Description

This session was part of Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2020, included presentations on policy challenges and approaches for dealing with the impact of COVID-19 on the energy sector. Presentations presented an analysis of impacts of, and policy responses to, COVID-19 in the energy sectors of Southeast Asia, China, and Pakistan.

Public Perspective on the Impact of COVID-19 on Energy and Climate Change in ASEAN
Presenter: Beni Suryadi, Project Manager, ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), ASEAN Centre for Energy

Finding from the survey on the public perspective on the impact of the COVID-19 on energy and climate change in ASEAN highlights that COVID-19 is affecting almost every sector, especially transportation and industry, with fossil fuels and renewable energy as the energy sources impacted the hardest. However, the public also noticed that climate emergencies have somewhat become neglected because of this sudden pandemic. Most people perceived a positive temporary effect on the climate as a consequence of lower economic activities. The Government should use this moment to mainstream the information about climate change mitigation into the society, to infuse a more sustainable economy and environment-friendly activities in our daily lives. Identifying the short-term, near-term, and long-term aftermaths are necessary to mitigate the undesirable effects. Climate change issues should not be neglected for too long because AMS are among the vulnerable countries at risk of climate disaster.