Climate Trailblazers: Towards Net Zero

Asia is the fastest-growing region globally, but that growth has come with a price. Carbon emissions are warming the planet and causing a climate emergency. The continent accounts for almost half of the world’s energy demand and is now the highest emitting region. But now Asia, and the world, are in a race to decarbonise. A new documentary series by Temasek, in partnership with Mediacorp, takes a close-up look at what Asia is doing to decarbonise and keep up with the global race to net-zero by 2050.

The three-part series spotlights the renewable energy transition in Asia, the challenges and decarbonisation pathways for hard-to-abate sectors of aviation and maritime, and how carbon markets and private capital can catalyse breakthroughs and innovations in solutions for the climate crisis.

A renewable energy transition is underway. Battery energy storage systems are unleashing the potential of renewables, by supplying grids with uninterrupted clean power as microgrids in developing economies empower remote communities and help countries grow the adoption of renewables quickly and cheaply. And soon, whole regions could also cooperate to achieve collective climate goals through interconnected grids.

The hard-to-abate sectors of aviation and maritime industries collectively make up approximately 6% of global carbon emissions today. This is expected to grow as global trade and air travel continue on an upward trajectory. New liquid fuels like hydrogen and ammonia could be a solution for the maritime industry if the challenges to utilising these fuels can be unlocked. Meanwhile, for aviation, adoption grows of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) which can help reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil jet fuel.

Ambitious targets have been set to mitigate climate change, but getting to net-zero will require large amounts of capital. In 2019, it was estimated that US$131 trillion would be needed through to 2050, just for the energy transition. Governments can’t do it alone, so private capital is stepping up.

Carbon taxes and voluntary carbon markets work together to compel firms to decarbonise. At the same time, they indirectly help to catalyse breakthroughs and innovations in new technologies. New partnerships and alliances are also being formed to channel investments towards advancing decarbonisation solutions in this historic investment opportunity.

This docuseries is produced by Mediacorp in partnership with Temasek's Ecosperity platform, which engages global leaders from across sectors and industries to exchange views, share best practices and push the agenda on sustainable development. Learn more about Ecosperity.