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Decarbonisation is making a comeback thanks to the Iran war. The test is whether it can be sustained

Efforts to accelerate renewable energy deployment across South-east Asia have been slow

Janice Lim
Published Wed, Apr 22, 2026 · 02:22 PM
    • Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz – a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies – sending energy price shocks rippling through the global economy.
    • Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz – a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies – sending energy price shocks rippling through the global economy. PHOTO: REUTERS

    [SINGAPORE] After plenty of prodding, nudging and urging – as well as some regulatory pressure – nothing was more effective in driving home the urgency of the low-carbon transition than when the Iran war hit.

    Clean energy is suddenly back in vogue, after being pushed to the sidelines last year when US President Donald Trump came to power and rolled back several climate-friendly policies.

    As governments and corporates scramble to address immediate concerns, such as securing energy supplies, there is a reckoning that the clean energy transition is not just about achieving climate goals, but also long-term energy independence and security.