Year: 2026

The shift to electric vehicles (EV) must go beyond the narrow “zero-emissions” narrative. Mobility must be both clean and just. For this to happen, we must look at the full life cycle of batteries, from extraction to disposal. Developed with the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, this report by the Consumers’ Association of Penang, "Electric Vehicle Battery End-of-Life...

A healthy economy shouldn’t create overflowing waste. When things are made to be used once and thrown away, the problem does not end in the trash bin. It moves into landfills, waterways, soil, and the air. It also means more raw materials have to be taken, processed, shipped, and replaced again. A circular economy looks at waste differently. It keeps materials in use for longer through repair,...

Ever notice how the temperature drops 10 degrees the second you walk under a big tree? That’s not a coincidence. That’s nature doing the job we keep trying to replace with asphalt and parking lots. We’ve turned our cities into heat islands by removing the very things designed to cool them down. The solution isn't some high-tech miracle — it's right outside. Plant a tree. Restore the...

Ghost fishing nets are rapidly emerging as one of the most destructive yet overlooked threats to Malaysia’s marine ecosystem. These abandoned nets left drifting or entangled beneath the surface are the direct result of irresponsible fishing practices. As highlighted in recent news, the persistence of such behaviour raises serious concern as to whether it stems from a lack of awareness or a...

As the world marks World Environment Day on Friday, 5 June 2026, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) joins the international community in recognising the urgent need for stronger environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable development.   Hosted this year by the Republic of Azerbaijan in Baku, the theme “Inspired by Nature. For  Climate. For Our Future.” reflects the...

A new United Nations report warns that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence could place huge pressure on the planet's resources. AI data centres may consume water needed by 1.3 billion people by 2030, the report says. Unless governments heed the rising environmental costs of AI, the rapid rollout could also strain scarce land resources and create mountains of electronic waste, the report...