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Why ASEAN Holds the Key to the Global Clean Energy Transition
ASEAN’s commitment to net-zero is crucial for global environmental targets, despite its current fossil fuel dependency. The region faces an energy crisis but has strong decarbonization goals. With abundant renewable resources and raw materials for clean energy, ASEAN can transition by reforming policies, dismantling fossil fuel subsidies, and attracting investment. International support is vital to ease the financial burden.
Abstract
- ASEAN, the world’s fourth-largest energy consumer, faces pressure to decarbonize while meeting growing energy demand. With fossil fuels comprising 83% of its energy mix, most member states have committed to net zero by 2050, though the transition requires significant policy reform, removal of fossil fuel subsidies, and a stable investment climate.
- The region holds natural advantages, including abundant renewable resources and raw materials such as nickel, bauxite, and rare earth elements critical to clean energy. International financial support and investment are considered essential to easing the transition, with equity and climate justice increasingly central to global cooperation on decarbonization efforts.
By embracing clean energy, ASEAN can achieve sustainable growth and contribute significantly to meeting the Paris Agreement goals, transforming current challenges into long-term prosperity and a healthier planet.
- The actions of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be critical to meeting global environmental targets.
- The region is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, but states are committed to achieving net zero.
- The international community needs to support states in making that transition.
We are in the midst of an energy crisis the likes of which we haven’t seen since the 1970s. The decisions leaders make now about decarbonization will determine our collective future. Get it right, and we can transform short-term upheaval into long-term sustainability. Get it wrong, and we will struggle to meet our environmental targets, specifically the Paris Agreement target of global carbon emissions reaching net zero by 2050.
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is South-East Asia’s regional trading and political bloc. Its actions are vitally important to how we get through this crisis, and could be a deciding factor in humanity’s future. ASEAN is the world’s fourth-largest energy consumer. Its current energy structure is skewed towards traditional forms of power generation, with fossil fuels making up 83% of its energy mix, and energy demand is expected to increase.
This means that the energy crisis has disproportionately affected the bloc, exposing ASEAN member countries to increasing economic, energy security and geopolitical risks. The conundrum that the bloc’s leaders now face is how to secure energy supplies to develop the region’s economies, while also decarbonizing them.
The good news is that many of ASEAN’s 10 member states show a strong commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. Only the Philippines has not yet committed to net zero by 2050, while Indonesia has set a target of 2060. All forecasts – and just the sheer practicalities of such a large transition – suggest achieving net zero won’t be easy. There is no one solution, and each country will have to pursue its own policies, depending on its priorities. A major shift away from the emissions generated by coal power generation sits at the center of change, the step change in efficiency and deployment of low carbon technologies can complement the transition.
ASEAN is also rich in the raw materials required for clean energy products. These include bauxite, nickel, tin and rare earth elements, which can variously be found throughout the region, particularly Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand. In addition, Malaysia and Viet Nam are among the world’s largest solar modules’ makers.
To capitalise on these – and other – advantages, ASEAN’s leaders will have to show an unwavering commitment to supporting and funding the green agenda. Investors will be looking for energy sector reform, including the dismantling of fossil fuel subsidies, and a hospitable investment and regulatory climate. This is important because international support and external investment will reduce some of the financial burden and risk that comes with developing and scaling up new technologies. This is emerging, as evidenced by the arrangements other countries are making with those ASEAN states that are piloting green hydrogen systems for power provision.
As the recent COP27 meeting underlined, those nations that have the means to invest in, and support, emerging economies in their policies to accelerate the energy transition should do so. Equity and justice are becoming interwoven into climate action, along with help to develop and implement clean energy policy and mobilize finance for clean energy schemes.
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