Jakarta. A task force focusing on ASEAN’s carbon neutrality could soon be in the pipeline, according to a recent press statement by the Southeast Asian bloc.

ASEAN on Thursday held its 12th informal ministerial meeting on science, technology, and innovation -- also known as the IAMMSTI-12 -- in Brunei Darussalam. The talks followed the gathering of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI). As the name suggests, the COSTI encompasses the region’s policymakers that focus on science and technology cooperation.

“The [IAMMSTI-12] meeting exchanged views on science, technology, and innovation strategies for carbon neutrality and sustainable growth. [They also] tasked COSTI to explore the possibility of establishing a task force on carbon neutrality,” the statement reads.

“The meeting also shared insights on best practices to drive sustainable growth, and expressed commitment to foster closer collaboration in supporting the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality that is being developed by ASEAN.”

According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, eight ASEAN member states have pledged to achieve net zero or be carbon neutral by 2050. Current ASEAN chair Indonesia’s net zero target is set at 2060 or sooner. The Philippines has yet to announce a net zero target. 

ASEAN also aims to have 23 percent of renewables share in its total primary energy supply by 2025. The 7th ASEAN ASEAN Energy Outlook reported that the group's renewable energy share would only reach 14.4 percent of the total primary energy supply by 2025 if the region did not have any policy interventions. 

In March, Energy Minister Arifin Tasrif said that ASEAN would need $29.4 trillion up to 2050 for 100 percent renewable power generation.

The regional grouping earlier this year launched an updated version of the ASEAN Taxonomy, which is expected to help guide capital into its energy transition projects, including coal phase-out. At the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo last month, the Southeast Asian leaders agreed to adopt a declaration on developing a regional electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. 

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said at the 2023 Hannover Messe in April that Indonesia would achieve 23 percent renewables in its energy mix in 2025. The country will also shut down all coal-fired power plants by 2050.

“But Indonesia would like to make sure that our energy transition can provide affordable energy for our people. This calls for substantial investment and financing of at least $1 trillion until 2060,” Jokowi said while inviting German investors to build Indonesia’s green economy.

Indonesia at present is trying to boost its EV adoption, among others, by rolling out incentives for emission-free vehicle purchases. The government has allocated 200,000 subsidies, each worth Rp 7 million ($466.76), for the purchase of electric two-wheelers this year. 

Beneficiaries of the micro-credit loan program, wage subsidies, and <900 volt-amperes (VA) electricity subsidies are eligible for the electric motorbike incentives. However, the Sisapira subsidy database shows that only 812 people have signed up for the electric motorbike incentives as of June 23.