On 12 November 2021, a new report titled “Beyond Net Zero: Empowering Climate Mitigation by Linking to Development Goals” was issued by leading climate and energy think-tanks in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, with support from NewClimate Institute and Agora Energiewende as part of the CASE project.

The report provides a new perspective on the critical international climate discussions by arguing that countries’ climate plans can be implemented in a more effectively, timely, and sustainable manner if integrated into their overall development planning to meet the needs of their populations. To this end, the report identifies six “bridging concepts” and enablers relevant to Southeast Asia and its net-zero efforts, while detailing their potential to accelerate the transition towards resilient national economies.

The report argues for the importance of going “Beyond Net Zero”, to ensure that countries achieve balanced and complementary climate plans that first and foremost meet their national development needs, but also accelerate the decarbonization of their energy sectors and their economies.

The report also identifies the key role that corporate commitments and action can make in the region—pointing to numerous announcements by multinational and regional companies of their intention to accelerate efforts to install clean energy and reduce their carbon footprints.

The report demonstrates that cost reductions in emerging clean technologies are already leading a significant shift towards sustainable alternatives such as renewable energy, decentralized power systems and battery storage. The report emphasizes the importance of zero-carbon renewable energy as the backbone for economy-wide decarbonization pathways and highlights the opportunities for Southeast Asian countries to invest early in the electrification of transport and industry to achieve sustainable economic and social development.

The report was launched at the tail end of the COP 26 meeting in Glasgow, as nearly 200 countries reached a fragile agreement to intensify global efforts to fight climate change, with calls for countries to return next year with stronger emissions-reduction targets and promises to double the money available to help countries cope with the effects of global warming. The report makes a strong call for immediate action and the linking of climate planning to national development priorities to build and broaden political support.

Click here to download the report.

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