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ASEAN has yet to do enough to fight climate change
Even if I was hoping to find some interesting news about ASEAN at COP28, it is not surprising that ASEAN is basically silent on COP28.
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Where’s the dough?: Climate activists protest on Dec. 10, 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. (Reuters/Thaier Al-Sudani)
A
s one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world ASEAN should be at the center of the decarbonization transition, and its primary regional architecture mechanism should be at the forefront of the debate.
ASEAN released a common position, the so-called ASEAN Joint Statement to COP28, about two months ago. As usual, however, it is pretty much devoid of substance and it certainly lacks bold statements and targets to ensure that the region will leapfrog in the upcoming decarbonization era.
“Considering national circumstances, through achieving the aspirational target of 32 percent energy intensity reduction [based on 2005 level] and achieving 23 percent renewable energy share in ASEAN’s energy mix, with a 35 percent renewable energy share in installed power capacity by 2025”.
What do you make of these targets? Not much, right?
The problem is that, as per all projects of regional cooperation and integration (especially cooperation in the case of ASEAN because the mechanism is far from resembling anything related to integration), national governments want to have full strategic autonomy to leverage and maximize their interests.
That’s why, the three words, “Considering national circumstances” of the ASEAN Joint Statement are so heavy, burdensome and troublesome but also normal all at once.
The statement also refers to the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) and the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) Action Plan.
