News

South Korea’s LS Group announced on Dec. 17 that it will invest in Vietnam’s rare earth sector, committing KRW 25.8 billion (USD 17.6 million) to expand related facilities at its plant in Ho Chi Minh City.

As Southeast Asia focuses on building the ASEAN Power Grid, there will be a higher chance of success if interconnections are designed to be modular and embedded within a broader regional integration agenda.

Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara on Dec. 22 signed a preliminary agreement with state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), committing to provide funding support and assist in the development of renewable power projects.

Vietnam’s Vinh Long province is in talks with Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries on potential investments in renewable energy and an eco-industrial park.

Hanoi is stepping up efforts to fully transition to green transportation by 2030, with the city government pledging to expand low-carbon public bus services and roll out supporting measures.

The Philippines is advancing marine ecosystem management, backed by USD 1 billion in international financing and a new national blue economy framework.

A quieter form of tourism is taking shape in Southeast Asia — one that places greater emphasis on local communities, lighter environmental footprints, and experiences that don’t need a filter to feel meaningful.

This week in ASEAN, Google signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Japan’s Shizen Energy to support carbon-free data centers in Malaysia, while Vietnam approved hybrid vehicle tax cuts set to take effect in 2026.

The fact that the Philippines requires flood control measures is beyond dispute. But the problem goes far deeper.

Singapore leads Southeast Asia in the number of green startups, with 494 companies accounting for around 45% of the regional total—far surpassing second- and third-ranked Indonesia and Malaysia.