Rising Sun

Southeast Asia sees Japan as the world’s climate leader above the US and EU

Image credit: Ania Korsunska

Most countries in Southeast Asia now hold Japan in high esteem when it comes to climate leadership, climate innovation, and knowledge sharing.

That's according to an eye-opening report by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, a Singapore-based think tank on Southeast Asia's socio-political, security, and economic trends.

The report's findings are striking but not surprising for observers of Asia's energy transition. At the highest level, they paint a picture of the geopolitical pecking order in the domains of climate policies and energy transition in the Asia-Pacific. What is that picture, you ask? There are at least 3 points:

1. Japan is the most trusted and respected climate leader, innovator, and knowledge-sharer in Southeast Asia.

2. The US and EU are of secondary importance to Southeast Asian countries in the domain of climate and energy.

3. Southeast Asia now considers China to be among the main sources of climate expertise and technical know-how.

Let’s look at how we arrive at this picture.

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