Articles
MHI Greenwashing Tactics Demand Closer Scrutiny
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is pushing its net-zero emissions by 2040 pledge at full force. But, its strategy includes relying on gas-fired power projects, questionable carbon capture technology and profiting as a major carbon credit broker. These tactics demand closer media scrutiny and overall environmental monitoring.
European Green Deal: What Asia Can Learn
Following the shining example of EU member states and designing policies similar to the European Green Deal can help developing Asia build a more resilient, sustainable and cost-efficient energy system.
Taiwan’s LNG Development Overpowers Its Renewables Ambitions
The Taiwanese government has earmarked some USD 32 billion for renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) investments to move the country’s energy development in the right direction. However, it also continues a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) build-out as part of its long-term energy mix strategy, putting the country in an energy supply and climate mitigation quandary.
G7 Gas Move a Likely Nod to US and Japanese Interests
The G7 just concluded its meeting in Hiroshima. The group made several decisions impacting the global energy sector, including further reliance on coal-fired power projects and a problematic call to continue gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) investment. These decisions come in light of long-term US and Japanese gas interests and development.
Natural Gas Forecast 2023: Demand in Asia to Bounce Back
While natural gas prices are expected to remain low, they would still be above their historical averages. As a result, Asian countries' imports would still be costly, even in an ideal world without any market volatility.
Thailand’s LNG Development Is Not The Way Forward For Its Energy Sector
Thailand is one of the few Asian countries ramping up LNG procurement as prices for the fuel dip. This comes as it needs gas to drive a post-COVID economic recovery. However, lower prices are only part of the story. The other part is that Thailand is a natural gas-based economy.
The G7’s Responsibility to Help Bangladesh and Other Climate-affected Countries
At the approaching 2023 G7 meeting, the world expects global leaders to address the elephant in the room: fossil fuel phase-out. The G7 must set an example and develop a unified vision to help address climate change – an issue heavily impacting developing nations.
Renewable Energy Projects in the Philippines: 100% Foreign Ownership Authorised
The Philippines' drive to ramp up its renewable energy sector is a step in the right direction. However, it needs even more renewable energy development and investment. The government must also make a net zero by 2050 pledge to catch up to its regional neighbours.
The Renewable Energy Policy in Vietnam Risks Deterring Investors
Maintaining a healthy ongoing dialogue with clean energy investors and project developers is critical if Vietnam is to get back on track and continue stunning the world with its renewable energy progress.
Energy Security in Bangladesh is Threatened by Fossil Fuels
The fossil fuel dependence of Bangladesh has significantly impacted its economy. The country should no longer bear the exorbitant power costs and unreliable supply, especially when better, cleaner and cheaper options exist.
Japan’s Ammonia Plans Threaten the Carbon Emissions Reduction of Southeast Asia
Aside from a few positive outcomes, the G7 ministerial meeting ended disappointingly due to a final communique with vague wording and weak commitments. This sets the stage for Japan to continue doing business as usual.
How the Unreliability and Unpredictability of Fossil Fuels Hurt Bangladesh
Bangladesh has suffered enough from fossil fuel import dependence and has experienced first-hand how the dirtiest fuels affect the climate. However, thanks to its clean energy potential, the country holds the keys to an independent and sustainable future.
G7 Summit 2023: What to Expect
Japan is hosting the G7 summit for 2023 in Hiroshima. It will be a pivotal meeting for climate action as Japan continues to fall out of step with fellow G7 nations. Will Japan use its presidency to continue this trend or make changes?
The Electricity Sector in Bangladesh: What Comes Next?
Transitioning the power sector in Bangladesh towards renewable energy would unlock massive benefits for the country, its economy and society.
New WMO Report: The Extreme Weather Events Impacting the World
The new report showed that climate change's impacts are being felt across the globe with no signs of slowing down.
Taiwan’s Tech Giant TSMC’s Net Zero Pathway Falls Short
Giant chipmaker TSMC is facing a backlash over its enormous fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions, even as much of the global tech sector cleans up its carbon footprint.
Japan’s ‘Green Transformation’ (GX) Is Stacked With Fossil Fuel-based Technology
Japan is promoting its green energy transformation, but it's a false narrative since it still includes liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal and fossil fuel-based technology. Japan must also quickly set forth a formal coal reduction and elimination plan before it hosts the next G7 meeting in May.
Fossil Fuel Imports Risk Japan’s Energy Security
Japan has low domestic fossil fuel production yet relies on fossil fuels for most of its energy. High dependence on foreign imports is creating energy security concerns. However, Japan remains seemingly uncommitted to completely phasing out fossil fuels, lagging behind other G7 nations.
G7 Ministers’ Meeting 2023: What Is the Desired Outcome?
The G7 Climate and Energy Ministerial Meeting is shaping up to be a roadshow for Japan's questionable technologies. If the world is to stand a chance in limiting climate change to 1.5°C, the G7 reject the proposals, speed up coal phase-out and limit gas investments.
Malaysia’s Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities
Malaysia has great potential for clean energy alternatives like solar and hydropower. On paper, its energy transition is already mapped out. The question is whether it will follow this path or lock itself into a future of fossil fuel energy dependence.
Cost and Viability Plague Carbon Capture and Storage in the Power Sector
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is being pushed as a decarbonisation pathway for the power sector. However, all commercial-scale CCS projects paired with thermal power plants have underperformed, and costs are prohibitively high. Alternatively, wind and solar are both proven, cost-efficient technologies. Investors and decision-makers need to refocus their efforts on transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Wind Energy in Vietnam – Opportunities and Potential
Vietnam has already established itself as one of the world's most notable clean energy success stories. However, to retain that crown, the country needs to incentivise foreign financiers.
Japan-Vietnam Energy Relations: Opportunities and Risks
Vietnam needs a partner that will prioritise its decarbonisation and access to affordable and ready-to-be deployed solutions to make the most of its clean energy potential. It doesn't need to be pushed towards distracting technologies with questionable decarbonisation credentials. The approach that Japan will take in its cooperation remains to be seen.
The Future of Earth is at Risk: Thanks to Climate Change
The last IPCC report for the next few years gives a sobering assessment that the world is running out of time to tame the climate crisis. However, it also notes that the solutions are there for the taking.
The IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2023: Methane Emissions Reduction No Longer Complicated or Expensive
The IEA's latest report, which includes valuable recommendations and an actionable roadmap for curbing methane emissions. It proves that the oil and gas industry and governments now have all the means to start working on methane emissions reduction.
The Future of Natural Gas In Asia
A recent ERIA-backed workshop calls for more natural gas usage in Asia until at least 2050. However, energy economics, long-term economic stability and climate mitigation dynamics throw doubt on those conclusions.
Asia’s Role in the Russia-Ukraine War: One Year Later
A little over a year after the start of the war in Ukraine, CREA's data reveals that countries continue actively buying Russian fossil fuels, with Asian nations among the leading contributors to Russia's state budget.
Energy Transition Technologies: Deficiencies of the Japan-led Guidelines
Recent guidelines on transition technologies for Asia, influenced by Japanese energy policies, promote CCUS and ammonia co-firing in the power sector. As a result, they risk derailing the decarbonisation efforts of SEA countries and the financing institutions investing in transition technologies.
China’s Fossil Fuel Addiction and the Green Transition
China's renewables development leads the world by a more than a two-to-one ratio, but its fossil fuel usage still accounts for more than 50% of its power production needs, creating the world’s highest GHG emissions.
Greenwashing Ads: Fossil Fuel Giants Dominate Social Media
Social media platforms are proving the perfect environment for the oil and gas industry to run greenwashing campaigns. Without swift and adequate action, tech companies risk becoming complicit partners in delaying and derailing necessary climate action.
Driving Change: The Story of Electric Vehicles in Indonesia
The EV transition is taking the world by storm. While emerging markets remain the last bastion of legacy automakers, they will soon also embrace the transport industry's electrification. And Indonesia promises to be among the best examples of the EV revolution.
Japan’s Hydrogen Plans: A Closer Look
Japan is basing much of its 2050 net-zero goals on hydrogen development without clearly defining what it considers "clean hydrogen". As such, its hydrogen plans mostly rely on blue hydrogen, which still involves burning fossil fuels.
Global LNG Outlook 2023: Is There a Future for LNG?
Global LNG markets will remain volatile for the rest of the decade, negatively impacting Southeast Asia. The region's carbon emissions-intensive gas-to-power build-out exacerbates the problem. With a myriad of problems from LNG and gas-to-power usage, energy economics dictate that renewables development is the best path for Southeast Asia.
Japanese Technology Expansion: Southeast Asia Pays the Price
This year's G7 meeting, which Japan will chair, remains an important moment for its international credibility in the battle against the climate crisis.
Companies’ Climate Pledges: A New Report Unveils the Reality
While no company is perfect, there are clear leaders that others should strive to follow. In the end, decarbonisation should be a common goal that can only succeed through collective efforts. And there is no sector better positioned to lead the global efforts in addressing climate change than the tech industry.
Go Clean ICBC: Fossil Fuels Continue to Dominate the Investments of Chinese Banks
China and its state and privately owned banks' continued support for coal projects are the main lifeline for the dirtiest fuel. However, with global decarbonisation efforts underway, supporting projects like these can also bear massive financial and reputational risks.
Bangladesh Grapples With Adani Over One-sided Power Deal
Bangladesh finds itself in an expensive coal-fired power plant deal with Adani. Not only is the deal not in the best interests of Bangladesh, it needs to be replaced by cleaner and cheaper renewables development.
South Korea’s Energy Mix and Its 10th Basic Energy Plan
South Korea's decarbonisation progress so far makes hitting its 2030 and 2050 targets unrealistic. In its current form, the 10th Basic Energy Plan that will come into force this year is unlikely to change that. The country needs more ambitious renewable energy targets, a sentiment also echoed by South Korea's biggest businesses.
Clean Energy Technologies 2023: Opportunities and Risks of the New Energy Economy
The clean energy revolution is well and truly underway and, China alone won't be able to satisfy the demand for renewable energy technologies. At the same time, investors are hungry for investments. By shaping carefully crafted industrial strategies and welcoming regulatory policies, Asian countries can position themselves for sustainable growth while decarbonising their economies.
The Global Cooksafe Coalition and the Mission to Accelerate the Switch From Gas to Sustainable Cooking
Cooking with gas is associated with health, climate and financial concerns. The mission of the Global Cooksafe Coalition is to help households worldwide overcome them by transitioning to electric and induction cooking.
Climate Change In South Asia and the Reality of Loss and Damage
Climate change has taken a hefty toll on South Asia in 2022. While the sub-continent has always been prone to extreme weather events, the past year was especially dramatic.
Gas Demand Destruction to Give Way to More Renewable Energy Development
The cost of the LNG used for power production and the industrial sector could be devising in its own downfall due to gas demand destruction.
The Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy For Asian Countries
At a time of soaring inflation, exorbitant fossil fuel prices, unreliable power supplies and a never-ending energy crisis, Asian countries should start considering the economic benefits of renewable energy.
COP27 Egypt and the Outlook For Natural Gas in Asia
COP27 has shown that while gas won't be going away soon, its faith is already determined. And Asian countries should be aware of that.
High Energy Prices Wreak Havoc on Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani Economies
Before Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan had set their hopes on LNG to diversify their respective power generation mixes away from an overreliance on coal. However, record high LNG prices in the Asia-Pacific region, for both spot procurement and LNG indexed to crude oil, have wreaked havoc on these countries.
Global Inflation 2022: The Culprit – Fossil Fuel Prices
Aside from taking a toll on the climate and the environment, fossil fuels are also bearing massive financial and economic risks, including stranded infrastructure, cascading inflation and unstable energy supplies.
Climate Negotiations Agenda at COP27 2022
Leaders at COP27 should look at climate change as a way to foster geopolitical stability and unite the disjointed world powers to overcome the energy, food and climate crises.
COP27 Priorities: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Mitigation is critical to minimise the risk of climate change's worst impacts, but failing to fund adaptation will take a toll on the most vulnerable. Both aspects should be priorities for COP27.
Climate Change Impacts Are Worsening in 2022 and COP27 and G20 Leaders Need to Respond
A new study reveals the massive proportion of climate disasters all across the world, proving that no country is safe from climate change's impacts. Climate financing for mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage should be central to the COP27 and G20 meeting agendas later this year.
Climate Change in Japan: The Role of Japanese Companies
Japanese companies can be a real driving force in the country’s decarbonisation journey. The government, on the other hand, has to set more ambitious targets. Only by working together can the state and the private sector accelerate Japan's net-zero transition.
The Transition to Clean Cooking: How to Replace Gas?
While gas has long been considered a clean cooking fuel, research shows that it can impact health. This, paired with the high gas prices, the global net-zero journey is making countries around the world look for alternatives. Induction and electric stoves can be the solution. And the renewable energy transition is starting to prove it.
Using Gas for Cooking in Asia: History, Drawbacks And Future
In the search for cheaper and cleaner cooking alternatives, countries across the world are replacing gas stoves with induction and electric appliances. While low and middle-income countries in Asia might find this shift challenging at first, the path forward is clear – dirty and expensive fuels will make way for cleaner and cheaper alternatives.
The Cost of Sustainability for Asia is Lower than the Benefits
As one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, Asia has virtually nothing to lose from the looming energy transition. While investments are needed, the cost of sustainability is negligible compared to what the continent stands to gain.
The Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy for Asia: Crunching the Numbers
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in Asia will unleash massive economic benefits, including expanding the job market, ensuring steady GDP gains and hedging the unpredictable fossil fuel prices.
The Economic Cost of Climate Inaction for Asia
Climate inaction will not only cause environmental damage, but it will also lead to loss of livelihoods, as well as migration and direct economic costs. Countries have long been brushing the problem under the carpet. However, its consequences are now proving to be devastating, especially to the most vulnerable.
How to Avoid Greenwashing: A Guide for Sustainable Businesses and Marketing Leaders
Today, the public uses a microscope to look for the significant gaps between a firm's words and actions. And if these gaps are found, the reputational damage is often hard to recover from, since markets have long memories. However, business leaders hold their future in their own hands.
Financial Greenwashing: What is it and How Does It Happen?
Financial greenwashing threatens to derail the global decarbonisation journey by abusing investors' trust and channelling funds into instruments and projects with suboptimal impact against climate change.
The Latest PDP8 Vietnam Draft – Focus on Renewable Energy and a Drastic CO2 Emissions Reduction
The latest draft of the Vietnam PDP8 sends the positive signal that the country is no longer looking in the direction of fossil fuels. Instead, it is further diversifying its low-carbon power sources, planning for notable clean energy growth and a massive CO2 emission reduction.
China’s Coal Imports Drop and the Imminent Effect on Coal Exporters
China's latest decision to reduce coal imports has shocked countries like Australia. Yet, aside from the challenges there are opportunities.
The Japan Net-Zero Commitments: Ambitious and Honest or Unrealistic and Hypocritical
Japan should be at the forefront of the clean energy transition. While the country has made multiple pledges, its actions and meaningful results are still lacking.
Global Economic Recovery after COVID-19 Pandemic – What 2022 Holds for the Energy Market
We sit with experts and stakeholders from all parts of the energy market to discuss what 2021 taught us, how will the global economic recovery continue in 2022 and which will be the decisive factors for the energy market and climate finance in Asia going forward.
Pathway to Zero Emissions for Hard-To-Decarbonise Industries
Decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors will be among the most essential tools to empower the world's emission reduction targets. While the progress had so far been stalling and challenges remain, the opportunities for a rapid transformation of hard-to-decarbonise sectors are there for the taking.
Asia’s Role in Defining the Pace of Renewable Energy Transition
The talk about the renewable energy transition often revolves only around the need for new clean energy capacity to replace the existing global fossil fuel fleet. If the world is to maximize the results of its net-zero aspirations, the scope of the renewable energy transition dialogue and action should widen to also include critical aspects like the need for better policies, equal electricity access, reskilling, and more.
The Boom of Green Investments in Asia and the Reasons for the Investors’ Interest
As the next renewable energy powerhouse, Asia is a primary point of interest for many...
Overcoming the Challenge of Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen storage is one of the main building blocks for green hydrogen adoption. However, hydrogen has several characteristics that make it difficult to store effectively at scale. Ongoing research, development and investment are critical for overcoming these concerns.
Proposed Expansion of Gas Power in Asia Poses Climate and Economic Risks [Op-Ed]
Over 60% of global gas-fired capacity in development is based in Asia, with over half of this capacity concentrated in East and Southeast Asia. Rising costs saw around 81GW of previously planned capacity was cancelled between 2022-2023. There is still time to halt or limit the gas expansion in Asia, as around 70% of the gas-fired capacity is still in the announcement and pre-construction stages.
Hydrogen Infrastructure: Development and Challenges
The lack of existing hydrogen infrastructure is a significant hurdle to the widespread adoption of green hydrogen. However, there is an incentive for the public and private sectors to develop the required infrastructure. Hydrogen can help the world reach decarbonisation goals, and the hydrogen market is expanding with lucrative opportunities.
Global Hydrogen Market: Size, Growth and Future
Hydrogen demand is increasing, and production capacity will need to rise. However, this capacity should focus on low-carbon green hydrogen, which can be a major energy carrier in the net-zero energy transition.
South African Coal Exports Decline for the Fourth Consecutive Year
South African coal exports continued to decline for the fourth consecutive year, especially in Asia after demand peaked in 2019.
Hydrogen Production Methods from Fossil Fuels Overshadow Alternatives
Today, 99% of hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels. However, green hydrogen can become a viable alternative.
Hydrogen Economy – Meaning, Benefits and Future
The hydrogen economy is the idea of a world partially powered by hydrogen. If green hydrogen becomes the predominant production method for hydrogen, it will play a critical role in the world's low-carbon future. However, green hydrogen needs to be financially viable and requires ongoing support from the public and private sectors.
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