Civil society organizations in Southeast Asia have called on Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia to address the serious challenges posed by the continued expansion of fossil fuels, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil. He urged people to be aware of the threat. From exploration to global biodiversity.
Home to one of the world's richest areas of marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle, faces severe pressure from fossil fuel activities that threaten both ecosystems and local livelihoods.
Key areas under threat include the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Jerry Arrans, executive director of the Philippine Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED), warned of the alarming trajectory of LNG and fossil fuel operations within the Coral Triangle.
“Contrary to claims that LNG is a clean energy alternative, LNG is a fossil fuel and its entire life cycle, from extraction to transportation and combustion, contributes significantly to environmental and climate degradation. , there is also a risk of destroying marine biodiversity and coastal communities,” Arans said.
Arases, who is also co-convener of the Southeast Asia Working Group on a Just Energy Transition, said that tackling fossil fuel expansion in the Coral Triangle is critical to meaningful climate action and biodiversity protection and restoration at COP16. He emphasized that it is consistent with the agenda of
The Coral Triangle, which includes parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, is increasingly threatened by fossil fuel projects.
By the end of 2023, Southeast Asia will have developed 139 gigawatts (GW) of new gas power generation, more than a quarter of all gas capacity planned in Asia. These activities endanger marine life and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on healthy oceans for fishing and tourism.
Mohammad Reza, National Coordinator of Indonesia's People's Union for the Right to Water (KRuHA), expressed grave concern about the situation.
“The rapid expansion of fossil fuels not only threatens climate stability and the health of critical ecosystems, but also the well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities,” he said.
Speaking to KRuHA, a coalition of Indonesian organizations working to secure water rights, Reza highlighted the dangerous state of the Coral Triangle's seascape and marine life.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, environmental watchdog group Rimba Watch expressed concern that the government is prioritizing fossil fuel development despite the environmental risks.
“Instead of focusing on renewable energy, Malaysia is expanding fossil gas development in the biodiverse waters off Borneo,” said Adam Farhan, director of Rimba Watch.
He pointed out that Malaysia's state-owned oil company recently signed an exploration contract in an area that overlaps with Tun Mustafa Marine Park, an area that is home to important coral reefs, mangroves and endangered marine life.
Farhan added that the move contradicts established climate science and poses significant risks to biodiversity and livelihoods in the Coral Triangle.
Civil society groups are calling on Southeast Asian countries to reduce the expansion of fossil fuels, increase investment in renewable energy and promote stronger efforts to involve local communities in decision-making.
They also call for increased international cooperation to protect the region's biodiversity.
“In Southeast Asia, important biodiversity areas face serious threats from oil and gas expansion. Unless we drastically reduce emissions, all the world's coral reefs will be destroyed by the end of this century.” “There is a risk of natural bleaching,” Leather warned.
As COP16 continues, these organizations hope to influence the global biodiversity agenda to prioritize the protection and restoration of ecosystems threatened by fossil fuel activities. .
Written by Der Akogun
