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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
New deal to support investments in sustainable infrastructure in Southeast Asia

The Asian Development Bank has signed an agreement with the World Economic Forum to accelerate the funding of sustainable infrastructure development projects in Southeast Asia. ADB and WEF will accelerate the flow of private and public finance through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Read more about sustainability here ASEAN is owned by the […]