Views from SIEW Thinktank Roundtables D, E, F: Decarbonising the Global Energy Economy

In the next round of SIEW Thinktank Roundtables, industry experts examined how countries can speed up the transition to a green economy, improve energy access, and realise ASEAN’s net-zero ambitions.

SIEW Thinktank Roundtable D, hosted by the Asia-Europe Foundation, examined how countries can reset and restructure their economies to accelerate the transition to a green economy.

Jen Tan of @Sembcorp believes that there has been a big shift in terms of the kind of skills we need in the #green economy.#SIEW2021 #SIEWThinkTankRoundtables

— SingaporeInternationalEnergyWeek (@SIEW_sg) October 28, 2021

Moving towards a #green economy is also about renovating existing buildings - which has potential for improving energy efficiency as well as creating job opportunities, shares H.E. Jean-Paul Senninger, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Thailand #SIEW2021 #SIEWThinkTankRoundtables

— SingaporeInternationalEnergyWeek (@SIEW_sg) October 28, 2021

During SIEW Thinktank Roundtable E, co-led by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS), industry leaders discussed the policy and technological options available to improve energy access worldwide.

One of the big challenges to the #energy transition is the jobs, people & communities tied to #coal-related industries, highlights Dr Michael Stanley of @WorldBank "We must make sure that we have good social programmes to minimise impact." #SIEW2021 #SIEWThinkTankRoundtables

— SingaporeInternationalEnergyWeek (@SIEW_sg) October 28, 2021

Methanol can be an energy source for cooking and heating in China, shares Kai Zhao, Methanol Institute, Chief Representative, China. #SIEW2021 pic.twitter.com/fQcjES4WTH

— Lucas (@Lucastay1717) October 28, 2021

The British Chamber of Commerce Singapore hosted SIEW Thinktank Roundtable F, highlighting the potential pathways to meet ASEAN’s regional ambitions on net-zero.

Industry experts explored Asia’s role in the global energy transition, and the options available, such as hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies.

Paul Jordan of UK Energy Catapult feels there is a role for hydrogen in decarbonization even though it is not very efficient as a fuel because hydrogen is easily transportable, can be stored for long periods, and be converted into more energy-dense ammonia. #SIEW2021

— Michael Heng (@MichaelHengEMA) October 28, 2021

What are the trade opportunities on the journey to decarbonising ASEAN? Energy stakeholders observed how ASEAN is building its sustainable infrastructure to meet its net-zero ambitions.

Tom Moody of UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) shares that solar and wind power are alternative energy sources that ASEAN is looking at in addition to an ASEAN common energy grid to decarbonize. #SIEWThinkTankRoundtables #SIEW2021

— Michael Heng (@MichaelHengEMA) October 28, 2021

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