Wendy Lo

After days of tense negotiations, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) voted on Oct. 17 to defer discussions on the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for one year.

The Philippines has issued a framework policy for generating carbon credits in the energy sector. The guidelines align the country with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, paving the way for bilateral and multilateral carbon trading.

Nations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in London are set to vote today to formally adopt the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) to cut shipping emissions, but questions are mounting over policy uncertainty and U.S.-led opposition.

Renewable capacity in ASEAN has more than doubled over the past decade, but an investment of up to USD 10.7 billion in smart grids will be needed to meet rising power demand and sustain economic growth, according to Ember.

Malaysia unveiled its USD 111 billion budget for 2026 on Oct. 10, which includes plans to introduce a carbon tax next year, initially targeting the steel, cement, and energy sectors.

Mets, the Philippines’ leading cold-storage provider, has signed a renewable-energy supply deal with First Gen Corp., the country’s largest geothermal supplier, to cut costs and emissions in this energy-intensive sector.

The U.S. on Friday warned of retaliatory measures against countries that vote in favor of an IMO proposal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

Thailand’s energy giant Bangchak Corporation will allocate part of its USD 30 million budget to develop e-fuel technology, aiming to reduce transportation carbon emissions.