Key Highlights
- The Philippines leads ASEAN’s 2026 Chairship with a focus on just and inclusive energy transition
Under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”, the Philippines is guiding ASEAN’s 2026 agenda with a commitment to strengthen regional resilience and drive people-centred progress. A Just and Inclusive Energy Transition has been affirmed as the central pillar of ASEAN cooperation this year. - Major clean energy investments secured across multiple ASEAN Member States
Viet Nam attracted a EUR 560 million EU investment package for green energy and sustainable transport, while Indonesia received a USD 30 million loan from FinDev Canada for renewable energy access. Singapore allocated SGD 235 million to promote green jobs and SGD 800 million over five years for low-carbon research and innovation. - AMS deepen climate cooperation with Japan through bilateral frameworks and joint energy projects
Singapore signed an Energy, Sustainability, and Climate Change Cooperation Framework with Japan, focusing on carbon capture, offshore wind, and cross-border electricity. Indonesia and Cambodia also signed separate agreements with Japan covering clean energy projects, joint carbon credit mechanisms, and biomass investments. - Carbon markets and carbon pricing mechanisms advancing across the region
Viet Nam established its first domestic carbon trading exchange framework, while Indonesia’s national carbon registry is set to fully launch by mid-2026. Malaysia is planning a carbon pricing mechanism for its iron, steel, and energy sectors, and Singapore launched joint carbon credit projects with both Thailand and Bhutan under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. - New regional and international initiatives support ASEAN’s clean energy transition
UNESCAP launched the Energy Transition for Green Growth and Prosperity (ETGGP), a three-year initiative backed by over USD 4 million in pledges to support Southeast Asia’s clean energy shift. Thailand also approved a cooperation plan with the IEA for 2026–2027, while the Philippines and the UK committed to joint action on renewable energy, climate finance, and the blue economy.
The Climate Insight series is a quarterly publication series highlighting Energy & Climate news in ASEAN. Developed by the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT).