As the end of the pandemic seems to be further than expected, the development of climate-friendly technologies would require proper incentives, in both supply and demand sides. For example, tariff reduction or even exemption could ease the consumers to survive during the pandemic, providing chances to manage economic activities in a sustainable way.
Despite the disruption of renewable energy projects, the COVID-19 pandemic could bridge a faster way into energy transition. The crisis also has shown us a glimpse of what life would be with breathable air level. Researches have also provided a strong reason to keep the sky free from pollutants that adversely impact public safety, with identifying a correlation between short-and long-term cleaner air and COVID-19-related mortality levels.
In another side, delayed projects become more common nowadays as private sectors still struggling to survive with the support of incentives by local authority.
Post-pandemic era is not only about economic rebound, but it is the time for the global and local community to focus their investment and interest in sustainable strategies to ensure energy security in the future and to keep their commitment to accelerating climate change mitigation. With the roll-out of new normal and green recovery in some countries, it is time to shift our attention back to the climate issues. International supports also become even more important.
As countries in the region refocus its attention from pandemic response to post-pandemic recovery, climate agenda should find its way to get back into the mainstream discussion.
