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This week in Southeast Asia, renewable energy, carbon governance, and marine sustainability take center stage. Indonesia’s Danantara fund backs PLN to speed up green projects, while the government cracks down on illegal palm oil and mining.

Vietnam’s government on the 24th approved detailed arrangements for a pilot carbon emissions allowance scheme, outlining how allowances will be calculated and adjusted based on three key criteria.

Indonesia could collect up to USD 8.5 billion in fines by 2026 from palm oil producers and mining companies found to be operating illegally in forest areas, Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin said on Wednesday.

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.