Call for pitches: Sustainable development in Southeast Asia

Topics of interest

Critical and transition minerals in Southeast Asia:
• Rising demand for extraction and debates over value capture and innovation
• Emerging technologies, including potential implications for resource extraction and use
• Environmental impacts of mining and how these may be limited or mitigated
• Recycling of critical minerals

Clean energy transitions in Southeast Asia:
• Chinese financing for fossil fuels and renewables after the coal exit pledge
• National and subnational climate policies in the context of Paris+10 years
• Just energy transition partnerships (in Indonesia, Vietnam and beyond)

Transboundary water:
• Development and impacts of dams on the Mekong, Salween and Irrawaddy rivers and their tributaries, including the role of Chinese finance
• Transboundary cooperation on shared water resources, including the politics of the Mekong River Commission and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism
• Impacts of climate change on major rivers and Tonle Sap

Biodiversity conservation:
• Protected areas, including the CBD 30×30 pledge and its implementation and related questions of land and Indigenous rights
• Extraction of fossil fuels and critical minerals from ‘protected’ areas
• Wildlife trade and trafficking

Pollution and plastics:
• Development of the global plastics treaty and its implications for the region, including the informal waste sector
• Impacts of plastic pollution on waterways, soil and public health
• Regional waste trade, including with China

The environment in contexts of conflict and political change:
• Impacts of conflict on development, resource use and the environment
• Environmental commitments and ambition under changing governance

Context

We are looking for journalists to help shine a light on these topics in a way that encourages healthy debate. We are looking for reporters who are skilled at writing about these subjects with nuance and sensitivity for a global audience. We are looking for original story ideas and are unlikely to publish a story that has been covered extensively elsewhere, unless it offers a clear new angle or development.

Requirements

Journalist profile: We prioritise commissioning local journalists with proven experience in environmental journalism. However, we will consider pitches from journalists based in the region with a good track record covering the above issues
Perspective: Stories should emphasise the importance of sustainable practices and innovative solutions in addressing environmental and development challenges in the region
Region: Focus on countries within Southeast Asia – can be one country or multiple
Format: In-depth articles, features, investigative reports, or narrative storytelling.
Length: 1,000-1200 words per article
Pitch deadline:  Rolling. Please note we will be assigning/commissioning stories on a continuous basis

Compensation

Rates are $380 USD per article. We pay substantially more for multimedia assignments; journalists must have a portfolio of multimedia work to be considered for these. 

How to pitch

Submit your pitch to us by clicking through and reaching out to the relevant editor (Fidelis, Tyler or Soraya). Include a brief description of your story, your approach and any relevant background information.

We look forward to your submissions and are excited to work with you to highlight these critical issues!