Kuala Lumpur, September 17, 2025 – Southeast Asia is a region vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis. Ten ASEAN member countries have made commitments to limit greenhouse gas emissions. However, these climate commitments have not been effectively implemented. As evidence, fossil fuels still dominate the energy landscape of ASEAN member countries. This slows down the low-carbon energy transition in Southeast Asia, amidst continued volatility in fossil fuel prices.

Fabby Tumiwa, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), at the Regional Dialogue: Realizing ASEAN’s Energy Future: Turning Vision into Action with the Southeast Asia Energy Transformation Initiative (SEAETI) organized by IESR, the Stanley Centre for Peace and Security, the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), and JADE Dialogues, cited an IRENA report that stated that the Southeast Asia region has a renewable energy potential of 17,217 GW, dominated by solar energy at 15,592 GW. However, the utilization of renewable energy in ASEAN is still not optimal.

“The transition to renewable energy is hampered by several factors, including a weak policy framework, incoherent regulations, and the current massive carbon infrastructure,” said Fabby.

The IESR is pushing for a just energy transition agenda at the Southeast Asia scale to foster sustainable regional economic growth through the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Initiative, which includes (1) Accelerating the implementation and integration of clean energy, (2) Strengthening green investment and financing mechanisms, (3) Establishing ASEAN as a hub for clean energy manufacturing and trade, and (4) Improving policy coordination and workforce development.

By implementing these four recommendations, the Southeast Asia region will not only build clean energy infrastructure but also develop human resources and propel Southeast Asia into a global renewable energy manufacturing hub.