What are Gojek’s plans for going green?

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Hi readers,

I’ve been having a bit of an existential crisis lately, and one of the things that’s been on my mind is the question of climate change. The undeniable reality is that the planet is dying, and it feels like everyone’s just grasping at straws trying to do their part to help save the Earth, whether it’s by reducing their use of plastic bags, foregoing disposable cutlery, or taking the bus instead of driving.

But the truth is, only a small fraction of the damage being done to the environment comes from individuals. Corporations are a significant, if not the most significant, contributor to climate change, and the heat is on for them to step up and start making changes for the survival of the planet.

Today we look at,

• How Gojek wants to go green – and what’s standing in its way
• What this biotech firm plans on doing with its fresh funding
• Other newsy highlights such as Nium’s newest acquisition and Didi’s continued woes

PREMIUM SUMMARY

Go green, Gojek!

With climate change becoming an increasingly irreversible reality, companies around the globe are taking steps toward a greener, more sustainable future. Indonesian ride-hailing giant Gojek is on board with this idea, with the goal of achieving zero waste and zero emissions by 2030.

• Inseparable and undeniable: All ride-hailing firms have to contend with the question of carbon emissions. After all, when you’re in the business of moving people, food, and goods around, these emissions are, at present, an inevitable part of the process.
• Sing the vehicles electric: Gojek’s top priority right now is getting its driver-partners on board with electric vehicles (EVs) in order to reduce its carbon footprint. But it won’t be easy: EVs are more expensive than regular motorbikes, and Indonesia also presents infrastructural challenges around vehicle charging that would hold adoption back.
• Not just about emissions: Another area Gojek aims to tackle is the waste produced by its food delivery and logistics services. Its merger with Tokopedia has opened up conversations about the ecommerce major’s contributions to sustainability, although it’s early days yet.

Read more: What it takes for Gojek to go entirely green.

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

This biotech startup bags the bucks

Ka-ching! Singapore-based biotech firm Allozymes has raised US$5 million in a seed round led by Xora Innovation, the deep science investment arm of Temasek Holdings. Other investors that participated in the round include SOSV, TI Platform Management, and Entrepreneur First.