Coal-dependent countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines should address power systems dominated by existing coal plants, which hinder investment in new geothermal projects, said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Centre for Energy.
Asean’s official energy outlook, endorsed by its energy ministers on 8 October, reveals a gap between the region’s energy plans and its members’ net-zero pledges, and allows new coal plants to be built even in its lowest-emissions scenario.
Earthshot Prize finalist Satellites on Fire uses AI, satellite imagery and ground data to detect blazes earlier, and is now discussing potential projects in Indonesia as its fires blanket parts of Southeast Asia in haze.
But the framework’s contribution to Philippine climate ambition remains uncertain, as the country’s updated pledge lacks a 1.5°C-aligned decarbonisation pathway and clarity on how much of its conditional target will be met through carbon markets, says civil society.