08 FOREIGN NEWS
@ green | September-October , 2022
Region can cover most energy demand
Southeast Asia can save energy costs of up to US $ 160b by addressing energy security and climate risks through energy transition , says IRENA
SOUTHEAST Asian countries can meet their growing energy demand with renewables and cut 75 per cent of their energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050 , half of the emissions compared to today .
Released by the International Renewable Energy Agency ( IRENA ) during the ASEAN Energy Ministerial , the 2nd edition of the Renewable Energy Outlook for ASEAN : Towards a Regional Energy Transition , shows that almost doubling renewable power by 2030 creates significant regional business and investment opportunities .
ASEAN is home to one of the youngest coal power plant fleets in the world . Yet , an increasing number of ASEAN Members have set net-zero emissions targets by around mid-century .
Planning the transition must begin if climate goals are to be met , with coal power substitution as a top priority , not least to avoid stranded assets .
IRENA ’ s Outlook identifies transition pathways focusing on renewables , electrification , and emerging technologies such as hydrogen and batteries . It builds on the political momentum for change in the region .
IRENA ’ s Director-General Francesco La Camera said with its massive renewable potential , Southeast Asia stood at a historic crossroad between moving away from fossil fuels and towards a renewable energy transition that met the region ’ s economic growth and rising energy demand .
“ Coal retirement , coupled with renewables and regional grid interconnection , is an indispensable step to aligning with net-zero targets . Half of ASEAN members have signed up for international efforts to end coal in the power sector . Climate commitments require concerted and accelerated action that must begin now to have a hope of success ,” said La Camera .
Dr Nuki Agya Utama , Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy ( ACE ) said accelerating the energy transition was crucial to meet climate goals and support the region ’ s economic growth .
“ Guided by the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation ( APAEC ) Phase II , ASEAN is committed to achieving 23 per cent renewables share in total primary energy supply ( TPES ) by 2025 ,” said Utama .
“ Moreover , the regional blueprint includes optimising clean coal technology as one of its programme areas . I believe IRENA ’ s Renewables Outlook for ASEAN will help chart pathways to a more sustainable , net-zero future for the region .”
As renewables have become the cheapest power option in much of Southeast Asia , renewable capacity additions can cost-effectively increase up to 40 per cent of total power capacity by 2030 compared to one-quarter today . It means around 300 gigawatts ( GW ) of new renewable capacity installations , primarily solar and wind .
Significant investment is needed to boost renewables in the national energy mixes , but overall costs are balanced by substantial savings on supply and fuel costs .
ASEAN ’ s investment in renewables must almost triple the current levels . Investment opportunities include renewable power , transmission , biofuels , energy efficiency , hydrogen and electromobility and can amount to over US $ 6 trillion cumulatively by 2050 .
Countries can reduce their energy costs by as much as US $ 160 billion by 2050 . Overall , avoiding expenses related to health and environmental damage caused by fossil fuels can bring savings of up to USD 1.5 trillion cumulatively by 2050 .
Electrification of end-users was critical , ranging from electrifying transport , buildings and industries to electric vehicles and from electric cooking to clean hydrogen production .
The electricity share in final energy will need to rise from 22 per cent today to more than half by 2050 . Clean hydrogen can provide a complementary solution for the region ’ s ambitious climate objectives .
Clean hydrogen and its derivatives also provide an alternative for decarbonising transport modes like shipping and some heavy manufacturing industrial processes . It would also bring significant supply chain opportunities , such as the battery , green commodities , and materials manufacturing . – @ Green
Jason Momoa ’ s official advocate for life below water
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MOVIE star and ocean activist Jason Momoa was designated the UN Environment Programme ’ s ( UNEP ) Advocate for Life Below Water at a major conference mobilising global support for an ocean besieged by the triple planetary - climate change crisis , biodiversity loss , and rampant pollution .
The UN Ocean Conference , cohosted by Portugal and Kenya and attended by thousands of ocean advocates from business , civil society and government - including several Heads of State - will advance progress on science-based solutions to ensure better management and conservation of the ocean and its resources .
The conference , which is aligned with SDG 14 , life below water , stresses the critical need for scientific knowledge and marine technology to build ocean resilience and is expected to culminate in a negotiated political declaration .
The Aquaman actor , who has worked with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and rePurpose Global , described how humbled he felt to be entrusted with the responsibility
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to promote ocean health : “ With this designation , I hope to continue my journey to protect and conserve the ocean and all living things on our beautiful blue planet , for our generation and the generations to come .”
The native Hawaiian with Polynesian roots , who has long championed the rights of people of island nations , described how growing up on one of the world ’ s most beautiful archipelagos ingrained in him a reverence for the ocean and nature that has only deepened over the years .
“ For me , the ocean is an ancient teacher , a guide and a muse . It is also
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existential . Without a healthy ocean , life on our planet as we know it would not exist .”
Momoa , the star of Aquaman and the upcoming sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom , made remarks ahead of the Youth and Innovation Forum , where he arrived on a boat to receive the Nature Baton from the UN Special Envoy for the Ocean , Peter Thomson .
Momoa then handed the baton to youth representatives before they , in turn , passed it to the UN Secretary-General .
The Nature Baton , a global collaboration
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for the ocean ’ s wellbeing , has shone a spotlight on the need for action to save the world ’ s ocean and is a metaphor for the journey ocean champions have taken this year from Brest to Nairobi for the UN Environment Assembly , to Palau for the Our Oceans Conference , and World Environment Day in Stockholm , on the road to Lisbon .
“ We are so pleased to have Jason Momoa joining the UN family as UNEP ’ s Advocate for Life Below Water . Jason has a strong track record of advocating for ocean issues , from reducing single-use plastic pollution to protecting coral reefs ,” said UNEP ’ s Executive Director , Inger Andersen .
“ In 2021 , the four primary climate change measures – greenhouse gas concentrations , sea level rise , ocean temperatures and ocean acidification – all hit record highs . This means the time for action is now .”
“ With a huge audience of engaged fans , we believe that Jason can move ocean considerations into the hearts and minds of citizens and business leaders to promote this urgency and action .” – @ Green
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