Climate Action by Japan and Implications for Southeast Asia
ISEAS-RIETI JOINT WEBINAR
CLIMATE CHANGE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA PROGRAMME
About the Webinar
Following the announcement of its 2050 net zero target last year, Japan has strengthened its commitment to climate cooperation, including working with Southeast Asian countries to expand regional energy policy and trading, renewable energy and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS). As part of its Asia Energy Transition Initiative, Japan pledged US$10 billion in public and private financial support for energy transition efforts in ASEAN such as renewable energy deployment and the conversion of coal-fired power plants to gas-fired plants. The Initiative will further support human resources development, knowledge sharing activities and technology development. In anticipation of Japan’s growing regional leadership in climate action, this joint ISEAS-RIETI webinar will discuss in detail its policies and interests in advancing decarbonisation efforts in Southeast Asia, as well as identify opportunities for greater engagement.
About the Speakers
Dr Ryan Wong is a Lead Researcher at the Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. His current research focuses on the politics of energy transition. His recent work includes conflict avoidance in Sustainable Development Goals and empty promises of ASEAN’s energy plan. Initiatives related to sustainable finance and climate-energy integration were also part of his research investigation. Ryan has a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Melbourne and a PhD in Regulation and Governance from the Australian National University. After six years in various policy planning roles in Australia, he then completed visiting fellowships at George Mason University, University of Colorado, OECD, IDDRI, and Santa Fe Institute. In his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Munich, Ryan taught federalism, artificial intelligence governance, and research design.
Mr Takeshi Soda is the Director for International Affairs and Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan. He has long and rich experience of energy and climate change policy. Prior to METI, he transferred to the U.S. and served as the Special Adviser to METI and Director of JETRO New York from 2016 to 2019. As a senior liaison between METI and the US government, he devoted himself to create Japan-US Strategic Energy Partnership (JUSEP), agreed between two top leaders of both countries in November 2017. Mr Soda received an MBA in 2004 from the Goizueta Business School of Emory University in Atlanta, GA, USA. He obtained a BA in philosophy from the University of Tokyo in 1997.
Mr Hirokazu Kobayashi is Consulting Fellow at the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), Japan. He also takes various roles, including Special Advisor to METI Minister for ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Affairs, Chair of Special Task Force of ASEAN-Japan Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee, and Executive Director at JETRO Singapore. After joining METI in 1996, he has been in charge of energy policy and environmental policy for many years, in addition to a variety of experiences in other areas such as trade policy and automobile industry policy.
Ms Moekti Handajani Soejachmoen (Kuki Soejachmoen) is currently the Executive Director of the Indonesia Research Institute for Decarbonization (IRID) and one of its Co-founders. She has been working in climate change since early 1990s. Her first area in this issue was scientific modelling in relation to the energy-based sector during her time with the Center for Research on Energy at the Institut Teknologi Bandung. While at Pelangi Indonesia, she was actively involved in the Climate Action Network (CAN) not only in Indonesia but also in CAN Southeast Asia and CAN International. She was on the boards of CAN International and CAN Southeast Asia. Her involvement in international climate negotiations started in the year 2000 during COP-6 in the Hague. After her tenure as the Executive Director of Pelangi Indonesia in 2010, she joined the Office of Indonesia’s President’s Special Envoy (PSE) for Climate Change for 2 terms (2010-2014 and 2015-2019), where she assisted the PSE in international climate negotiations, including during the preparation of the Paris Agreement. After COP21 in Paris, she remained part of Indonesia’s Article 6 of the Paris Agreement negotiating team. She has been involved in a number of studies and policy analysis related to climate change, energy, transportation and air quality.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
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If you have questions for the panellists, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the panellists during the Q&A session.