The Net-Zero Transitions in Energy and Finance: Southeast Asia and Beyond

Since the United States hosted the Leaders' Summit on Climate in 2021, numerous countries have committed to net-zero emission targets. Given the size of their economies, populations, and greenhouse gas emissions, emerging markets and developing economies in South, East, and Southeast Asia will play a key role in determining whether or not these targets are achieved. The Net-Zero Transitions in Energy and Finance focuses on the net-zero transition in Southeast Asia and applies the lessons learned to other major emerging markets and developing economies. It argues that net-zero emission targets require not only synchronised changes of the complementary elements in energy systems but also in the financial institutions that fund and invest in facilitating system transitions. Proposing novel frameworks for analysing electricity system transitions with empirical evidence, this book identifies enabling factors, drivers, and barriers, and offers solutions for overcoming the challenges of multi-sector transitions.

Table of Contents:
1. The net-zero transitions in energy and finance: an introduction; 2. Propagation of climate-related transition risk between the financial and electricity sector; 3. Determinants of the direction and speed of electricity system transition: an analytical framework; 4. Estimated stranded assets in the electricity sector in the Southeast Asian region; 5. Reconciling net-zero emission and growing electricity demand: electricity system transitions in Vietnam; 6. Moving towards a natural gas-based electricity system: electricity system transitions in the Philippines; 7. How have global net zero finance advanced net zero electricity system transitions? The case of ETM and JETP; 8. Making financial systems work for net zero transitions in electricity systems.

Review :
'Despite global political uncertainty surrounding the net-zero emission target by mid-century, the energy transition remains strong, with Southeast Asia playing a key role. This book provides in-depth analysis of energy transition in the region, focusing on electricity and finance. It examines why the Paris-Glasgow financial regime has progressed slowly and explores why coal-based power generation has largely shifted to natural gas rather than renewables. By detailing the situation in several Southeast Asian countries, this book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the region's ongoing energy transition.' Budy Resosudarmo 'This document provides a compelling and comprehensive analysis of the net-zero transition, highlighting the essential systemic changes across financial and energy sectors. It underscores the urgency of sustainable finance and the strategic use of transitional fuels like natural gas, while addressing the challenges of equity and affordability in energy access. A crucial read for understanding the multifaceted approach needed to achieve a just and effective transition to a low-carbon future.' Nuki Agya Utama, Asia Zero Emission Centre 'Finance is key to the transition towards a net-zero future in emerging markets and developing economies. Countries in the rapidly developing south-east Asian (SEA) region are grappling with this challenge and are exploring various strategies to address the same. This extremely useful and topical book discusses various aspects of interlinkages of finance with the transition to a net-zero future in the SEA economies, including but not limited to climate related transition risks, stranded assets, financial mechanisms like JETP, preference for natural gas based power, and cost-benefit of power systems transformation. With a thoughtfully curated set of chapters dealing with inter-linked yet distinct issues, the book is a must read for stakeholders interested in understanding the rapidly evolving transition of the SEA region.' Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)