There are worries the construction of a hydropower dam across the transboundary Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet will intensify both water scarcity and flooding. These smaller-sized river basins are often neglected in academic research.
Fourteen years on from the Fukushima disaster, nuclear power is back in favour, even in Japan. But renewable energy provides the best alternative to burning fossil fuels.
The Trumpian approach to critical minerals – evident from the United States' interactions with Ukraine – may force Southeast Asia to choose sides. The region needs to look at diversifying its technical partners in the energy sector.