News

Environmental non-profit RimbaWatch has launched Malaysia’s first climate-related lawsuit, accusing the government of failing to rein in greenwashing and allowing misleading fossil fuel advertising to go unchecked.

For decades, Borneo Oil Berhad was best known for a familiar brand on Malaysia’s fast-food menus. Today, the group’s ambitions extend well beyond franchised restaurants, spanning natural resources, renewable energy, and circular economy technologies.

The Philippine government is tightening up oversight of 200 power generation and energy storage projects under construction to ensure timely delivery of committed capacity.

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.

Japan will deploy JPY 210 billion (USD 1.34 billion) in subsidies to support companies that rely entirely on decarbonized electricity, with support covering up to 50% of capital expenditure, government officials said on Monday.

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.

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.

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.

The European Parliament voted on Dec. 17 to delay a key antideforestation regulation that was adopted in 2023 and originally supposed to be implemented at the end of 2024.

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.