Overview
In East and South East Asia, millions of people stand to benefit from a healthier, safer and more prosperous future as countries embrace green growth. While the region is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, it is also rich in opportunities to build prosperity and resilience and improve daily life for families and communities.
Working in collaboration with technical and knowledge partners across the region, CIFF recognises that meaningful climate progress depends on broad participation and collective action – action that delivers tangible improvements to people’s lives, both today and for future generations.
Regional climate leadership strengthened
South Korea has significantly restructured its climate leadership with the launch of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) in October 2025. This new integrated structure brings together energy, environment protection and climate functions to steer the country’s transition. Under this strengthened structure, Korea has pledged to phase out coal-fired power by 2040, set a four-fold increase in renewable energy capacity to 122 GW by 2038, and committed to a stronger 2035 NDC targeting a 53-61% reduction in emissions from 2018 levels – all steps towards building a cleaner, healthier future for its citizens.
Accelerating clean technology across industry sectors unlocking renewables in Indonesia and Vietnam
CIFF continued to work with partners across East and South East Asia to support the transition towards clean energy, such as wind and solar. Scaling renewables, enabling the transition of high-polluting sectors, and mobilising finance are all essential to unlocking green growth. Our support includes providing technical expertise and analysis to enable clean technologies to be deployed at scale – unlocking high-quality growth locally and globally. Throughout 2025, the region saw many examples of climate progress that demonstrate the tangible results of partners’ efforts to expand clean growth. In Indonesia, the government launched South East Asia’s largest rural electrification and distributed renewable energy initiative – the 100 GW Village Solar Programme – which will bring clean power to 80,000 villages and create new economic opportunities through locally managed solar systems. This transformative model shows how accelerating clean energy can strengthen community resilience, expand access to essential services, and improve health and education outcomes.
Vietnam also took major steps to unlock long-term renewable energy growth that will directly improve people’s lives. Its amended electricity law, which came into effect in early 2025, introduced transparent bidding processes and clearer frameworks for offshore wind development, laying the groundwork for significant private sector investment. Together, these reforms and programmes highlight how ambitious governments, combined with strong technical partnerships, are enabling a just and prosperous energy transition across East and South East Asia.
Photo Credit: istock / wirestock
Supporting climate progress in China
CIFF’s work in China focuses exclusively on climate solutions. Our partners are dedicated to supporting the green and low-carbon transition in China through working with local organisations and experts, to help create a world that is healthy and safe for children. Decarbonisation in China across key sectors like power, industry, transport and buildings is essential for achieving climate progress.
During 2025, clean energy development – led by solar and wind – accelerated significantly in China, with renewables outpacing power demand. China advanced its pilot of zero-carbon industrial parks (industrial areas that follow green building and operation plans) whilst using renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. New power systems have been rapidly developed in 2025 to accommodate the rising share of renewables.
Additionally, for the first time, electric vehicles in China surpassed 50% of total new car sales. China is also shifting its heavy truck fleet from diesel to electric, with electric trucks expected to make up 60% of sales next year, contributing to an 11% year-on-year decline in diesel consumption in the latest figures. Reducing emissions is essential for tackling climate change and creating safer environments for children.
This is significant progress and we are proud that the efforts of CIFF’s partners – through research, pilot projects, capacity building, and best practice sharing – are helping accelerate it.
