Thailand And Vietnam Accelerate Energy Reforms To Power A Cleaner Future

As global demand for steel is rising, Indonesia’s steel industry is one of the country’s largest industrial greenhouse gas emitters and is set to become far more polluting if current trends continue, according to a nonprofit report.

Bangkok authorities have launched a pilot project to help motorcycle taxi riders switch to electric vehicles (EV), as industry groups push for broader measures to boost EV demand nationwide.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in partnership with Germany’s development agency GIZ, on Monday introduced the “EV for Motorcycle Taxi Riders” scheme under Thai-German cooperation on energy and climate.

The Philippines wants to become a regional data centre hub, but high power prices, coal-heavy electricity, grid constraints and climate risks are testing that vision. Analysts say data centres could grow fast, yet competitiveness will depend on how quickly renewables, grid upgrades, permitting reforms and climate-resilient infrastructure actually materialise on the ground.

Vietnam’s industry ministry has proposed raising the cap on surplus rooftop solar sold to the grid from 20% to 50%, with payments linked to average market prices but below ground-mounted solar tariffs. The draft also allows surplus from public buildings and waives caps in off-grid mountainous, border, and island areas.