Making the Global Stocktaking Process More Relevant to Southeast Asia

Jakarta, 25 April 2024 – Global efforts to halt climate change by reducing emissions are entering a phase of global consolidation. Since 2023, the Independent Global Stocktake (iGST), a consortium of civil society actors gathered to support the first Global Stocktake in order to assess the progress of the Paris Agreement (2015).

In a webinar entitled Navigating the Outcomes of the First Global Stocktake in Southeast Asia, Arief Rosadi, Climate Diplomacy Coordinator of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) stated that the results of the first GST had not had much influence on the energy transition process in the Southeast Asia region.

“The most important thing about this GST process is that it must be able to be translated into more ambitious climate policies. Energy transition is the low hanging fruit for Southeast Asia, increasing renewable energy targets and climate ambitions will not only contribute to reducing emissions but provide a positive signal to encourage transformation towards a low carbon economy in the region,” said Arief.

Arief emphasized that efforts to double energy efficiency and triple renewable by 2030 (Double Down,Triple Up Initiative) are crucial stages for encouraging the energy transition in the Southeast Asia region. He also added that the next two year period is a crucial moment for Southeast Asia considering that ASEAN is currently preparing ASEAN Post Vision 2025 and the latest APAEC (ASEAN Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation) energy policy document. The first GST point regarding doubling and tripling of renewable energy efficiency needs to be reflected in both documents.

At the planning, implementation and policy evaluation levels, the role of experts or independent research institutions is important to provide alternative views and input for policy makers. It is necessary to ensure that there is meaningful participation by all parties involved and potentially affected by the policy.

Danize Lukban, climate policy analyst at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), reminded the importance of (climate) policies based on scientific data in this transition process.

“In the policy planning process (iGST derivative), the role of climate experts and institutions conducting research is crucial to provide alternative views and input for policy makers,” she said.

ASEAN as a consolidated body of countries in Southeast Asia is expected to become a consolidation forum for its member countries to produce more ambitious and collaborative climate action within the scope of the Southeast Asia region.