showed a 'simply outstanding' level of deceit and manipulation right up to the day he was imprisoned when he claimed to have €30,000 for his victims, which was not actually available. Clonmel Circuit Court heard how Fogarty, of Killea, Templemore, Co Tipperary, would dupe unsuspecting buyers up and down the country into paying thousands of euro for JCBs and mini-diggers that were not his to sell. He had pleaded guilty to charges of theft, deception and using a false instrument between 2021 and 2023. Fogarty also admitted to attempting to pervert the course of justice by using fake letters for addiction treatment to delay his court case. His victims lived in Donegal, Cork and Tipperary, with one man having to close his business and falling into depression after losing over €42,000 because of Fogarty's scam. Fogarty continued to offend while out on bail and defrauded another victim out of €33,000. In yesterday's sentencing hearing, the court was also informed that Fogarty had sums of €22,000 and €30,000 available to reimburse his victims, which the judge wanted verified. Following inquiries, Det Gda Mark Cullinane told the court that the sum of €30,000 was not available. David Fogarty News in 90 Seconds - May 29th Judge Catherine Staines later said that the 'level of deception, deceit and manipulation' shown by Fogarty 'is simply outstanding, even up to today'. Prosecution counsel Ed O'Mahoney had previously taken gardaí through the details of Fogarty's crimes. Det Gda Cullinane, of Thurles garda station, said one victim was at a loss of €42,000 in relation to the sale of two vehicles. Fogarty had sent pictures of a JCB telehandler to the buyer and used an invalid Vat number as evidence of ownership to sell it, even though it was not his. The buyer transferred €33,210 to Fogarty, but the vehicle was never delivered. In another deal about the same time, Fogarty came into possession of a mini-digger on finance using false identification and sold it to the same buyer for €8,850. The machine was later repossessed by the finance company and the buyer was at a loss. In another case, Fogarty was tasked with collecting a mini-digger for a man living in Schull, Co Cork, but instead sold it to a buyer in Roscrea for €8,000. Det Gda Donna Ferguson, of Letterkenny garda station, gave evidence of a buyer in Donegal inquiring about a mechanical lift vehicle being advertised online. A total of £36,900 (€42,649) was sent to Fogarty after the purchaser was shown a false bank document saying the finance on the vehicle had been cleared. As a result of fraud, the buyer had to close his business, was at a serious financial loss and now suffers from depression. Judge Staines said aggravating factors in the case were the sums of money involved, the impact on the victims and the 'spree of deception' Liam Carroll BL, defending, said his client wanted to apologise to his victims, and that he did not understand the 'stress' he had caused them. He said Fogarty was not offering any 'salacious excuse involving gambling or drugs', but that he was fearful prospective customers for his new business would not return. Counsel said the defendant became involved in a 'cycle of indebtedness' by taking money from two individuals for the same thing and trying to find alternative machinery in the meantime. Judge Staines said aggravating factors in the case were the sums of money involved, the impact on the victims and the 'spree of deception'. She also said Fogarty's 'lies, deception and manipulation know no balance' and that he went on to deceive the district and circuit courts by handing in false letters through third parties. Mitigating factors in the case were Fogarty's young age at the time of the offences, his guilty pleas and his apologies to those he deceived. She sentenced him to two years concurrently on most of the deception and theft counts, but ordered that he serve a concurrent two-year jail term over the Nenagh investigation because it was committed while he was on bail. After jailing Fogarty for a total of four years, the judge also praised the gardaí involved and acknowledged that the case took a huge amount of investigation and dedication.
