Governance of the Energy Transition in the ASEAN: Current Status and Future Potential

Abstract

A broad-based Energy Transition is a norm integral to achieving the many Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. In turn, effective governance of the Energy Transition is fundamental to its successful diffusion. A robust assessment of effective governance of the Energy Transition involves understanding the forces of norm entrepreneurship at play. The context of ASEAN reveals the variety of norm entrepreneurial practice and unlocks crucial clues as to hallmarks of effective Energy Transition governance. By adopting a constructivist lense, this article undertakes a comparative analysis of the ‘modes of transmission’ of the Energy Transition amongst AMS. It introduces novel conceptions of ‘conductive’ practice that drives the Energy Transition and ‘resistive’ practice that slows it down. After establishing that the Governments of AMS demonstrate characteristics of both Norm Entrepreneurs and Antipreneurs, article then discusses opportunities for both ‘intraconnection’- in the form of cooperation between ASEAN members and ‘interconnection’- in the form of cooperation between ASEAN members and other state and non-state actors. As a result, it illustrates several hallmarks of effective governance of Energy Transition in the ASEAN. Consequently, it underscores the importance of partnerships in the Energy Transition, both in enabling ASEAN Member States to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions, but also crucially in catalysing action amongst a broader swathe of countries.

Keywords: Governance, ASEAN, Energy Transition, Net-Zero, Norm Entrepreneurship