Asian Nations, Including India, Must Speed Up Shift to Renewable Energy
Climate activists call for stronger regional cooperation, a fair shift to clean energy and greater accountability from developed nations ahead of COP31.
BANGKOK, Oct 10: Asian countries, including India, must speed up their transition to renewable energy and take a leading role in shaping the Global South’s response to climate change, a prominent climate activist has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026 on Friday, Harjeet Singh, global convenor of the ‘Fill the Fund’ campaign and founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, stressed the need for decisive action to move away from fossil fuels and build a sustainable energy future.
Singh also called for greater accountability from developed countries over their climate commitments, particularly regarding financial support for developing nations.
“The conversations at Bangkok Climate Action Week make one truth undeniable: the world is suffering deeply under the weight of a fossil-fuel economy,” Singh told PTI.
He emphasised that countries must move beyond demands for climate action and demonstrate leadership through practical measures that promote resilience, fairness and environmental sustainability.
Bangkok Climate Action Week has brought together government representatives, climate specialists, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss regional strategies for addressing the climate crisis and expanding the use of cleaner energy sources.
An event organised during the climate week gathered policymakers, government representatives and climate advocates from South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific to explore ways to accelerate a just transition to renewable energy.
Nithi Nesadurai, director and regional coordinator of Climate Action Network Southeast Asia, noted that both South and Southeast Asia have examples of progress in renewable energy adoption. However, he said stronger regional coordination is essential to exchange knowledge, share successful approaches and improve the effectiveness of climate initiatives.
The discussions also focused on developing a roadmap for a just energy transition while strengthening cooperation among countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
The engagement comes ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31, scheduled for November 2026, where countries are expected to deliberate on global climate priorities and strategies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
International efforts to advance this transition are also continuing through dedicated conferences. The first international conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels was held in Santa Marta, Colombia, in April 2026, while the second is scheduled to take place in Tuvalu in July 2027.
The discussions in Bangkok highlight the importance of collective action, adequate climate financing and regional partnerships in ensuring that the shift towards cleaner energy is both environmentally sustainable and socially equitable.
