Opinion Pieces

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.

Africans Want Renewables, Not Fossil Fuel Funding from G7

With Japan’s leader touring Africa, pressure is growing on G7 nations to support clean energy development on the continent rather than oil and gas.

Indonesia Dances Around Taxonomies to Mobilise Capital for Its Coal Phaseout Programmes

Since Indonesia signed the US$20 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreements late last year, the government has mobilised multiple workstreams to create policy structures to support the critical first stage of early coal retirement. However, more than mere tweaks to criteria for supporting early coal retirement may be required.

What Does an Ambitious Clean Energy Target Mean for Bangladesh?

Bangladesh’s existing power system can incorporate a significant amount of renewable energy, the country needs to invest steadily in clean energy to reach the 40% generation capacity goal. The economic competitiveness of renewable energy also makes it a favourable choice in the future. 

Contracting Debacles Underscore Long-term LNG Risks in the Philippines

Economic sustainability of LNG remains in doubt amid power deal issues and global price volatility says Sam Reynolds of IEEFA.

On a Quest to Make Music Streaming Greener, Kpop Fan Activists Gets One Major Company to Change Its Tune

Kpop4Planet, a fan-driven, grassroots climate group, targeted South Korea’s music streaming giants during their “Streaming, Heating, Melting” campaign to demand that companies move towards renewable energy sources.

SK E&S, K-Sure and Kexim Face Rising and Unquantified Risks With Their Backing of the Barossa Gas Project Off Northern Australia

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Kexim) and the Korea Trade Insurance Corp (K-Sure) are risking Korean public money by financing SK E&S’ investment in the Barossa gas project off the coast of Northern Australia. The Korean government agencies funding and insuring the Barossa gas project face significant and mounting risks on two fronts – native title and climate-related risks.

Japan’s ‘Green Transformation’ Would Derail the Energy Transition in Asia

Japan stopped exporting dirty coal technologies last year following pressure from campaigners. However, its new Green Transformation strategy relies on the continued use of fossil fuel-based technologies, and the country plans to prolong fossil fuels across Southeast Asia by promoting carbon capture, gas and the co-firing of ammonia at coal power plants.

The Growing Burden of Climate, Water and Energy Crises on Women

women still find themselves in disproportionately disadvantaged positions compared to their male counterparts, particularly in rural Bangladesh and India. As countries strive for equal opportunities and to make the world a better place, they must accelerate efforts for clean solutions.

Fossil-linked Energy Firms Have High Emissions and the Room for Denial is Shrinking

The first set of globally aligned sustainability and climate-reporting standards is expected to be published in June 2023. The news was announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2023 and chief among the new requirements is emissions reporting, including Scope 3.

Would Pakistan’s Long-term Power Purchase Agreements Become Roadblocks to its Solar Energy Revolution?

The new Fast Track Solar Initiative aims to substitute solar PV for expensive fossil fuel power generation. Like many countries in Asia, which have been priced out of liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets after Europe’s ‘buy-at-any cost strategy’ to avoid reliance on Russian gas, Pakistan too has been on the lookout for alternatives that offer economically priced and reliable energy supply.

Renewable Energy May Provide South Asia Relief From Energy Price Shocks

Imported fossil-fuel-dependent South Asian economies, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, have not been able to escape the perils of volatile and elevated prices of oil, gas and coal in the international energy market. However, renewable energy promises to ensure affordable energy and shield the foreign currency reserves of South Asian countries.

India-Australia Free Trade Agreement’s True Impact on India’s Coal Imports

With the India-Australia bilateral trade agreement (IAFTA) coming into force, will coal from Australia really be 2.5% cheaper and entice India to up its imports?

Asia’s Lower LNG Demand in 2022 Highlights Challenges for Industry Growth

Asia has suffered a turbulent year in the global gas market. Unaffordable prices have stifled Asian demand, utility profits have waned, proposed import projects have stalled, and countries are grappling with a constant threat of fuel shortages and blackouts. Should prices remain volatile, importers may increasingly seek to minimise LNG consumption, hurting the LNG industry’s long-term growth prospects.

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