As ASEAN Leaders and Ministers convene today in Cebu, Philippines, a group of climate activists and consumers urged ASEAN to ‘transition away’ from continued dependence on fossil fuels, especially now with prolonged instability brought about by the current crisis in the Middle East. The group unfurled a banner urging ASEAN leaders to transition away from fossil fuels today at UCLM (University of Cebu Lapu Lapu Mandaue) in Cebu City.
“Once again, global instability is driving up fuel prices, hurting economies, and placing the greatest burden on ordinary people. ASEAN will remain vulnerable to these recurring shocks as long as governments continue to rely on imported fossil fuels instead of pursuing real energy transformation. The region must treat this crisis as a wake-up call to rapidly expand renewable energy, invest in energy efficiency and community-led decentralized energy systems that directly benefit consumers,” according to Anj Dacanay, lead campaigner of Energy Shift Southeast Asia, a Southeast Asian group of civil society advocates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam pushing for just energy transition in the region.
The group unfurled a 15 feet by 5 feet banner calling on ASEAN to transition away from fossil fuels and map out a long-term renewable energy systems that is safe, clean, and affordable.
Energyshift also reminded ASEAN Leaders to put an end to the region’s overreliance on imported fossil fuels by rapidly and decisively scaling up renewable energy, which threatens the region’s biodiversity.
“Continued fossil fuel expansion threatens critical ecosystems across the Coral Triangle, where existing and proposed oil, gas, LNG, and gas power projects overlap with vital coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass habitats. ASEAN cannot claim to pursue energy security while deepening dependence on the very fuels driving instability, economic volatility, and climate destruction. More fossil fuels will not solve a crisis caused by fossil fuel dependence,” added Dacanay
Guided by the ASEAN People’s Agenda on Climate, Biodiversity, and Energy, Energy Shift Southeast Asia calls on ASEAN leaders to reject further fossil fuel expansion, accelerate a just transition to renewable energy, and ensure that all crisis response measures align with climate and development commitments.