Just Energy Transition Community puts US$2.6 million towards clean power, cooling solutions in South-east Asia

[SINGAPORE] The Just Energy Transition Community (JETC) has committed an initial US$2.6 million in catalytic funding to advance a range of projects in South-east Asia.

Announced at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026 on Monday (May 18), the initiatives span clean energy access for farming and fishing communities, cooling solutions, workforce development and responsible energy deployment.

Among the projects is one in the Philippines, where renewable energy systems will be deployed on the island of Mindanao to support farming cooperatives and rural enterprises.

Over in Maluku, Indonesia, another project will deploy clean cold-chain facilities for fishing communities.

Other projects are broader in scale, with initiatives under way to accelerate and scale the energy transition across the region. These include one that will expand access to clean, distributed energy for rural households, schools, hospitals and enterprises.

JETC was created at the previous Philanthropy Asia Summit to “navigate the complexities of Asia’s energy transition” and ensure that those most affected are “not left behind”.

The community was established by the Philanthropy Asia Alliance; its co-founding organisations include Tara Climate Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

JETC said that it will continue to “deepen its collaborative model (by) expanding its portfolio of initiatives, facilitating cross-sector learning, and connecting funders directly with the communities and projects at the forefront of Asia’s energy transition”.

Tara Climate Foundation CEO Jamie Choi noted that Asia’s energy transition is “already unfolding across the region – from farms and fishing communities to classrooms and workshops”.

SEE ALSO

South-east Asia’s green economy risks missing out on US$80 billion from 35% ‘execution gap’: report

“When funders can align on what is at stake, we can direct capital where it is needed most, accelerating a transition that is faster and fairer for the communities facing today’s energy crisis,” she added.

Woochong Um, chief executive of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet – a JETC member – similarly pointed out that collaborative funding can “turn clean energy initiatives into a powerful economic engine”.

“Empowering resilient communities is how we drive real, lasting growth across the region,” he added.

This year’s Philanthropy Asia Summit – its sixth edition – is aimed at highlighting “Asian innovations with global potential”. The five-day event, which started on Sunday, runs till Thursday at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.