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This report examines the rapid expansion of data centres in Southeast Asia and the resulting pressure on power grids. It highlights that while the region is becoming a global hotspot for digital infrastructure, the reliance on fossil-fuel-dominated grids threatens climate targets, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

This report examines the impact of rapid data centre growth in ASEAN on power sector emissions, highlighting that while these facilities could account for 2% to 30% of national power demand by 2030, approximately 30% of this demand could be met by solar and wind power without battery storage. The authors argue for urgent policy interventions, energy efficiency improvements, and expanded renewable procurement options to prevent the digital boom from derailing regional energy transition goals.

This case study examines the human rights risks associated with the Rempang Eco-City project in Indonesia, highlighting the violence and judicial harassment faced by residents and human rights defenders (HRDs) opposing the development.

This policy brief summarizes a UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) assessment on reducing road transport emissions and improving public health in Indonesia through strategic policy pathways.

This briefing analyzes public clean energy investments and climate policies from China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia within the ASEAN region, specifically focusing on Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It details the dominance of China in overall public funding and specific technologies like wind and hydropower, Japan's leadership in geothermal and solar, and the strategic approaches of South Korea and Australia to integrate into the region's green economy.

This report by Ember discusses the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), a regional initiative to integrate electricity systems across Southeast Asia to maximize renewable energy potential and enhance energy security. It outlines the technical goals of the ASEAN Interconnection Master Plan Study (AIMS), the potential for unlocking additional solar and wind capacity through cross-border trade, and the institutional barriers that must be overcome to transition from bilateral trade to a cohesive regional market.

This report chapter by Ember examines the grid planning strategies of the ASEAN region, highlighting a significant gap between current national transmission expansion plans and the targets required to meet climate goals and rising electricity demand.

This report by Ember argues that modernizing and interconnecting electricity grids is the primary driver for unlocking solar and wind energy investment across ASEAN. It highlights a significant gap between current national transmission plans and the International Energy Agency's (IEA) requirements, while proposing a six-pillar framework for future-ready grid development to enhance regional energy security and economic growth.

This briefing by Trend Asia argues that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) continues to support fossil gas through technical assistance (TA) and ambiguous policy language, despite pledges to align with the Paris Agreement. The document contends that framing gas as a 'transitional fuel' or 'low-carbon' enables the planning of infrastructure that locks countries into long-term fossil dependency and risks creating stranded assets.

A critical report by Trend Asia analyzing the new Government Regulation on National Energy Policy (PP KEN), arguing that it promotes 'false solutions,' extends the use of fossil fuels until 2060, and fails to ensure a just and sustainable energy transition in Indonesia.

The Boom and Bust Coal 2025 report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes global coal power capacity trends in 2024, highlighting a divergence between accelerating retirements in Europe and continued large-scale expansion in China and India.

This case study describes the revitalization of Terminal Binjai in Medan, Indonesia, through a community-led design process and 'tactical urbanism'. Led by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and local partners as part of the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) initiative, the project transformed a neglected transit hub into an inclusive, green mobility node by integrating the needs of marginalized groups and local residents.

This policy brief analyzes the implementation of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (RtHE) in Southeast Asia. While legal frameworks exist, the document identifies significant gaps in procedural rights: information is often withheld due to commercial interests, public participation in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) is frequently superficial, and environmental courts face resource constraints and the risk of being weaponized via SLAPPs. The brief highlights community-led alternatives to EIAs and the role of independent grievance mechanisms and judicial capacity-building as key levers for improvement, noting the development of a regional ASEAN Declaration on RtHE as of December 2024.

This report examines the role of trade and investment agreements in the supply of critical minerals, analyzing over 100 agreements and MOUs with a focus on Indonesia, Chile, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It highlights a shift toward incorporating ESG provisions in new treaties and emphasizes the need for practical implementation of MOUs to balance the interests of importing and exporting nations while supporting sustainable resource governance.

The State of Green Banks 2025 report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the global landscape of green banks, focusing on their role in bridging a USD 7.4 trillion annual climate funding gap. Based on survey data from 51 public financial institutions, the report identifies four primary models for green banks—standalone de novo banks, enhanced public development banks (PDBs), green facilities within PDBs, and country platforms—and evaluates their suitability for different economic contexts, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

The report 'Boom and Bust Coal 2025' tracks global coal-fired power plant developments in 2024, highlighting a stark contrast between the decline of coal in the EU and UK and a surge in new construction in China and India.

The report 'Grandeur et Décadence 2025' by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the state of global coal-fired power plants in 2024. It highlights a paradoxical year where the world saw the lowest number of new coal capacity commissions in twenty years, yet record-breaking construction activity in China and India. While the European Union is accelerating coal retirements, other regions like Russia, Central Asia, and Mongolia continue to expand coal capacity, and some OECD nations like Japan and South Korea are extending coal use through ammonia co-firing.

The 'Boom and Bust Coal 2025' report by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes global coal power trends in 2024, highlighting a paradox where global new capacity reached a 20-year low while China and India saw record-breaking construction and proposals. The report specifically details Indonesia's struggle with 'captive' coal plants and the complexities of its energy transition goals.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes global coal power trends in 2024, highlighting a contradiction between record-low new capacity additions globally and record-high construction starts in China and high proposal volumes in India. It specifically examines the strategies of South Korea and Japan to extend the life of coal plants through ammonia co-firing, arguing that these technologies are costly and inconsistent with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal.

The 'Ascensão e Queda 2025' report by Global Energy Monitor and partners tracks the global coal power pipeline as of April 2025. It highlights a paradoxical year where the world saw the lowest amount of new coal capacity in twenty years, yet China and India reached record levels of construction starts and new proposals, respectively.