Colleen Howe

About Me

I'm a business writer who's also covered the environment, energy, society, and more from Hong Kong and Singapore.

I started my career in Washington DC as an international relations grad turned commodities reporter, chronicling the decline of the US coal industry.

I speak Mandarin, German, Spanish, and some Cantonese.

Outside of work, I can usually be found on one of Hong Kong's many hiking trails or, pandemic permitting, in the dance studio.

News and Commentary

Here's a selection of published (and a few unpublished) works.

South China Morning Post • 21st September 2022

Why Asian businesses must hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Children play in the ocean near Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant in Gyeongju, South Korea, on August 21. Energy is the top concern for businesses in Asia, with rising prices driving up costs for firms even as countries such as Japan and South Korea move to embrace nuclear power. Photo: Reuters

South China Morning Post • 14th June 2022

As industrial metaverse use grows, the platform must remain open to all

An employee of Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries demonstrates a goat-like robot that can carry goods, in Tokyo, on March 9. By partnering with Microsoft for its industrial metaverse, the company plans to create a digital twin, or virtual replica, of its factories. Photo: Handout from Kawasaki Heavy Industries via Reuters

Eco-Business • 24th February 2022

Hong Kong grapples with growing mountains of quarantine hotel plastic waste

As Covid-19 cases in the territory break new records, Hong Kong's quarantine hotels are generating worrying levels of disposable plastic trash to feed, clothe and clean their guests. Many alarmed quarantinees say most of the waste is unnecessary and avoidable.

Eco-Business • 7th February 2022

The world’s biggest carbon market is inching towards launch

China’s long-awaited national carbon market will start this month, after a series of false starts to create the world’s largest emissions trading system.

South China Morning Post • 18th January 2022

The trends driving Asia’s start-up boom in 2022

With an abundance of capital and talent, Asia’s growing tech hubs are luring investors away from Silicon Valley.

24th November 2021

Are Saudi Aramco and Reliance Breaking Up?

I tried my hand at some financial commentary based on a recent piece of news involving two of Asia's biggest companies.

South China Morning Post • 19th October 2021

Why Asia’s CEOs fear inflation is a hurdle to recovery

CEOs in Asia fear that rising prices could dampen consumer sentiment.

Asia Business Council • 4th September 2021

Annual Survey 2021

This year’s survey indicated a historic rise in business optimism in Asia driven by a belief that the pandemic-driven downturn has finally hit bottom. Most businesses see demand for their products on the upswing. Yet this optimism is tempered by acknowledgement of external risks. Geopolitical tensions and the emergence of new and more dangerous virus variants are creating uncertainty for businesses. Even in economies that are performing well, businesses must cope with cost increases, supply chai

South China Morning Post • 21st July 2021

How business can help write the new rules of US-China engagement

Policymakers should continue to involve industry experts in discussions over where to draw the lines in bilateral engagement.

South China Morning Post • 19th May 2021

Carbon neutral by 2050: how Hong Kong could be a leader in green hydrogen

As Hong Kong goes carbon neutral, CLP is looking to deploy hydrogen in its power plants.