Southeast Asia is Paving the Way for Climate Resilience

Southeast Asia is at the forefront of the climate crisis and considered one of the most climate vulnerable regions in the world. 

It’s also paving the way for climate resilience by focusing on the clean energy transition, improving air quality, and protecting the ocean.  

Bloomberg Philanthropies is committed to working alongside our partners to support the region in these efforts.

Since 2017, we’ve expanded our work to transition the region from coal to clean energy. Along with our partners, we’ve worked on projects to retire coal plants and invest in renewable energy, while supporting local governments to accelerate carbon neutrality policy actions.

Indonesia is one of the most coal-reliant countries in Southeast Asia, but its economic growth depends on secure, reliable, and renewable energy. Indonesia also has abundant and untapped potential for solar power, and it is set to increase the renewable energy manufacturing in the region. As one of the largest economies in the region, it serves as a blueprint for scaling climate solutions that deliver for people and communities. 

Through the Breathe Cities initiative, cities around the world tackle air pollution to cut emissions and safeguard public health.

Jakarta is one of twelve cities in the Breathe Cities network and has made great strides with improving air quality, including developing an Air Pollution Control Task Force to monitor and evaluate progress.

Through the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative, we work with partners throughout Southeast Asia in the Philippines, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Cambodia, and Malaysia to secure new Marine Protected Areas, track small-scale fisheries, conserve coral reefs, and restore coastal ecosystems. 

Last week, to continue building on the progress of Southeast Asia’s climate goals, leaders from across the region gathered at the first-ever Southeast Asia Climate Philanthropy Forum, co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, to discuss how to accelerate the region’s transition to a clean, prosperous, and healthy future.

As Southeast Asia looks to increase their economic growth and meet their environmental goals, governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and climate philanthropy leaders from the region and around the world gathered at the Forum to help identify and address these challenges. In partnership with the Asia Philanthropy Circle, Clean Air Asia, ClimateWorks Foundation, International Energy Agency, Rare, Tara Climate Foundation, and ViriyaENB, discussions highlighted key actions, successes, and insights on climate solutions originating from Southeast Asia and identified areas for collaboration to further empower local communities and ensure a just transition.

Tackling climate change by transitioning to renewable energy, cleaning the air we breathe, and protecting our ocean is no small feat, but through robust collaboration and people-centered solutions, we can empower local communities and ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people.