Features

Australian Election 2025: What it Means for Climate Change and Energy

Considering Australia’s emissions intensity and its role as a primary fossil fuel exporter, few have as much power in the mission to tame the climate crisis as Australian voters. And the results on May 3 give hope that clean energy and the climate crisis will sit high on Australia’s agenda in the following years.

South Korea Election 2025: Key Climate Issues and What’s at Stake

South Korea lags behind other developed nations regarding the clean energy transition, while the dependence on fossil fuel imports erodes its economy's competitiveness. While the country has the resources, capabilities and ready-to-deploy solutions to change course, its path ultimately depends on political will.

Bangladesh’s Predicament Deepens as Asia Braces for Expansion of Fossil Fuel Corporations

Bangladesh’s recent energy policies reveal a troubling shift toward expanding fossil fuel projects, including open-pit coal mining and LNG imports, despite ongoing issues with energy security and high costs. These developments, driven by political and international influences, threaten to deepen reliance on outdated fossil fuels while sidelining renewable energy efforts.

Asia’s Progress On Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge

Climate Analytics recently released a report on the progress eight key Asian countries have made towards key climate agreements from COP26 and 28. The report paints a diverse picture, with many highs and lows. However, the primary theme is a lack of consistency across the region, with countries failing to align their national policies with climate commitments.

China’s Oil Demand Dropped: Experts See Start of a Trend

The drop in the demand for oil-based fuels in China signals that their peak might be getting closer in what could prove a watershed moment not only for the global oil markets, but also for Asian countries that look toward China for inspiration on how to decarbonise their economies.

Unneeded Papua New Guinea LNG Project Would Harm Environmental and Human Rights

The Papua New Guinea LNG project is facing increasing investor withdrawal due to environmental and human rights concerns, with 13 of the top 50 investors already committing to withdraw funding. Critics warn that proceeding with this project could exacerbate climate change and violate the rights of local communities, emphasising the need for a shift towards renewable energy investments instead.

Cost-cutting Solution for Companies in the Philippines

Experts note that addressing the economic and social repercussions of the high electricity costs in the Philippines requires policy reforms that prioritise investments in renewable energy and reduce the reliance on fossil fuel imports. 

Boom & Bust 2025 Report: New Coal Power the Lowest in 20 Years

While the momentum against coal has never been stronger, the world remains off track with the Paris Agreement goals mainly due to ongoing efforts of high-emitting Asian economies like China, India, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia to extend the life of the most polluting fuel.

Japan’s Industrial Policy for Floating Offshore Wind

Japan is poised to harness its vast offshore wind potential by aiming for 140 GW of capacity by 2050, focusing on floating offshore turbines. Despite ambitious government reforms and private sector initiatives, challenges such as rising costs, slow permitting processes and inadequate infrastructure could hinder progress. Successfully navigating these hurdles is crucial for Japan to enhance its energy security and competitiveness in the global renewable energy landscape.

China’s Coal Plants Are Risking its Energy Transition

China's renewed commitment to coal, marked by the construction of 94.5 gigawatts of new coal power capacity in 2024, poses a significant threat to its climate goals. Despite ambitious renewable energy expansion, the reliance on coal and the rise in coal gasification could undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and hinder the country's transition to cleaner energy sources.

Climate Tops Voters’ Priorities As Asia Pacific Braces for 2025 Elections

The elections that are about to take place all over APAC in the upcoming months provide candidates with an opportunity to acknowledge ambitious climate and emissions reduction action not only to appease climate voters but also to guarantee economic growth, energy security and better handling of the cost-of-living crisis.

The Global Plastics Treaty and Its Importance to End Plastic Pollution

While a few petrostates blocked the progress on the Global Plastics Treaty in 2024, countries will have another chance to advance the initiative in August 2025. Failure to overcome the fossil fuel lobby’s interests for a second time would be devastating for global efforts to tackle one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Japan’s Seventh Strategic Energy Plan Is Both Unambitious and a Fantasy

Japan's seventh Strategic Energy Plan, finalised on Feb. 18, 2025, targets 40-50% renewable energy and 20% nuclear power by 2040 but faces criticism for being overly optimistic. Experts warn that without major policy reforms, Japan may continue relying on fossil fuels, highlighting the need for greater transparency and diverse input in energy planning.

IPCC’s 62nd Session in China Fails to Agree on Deadline For Next Climate Reports, Scientists Concerned

Despite the prolonged discussions, delegates couldn’t agree on the timeline for the AR7 reports’ delivery for the third time in a row. The efforts of a group of countries to slow progress at the IPCC-62 down succeeded, creating uncertainty whether the reports would be produced in time to inform the second Global Stocktake.

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