Sarawak's so-called green revolution is little more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Companies and the state government are operating in ways that not only devastate the environment but also marginalise remote Indigenous communities.
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.