S1E101: Banking on change - unlocking Asia’s green transition

The Asian Development Bank is trying to bring green power to the
people while curbing climate risks. It’s a huge challenge.


Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits
Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from
biodiversity conservation to climate change.


Asia is the economic engine of the world. This powerhouse region
is growing quickly and so are its energy demands. 


Millions of people still do not have access to electricity or
clean cooking stoves. And its growing economies need affordable
and reliable energy to power the region’s burgeoning industries.


But Asia is also the world’s top source of greenhouse gas
emissions heating up the planet. And these emissions, mainly from
burning fossil fuels, are driving more severe flooding, droughts,
fires and higher seas that are taking a huge toll on the
region. 


So how to bring power to the people without cooking the region
and the planet?


In this episode, ST's climate editor David Fogarty speaks with Dr
Priyantha Wijayatunga, chief of the energy sector group at the
Asian Development Bank, who is leading the ADB’s efforts to fund
the region’s multi-trillion dollar energy transition. 


Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):


1:22 What is the climate and energy challenge in Asia?


5:59 Is it possible to meet the region’s energy needs while
reducing the climate risks?


13:25 Are you the man in the hot seat driving the region’s green
transition for the bank?


14:47 For SE Asia, what’s the current trend for green energy
investment?


16:31 What is the ADB’s US$100 billion climate fund and how is it
working?


Produced by: David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis
& Hadyu Rahim


Edited by: Hadyu Rahim


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Special edition series:


True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T


The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps):
https://str.sg/wuZ2


Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn


Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB


Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa


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