Southeast Asian civil society organizations on Tuesday called for an end to the expansion of fossil gas infrastructure in the region, citing risks to marine biodiversity and coastal communities.
Speaking at the 10th Our Ocean Conference, groups raised concern over more than 136 gigawatts (GW) of proposed fossil gas power plants and related terminals across Southeast Asia.
The region includes the Coral Triangle, Verde Island Passage (VIP), and Mekong Delta—identified as among the world’s most critical marine biodiversity areas.
“The Coral Triangle is the beating heart of our planet’s marine life, yet it and other crucial marine ecosystems in Southeast Asia are in peril from the expansion of liquified natural gas and other fossil operations,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) and Convenor of the Southeast Asia Working Group on Fossil Gas and Just Energy Transition.
According to CEED, offshore oil and gas production overlaps with about 80 marine protected areas in the Coral Triangle. If all blocks move to production, 16% of the region would be directly affected.
“This fossil fuel buildout promises nothing but the destruction of marine life and the pollution of our air and water, jeopardizing the health and livelihoods of our region’s many coastal communities,” Arances said.
He also pointed to the region’s renewable energy potential. Southeast Asia currently operates 33.8 GW of renewable capacity, with plans to expand to nearly 398 GW, led by Vietnam and the Philippines.
“This momentum must be matched by decisive government action to ensure a just energy transition that prioritizes our people and our oceans. Advancing renewable energy would not only unlock sustainable and reliable energy for Southeast Asians, but also contribute to strengthening climate resilience among our most vulnerable communities and ecosystems,” he said.
The Coral Triangle spans six countries and supports over 120 million people through food and livelihoods, according to the conference presentation.
