ASEAN’S climate conversation does not stop at preventing double counting. Even if accounting rules improve, a deeper question remains: can the region harmonise climate claims without undermining national sovereignty? The potential is significant. Cross-border trade in Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and carbon credits can unlock investment, diversify supply, and accelerate decarbonisation. But every government wants its transition to deliver jobs, capacity, and local growth. The fear is that freer markets

ASEAN today stands at a climate crossroads. Governments are pledging bold nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, while corporations across the region are racing to declare net-zero strategies. Both fronts appear aligned in ambition, but beneath the surface lies a growing tension: who truly owns the carbon claim? When governments and companies report the same emission reduction, credibility falters. This is not a minor technicality. It is a

AS Malaysia strides into a new era of energy transformation, two critical forces –democratisation and diversification – will define the nation’s future energy security. The journey towards sustainability is not merely about reducing carbon emissions or adopting new technologies; it is about ensuring that all Malaysians have a stake in the transition and that the energy mix is resilient enough to withstand global uncertainties. In this final instalment of the

MALAYSIA’s energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation, guided by the six Ds of energy evolution: decentralisation, decarbonisation, digitalisation, deregulation, democratisation, and diversification. The first article in this series explored how decentralised energy systems and decarbonisation are laying the groundwork for a sustainable future – empowering consumers, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering resilience within the energy ecosystem. This second article shifts focus to two other driving forces: digitalisation and deregulation.

IN a rapidly evolving energy landscape, disruption management is no longer optional – it is essential. Leaders operating in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world must embrace change.  Malaysia’s energy sector, in particular, is undergoing a profound transformation to address sustainability challenges. Without strong leadership to harmonise competing interests, the system risks derailment, with dominant players overshadowing innovation and stifling competition. The country’s energy sector is now at