To achieve net zero emissions in Southeast Asia, addressing the significant financing gap is crucial, requiring bold targets and more international support.
If policymakers and ESG proponents fail to ensure that the ESG agenda is equitable and credible – directly benefiting working class and rural communities – the credibility of ESG will deteriorate further.
How the region’s populations view decarbonisation as the energy transition occurs can inform stronger leadership and better policymaking at the elite level.
Enshrining free, prior and informed consent in Malaysian law can improve the credibility of carbon projects. In the meantime, carbon conversations must include Indigenous voices and wisdom.