Southeast Asia's Clean Energy Transition

The country's energy transition makes economic sense but will require effective coordination and huge upfront investments, especially from the private sector.

At the G20 summit, the Energy Transition Mechanism Country Platform was launched and developed countries led by the United States and Japan also announced a US$20 billion package to Indonesia to help fund the coal-dependent country’s shift to renewable energy.

The International Energy Agency says all fossil fuels, including gas, must rapidly fall to reach net-zero emissions. Not everyone agrees. Market volatility and a record price surge is forcing Asia to consider expanding its gas pipeline.

Australian firm Sun Cable has applied with the Singapore government to import clean electricity via subsea cables, but it faces competition from other consortiums proposing to import electricity from Southeast Asia countries.

The latest announcement appears to signal that long-term plans for grid connectivity remain in place, despite a ban instated in June on renewable energy exports. Specific dates and plans for the megaproject remain unclear.

The city-state is pumping millions of dollars into hydrogen research, and looking to build a small power plant fuelled by hydrogen derivatives. Its 2030 climate target falls short of what scientists say is needed to keep the world liveable.

The near-term targets focus on carbon-intensive clients, but exclude agriculture and chemicals, which the bank says are too complex to measure and track.

The world's fourth largest renewables provider is looking to expand business in APAC, having already installed over 12 gigawatts of solar and wind projects in Europe and North America.

A 1,400 megawatt plant could close up to a year before its slated retirement in 2029. The state-owned firm also wants to re-fuel existing power infrastructure with hydrogen and capture a larger slice of the electric vehicle market.

GoTo sustainability head Tanah Sullivan tells the Eco-Business Podcast that regulating net-zero claims would decarbonise Southeast Asia faster. Indonesia's biggest internet firm aims to cut emissions to zero by 2030 — a target critics say is unrealistic.

Ambitious plans to transmit clean energy from India, China and Australia into Southeast Asia have been proposed in recent years. Eco-Business speaks with two energy experts on the prospects, challenges and ingredients for success.

Greenwashing has become a big problem for consumers, investors and regulators as brands spend millions on marketing their sustainability credentials. Eco-Business asked expert communicators Janissa Ng and James Lorenz why greenwashing is so dangerous, and what can be done to stop spin in sustainability communications.