Asia Pacific‘s leading platform for sustainable development
7. Affordable and clean energy
Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Be it for jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes, access to energy for all is essential. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for all has come one step closer due to recent progress in electrification, particularly in LDCs, and improvements in industrial energy efficiency. However, national priorities and policy ambitions still need to be strengthened to put the world on track to meet the energy targets for 2030.
Read our stories to learn more about SDG Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy is supported by Energy Development Corporation
News
On recent visits to Japan and South Korea, Indonesian president Prabowo touted ambitious renewable energy plans in pursuit of energy security. Analysts say that the slow take-up of clean energy by state utility firm PLN still needs to be addressed.
Policy & Finance
Critics call US–Indonesia trade deal ‘extractive colonialism’ over mining, fossil fuels
Activists warn a new US-Indonesia trade deal could accelerate mining, deforestation and fossil fuel use, with weak, nonbinding environmental safeguards.
As oil and gas firms reap windfall profits from wartime price spikes, regional climate advocates urge governments to tax gains and channel the funds into renewables and grid upgrades to secure Asia’s energy future.
What happens when fuel security collides with climate ambition in South Asian countries like Pakistan?
Corporate Responsibility
APAC data centre leaders launch sustainability framework amid energy, water concerns
Carbon & Climate
Carbon markets in Asia fall short on biodiversity goals, study warns
Opinion
Vietnam has limited room for manoeuvre on the energy front as supply tightens, but is proactively playing the hand it has been dealt.
While the rest of the world is mainly concerned about the energy disruptions caused by the Iran war, the Gulf countries are more anxious about the Islamic Republic’s threats to their desalination facilities. If the US attempts to seize Kharg Island, it could spell disaster for the region's "saltwater kingdoms."
If the current war creates a prolonged oil crisis, there will be more downward pressure on oil use – and an equal acceleration in China of electric car production at home, with an associated surge in exports.
As global risks rise, India and Nigeria show how energy security and growth depend on integrated, resilient, homegrown, digital, and scalable systems.
Videos
The impact documentary exploring Asia's mounting waste crisis – and its solutions – is now streaming exclusively for Eco-Business subscribers.
Carbon & Climate
More forest protection and financing needed in 13th Malaysia Plan, say environmental groups
NGOs urged the government to improve forest data transparency by making maps of protected areas publicly available, and to channel funds to frontline communities living near forests.
Policy & Finance
Navigating uncertainty: AIA’s long-term bet on sustainable investing
In this wide-ranging fireside chat moderated by Eco-Business CEO Jessica Cheam, AIA Group's chief investment officer Dr Mark Konyn asserts there is “no U-turn” among corporates invested for the long term, even as political regimes change amid a new world order.
There is consensus that coal needs to be retired early in Asia, but the mechanisms for financing the phase-out are not clear. This mini-documentary examines how transition credits work and whether they can fund Southeast Asia's equitable switch to clean power.
Podcasts
Energy
Asean must connect energy planning with environmental protection: Philippines energy director
As the Philippines gears up to chair Asean next year, Michael Sinocruz says the government will push offshore wind to bolster cross-border renewable energy trade, while protecting marine life impacted by infrastructure.
Southeast Asian energy ministers will meet in October to discuss the future of the region’s power grid. GEAPP’s Kitty Bu tells the Eco-Business podcast what areas they must collaborate on, and how finance and industry can help.
In the first of a podcast series featuring Southeast Asia's clean energy entrepreneurs, the CEO of Gurin Energy says that Asean countries will be left behind in artificial intelligence and robotics if the region does not connect its grid and deploy renewables at speed and scale.
Green Buildings
Are our climate targets too weak or too ambitious? Hang Lung Properties’ sustainability chief John Haffner
Having "stretch targets" can spur innovation, says the sustainability chief for one of Hong Kong's largest real estate firms in the latest episode of "On the frontlines". He also shares why the firm has chosen to publish the draft of its net zero plan for open discussion of its climate targets.
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