Can transition credits help SE Asia kick the coal habit?
Green Pulse host and ST deputy foreign editor, David Fogarty looks at Asia's tough balancing act: meeting rising electricity demand while cutting emissions, and the role of transition credits in helping shut down young coal plants early. ST PHOTO: HADYU RAHIM
Green Pulse Podcast Can transition credits help SE Asia kick the coal habit?
Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.
Carbon credits are increasingly regarded as a key way to accelerate investment in renewable energy in Asia while also shutting down polluting coal plants early. Burning coal is a top source of planet-warming CO2 and air pollution.
Asia faces a major challenge of meeting its growing appetite for electricity while also curbing emissions growth. A further challenge: The average age of coal power plants in the region is about 15 years – when the plants have a life of up to 50 years.
To compensate plant owners, a coalition of power companies, banks, governments and philanthropy have come together to embrace transition credits, which monetise each tonne of CO2 saved from shutting down a coal plant early. The money from credit sales helps pay for the renewable energy power generation that replaces the coal power plant.
But how far are we from viable transition credit projects and the sale of these credits? And who will buy them?
Join Green Pulse hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss these questions in this episode.
Have a listen and let us know your thoughts!
Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):
1:42 What are transition credits?
3:53 Are there any projects in the pipeline that could yield transition credits?
5:53 Any idea how much transition credits might be?
9:08 Who will be the main buyers?
11:46 What are the criticisms of transition credits?
16:19 The chicken-and-egg problem. Build the green power project first, credit money comes later.
Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W
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Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy
Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu
Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg)
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
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In its own quiet way, the company is doing more than air-conditioning Singapore. It is helping to reimagine how comfort, efficiency, and environmental stewardship can co-exist in the cities of tomorrow. Supporting Singapore's green plan 2030 How Daikin is contributing to national climate and sustainability targets Greener refrigerants First in Singapore to introduce R32 refrigerant systems, reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency. District cooling at scale Implementing centralised systems in Tengah and TechnoPark to deliver large-scale, low-carbon cooling infrastructure. Smart technology integration Advancing digital platforms like Reiri and Marutto to optimise energy use and enable real-time system management. Collaboration with Singapore's Building Construction Authority and National Environment Agency Supporting the Green Mark programme, Super Low Energy buildings, and refrigerant transition policies in partnership with key government agencies. Daikin plays a key role in Singapore's green building push through its Green Mark and Super Low Energy initiatives. Indoor air quality innovation Rolling out Streamer Technology to promote healthier environments in homes, offices, and public buildings. Milestones in innovation 1968: Daikin enters the Singapore market 1986: Launch of the world's first VRV system 2012 (in Japan): Introduction of R32 refrigerant systems, a more environmentally friendly alternative 2020: Launch of district cooling project at Tengah 2022 (operational in 2025): JV with SP Group for industrial district cooling at TechnoPark
