ASEAN governments must urgently step up climate action ahead of looming Paris Agreement deadline
As the deadline for the submission of countries’ climate change action plans to the Paris agreement (NDCs) draws to a close, regional lawmakers urge ASEAN member states to review their climate ambitions. The situation is dire. According to the UN, instead of reaching the Paris Agreement goal of keeping the world’s global temperature increases to “well […]
‘No fish’: How dams and climate change are choking Asia’s great lake
For more than half a century, January meant prime fishing season for Pang Bin. He took his wooden boat out into Cambodia’s largest lake, his catches and their sales sustaining his family for much of the year. This month, the 75-year-old decided to call it quits, but not because of age or any health concerns. […]
Rising sea levels put ASEAN cities at risk
A recent report by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) evaluated economic projections against climate models and found a high magnitude of physical risks that 105 countries will experience in the next three decades. The study suggests that in order to address climate risks, both – adaptation measures and decarbonisation – is necessary. Today, at least 20 […]
Energy transition: ASEAN on track
In March last year, the World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the fifth edition of their Energy Transition Index (ETI), ranking 115 economies on how well they are able to balance energy security and access with environmental sustainability and affordability. The report considered both, the current state of the countries’ energy systems as well as their readiness […]
Energy Demand Fueling Southeast Asia’s Emerging Oil and Gas Industry
Energy demand in Southeast Asia is rising alongside economic growth. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy demand among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has grown by 80 percent since 2000. Looking ahead, the region’s energy demand is expected to grow another 60 percent between now and 2040. “Southeast Asia is set to become […]
Japan targets to invest US$3 billion in ASEAN
Japan is looking forward to mobilizing US$3 billion in fund in the nest three years from 2020 to 2022, Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Japanese government has targeted to invest US$3 billion in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region in the next three years, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said. “Japan is looking forward […]
Some SE Asian nations dither on joining India-based solar alliance
The India-headquartered International Solar Alliance’s (ISA’s) drive to co-opt countries from South-East Asia is facing problems with some countries holding back because of New Delhi’s decision to not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal, said two people aware of the development. Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, and Laos are yet […]
ASEAN quickly turning to renewable energy hub
Technological innovations and favourable government policies are among the four trends expected to drive Southeast Asia’s transition to renewable energy in the coming years. A report published by global auditing firm KPMG titled ‘The Renewable Energy Transition’ noted that while there are still 70 million ASEAN citizens without access to reliable electricity, the potential for […]
