Features

Why Global Plastics Treaty Talks Failed?

The failure of the INC-5.2 Geneva talks highlights how vested interests, particularly petrostates, continue to block meaningful global action on plastic pollution. With plastic production surging—contributing nearly 5% of global emissions—and microplastics infiltrating ecosystems and human health, urgent leadership and policy shifts are critical.

Perovskite Solar Cells Race: Japan’s Plan to Lead

Japan is racing to lead the global perovskite solar cell industry, aiming to install 20 GW by 2040 and build a self-sufficient supply chain. Despite promising technological advances and ambitious targets, cost and durability barriers remain, highlighting the need for bolder policy support to turn perovskites into a game-changer for decarbonisation and energy independence.

The EU-China Meeting Marks a New Era in Climate Diplomacy

The world has reached the moment when emissions must peak to keep the 1.5°C target within reach and avert the most devastating impacts of climate change. In the absence of the US, the China-EU climate cooperation offers hope that this might still be possible. 

AI Data Centre Development in Japan and Clean Energy Transition

As AI data centres rapidly expand globally, their immense energy demands threaten to undermine decarbonisation efforts — unless powered by 100% renewables. Japan’s proactive “Watt-Bit Collaboration” aims to coordinate data centre growth with renewable energy development, but challenges around location and definitions of “clean energy” remain. The future of sustainable AI hinges on smart policy and clear energy standards.

2025 House of Councillors Election Results Bring Uncertainty For Japan

The election results indicate that the government may now need to make concessions to other parties to pass legislation. And with the growing influence of Trump-inspired parties, climate action and renewables-favouring energy policies might take yet another blow.

G20 Summit 2025: A Pivotal Moment for Developing Countries

South Africa’s chair of the G20 presents a unique opportunity to influence global policies and advocate for the interests of low-income and developing countries and their needs in addressing the challenges they face due to climate change and poverty.

UN and IRENA: Renewables the Cheapest Electricity Source in 2024

New reports reveal that solar and wind power offer the lowest-priced electricity even without governmental support. Renewables have also helped save billions in fossil fuel import and climate damage costs, while boosting GDP and opening up millions of new jobs. Still, the world continues to subsidise polluting fuels — a practice that the 2035 NDC updates should end.

What’s Behind Gas Expansion in Australia – New Report

A new report reveals that Japanese and Korean corporate profits fuel gas expansion in Australia, jeopardising climate goals and posing financial risks. Despite warnings from the IEA that no new gas projects are needed for a net-zero future, Australia continues to expand LNG exports, risking increased emissions and environmental harm while locking in fossil fuel dependence.

What Lawmakers in the Philippines Can Do To Lower Power Prices

While the Philippines has made strides in developing its clean energy market, accelerating the energy transition to levels consistent with a net-zero aligned pathway requires scaling up the build-up of renewables, expanding the power grid and limiting new fossil fuel capacity and imports.

Lack of US Engagement Impacting 2025 G20 South Africa Summit

As the 2025 G20 summit approaches in South Africa, ongoing US disengagement and anti-climate policies threaten to undermine global cooperation on climate action. Despite challenges, other G20 members can strengthen alliances, pursue independent climate initiatives and mobilise finance to ensure progress toward sustainability and a just energy transition, even in the face of US setbacks.

Philippines LNG Imports Costing Households Billions

Experts warn that plans to expand LNG import infrastructure, paired with the volatility of the fuel on global markets, will financially burden the country, as well as significantly increase electricity prices for consumers at times when cheaper, cleaner, renewable energy alternatives remain underutilised and readily available. 

While Fossil Fuels Volatility Increases, Battery Storage Gets Cheaper, Making Solar Power Always Available

While solar is already the most viable solution for improving energy security, reducing power costs and mitigating carbon emissions, recent advancements and cost reductions in battery storage are now enabling us to ensure 24 hours of daily solar power. According to experts, the biggest obstacle to doing so is the business-as-usual mindset.

LNG Usage in Southeast Asia Should Be Ending, Not Moving Forward, Experts Claim

LNG does not fit Southeast Asia's energy sector due to price volatility, European arbitrage opportunities swinging supply away from the region, shipping route disruptions and self-serving vested Japanese corporate interests. What's needed is policy-level change. But do countries have the political self-will and determination to make the right decision?

Japan Most at Risk from Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz

Japan’s economy relies on access through the Strait of Hormuz, two-mile-wide shipping lanes that carries 80% of the crude and LNG the country burns daily. With regional tensions simmering, even a brief blockade of the Strait could send energy prices skyrocketing and highlight Tokyo’s need to accelerate its pivot to domestic renewables.

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