Singapore, 26 September 2022 – The Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute kickstarted a three-day closed-door workshop today for ASEAN government officials themed “Planning Southeast Asia’s Decarbonisation Pathways” to explore challenges and opportunities in the energy transition.
Nearly twenty climate change and energy government officials from eight ASEAN countries are in Singapore from 26 to 28 September to exchange experiences, best practices and obstacles to enhance understanding and collaboration within governments as well as between ASEAN governments. Officials will also learn from international climate and energy expert on issues cross-cutting the energy-climate nexus, including regional energy cooperation, technological innovations, transparency and energy equity, as well as gather insights into the best practices of partner countries.
The workshop was conducted with the support of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the British High Commission in Singapore representing the UK COP-26 Presidency, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), and the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). It is organised as part of the Climate Action Package (CAP) under the SCP ahead of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-27) which will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022. Launched in 2018, the CAP aims to build capacity in developing countries in areas such as climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, climate science, flood management, and disaster risk reduction.
Mr Choi Shing Kwok, Director and CEO of ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, emphasised: “Energy transitions are crucial to countries’ fulfilment of climate goals, especially in ASEAN where energy demand is growing rapidly and coal reliance remains high. As countries work to make good on their pledges, collaboration and synergy between different sectors within each government and across the region will be essential. Through this workshop, we hope to help strengthen such connections and promote best practices within ASEAN.”
Mr Joseph Teo, Singapore’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, noted that Southeast Asia has much renewable energy potential and is well positioned to make an early transition away from fossil fuels in support of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact. Doing so can also reduce energy costs by as much as US$160 billion, while meeting the region’s economic growth and rising demand according to a recent IRENA report. [1] ASEAN has taken a significant step by setting an aspirational target to increase renewable energy to 23% by 2025 in ASEAN’s energy mix. This workshop will help facilitate a discussion on how ASEAN countries can work together to accelerate the region’s transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathways, for a sustainable and liveable future for all.
The workshop was launched with opening addresses from Mr Choi, Mr Teo, Dr Christian Hübner, Head of the Regional Programme on Energy Security and Climate Change Asia-Pacific, KAS, and H.E. Kara Owen, British High Commissioner to Singapore. Over the next few days, ASEAN government officials will engage in discussions on challenges and obstacles in low-carbon energy transitions and explore solutions through a comprehensive programme designed by ISEAS. Participants will also visit Singapore’s first floating solar photo-voltaic farm in Tengeh to learn about Singapore’s efforts to tap into renewable energy and meet the city-state’s mitigation targets.
For some photos of the event, click here.