October 21, 2024
Bali, Indonesia— Southeast Asian youth-led civil society organizations are taking on the challenge of reshaping the narrative towards a more resilient and empowered region powered by renewable energy, using science-driven storytelling and creative campaigns. This gained momentum following the groundbreaking REalTalk Southeast Asia workshop held in Bali, Indonesia, from 8-11 October 2024.
Organized by The Climate Reality Project Philippines, REalTalk Southeast Asia aimed to cultivate a community of truth-tellers dedicated to advancing the benefits and opportunities of a just energy transition in Southeast Asia. Over 15 organizations from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam came together, forming a new collective that will mobilize a regional digital communications campaign for renewable energy.
Rewriting Southeast Asia’s energy landscape
Southeast Asia, home to over 696 million people with aspirations for a brighter future, faces the stark reality of climate and economic vulnerabilities. Yet, the region’s increasing reliance on fossil fuels only exacerbates these challenges, limiting the potential for sustainable growth and missing out on opportunities for cleaner, more resilient energy development through renewables.
Research indicates that Southeast Asia will become a net importer of fossil gas by 2027, leaving countries facing an uncertain future for the next generation. Despite this, the region’s goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in its total primary energy supply to 23% and installed power capacity to 35% represents a promising yet gradual journey towards a greener future.
REalTalk Southeast Asia sparked dialogues about the unique energy landscape of participating countries, understanding its pressing challenges and untapped opportunities for renewable energy development. However, efforts to promote renewable energy across Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam face obstacles like misconceptions, political resistance, and ideological divides.
“The journey from fossil fuels to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems is not just a technological or economic challenge—it’s a communications challenge as well,” said Kristine Galang, Communications Lead of Climate Reality Philippines. “While the technologies are advancing, and the economic benefits are becoming increasingly clear, these advancements won’t translate into action unless the narrative is compelling enough.”
“Renewable energy is about addressing the climate crisis, creating jobs, fostering energy independence, and ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to clean power. These are complex, intertwined issues, and the success of the renewable energy movement hinges on how well we can cut through the complexity and make the message clear, engaging, and actionable,” she added.
Harnessing youth power
In the face of an urgent need for a just energy transition in the region, Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA) stressed the pivotal role of youth in bringing renewable energy into the spotlight.
Youth voices are essential threads in weaving Southeast Asia’s narrative of a livable future powered by renewable energy.
“My vision for renewable energy in Southeast Asia is to see renewable energy as an affordable and accessible energy source for people across Southeast Asia, including and especially marginalized communities and communities that don’t have easy access to energy,” said Angela Hoten, Student for Fossil-Free Future’s (S4F) Coordinator.
Dacelle Izra Davad, a Sustainable and Renewable Energy Ambassador of the Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ), expressed hope for energy conversations to be gender-inclusive, fostering a more holistic approach in the energy transition.
“My definition for just renewable energy transition is intergenerational, [enabling] meaningful collaborations, to prepare the youth—the future generations—for transitioning to work in the renewable energy sector,” Inggar Pratiwi, President of the Society of Renewable Energy Indonesia Student Chapter ITB, added.
Strengthening CSO collaboration
Despite the challenges of navigating the energy sector, participating civil society organizations are making significant progress. This was particularly evident during the communications strategy session, where they assessed current strategies and outlined potential activities and initiatives for the upcoming year.
In the Philippines, organizations like AYEJ, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and 350 Pilipinas leverage both scientific expertise and creative approaches to mainstream narratives on renewable energy and sustainability, effectively addressing knowledge-sharing gaps in the sector.
“Our goal is to build up global, intersectional grassroots climate movements that hold leaders accountable to science and justice, ignite change through education, organizing, and advocacy that ensures robust community ownership of climate solutions,” said Cesar Carlito Baclagon, 350 Pilipinas’ Regional Finance Campaigner.
Nasri Tahir, the Deputy Director of Research and Education of ASEAN Youth Advocates Network in Brunei, emphasized the need for conscious and intentional information planning when developing purpose-driven energy campaign strategies.
On the other hand, Youth Climate Action Network Vietnam’s Co-Founder Tuan-Ahn Khong, cited the importance of network-building in broadening and reinforcing collective action toward a just energy transition.
Damien Wee from S4F shared their organization’s commitment to “the plurality of voices” in energizing climate conversations and commitments, including and amplifying in their campaigns diverse, counter-cultural, and marginalized perspectives rather than concentrating on a singular viewpoint.
These strategies will lay the groundwork for a larger campaign advocating for a just and inclusive energy transition in the region.
Following the workshop, Climate Reality Philippines will host a series of online sessions to build on the momentum generated. These sessions will focus on finalizing the collective’s communications campaign for the upcoming year.
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Strengthening CSO collaboration
Despite the challenges of navigating the energy sector, participating civil society organizations are making significant progress. This was particularly evident during the communications strategy session, where they assessed current strategies and outlined potential activities and initiatives for the upcoming year.
In the Philippines, organizations like AYEJ, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and 350 Pilipinas leverage both scientific expertise and creative approaches to mainstream narratives on renewable energy and sustainability, effectively addressing knowledge-sharing gaps in the sector.
“Our goal is to build up global, intersectional grassroots climate movements that hold leaders accountable to science and justice, ignite change through education, organizing, and advocacy that ensures robust community ownership of climate solutions,” said Cesar Carlito Baclagon, 350 Pilipinas’ Regional Finance Campaigner.
