Climate and Energy in Southeast Asia | Heinrich Böll Foundation | Southeast Asia Regional Office

Climate and Energy in Southeast Asia

This web-dossier explores climate and energy issues in Thailand and Southeast Asia. It contains analyses, features, research and other multimedia materials from regional experts, academics, journalists and our partners.

Garden by The Bay

Plugging Singapore into the ASEAN Power Grid

More than two decades after the ASEAN power grid became a regional commitment, it is far from being a network for transboundary trade in electricity. But this year, Singapore will finally receive electricity from Laos’ hydroelectric power.

Building Resilience across Southeast Asia

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Climate Change and Disasters in the Philippines

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Decarbonization, the Southeast Asian Way

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New Energy Ecosystem Can Aggravate Existing Inequalities If Gender Gap Is Not Addressed

Gender and Climate Change: Snapshots from Southeast Asia

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“It’s a clear signal that the Asian Development Bank is finally, finally moving away from coal.”

Paper Series on Energy Landscapes in Southeast Asia

COVID-19 Stimulus and Improving Energy Transition in Malaysia: Analysis and Recommendation

This research examines Malaysia’s COVID-19 economic recovery plans and the extent to which they support a socially just, clean energy transition in the country. Despite government acknowledgement that a sustainable recovery can help transition to a climate resilient economy, provide jobs, and improve productivity, the study finds that the proportion of financing given to green initiatives in Malaysia’s pandemic stimulus packages is limited.

Think Global Act Local: Exploring the Role of Community Renewable Energy in National Achievement of an Inclusive, Just Energy Transition

In this paper, we argue that renewable energy offers more than simply technological benefits to the energy sector; it also offers an opportunity for distributed energy resources (mini-grids, roof top solar) and community ownership and management of energy resources to advance national power development agendas. We draw on case studies from Cambodia and Vietnam to demonstrate that decentralized renewable energy options can provide rural communities with clean and affordable electricity that also offer a range of social, economic, environmental, technological and political benefits.

Community Mobilization for Energy Security: A Case Study of the Danu Self-Administered Zone in Myanmar

Myanmar’s energy planning is highly centralized. The state-managed energy infrastructure has struggled to meet growing demand for electricity and connect populations living in remote regions to the national electricity grid. The 2021 military coup has further undermined the centralized energy system. This paper highlights ongoing exclusions in energy access and evaluates the limitations of centralized electrification, before turning to examine the viability of decentralized offgrid energy options in Myanmar.

Sustainable Energy from an Unsustainable Source: The Need for Safeguards in Manganese Extraction for Renewable Energy in Indonesia

Manganese mining is one of the key elements for innovative development of renewable energy. While low-carbon energy innovations are certainly needed, the sustainability aspects of mining must be taken into account in the search for raw materials. However, existing mining operations are alarming due to their social and environmental impacts.

Southeast Asia's Energy and Climate Profiles

In terms of renewables, hydropower still dominates the regional energy landscape at 63% of renewable energy sources, while solar and wind energy contributed only 9% to the ASEAN energy mix in 2029. This publication briefly describes some key background notes, highlighting the Southeast Asia region’s energy profile, energy poverty, and climate change vulnerability.

Southeast Asia’s Road to Recovery: Towards a Just Regional Energy Transition

This report offers a valuable opportunity to the public and civil society organizations to encourage and push their governments to change the trajectory by which energy is generated, distributed, and accessed. It suggests opening energy systems to more democratic processes that enable people and communities to access sufficient, affordable, reliable, and renewable energy of their choice.

Hope and Absurdity at COP26 Glasgow

COP26 in Glasgow, postponed by one year to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, represented the first major test of the Paris Agreement. Given the significance of COP26, it was essential that it be inclusive so that the views and experiences of civil society, youth, indigenous peoples, trade unions, especially those from the Global South who are already experiencing climate impacts, be heard and considered in the negotiations and decision-making.

By Julian Theseira

Unpacking COP24 and its implications for Southeast Asia

COP23 Bonn: The Climate Commitments and ASEAN

COP 21 and the Paris Agreement: A Force Awakened

E-Papers on NDCs of Southeast Asia

An Assessment of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the States of Southeast Asia

This assessment aims to present a brief analysis of the NDCs of each state in Southeast Asia and provides insight into how a future ‘decarbonized’ region might look like.

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An Assessment of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) In-depth Country Focus

This assessment aims to present an analysis of three Southeast Asian states’ NDCs, namely Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand, thereby providing insight into how a future ‘decarbonized’ picture might look like in these countries.

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Coal Assets Stranded in Southeast Asia

Bangui Mills, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines

Southeast Asia: Hotspot for Renewables or Dumping Ground for Coal?

Energy Transition in Southeast Asia and Vietnam's Role as ASEAN Chair 2020

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Code Red for Southeast Asia: ASEAN’s Climate and Energy Challenge

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlines the urgency for ASEAN countries to respond, individually and collectively. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has captured resources and attention, commitments to addressing climate change will lead to longer-term resilience for the region.

By Denise Fontanilla

Renewable Energy in ASEAN

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Exposing the “Clean Energy” Myths of ADB and AIIB

ADB Announces Coal Exit in Draft Energy Policy

Sustainable Electricity Scenarios in Southern Thailand and the Lower Mekong Countries

The Coal Situation in Thailand and Strategic Environmental Assessment

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Short and Long-Term Solutions to Bangkok’s Ever-Growing Vulnerability to Floods and Other Climate Risks

Ten years ago, Thailand faced its worst ever flooding which killed over 800 and caused over US$45 billion in damage. The floods inundated large swathes of Bangkok and the surrounding areas for two months. This year Thailand once again experienced widespread flooding, affecting over one million and killing nine people.

Building Climate Resilience in Southeast Asian Secondary Cities

Southeast Asia is urbanizing rapidly, with cities in the region growing five times faster than in other regions of the world. As in most of Asia, urban growth in the region in the coming decades is projected to occur mainly in smaller urban centres. These cities, however are often highly vulnerable to the risks posed by climate change, particularly floods, droughts, and sea-level rise, because of their geographical locations.

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Nuclear Power Trend in Southeast Asia and Its Contested Discourses on Climate Change

Currently, there is no nuclear power station that operating commercial electricity in Southeast Asian countries. However, pro-nuclear comes up with many reasons aiming to materialize the nuclear power which ranging from growing of domestic power demand to boost economic activities, reducing the electricity cost – in the case of the Philippines[3], to producing no Green House Gases emission, in particularly CO2.

By Tipakson Manpati

Should Nuclear Power Have a Future in Thailand?

Why Go Nuclear, Philippines?

anti nuclear demonstrators

Voices from Thai Local Communities: Nuclear Is Not the Option for Thailand

Climate of Change: The Struggle for Renewable Energy in Southeast Asia

at Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin, November 8, 2017

Nguy Thi Khanh, GreenID, Vietnam, Suphakit Nuntavorakarn, Healthy Public Policy Foundation, Thailand, Kyi Phyo, Mekong Energy and Ecology Network, Myanmar

Moderation: Richard Fuchs, Journalist

Institutional and Governance Aspect of the Energy Transition: Case of Thailand

With strong influences from fossil fuel industries on these policy mechanisms, real changes will occur only with strong push from many stakeholders and the public. Over the last ten to twenty years, there are a lot of progress on policy, planning, and actions on energy efficiency and renewable energy in the country. But with the political and governance context of Thailand, it may take many more years until the policy mechanisms in Thailand will work in favor of the transition to the energy system based on renewables. energy.

By Suphakit Nuntavorakarn

Nguy Thi Khanh: Changing the world for the better

Vietnamese environmental activist Nguy Thi Khanh, co-founder and executive director of the Green Innovation and Development Centre Vietnam, was honored with the Goldman Environmental Prize. Lars Blume and Do Minh Tam from GreenID celebrate her work and explore Vietnam’s energy transition.

By Lars Blume and Do Minh Tam

Contributors

Laurence L. Delina

Assistant Professor at the Division of Environment and Sustainability, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Johanna Son

Bernadinus Steni

Environmental lawyer

Eunice Barbara C. Novio

Journalist, editor, author and lecturer at Vongchavalitkul University, Thailand

Danny Marks

Assistant Professor of Environmental Politics and Policy in the School of Law and Government of Dublin City University

Wanwalee Inpin

Acting Dean of School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand,

Oudom Ham

Climate activist and consultant

Kyungmee Kim

Researcher at Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Climate Change and Risk Programme

Kyi Phyo

Energy researcher and co-founder of the Foundation of Renewable Energy and Ecology

Tien Le

AMPERES Water Research Analyst

Tarek Ketelsen

Director General at AMPERES

Kaneka Keo

Inclusion Project Manager at Oxfam’s Mekong Regional Water Governance Program.

Fathi Rayyan

Policy & Research Coordinator for Malaysian Youth Delegation

Socheata Sim

Program Manager of Oxfam’s Mekong Regional Water Governance Program

Felix A. Culas

Policy & Research at Malaysian Youth Delegation

Tipakson Manpati

Suphakit Nuntavorakarn

Expert on Public Policy and Renewable Energy

Titiwetaya Yaikratok

Assistant Manager at Healthy Public Policy Foundation

Renato Redentor Constantino

Executive Director of Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC)

Denise Fontanilla

Associate for Policy Advocacy for the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities

Lars Blume

Expert on Renewable Energy and Energy Transition

Gerry Arances

Executive Director of the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED), the Philippines

Do Minh Tam

Renewable Energy Expert & Master Candidate on Public Policy Analysis at Fulbright University Vietnam

Tri Sulistyo Saputro

Environmentalist and Researcher on Gender and Environment

Annabel Perreras

Policy Advocacy Coordinator for AIIB at the NGO Forum on ADB

Julian Theseira

Climate Activist and Policy Researcher, Malaysia

Khuong Minh Phuong

PhD Student at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Lecturer at Electric Power University, Vietnam

Shaviera Indriyati

Master Student of Development Management at the Ruhr University Bochum

Lili Fuhr

Department Head Ecology and Sustainable Development

Asian Research Institute for Environmental Law

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