Bridging the gap between public perception and policy

The study found that while climate change is acknowledged as a significant issue, it often takes a backseat to other environmental concerns like air pollution and water scarcity. This highlights the need for effective communication strategies that emphasize the interconnection of these challenges and the role of renewable energy in addressing them.

Solar shines, biomass struggles

Solar energy emerged as the most preferred renewable source across the region, while biomass faced significant public resistance due to concerns about environmental impact. This emphasizes the importance of targeted education campaigns to dispel misconceptions about different renewable energy technologies and promote understanding of their environmental and social benefits.

Collaborative research across Southeast Asia

The research involved a collaborative effort among researchers from various institutions across Southeast Asia, including those are from EEPSEA. This collaborative approach facilitated a comprehensive understanding of public perceptions and preferences across diverse urban contexts within the region.

Recommendations for policymakers

The study offers several key recommendations for policymakers:

• Invest in public awareness: Implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns that highlight the link between climate change and other environmental issues, and the benefits of a transition to renewable energy.
• Targeted education: Develop targeted education programs to improve public understanding of the benefits of different renewable energy technologies, including those beyond solar.
• Address equity: Ensure that the costs and benefits of the energy transition are distributed equitably across society.
• Leverage solar potential: Continue to leverage the existing high public perception of solar energy to accelerate its deployment.
• Promote modern bio-energy: Focus research and policy on modern bio-energy technologies to mitigate negative perceptions of bio-energy.

Looking ahead

This research provides a valuable foundation for informed policy-making and public engagement in Southeast Asia’s energy transition. By understanding public perceptions and addressing knowledge gaps, policymakers can create a more inclusive and sustainable energy future for the region.

Bài viết Public Perception Key to Renewable Energy Success in Southeast Asia đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

Participants at the EEPSEA Annual Meeting 2023

In his opening remarks, Dr. Pham Khanh Nam celebrated EEPSEA’s 30-year journey as a pioneering network nurturing environmental and development economics research in Southeast Asia. The conference theme “Charting a Transformative Path: Advancing Sustainable Futures in Southeast Asia” reflected EEPSEA’s goal of fostering transformative discussions and collaborative action towards a greener, cleaner, and more inclusive development in the region.

Dr. Pham Khanh Nam, EEPSEA Director, delivered the welcome remark

The meeting started with two thought-provoking keynote presentations that set the tone for the discussions. The first keynote was delivered by Dr. Ian Coxhead from IDE-JETRO and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, titled “Will you take my (s)crap? Waste havens in the global plastic waste trade.” Dr. Coxhead examined the implications of China’s 2018 ban on plastic waste imports. His research revealed a “waste haven” pattern where plastic waste trade shifted environmental burden to poorer countries with lax environmental regulations. He warned that the increase in plastic waste exports to countries with poor waste management systems could exacerbate the global plastic pollution crisis.

Dr. Ian Coxhead presented his keynote speech about waste havens in the global plastic waste trade

The second keynote was presented by Dr. Lesly Goh, the World Bank Group Senior Technology Advisor. Her presentation, “Designing an innovation ecosystem with multi-stakeholder partnership for carbon sequestration in Southeast Asia,” highlighted the importance of agriculture in Southeast Asia’s economy and its impact on food security. Dr. Goh discussed opportunities from digital technologies to overcome challenges in the global food system like inefficiency, information gaps, and climate change. She advocated for a digital transformation of agri-food systems leveraging technologies to increase farmer incomes, enhance sustainability, and improve nutrition.

Dr. Lesly Goh shared her experience about the opportunities from digital technologies to overcome challenges in the global food system

The parallel sessions allowed for in-depth exploration of diverse topics critical to the region’s sustainable development. Key areas covered included agricultural practices and climate change adaptation, renewable energy adoption, air quality and emission management, environmental management, green production and consumption patterns, climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation strategies, fisheries and aquaculture management, natural capital accounting, economic valuation of ecosystem services, community participation in environmental issues, and socioeconomic impacts assessments.

A presentation at the parallel session

A dedicated World Café discussion facilitated interactive dialogue on developing regional research agendas, integrating gender perspectives in environmental economics research, strengthening research capacity, and enhancing policy impact.

A presentation at the parallel session

Throughout the meeting, participants engaged in vibrant discussions, shared insights, and explored potential collaborations. Networking opportunities allowed researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to establish new connections and strengthen existing partnerships.

Dr. Pham Khanh Nam reviewed the 5 year operation of the EEPSEA Partnership

In the closing remarks, Dr. Nam summarized EEPSEA’s five-year operations supported by Sida funding and the Executive members together expressed the organization’s commitment to working towards self-sufficiency while seeking additional sources to sustain and grow the network.

The EEPSEA Executive Members thanked the network member for their involvement and contribution to the EEPSEA Partnership

The EEPSEA Annual Meeting 2023 served as a platform for collective reflection on the partnership’s achievements, lessons learned, and future strategic directions. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event fostered transdisciplinary approaches, promoted knowledge exchange, and drove up the collaborative efforts towards a greener, more resilient, and inclusive development pathway for Southeast Asia.

Together toward a greener, cleaner and inclusive development in the Southeast Asia

Bài viết EEPSEA Annual Meeting 2023: Charting a Transformative Path – Advancing Sustainable Futures in Southeast Asia đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

Prof. Almas Heshmati gave the instruction on how to measure the Circular Economy Index

Workshop content and outcomes

Day 1 commenced with an overview of circular economy concepts, contrasting them with the traditional linear “take-make-waste” model. Participants learned to compute the multidimensional Circular Economy Index, a tool to measure how well a country/region is transitioning towards circularity across various sectors. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which ranks countries on environmental health and ecosystem vitality, was also covered in depth.

The second day, they were focused on two other indices – the (Sustainable) Development Infrastructure Index and the Environmental Efficiency Index. While the former evaluates a nation’s readiness to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the latter quantifies how productively ecological resources are utilized to drive economic growth. Integrating theory with practical applications, discussions revolved around analyzing Southeast Asia’s current circular economy performance using these indices and identifying major barriers, enablers, and best practices.

Through interactive sessions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants learned to calculate the indices, interpret results, and formulate data-driven circular economy roadmaps tailored to their local contexts. Sharing perspectives from different countries enriched the cross-learnings.

A discussion with participant

Participant testimonials

Kanittha Tambunlertchai from Thailand, part of her nation’s circular economy task force, stated: “This workshop enhanced my expertise in quantifying the circular transition. The knowledge will be invaluable as we finetune Thailand’s national circular economy action plan.”

Pham Anh Huyen from Vietnam’s Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment added: “The methodologies and measurement frameworks covered will allow us to develop a more robust, scientifically-grounded circular economy strategy with clear targets and monitoring mechanisms for Vietnam.”

A discussion with participant

Two PhD scholars from Korea and one from India also attended, keen on incorporating circular economy principles into their research.

Participants in the training course

The workshop concluded with participants receiving certificates with a comprehensive circular economy toolbox to drive sustainability initiatives through an interdisciplinary, data-driven approach in their home countries. Most were also presenters at the 2023 International Conference on Economics, Law and Government, which focused on Accelerating Inclusive Green Transition in Developing Countries, which the UEH University organized following the EEPSEA workshop.

Bài viết Workshop on Measurement and Implementation of Circular Economy in Southeast Asia đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

We cordially invite submissions of theoretical and empirical papers across interdisciplinary areas of environmental and natural resource economics for the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Economy & Environment Partnership for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA). Join us in Ho Chi Minh City from October 27 to 28, 2023.

Objectives

EEPSEA Annual Meeting 2023 aims to foster networking among researchers to facilitate knowledge sharing and future collaborations. Additionally, this would be a chance to evaluate the achievements of the EEPSEA Partnership over the past period, shape its future direction, collectively craft a research agenda for the next phase of development, and enhance collaborative research connections among participants.

Focus

Explore transdisciplinary approaches to green and digital transitions, adaptation, mitigation, and strategies for a cleaner, greener and inclusive development in Southeast Asia. Topics include policy instruments, future scenarios, transition management, international cooperation, and regimes.

• Interdisciplinary approach for environmental and resource management
• Economics of climate change: Damage assessment and adaptation options
• Designing behavioral economics tools for green growth strategy: Greening forestry sector, renewable energy, greening consumption.
• Coastal and marine resources conservation for climate change resilience and poverty reduction
• Urban poor and the environment: Industrial pollution, ecosystem and human health impact, resilience, policy instruments and institutional changes.
• Green energy for sustainable development
• Environmental transboundary problems in Southeast Asia

Participants

• Researchers with papers to be presented at the meeting
• EEPSEA researchers and alumni
• International organizations

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: September 27, 2023
• Notification of Abstract Acceptance: September 30, 2023
• Full/Working Paper Submission Deadline: October 15, 2023
• Conference Dates: October 27-28, 2023

Sponsorship

Thanks to the generous support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the participation of accepted applicants will be fully sponsored. The EEPSEA Partnership will cover round-trip travel expenses to Vietnam, accommodation, and meal allowance.

How to Submit

Submit your abstract/paper and CV online, via the following country or subregion lines:

• Indonesia: https://eepseapartners.org/2023-meeting-indonesia
• Malaysia: https://eepseapartners.org/2023-meeting-malaysia
• Philippines: https://eepseapartners.org/2023-meeting-philippines
• Vietnam: https://eepseapartners.org/2023-meeting-vietnam
• Lower Mekong Subregion (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand): https://eepseapartners.org/2023-meeting-lms

Contact

• EEI Indonesia: Dr. Arief Anshory Yusuf
• EEA Malaysia: Dr. Awang Noor Abd Ghani
• EEG Philippines: Dr. Gem B. Castillo
• EEI Vietnam: Dr. Bui Dung The
• EEI LMS: Dr. Phumsitth Mahasuweerachai

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to sustainable development in Southeast Asia. We look forward to your valuable contributions and participation in this transformative event. For more information and updates, please visit https://eepseapartners.org or contact EEI Director of your country or subregion.

Download the call for paper

Abstract template

Bài viết Call for papers – EEPSEA Annual Meeting 2023 đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

Special Issue on “Digital media data in environment and development economics”

Submission Deadline: 31 January 2024

Environment and Development Economics seeks to publish a special issue on digital media data in environment and development economics. The issue will be guest edited by Andrea Ghermandi, David Katz and Maria L. Loureiro.

Over the past decade user-generated digital content has become an important source of insight into human-environment interactions. Such data—coming from different sources including social networking sites, online ratings and reviews, (micro-)blogging platforms, media sharing services, sports and recreation apps, cellphone network data and more—can offer a unique perspective into people’s perceptions and experiences of the natural environment. Applications in the field of environmental and development economics have focused mainly on integrating user-generated content within established non-market valuation techniques. Applications in lower-income countries are especially lacking, despite the great potential of these new data sources to provide high-volume, relatively easily accessible and scalable findings.

This special issue aims to extend the understanding of the potential applications and new insights that can be generated through the analysis of user-generated content in economic assessments. This call is open to both theoretical and applied empirical contributions which provide novel insights into all aspects related to the uptake of user-generated content within environmental and development economics, with an emphasis on applications in low-income countries. These include, but are not limited to: (1) the integration into non-market valuation techniques; (2) improving understanding of consumer preferences and behavior; (3) the exploration of potential limitations of these new data sources (e.g., from lack of representativeness of the sampled users or data scarcity for specific areas and populations as a consequence of digital divides); and (4) the investigation of the ethical aspects (e.g., privacy protection) related to the analysis of user-generated content in economic studies.

Submission Guidelines: Papers should be submitted by 31 January 2024 at the latest. Early submissions are encouraged and will be processed immediately. Papers will undergo the normal refereeing process. The quality of the paper and the extent to which it fits the focus of the special issue are the criteria for acceptance.

Submissions should be made online at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ede. During the first step of the submission process, in the “Special Issue” field, authors should select “Digital media”. Authors should also indicate in their cover letter that the manuscript is for the “Digital media data in environment and development economics” Special Issue. 

For more details, visit our site. Instructions for contributors can be found here. For further information, authors should contact the Guest Editors at the emails below.

Bài viết Call for papers: Digital media data in environment and development economics đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

The session featured three talks covering various aspects of Asia’s inclusive carbon transition. Dr. Nguyen Quang from Vietnam presented a policy review of developing countries in Asia and discussed multiple strategies, such as carbon pricing, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture, which could help achieve low-carbon development. Dr. Phumsith Mahasuweerachai from the Economy and Environment Institute of Lower Mekong Subregion (EEI-LMS) analyzed the GHG emissions and livelihood impacts of different rice practices in Thailand and suggested ways to make the benefits of greener agriculture more visible. Dr. Gem Castillo of the Economy and Environment Group Philippines shared his experience co-creating a climate governance model with local stakeholders in Iriga City and highlighted the challenges and opportunities for strengthening community resilience.

After the talks, Ms. Haidy Ear-Dupuy, the head of the ADB’s Civil Society Unit, gave the ADB’s reflections and perspectives on the presentations. She spoke highly of the quality of the session and the compelling evidence presented in the talks. Overall, the session was successful in fostering dialogue and knowledge-sharing among participants. It provided a foundation for further discussion, network-building, and collaborations to advance research and policy agendas. “The session highlighted the importance of considering the social and economic impacts of carbon transition policies on vulnerable communities and engaging with local communities in designing and implementing climate policies,” said Haidy Ear-Dupuy.

Bài viết EEPSEA shares insights on inclusive carbon transition at the ADB meeting đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

A hybrid conference with about 100 scholars came to Ho Chi Minh city to participate in the congress while others join virtually

The congress is a forum for scholars to discuss in-depth not only carbon emission but also important topics such as biodiversity, water quality, waste management, and environmental and sustainable development. A special session was devoted to an in-depth discussion for universities (University College London, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Waseda University and Australian National University) to share their strategies and action programs toward carbon neutrality, building and developing a network of sustainable universities.

International researchers attended the plenary sessions

Among 205 papers from 130 research institutes, universities and organizations in more than 30 countries were submitted, 150 papers were selected to be presented at the congress in 39 regular parallel, poster and thematic sessions. Topics included among others carbon neutrality, impact and mitigation policies of climate change, renewable energy and electricity, non-market valuation, biodiversity and ecosystem management, waste management and circular economy, low carbon building, house, and home appliances, climate change and food, forest and agriculture, community resilience, accelerating energy transitions, and sustainable energy in southeast Asian Countries.

Dr. Pham Khanh Nam, Director of the EEPSEA Partnership, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee

The highlight of the Congress was the presentations by two renowned speakers. On the first day of the congress, Prof. Paul Ekins from Institute for Sustainable Resources at the University College London presented the topic Getting to carbon neutrality: Challenges and implications for Asia. He emphasized that the reduction of carbon emissions in the short term has limitations such as reduced GDP, increased investment costs for carbon emissions reduction, etc., but in the long run, it brings many new opportunities for economic development from the reduction of carbon emissions and the development of renewable energy technologies. To move towards the carbon neutral roadmap, it is necessary to involve the governments of countries with policies to promote sustainable development, and mitigate climate change, thereby reducing potential costs.

“Radical policy interventions are required to bring about the low-carbon technological revolution. Changing this political reality is the necessary condition for the adequate mitigation of climate change, and promoting environmental sustainability more generally, which will alone avoid the potentially enormous, but still very uncertain, costs of massive global change,” said Paul Ekins, UCL.

Prof. Paul Ekins – Institute for Sustainable Resources at the University College London – presented the topic “Getting to carbon neutrality: Challenges and implications for Asia”

On the second day, Dr. Muthukumara Mani, Lead Environmental and Climate Change Economist for the Southeast Asia Region, World Bank, shared virtually the latest Vietnam Climate Change and Development Report, titled Reconciling Economic Success with Climate Risks in Vietnam with a propose of six priority policy packages to balance the Vietnam’s economic and environmental goals successfully.

Dr. Muthukumara Mani (World Bank) – virtually presented on the “Reconciling Economic Success with Climate Risks in Vietnam”

“Vietnam wants to achieve economic success by 2045. However, the climate risks could threaten those economic success expectations”, Muthukumara Mani said. “Vietnam’s 100 million people are among the most vulnerable in the world to the consequences of climate change, with an increasingly severe threat to agricultural, forestry, and fishery sectors”.

The congress was very successful in organization with high quality presentations and discussions.

Bài viết Asian scholars discussion on the Carbon Neutrality at the 11th Congress of the AAERE đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

EEPSEA has started its mission since 1993 to support training and research in environmental and natural resource economics in Southeast Asia. Its goal is to strengthen local capacity in the economic analysis of environmental problems so that researchers can provide sound advice to policymakers.

RESEARCH THEMES

Research topics that apply the tools of economics in the analysis of policy-relevant environmental challenges are invited. EEPSEA accepts research proposals on priority national environmental problems. In addition, it encourages research proposals dealing with:

• Economics of climate change: Damage assessment and adaptation options
• Designing behavioral economics tools for green growth strategy: Greening forestry sector, renewable energy, greening consumption.
• Coastal and marine resources conservation for climate change resilience and poverty reduction
• Urban poor and the environment: Industrial pollution, ecosystem and human health impact, resilience, policy instruments and institutional changes,

Research proposals should incorporate analysis of the gender dimension of the environmental crisis/problem. It must be conducted in Southeast Asia.

ELIGIBILITY

• Applicants must be a nationality of Cambodia, Lao PDR, or Myanmar;
• Currently working for a university or research institute;
• Research projects with partial funding from other sources is acceptable.

SUBMISSION

Proposals should be in MS Word format, following the Full Proposal Format strictly and uploaded to https://eepseapartners.org/research-grants/small-research-grants/application/

The file name should be in the following format: Last Name<space>SRG2022 (e.g., Kim SRG2022).

Please note that together with the proposal, the Principal Researcher needs to attach a two-page C.V. in MS Word format.

Research proposal should be received on or before 14 August 2022. Please note: Only accepted applicants will be notified by 16 October 2022.

The EEPSEA Proposal Format for Small Research Grants (MS. Word)

Bài viết Call for proposal – Small Research Grants 2022 LMS đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

ELIGIBILITY

Researchers from EEPSEA member countries (i.e., Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) are invited to submit their concept notes.

RESEARCH THEMES

Research topics that apply the tools of economics and transdisciplinary approach in the analysis of policy-relevant environmental challenges are invited.

Suggested themes are

1. Climate change: Damage assessment and adaptation options for Southeast Asia
2. Designing behavioral economics tools for green growth strategy for Southeast Asia
3. Coastal and marine resources conservation for climate change resilience and poverty reduction in Southeast Asia, and
4. Southeast Asian urban poor and the environment: Resilience, policy and institutional changes.

FUNDING SCHEME

Chosen concept note will be funded for developing into a full research proposal that is ready to be submitted to potential funding agencies. Final output of this research seed grant will be a research proposal that may contain several general research objectives and work packages in 3 years or more.

EEPSEA funding for this seed grant, which would cover proposal writing, write-shops, seminars, scoping survey or brainstorming sessions, could be up to $US 10,000 (to develop proposal only, not for the full research). The expected duration for this seed grant is between 6-12 months.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Submit online via http://eepseapartners.org/seed-grant

Review of concept notes will be done as concept notes come in so interested applicants are encouraged to submit their concept notes soonest, but no later than 03 July 2022

All concept notes submission should be in MS Word format and following the EEPSEA Concept Note Format strictly. Priority will be given to research projects which apply the tools of economics, trans-disciplinary approach, involve in cross-country stakeholders with several big research objectives.

EEPSEA Concept Note Format

Bài viết Call for Concept Note – Seed Grant 2022 đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.

EEPSEA has started its mission since 1993 to support training and research in environmental and natural resource economics in Southeast Asia. Its goal is to strengthen local capacity in the economic analysis of environmental problems so that researchers can provide sound advice to policymakers.

RESEARCH THEMES

Research topics that apply the tools of economics in the analysis of policy-relevant environmental challenges are invited. EEPSEA accepts research proposals on priority national environmental problems. In addition, it encourages research proposals dealing with:

• Economics of climate change: Damage assessment and adaptation options
• Designing behavioral economics tools for green growth strategy: Greening forestry sector, renewable energy, greening consumption.
• Coastal and marine resources conservation for climate change resilience and poverty reduction
• Urban poor and the environment: Industrial pollution, ecosystem and human health impact, resilience, policy instruments and institutional changes,

Research proposals should incorporate analysis of the gender dimension of the environmental crisis/problem. It must be conducted in Southeast Asia.

ELIGIBILITY

• Applicants must be a nationality of Cambodia, Lao PDR, or Myanmar;
• Currently working for a university or research institute;
• Research projects with partial funding from other sources is acceptable.

SUBMISSION

Proposals should be in MS Word format, following the Full Proposal Format strictly and uploaded to https://www.eepseapartners.org/small-research-grant

The file name should be in the following format: Last Name<space>SRG2022 (e.g., Kim SRG2022).

Please note that together with the proposal, the Principal Researcher needs to attach a two-page C.V. in MS Word format.

Research proposal should be received on or before 15 May 2022. Please note: Only accepted applicants will be notified by 19 June 2022.

The EEPSEA Proposal Format for Small Research Grants (MS. Word)

Bài viết Call for proposal – Small Research Grants 2022 đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày EEPSEA Partnership.