Can Asean achieve its circular economy ambitions?

ALARM bells for climate action in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have been steadily growing louder. A recent report by Nanyang Technological University and the University of Glasgow warned that Asean could lose over 35 per cent of its (GDP) by 2050 as climate change threatens key sectors like tourism.

These challenges have typically been addressed through climate action commitments such as emissions targets. Yet one under-analysed initiative is Asean's pursuit of a circular economy. Through the Framework for Circular Economy for the Asean Economic Community, launched in October 2021, the grouping seeks to address climate change risks and enhance its economic resilience.

Yet the path to adopt a region-wide circular economy is laden with challenges. Conceptually, the framework's definition of a circular economy lacks specificity, and there are questions as to how it will synergise with national-level approaches. This lack of clarity makes it challenging to convince corporations that policymakers are seriously addressing implementation issues.