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RECCESSARY’s “ASEAN Weekly” highlights Southeast Asia’s new energy and carbon market updates. (Image: RECCESSARY)
This week’s ASEAN sustainability highlights the economic drag from the energy crisis and new developments in international carbon trading. The World Bank has downgraded Thailand’s 2026 economic growth forecast to 1.3%, as Prime Minister rolled out energy policies to mitigate the impact. To help businesses address climate risks, Singapore has established the Council for a Competitive Climate Transition (C3T). Meanwhile, Vietnam has officially introduced a legal framework for cross-border carbon credit trading. Here are the key ASEAN stories from April 6–12.
Thailand’s growth cut to 1.3% amid energy crisis, PM Anutin unveils policy response
Thailand’s new government is stepping into office with the global energy crisis as its first major policy test, with rising fuel costs adding immediate pressure to an already weakening economic outlook.
In a policy statement to parliament on April 9, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul set out a response centred on biofuel expansion, electricity market reform, and faster clean energy deployment, positioning higher energy prices as a “new normal” likely to persist over the next one to two years. The administration is maintaining its target of at least 3% annual GDP growth, even as external headwinds intensify.Read more here
Vietnam opens international carbon trading, allows up to 90% credit sales for renewables
Vietnam has officially introduced a legal framework governing cross-border greenhouse gas mitigation outcomes and carbon credit trading, marking a major step toward integration with the global carbon market.
Under the new rules, projects deploying technologies such as offshore wind, carbon capture, and green hydrogen will be allowed to transfer up to 90% of their generated carbon credits to other countries. The policy is expected to unlock new revenue streams for both the government and private sector, while supporting Vietnam’s national emissions reduction commitments. The regulation is set to take effect on May 19.Read more here
Malaysian waste manager 5E Resources bets on EV battery recycling ahead of IPO
Malaysia-based scheduled waste management firm 5E Resources Holdings is positioning itself as an early mover in electric vehicle (EV) battery treatment and recycling, ahead of its planned listing on the ACE Market on April 15.
The company is developing facilities at its Pasir Gudang factory in Johor to handle EV battery waste, which chief operating officer Shankar Narasingam described as a high-growth segment driven by rising EV adoption across Malaysia.Read more here
Malaysia-based 5E Resources Holdings is positioning itself as an early mover in electric vehicle battery recycling. (Photo: 5E Resources)
Singapore launches C3T council to align businesses on climate resilience, low-carbon transition
Singapore has established a new public-private platform to help businesses navigate climate-related risks and the low-carbon transition, framing climate preparedness as a business competitiveness issue rather than a compliance obligation.
The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) jointly launched the Council for a Competitive Climate Transition (C3T) on April 6. The council will be co-chaired by Ravi Menon, Ambassador for Climate Action and Senior Adviser at NCCS, and Kok Ping Soon, Chief Executive Officer of SBF.Read more here
Indonesia data center boom strains water supply, experts urge WUE transparency
Ensuring water supply has become a pressing challenge for Indonesia’s rapidly growing data center sector. Key hubs such as Jakarta and Batam Island in the Riau Islands are located in hot and humid climates, where operators rely heavily on conventional mechanical cooling systems—driving up water consumption. Read more here
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