Advancing ambitious climate actions in Southeast Asia

Context

All Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States (AMS) have signed the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming and reduce climate change impacts. Accordingly, they have created and approved their own climate action plans, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). However, most AMS, particularly those with limited public funds, depend on international support to implement and further develop their NDCs to meet ambitious climate goals. Regional coordination can help AMS achieve these goals, considering their different national circumstances. ASEAN serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation platform, playing a crucial role in bringing together stakeholders to advance climate policy discussions.

Nevertheless, ASEAN has not fully utilised its potential. Challenges include limited visibility in climate policy both nationally and internationally, inadequate integration of climate change into various work areas, such as energy, and a lack of regionally coordinated actions in international climate policy. Additionally, there is a shortage of reliable regional data for regional policy-making and insufficient financial resources to implement NDCs effectively.

Objective

ASEAN effectively promotes regional cooperation to implement ambitious climate policies and accelerates the transition to clean energy and improved energy efficiency.

Approach

The project supports the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC), other relevant ASEAN organisations, and selected AMS in coordinating and implementing regional climate and energy policies. It provides support in five areas:

1. building the capabilities of ASEAN organisations involved in climate policy
2. increasing ASEAN’s visibility in the international climate policy dialogue
3. enhancing the alignment of climate policies among AMS
4. developing the ability of regional and national institutions to develop and implement energy policies aligned with climate change targets
5. intensifying regional cooperation on energy topics with high climate impact.

Last update: July 2024