Extreme high temperatures — a ‘once-in-200-years heat wave’ — have been hitting many Asian countries in recent weeks, including those in Southeast Asia. Experts said that it is only the beginning of an era that will see more frequent heat waves and other erratic weather.
This year’s heat wave has made at least two points clear: there is a non-negotiable urgency for everyone to switch to renewables, and Southeast Asia can not afford to wait for the US and its allies to provide help.
In the absence of support promised by the rich countries — whether it’s money, technology, or even definitive policies to swiftly curb oil and gas companies’ activities — countries in Southeast Asia increasingly depend on China for long-term and short-term climate solutions. As climate change progresses, this will become increasingly hard to balance.
We are already seeing Vietnam importing more energy from China to cope with the heat, as people use more air conditioners and refrigerators are cranking up energy use. Vietnam is one of the hardest-hit countries in the region, with its northern and central areas recording more than 44 degrees Celcius. Energy demand shot through the roof, causing blackouts. Others, including China, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have also faced power outages.
“Heat waves are kind of the start of a vicious cycle downwards,” said Malavika Bambawale, APAC managing director at Engie’s sustainability division Engie Impact when speaking to The Japan Times last week. “You’re creating climate change, and then you’re causing more demand for energy, and then it’s creating more climate change.”
China has emerged as one of the most reliable partners for many Southeast Asian nations that are building their renewable energy capacities. Today, China is the largest financier of renewable energy projects in the Indo-Pacific.
The heat waves have also brought about an imminent water crisis in the Lower Mekong region. If the crisis worsens, it could trigger diplomatic headaches for all parties involved.
It shows that China, ultimately, has significant power to make or break Southeast Asia’s responses to worsening climate change impacts. That is precisely why Southeast Asia believes that cooperation with China is inescapable, and, given the enormous task at hand, it may even be helpful.
This nuance is perhaps something that many of us wish the West would understand a little more or at least tolerate when they enter negotiation rooms with China. Hostile competition between Washington and Beijing is hurting the climate fight in this part of the world, as many experts have pointed out. And in this game, when somebody is left behind, everybody loses.
