Asia
Exclusive: Japan uses ‘environmental’ fund to finance Vietnamese coal plant
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation approved a loan to the controversial Vung Ang 2 coal project from a facility intended for “environmental preservation”
Pakistan signals coal power exit, in potential model for China’s belt and road
Imran Khan announced his government would not approve any more coal power plants and pivot to renewables, contrary to the grid operator’s forecast of a coal boom
As Taiwan models net zero scenarios, campaigners push for 2050 target
The island nation is a major manufacturer and campaigners hope it will follow Japan and South Korea in setting a 2050 net zero target next year
Malaysian bank to phase out coal finance, in a victory for campaigners
CIMB has been hailed as the first major bank in an emerging market to publish a coal exit strategy, after investing $2.6 billion in the sector last decade
China’s environment ministry floats ‘ban’ on coal power investment abroad
A Chinese government-commissioned report proposes stricter environmental standards for “belt and road” investments, but it needs buy-in from financial institutions
In Bangladesh, the marginalised Munda face extra barriers to climate adaptation
Shut off from microfinance and benefits, members of the Hindu minority in coastal Bangladesh have struggled to rebuild their lives after Cyclone Amphan
In Java, a Japanese-financed coal plant threatens our health and livelihoods
The Indramayu coal plant will dirty our air, destroy our livelihoods and worsen the climate crisis. Japan must stop financing it immediately
Asian net zero wave leaves Australia’s Scott Morrison isolated
While China, Japan and South Korea set net zero emissions targets and polls show strong support for Australia to follow, Morrison is standing by the coal industry
South Korea formally commits to cutting emissions to net zero by 2050
President Moon Jae-in’s announcement follows a three-day visit by Cop26 president-designate Alok Sharma to South Korea
Philippines declares moratorium on new coal power plants
The move could scrap 8GW of planned coal projects which haven’t been fully approved, sending a strong signal to investors in the region coal is out of favour
Who will build the world’s last coal plant?
Banks, companies and governments are axing support for coal, driven by climate concerns and competition from renewables, but hundreds of plants are still in planning
Vietnam braces for Typhoon Molave, in worst tropical storm season for decades
Molave will be the fourth storm to hit the nation’s central region in less than three weeks — leaving communities no time to recover before being hit again and harder
Japan set to announce 2050 net zero emissions target – report
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to unveil plans to achieve carbon neutrality in a speech on Monday, following growing pressure on Tokyo to step up ambition
South Korea pursues Vietnamese coal plant, drawing international criticism
A decision by state-owned utility Kepco to invest in Vung Ang 2 coal power station goes against the government’s “green new deal” rhetoric
Vietnam brings cement sector into new climate submission to the UN
The southeast Asian nation has made slight improvements to its 2030 climate plan but still expects emissions to increase rapidly over the next decade
Forest destruction spiked in Indonesia during coronavirus lockdown
Travel restrictions allowed illegal deforestation to flourish in Indonesia – and government plans to cut environmental protections raise fears for the future
Bangladesh considers scrapping 90% of its coal power pipeline
The energy minister has signalled a major pivot away from Chinese-funded coal plants in Bangladesh, but this is not yet government policy
No time for loopholes: Japan must immediately end all overseas coal finance
Environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi promised to scrap funds for dirty power plants abroad, but the government is making too many exceptions
We must build back better after Cyclone Amphan
A large-scale evacuation saved lives, but the threat of coronavirus looms in crowded cyclone shelters and repairing the damage will cost billions of dollars
South Korea to implement Green New Deal after ruling party election win
Seoul is to set a 2050 net zero emissions goal and end coal financing, after the Democratic Party’s landslide victory in one of the world’s first Covid-19 elections