News
EIA: Renewables share of US electricity generation mix to double by 2050
In its “Annual Energy Outlook 2021,” (AEO2021), the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that the share of renewables in the US electricity generation mix will increase from 21% in 2020 to 42% in 2050. Wind and solar generation are responsible for most of that growth. The renewable share is projected to increase as nuclear and coal-fired generation decrease and the natural gas-fired generation share remains relatively constant. By 2030, renewables will collectively surpass natural gas to be the predominant source of generation in the United States.
ADB, Japan to strengthen cooperation on clean energy in ASEAN region
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to enhance their joint efforts to promote clean energy in Southeast Asia. Signed by ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Bambang Susantono and METI Vice-Minister for International Affairs Shigehiro Tanaka, the MOC will strengthen cooperation between the two organizations under the Cleaner Energy Future Initiative for ASEAN (CEFIA).
Paving the way for electric mobility in South-East Asia
At a major intersection in Jakarta, Indonesia during a recent morning rush hour, a low rumble permeates the sticky air. Dozens of motorbikes and scooters idle impatiently at a stoplight...In the six largest economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), sales of motorcycles and scooters reached over 13.7 million units in 2019. Only China and India saw more sales. But that is becoming a major problem. Along with being noisy, the mushrooming number of conventional motorcycles and scooters is driving up energy consumption, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Why renewable energy could gain from the green hydrogen trend
One of the most notable features of climate policy over the last couple of years has been the rise of national and supranational “net zero” targets. Countries and regions adopting these targets include Europe, the UK, China, South Korea, Japan, Canada, South Africa and a handful of US states. Whilst these are long-term targets, the effects are incredibly powerful, dramatically more so than, say, an 80% decarbonisation target. Under an 80% carbon reduction target, a whole host of carbon-intensive industries might assume themselves to be in the 20% that doesn’t have to structurally change
Electric vehicle sales far surpass pandemic expectations
New International Energy Agency preliminary data shows that worldwide sales grew by an estimated 40% last year, exceeding the agency's expectations. "Backed by existing policy support and additional stimulus measures, the IEA preliminary estimate is that electric car sales worldwide climbed to over 3 million and reached a market share of over 4%," they write. "While impressive, the share of electric vehicles in total car sales is still only one-tenth that of conventional SUV sales," IEA analysts noted in their commentary alongside the data.
PH, US sign new P7.25-B environmental accord
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) signed a new five-year bilateral assistance agreement worth over PHP7.25 billion (USD150 million) to protect Philippine environment, the US Embassy in Manila announced Wednesday. "Through this agreement, the United States and the Philippines deepen their commitment to protect the environment by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, expanding access to renewable energy, and reducing risks from natural disasters," the embassy said.
Biden wants millions of clean-energy related jobs. Can it happen?
Last week, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to addressing climate change by creating green energy jobs, building out a "modern and sustainable infrastructure" toward his continued goal of reaching a carbon-free energy sector in the US by 2035. In remarks last week before signing several executive orders focused on his climate agenda, Biden tied his energy policy directly to his plans to rebuild the US economy, citing the need for new, green infrastructure that would generate millions of jobs.
3 ways ASEAN can build a stronger future post-pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused prolonged socio-economic disruptions in the ASEAN region, exposing fundamental weaknesses and vulnerabilities in various sectors. Yet with steady measures in countries including Viet Nam and Singapore, coupled with the promise of vaccine rollouts, there is optimism for a speedy recovery. If the region’s growth can be restored to pre-pandemic levels, its combined GDP is projected to be the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2030. To accomplish this, the region must prioritize several key actions to support sustainable, resilient growth