Asian philanthropies should reframe clean energy as driver of social outcomes, says philanthropy platform

[NEW YORK] Philanthropic organisations in Asia have traditionally been focused on providing funds to achieve educational or health outcomes, while clean-energy investment tends to take a back seat.

However, a narrative shift is needed among Asian philanthropies to mobilise more catalytic capital towards the clean-energy transition, said Um Woochong, chief executive officer of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (Geapp).

“Energy is the foundation of economic development. So is health and education. But at the end, to deliver a healthy, educated society, with nutrition being provided through high-productivity agriculture and fishery sectors, you need energy,” noted Um, who was speaking to The Business Times on the sidelines of the Climate Week in New York.