Baku, Azerbaijan—Southeast Asian Civil society called on world leaders to deliver an ambitious climate finance goal and advance the phaseout of fossil fuels in response to both the climate crisis and global biodiversity loss at the 29th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).
In a press conference coinciding with World Fisheries Day and the COP29 Nature and Biodiversity, Oceans, and Coastal Zones Day, the groups highlighted the ongoing fossil fuel expansion in Southeast Asia, which is driving biodiversity loss, threatening food security, and undermining the livelihoods of coastal communities, especially in highly biodiverse areas such as the Verde Island Passage and the Coral Triangle as a whole—all while contributing to worse climate change.
“In Southeast Asia, we are witnessing an unprecedented expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Our region has become one the world’s largest coal expansionists, and now we are being pushed toward a massive gas buildout that will lock us into fossil fuel dependency for decades to come,” explained Martha Vergara, Oceans and Climate Deputy Head of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).
Analyses from CEED and other environmental experts reveal an alarming concentration of fossil fuel expansion in biodiversity hotspots in Southeast Asia. At 84.6 gigawatts, Vietnam and the Philippines alone account for 62% of the planned gas capacity in the region. The biodiverse Mekong Delta will host 66% of Vietnam’s fossil gas capacity, while in the Philippines, the Verde Island Passage – dubbed the ‘Amazon of the Oceans’—has become g ground zero for fossil gas expansion.
In a report published during COP29, the sustainability think tank found that a massive share of financing channeled to continued fossil fuel expansion in Southeast Asia since the Paris Agreement is linked to Global Northern and developed nations. This, despite an abundance of planned renewable energy capacity that would be more aligned to the region’s climate goals and protection of biodiversity.
“Southeast Asia region is renewable energy-rich, and the Philippines and Vietnam, for a start, can go to 100% renewable energy. There is a need for decarbonization in line with the net zero emissions pledges and a phase-out of fossil fuels,” said Nithi Nesadurai, Director and Regional Coordinator of Climate Action Network Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Vince Cinches, Global Campaign Manager of World Animal Protection highlighted the harmful impact of oil, gas, and industrial agriculture in Southeast Asia, stressing that these issues are driving climate change, undermining livelihoods, and are all deeply interconnected.
“The expansion of this oil and gas and the industrial food and agriculture production model in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, is not only driving climate change by releasing massive carbon emissions but further devastating the livelihoods of millions again on this pivotal day. We stress that the interconnectedness of the issues that we are fighting for against oil and gas, food security, and climate actions are basically interconnected,” said Cinches.
According to the groups, the delivery of an ambitious climate finance goal at COP29 is critical in moving toward climate action, a global energy transition, and curbing biodiversity loss.
“Global Northern nations must stop fueling fossil fuels. We call for the establishment of fossil fuel-free zones in critical biodiversity areas, including the Mekong Delta, Coral Triangle, and at its heart, Verde Island Passage, including restriction of financing by financial institutions to fossil fuel projects in these areas. We also stand in solidarity with all civil society and vulnerable nations in demanding the delivery of at least US$1.3 trillion in climate finance in a just and equitable manner. We need public grants, not more debt-inducing loans,” said Vergara.