Climate Technology in SEA. Key To Unlocking The World's Carbon Sink - 9Aug23BCG

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 18

Climate Technology in

Southeast Asia: Key to


Unlocking the World’s
Carbon Sink
August 2023
By Yulius, Haikal Siregar, Kimberly Subianto, Dio Aufa Handoyo, Gerasimos Widi,
Natalia Rialucky, Cecilia Natasya Rachman
Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders Fairatmos is the first climate technology company
in business and society to tackle their most in SEA to discover, develop, deliver high quality
important challenges and capture their greatest carbon offset projects at scale. We are recreating
opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business the world where profit, people and the planet
strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, thrive together. We want to be the “steam-engine”
we work closely with clients to embrace a of the Industrial Revolution to the Carbon Neutral
transformational approach aimed at benefiting all Economy Reality. As how the steam engine
stakeholders—empowering organizations to grow, ignited the industrial revolution, our AtmosTech
build sustainable competitive advantage, and will mark the start of a carbon-neutral reality.
drive positive societal impact.
We envision a future where a economic growth
Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and goes hand in hand with preserving the only
functional expertise and a range of perspectives planet we call home. A reality where high rise
that question the status quo and spark change. buildings are hidden beneath the greens of the
BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge forests, the air is clean while electricity is stable
management consulting, technology and design, and where people, planet, profit lives together.
and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a Our technology will create a future where carbon
uniquely collaborative model across the firm and neutrality is a reality. Much like the steam
throughout all levels of the client organization, engine that sparked the industrial revolution, our
fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and AtmosTech will be the engine that redefine the
enabling them to make the world a better place. way we live towards a more sustainable, carbon-
neutral era.
Contents

02 Introduction 12 Business-as-usual approach not


enough anymore—call to action
across stakeholders
03 Why NbS presents a unique op-
portunity for Southeast Asia to
contribute to the global climate 14 Conclusion
challenge

07 Barriers to NbS uptake and how


Southeast Asia climate technol-
ogy startups are contributing to
alleviating them

10 Unlocking the potential of


Southeast Asia’s climate tech-
nology startups
Introduction
SOUTHEAST ASIA HOLDS IMMENSE POTENTIAL IN COMBATING
climate change through the implementation of nature-based
solutions (NbS).

Despite covering less than 1% of the world’s total This report delves into the exceptional potential of NbS in
area, Southeast Asia has the capability to provide Southeast Asia as powerful tools in addressing climate change.
approximately 30% of the global carbon-offset supply We will explore innovative mechanisms around NbS neces-
by 2030. However, the widespread adoption of NbS in the sary to usher in a sustainable future for Southeast Asia
region is hindered by various challenges across the value and the global community.
chain, including issues related to origination, demand
visibility, and quality assurance.

Encouragingly, the past five years have witnessed a remark-


able rise in climate startups within Southeast Asia. The
number of these startups has tripled between 2022 and
20171, and they actively address various aspects of ecosys-
tem challenges through the utilization of cutting-edge
technology such as machine learning, data analytics, block-
chain, and remote sensing.

Nevertheless, most of these climate technology startups


are still in their nascent stages, with the novelty of the
sector in the region and the small size of the specialized
funding pool presenting significant barriers to maturity
and widespread adoption. The unique nature of this space,
with unproven markets requiring a higher risk appetite,
necessitates the development of new, innovative mecha-
nisms to overcome these hurdles. These mechanisms
include alternative funding models, coalitions, and partner-
ships that foster long-term collaboration among stakehold-
ers.

To expedite the uptake of NbS and climate technology in


Southeast Asia, the establishment of a thriving ecosystem
is vital. This ecosystem should bring together technology
providers, industry leaders, venture capitalists, financiers,
and regulatory bodies. Through systemic collaboration and
collective efforts, these stakeholders can drive the develop-
ment, scale-up, and successful implementation of NbS in
the region.

1. NbS-related startups have been estimated as a subset of the climate tech deals collected by Pitchbook. 29 such transactions were identified in
2022 vs 8 in 2017.

2 CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: KEY TO UNLOCKING THE WORLD’S CARBON SINK
Why NbS presents a unique
opportunity for Southeast Asia to
contribute to the global climate
challenge

N
bS present unique and timely opportunities for There is nearly a 50/50 chance that the critical 1.5°C tem-
Southeast Asia to contribute significantly to address- perature threshold will be surpassed within the next five
ing the global climate challenge. years. Southeast Asia’s rapid economic growth, while com-
mendable, has come at the expense of high emissions that
The world is currently failing to keep track with the targets exacerbate these global challenges. This trend is expected
outlined in 2015 Paris Agreement, which aimed to limit the to persist as the region’s energy needs continue to grow in
global temperature rise to 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels. tandem with its expanding economy.
From 2015 to 2020, the global decarbonization rate—the
reduction in carbon intensity per unit of GDP—was just -1.5%,
significantly short of the required -16% decarbonization rate
needed by 2030 to maintain the 1.5°C or below pathway.

BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP + FAIRATMOS 3


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that energy investments, with US$5.2 billion invested in 2022, a
Southeast Asia will be a key driver of global economic 7% decrease from the previous year.
growth, with a projected real GDP growth of 4.6% by 2028,
surpassing the global projection of 2.8%. This economic Importantly, there are pronounced commitments from key
expansion corresponds to an increasing demand for energy players in the region. Singapore has earmarked US$17
in Southeast Asia, which has been growing at an average billion for building climate change infrastructure. PTT
rate of approximately 3% per year over the past two de- Group in Thailand plans to allocate US$7 billion to green
cades. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) hydrogen projects, including the construction of a hydrogen
recent report, this upward trajectory in energy demand will plant. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited
persist until at least 2030. (CATL), a Chinese battery manufacturer and technology
company, has committed US$6 billion for six electric vehi-
Despite the challenges associated with raising capital, cle battery projects in Indonesia over the next three years.
there is a renewed commitment to green investments in In addition, Malaysian national oil company PETRONAS is
Southeast Asia, demonstrated by governments and corpo- expected to invest at least US$2 billion in clean energy
rations alike. Stakeholders are increasingly embracing the projects in 2023.
potential of NbS to address climate change and drive
sustainable development. It is clear—NbS stand out as potent tools in combating
rising greenhouse gas (GHG) levels, and Southeast Asia is
The region finds itself at a critical juncture where NbS offer uniquely positioned to make an outsized contribution.
a unique opportunity to contribute substantially to the [Exhibit 1.]
global climate effort. This is despite a decline in green

Exhibit 1 - SEA is uniquely positioned with huge NbS Potential & cost
competitive NbS carbon offsets

1. Area refers to the sum of all land and water areas as determined by international boundaries and/or coastlines, cost-competitive is defined as under $<10
2. High Range means the upper range of the carbon offset projected supply in 2030 3. Low Range means the lower range of the carbon offset projected supply in 2023

Source: IEA, The voluntary carbon market: 2022 insights and trends, CIA World Factbook, BCG Analysis

4 CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: KEY TO UNLOCKING THE WORLD’S CARBON SINK
NbS can significantly contribute to achieving a net-zero for 29% of the global NbS cost-competitive mitigation
world, with a maximum mitigation potential of 21.7 Gt potential. Applying this ratio to the projected global NbS
CO2e/year, reducing projected emissions in 2030 by ~60%. carbon offset supply, Southeast Asia is poised to offer 200
Approximately 4.1 Gt CO2e/year (20%) of this maximum to 300 Mt CO2e/year of cost-competitive NbS carbon
mitigation potential, can be achieved at a cost of under offsets by 2030. This is remarkable considering that the
US$10/ton CO2e. Out of said cost-competitive NbS maxi- region encompasses only 0.7% of the world’s total area.
mum mitigation potential, projected global supply of NbS
carbon offset by 2030 is estimated at 700 to 1,000 Mt The avoidance of forest, peat, and coastland conversion
CO2e/year. represents the three most significant NbS levers in the
region. [Exhibit 2.]
Southeast Asia possesses a considerable cost-competitive
NbS mitigation potential of 1.2 Gt CO2e/year, accounting

Exhibit 2 - Avoidance from forest conversion, peat conversion, coastland


conversion are the 3 biggest NbS levers in SEA

Note: High Range means the upper range of the carbon offset projected supply in 2030. Low Range means the lower range of the carbon offset projected supply in 2023

Source: The voluntary carbon market: 2022 insights and trends, BCG Analysis

Forests play a vital role in offsetting carbon emissions, and for development or converted into plantations, lowering
avoiding forest conversion is estimated to be the largest the water content which renders them susceptible to fires.
NbS lever in Southeast Asia, potentially offering cost-com- This contributes to the highest GHG emissions from forest-
petitive carbon offsets of 89-133 Mt CO2e/year. Better ry and other land use (FOLU). By preserving peatlands,
forest management and reforestation can contribute to carbon emissions can be reduced and removed, offering a
carbon reduction and removal, although the high costs potential NbS lever of 58-87 Mt CO2e/year.
associated with reforestation make it less feasible for cost
competitive carbon offsets in Southeast Asia. Coastal wetlands—seagrass meadows, intertidal flats, tidal
salt marshes, mangrove forests, tidal freshwater wetland,
Southeast Asia’s peatlands account for over 54% of the and similar—are essential for carbon sequestration. Coast-
world’s peatlands and store ~75% of global peat carbon al wetlands are among the most utilized and threatened
stocks. However, peatlands are often drained and cleared natural systems, with a global area loss in some countries

BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP + FAIRATMOS 5


over 70%-80% in the last 50 years. Avoiding conversion in ty for carbon sequestration as agricultural cultivation takes
peatland and coastland represents the second and third place. More importantly, implementing improved rice culti-
largest NbS levers in Southeast Asia, with the potential to vation, conservation agriculture, and other agricultural
remove 58-87 Mt CO2e/year and 25-37 Mt CO2e/year of solutions can contribute to carbon reduction and removal,
emissions, respectively. While peatland restoration can offering a combined potential of 8-13 Mt CO2e/year.
provide cost-competitive offset potential, the high costs
associated with coastland restoration make it more chal- In Southeast Asia, Indonesia emerges as the country with
lenging to achieve. the largest potential for NbS, closely followed by Malaysia
and Myanmar. The primary NbS levers in these countries
Agricultural land has a lower NbS carbon offset projection align with the overall region—avoiding peatland, forest,
compared to forests and peatlands. While accounting for and coastland conversion.
~14% of total global carbon emissions, six out of ten ASEAN
member states (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, The Indonesia holds immense potential in avoiding peatland
Philippines, and Vietnam) are heavily reliant on the agricul- conversion while Malaysia and Myanmar—both countries
tural sector for economic growth. However, this lever has a with expansive forested areas and vast land masses—ex-
low NbS carbon offset projection compared to wetlands— hibit significant potential in avoiding forest conversion.
peatlands and coastal wetlands—due to shorter carbon [Exhibit 3.]
residence time and lack of plant diversity, limiting its capaci-

Exhibit 3 - SEA NbS Carbon Offset Supply is huge and Indonesia is poised
to contribute to 67% of total projected supply

Note: Singapore and Brunei are excluded from the chart due to its minimum NbS potential contribution. Indonesia’s low-range figure is 134 Mt CO2e/year & high-range figure is 201 Mt CO2e/year

Source: The voluntary carbon market: 2022 insights and trends, BCG Analysis

6 CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: KEY TO UNLOCKING THE WORLD’S CARBON SINK
Barriers to NbS uptake and how
Southeast Asia climate technology
startups are contributing to
alleviating them
B
arriers to the widespread adoption of NbS in South- standards, and methodologies. Asset owners struggle to
east Asia are impeding the realization of the region’s navigate these complexities, especially smaller landown-
enormous carbon offset potential. These barriers ers.
span the entire carbon offset value chain, and are catego-
rized as follows: (1) Origination, (2) Quality assessment & • Limited seed financing for projects. NbS projects lack suit-
assurance, (3) Trading, and (4) Demand Generation. able financing options with appropriate time horizons,
standardized asset characteristics, and liquidity profiles,
Origination deterring potential investors.

• Lengthy and uncertain project development process. NbS


projects face prolonged development timelines and un-
certainties, compounded by the multitude of registries,

BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP + FAIRATMOS 7


Quality assessment & assurance • Lack of long-term demand and pricing visibility. Entrepre-
neurs and investors rely on long-term demand and
• Complex MRV requirements. The value of carbon credit price indicators in carbon credit markets. Trading future
hinges on accurate measurement, reporting, and verifi- contracts and securitizing digital carbon assets through
cation (MRV) processes that demonstrate the real and tokenization and legal structuring, as seen in established
substantial removal of carbon. However, the data anal- commodity markets, are essential for the market’s long-
ysis involved in MRV necessitates significant resources, term viability.
including on-site surveys and verification, leading to time
and cost burdens. Demand Generation

• Incomprehensive assessment. In addition to environmental • Buyer-side demands clarity. The demand for carbon credits
impact, the social benefits of NbS projects on rural and relies on buyers’ abilities to assess their carbon emis-
coastal communities often go unnoticed. An all-encom- sions accurately. Advanced technologies such as AI/ML,
passing assessment of these projects can enhance the IoT, and edge computing are instrumental in automating
value of carbon credit generated. carbon footprint assessments. Platforms in Southeast
Asia are providing real-time visibility and automation to
• Quality audit and certification. Carbon credits require boost buyer demand.
robust and non-fungible certifications to instill trust
among prospective buyers on primary and secondary Southeast Asia’s climate technology startups are address-
carbon credit markets. The certification process must be ing these barriers head-on, developing innovative solutions
transparent and reliable. to streamline the origination process, enhance quality
assessment and assurance, ensure credible certifications,
Trading facilitate efficient trading, and generate demand through
technological advancements.
• Price stability and market mechanisms. Advanced tech-
nologies are vital for facilitating cost-effective trading The growth of the climate technology landscape in Southeast
and building liquidity in nascent carbon credit markets. Asia has been remarkable, with more than triple the number
These technologies enable efficient asset exchange and of deals observed in 2022 compared to 2017. Over half of
ensure market stability. these deals directly or partially address the NbS sector, high-
lighting its importance. Some examples of the innovative
technology employed are mapped below. [Exhibit 4.]

Exhibit 4 - Startups and projects across SEA have started addressing


barriers for broader NbS uptake

8 CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: KEY TO UNLOCKING THE WORLD’S CARBON SINK
As we examine the landscape, two notable observations seed financing services to support carbon offsetting proj-
emerge: ects. With a deep understanding of the local context and
expertise, Fairatmos is unlocking the power of nature for
• Verticalization. Startups are moving towards further the planet and communities. To date, Fairatmos has collab-
verticalization, capitalizing on synergies in the maturing orated with over 100 companies, communities, and govern-
climate technology space. For instance, Pachama, a Latin ments, processed more than 3,000,000 hectares of forest
American climate startup, initially focused on carbon off- for NbS potential, and facilitated fundraising of climate
set verification using satellite imagery and AI. Over time, projects worth over US$18 million. An exemplary project is
it expanded its offerings along the value chain, launching its partnership with Lindungi Hutan, assisting a local com-
a carbon credit marketplace in 2019. Recently, it has munity in planting and rehabilitating mangroves in Central
introduced partnership models to support forest carbon Java. With the help of Fairatmos’ free pre-feasibility study
projects from inception, leveraging technology to assess powered by AtmosCheck technology, the project has gener-
land potential, secure upfront financing, and monitor ated over US$3 million in funding interest and is currently
forest growth. in the project development process.

• Extending ecosystem. Climate technology extends Climate Impact X (CIX) is a global marketplace for trusted
beyond startups. Think tanks, non-government organiza- carbon credits, and another key example of a startup with
tions (NGOs), and research institutions have long been a compelling, climate-focused proposition. Headquartered
pioneers in climate and environmental protection. They in Singapore, CIX collaborates with innovative partners and
have developed advanced climate technology solutions leverages Singapore’s financial, legal, and commodities
that startups and other players can leverage. Notable hub infrastructures to build resilient platforms. CIX ensures
examples include Global Forest Watch’s widely used the secure and efficient trading of carbon credits by relying
solutions for MRV and climate monitoring, as well as on technology-powered tools, including satellite surveil-
World Wildlife Federation’s (WWF) Forest Foresight tool. lance, to monitor the projects from which the credits are
sourced. Jointly established by DBS Bank, Singapore Ex-
In the dynamic landscape of climate technology in South- change, Standard Chartered, and Temasek, CIX fosters
east Asia, several startups have emerged as key players, ecosystems that enable companies to take practical cli-
leveraging innovative solutions to address climate change mate mitigation action through trusted carbon credits. Its
and advance NbS. aim is to create a seamless trading experience that serves
the diverse needs of both buyers and sellers in the carbon
Fairatmos, based in Jakarta, is a technology platform that market.
sources, verifies, and connects carbon projects with compa-
nies seeking to offset their carbon footprint. Using rigorous Finally, Pantas is a platform launched by Bursa Malaysia
standards and advanced technologies, including deep and the London Stock Exchange Group, offering technolo-
learning and real-time satellite data through its Atmos- gy-enabled tools to help companies in aligning their car-
Check product, Fairatmos ensures the integrity of carbon bon emissions reporting with global standards.
projects listed on its platform. It also provides advisory and

BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP + FAIRATMOS 9


Unlocking the potential of Southeast
Asia’s climate technology solutions
C
limate technology solutions, including those devel- • Concessional finance. This financing approach offers be-
oped by startups, hold immense potential to address low-market interest rates or more flexible terms to bene-
the barriers hindering the widespread adoption of fit the greater good and catalyze third-party investment.
NbS in Southeast Asia. However, most of these startups are Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, founded by Bill Gates,
still in the nascent stage, impeding their growth and im- raised US$1.5 billion by engaging with governments,
pact. philanthropic organizations, and public-private part-
nerships. The concessional nature of the capital helps
To fully unlock the potential of climate technology, they address financial risks and uncertainties associated with
must mature and achieve widespread adoption. This re- early-stage clean energy projects, enabling the realiza-
quires overcoming key barriers faced by climate technology tion of projects that may not otherwise attract sufficient
players: investment.

• Wide range of market demands. The climate technology • Offtakes, volume guarantees, and pooled procurement.
space is still in its early stages, necessitating new prod- Capital is deployed when technology is available for
ucts to prove their safety, reliability, affordability, and purchase, reducing financial risks for companies during
scalability. Demand is still fluctuating as a result of the production scale-up. Companies can purchase offtakes
nascent market conditions. and volume guarantees through pooled procurement,
leveraging higher purchasing power and ensuring supply
• Long investment horizon for institutional investors. Develop- security. For example, the Clean Energy Buyers Associa-
ing technologies carry an inherent risk, and potentially tion offers opportunities for pooled procurement in the
offer longer pathways to returns on investment. Without region.
proper incentives, companies are hesitant to invest in
these technologies. It is crucial to create an appealing Coalitions
risk-return profile for institutional investors to attract
investment in climate technology. Collective pledges and commitments by organizations,
formalized through coalitions, send clear demand signals
• Insufficient value proposition for corporate buyers. Some to the market for climate technologies. This helps shape
climate technology solutions come at a cost premium the market attractiveness for investments. The First Mov-
without providing additional functional benefits as they ers Coalition is a prime example, through which 50% of
scale. To drive adoption, adopters need to be willing to companies are committed to decarbonizing seven hard-to-
pay this premium, necessitating a strong value proposi- abate industrial sectors by adopting clean energy technolo-
tion for corporate buyers. gies.

In BCG’s publication, Ushering in the Next Generation of Government/policy/regulations


Climate Technology, innovative mechanisms are identified
to accelerate the development and scaling of climate Companies and investors can advocate for policy mecha-
technology: nisms and collaborate with governments and regulators to
shape policies that create a conducive investment land-
Funding mechanisms scape for climate technology. This involves setting up
suitable incentives and streamlining permits and regula-
• Advanced market commitments (AMC). Similar to vaccine tions.
development schemes, AMCs send a strong demand
signal to technology developers without favoring any
particular technology. A pool of money is committed to
purchasing large quantities of the product at set prices,
incentivizing climate technology companies to invest in
R&D and commercialization efforts while reducing risks
with guaranteed future market payouts. An example is
Frontier Climate, which committed nearly US$1 billion
to develop carbon removal technologies between 2022
and 2030.

10 CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: KEY TO UNLOCKING THE WORLD’S CARBON SINK
Business-as-usual approach not
enough anymore—call to action
across stakeholders
In the face of the escalating climate crisis, the traditional Recommendations for Investors, VCs and Financiers
“business-as-usual” approach is no longer sufficient. A and Industrial Leaders
collective call to action is needed across stakeholders to
drive meaningful change. Put climate technology at the forefront, recognizing that it
requires long-term commitment and sustained attention.
Recommendations for Corporate Buyers and Indus- Investing in climate technology is not the same as invest-
trial Leaders ing in short-term, consumer-focused platforms. It demands
a deep understanding of the sector and a willingness to
Corporate buyers/industrial leaders should embed the support solutions that address the pressing challenges of
climate lens into the company’s core strategy. It is essen- climate change.
tial for companies to go beyond treating climate action as
a ‘nice-to-have’ and instead integrate it into their core Look to build innovative financing instruments. Traditional
business strategy. This involves defining emission base- financing instruments often fall short in meeting the needs
lines, developing transition plans, and reducing emissions of climate technology developers and financiers due to the
across their operations and supply chains. Climate strate- unattractive risk-return profiles. To bridge this gap, innova-
gies should guide investment decisions and procurement tive financing instruments such as blended financing and
choices. climate project insurance are essential. Blended financing,
for example, combines concessional capital with traditional
GoTo Group, an Indonesian digital company, exemplifies investment to de-risk early phases of projects, catalyzing
this approach by setting sustainability commitments and further investments when the project becomes financially
embedding them within its long-term strategy. It is transi- attractive. These instruments help attract more capital and
tioning to a 100% electric vehicle (EV) fleet by 2030 and unlock the potential of climate technology.
has established an EV joint venture to accelerate EV adop-
tion in Indonesia. Incorporate climate metrics in investing and lending pro-
cesses to drive visibility and ownership of climate-related
Companies should actively participate in market-shaping risks and opportunities, integrating climate metrics into
initiatives such as AMCs, coalitions, offtake agreements, core investing and lending processes. This involves assess-
and pooled procurement. By doing so, they send a strong ing climate-related risks and opportunities alongside finan-
demand signal to the market, incentivizing the develop- cial considerations. By setting internal targets and incorpo-
ment and scaling of climate technology solutions. rating climate metrics, investors can prioritize
climate-conscious investments and ensure alignment with
Look also to invest in experimentation and risk-taking. sustainability goals. Not discounting the need to effectively
Recognizing that climate technology requires an experi- navigate the climate technology landscape, investors
mentation mindset and risk appetite, companies should should also invest in building internal capabilities and
allocate resources and budget for research and develop- expertise in the field.
ment in partnership with technology players.
Recommendations for Technology and Project
Olam, for instance, is at the forefront of integrating digital Owners
applications with climate action. It has introduced the
AtSource application, providing sustainability insights to The traditional linear path of product development, pro-
customers across agricultural supply chains, and the Olam duction setup, and commercialization is no longer suffi-
Farmer Information System, which leverages GPS and cient. Instead, we must foster an ecosystem that enables
survey data to provide farmers with better insights and parallelization and collaboration among various stakehold-
reporting. ers.

Climate technology providers and project owners play a


crucial role in strengthening collaboration within the eco-

BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP + FAIRATMOS 11


system. They should actively engage with industry leaders removing unnecessary barriers and simplifying bureaucrat-
and seek partnerships with other technology providers. By ic procedures, they can create a favorable climate for proj-
working together, they can leverage their expertise and ect owners and investors to navigate and invest in climate
resources to accelerate the development and adoption of solutions.
climate solutions.
Work to establish frameworks and systems that support
A notable example is Fairatmos, which has created a com- the growth of climate technology. It is crucial to strike a
prehensive platform comprising products like AtmosCheck, balance between necessary regulations and fostering
AtmosFund, and the Marketplace. This platform brings innovation. Governments should ensure that regulations
together a diverse ecosystem of communities, project do not stifle the development and deployment of climate
developers, financiers, and buyers, facilitating the develop- solutions, enabling companies to thrive and contribute to
ment and funding of carbon offset projects. By connecting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
stakeholders and fostering collaboration, Fairatmos is
driving innovation and progress in the climate technology Necessitate the improvement of monitoring systems and
space. enhancing data and information sharing across the ecosys-
tem. Governments should invest in robust monitoring
Recommendations for Governments and Regulators mechanisms to track the progress and impact of climate
technology projects. Sharing data and information trans-
Governments should set ambitious targets and pledges. parently will facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange,
Building upon previous commitments made in COPs and and informed decision-making.
the Paris Agreement, governmental commitments provide
a strong signal of support and encourage the growth of Providing incentives as a safety net for financiers is also
carbon markets, fostering innovation and investment in important. Introducing financial incentives, grants, and
climate technology. subsidies that mitigate risks and support the development
and scaling of climate technology solutions will give finan-
Streamlining policies, permits, and regulations is essential. ciers the confidence to move forward with climate technol-
Governments need to create clear and efficient processes ogy investments.
that facilitate project development and investment. By

Exhibit 5 - No Longer Business As Usual, a call to action across


stakeholders

12 CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: KEY TO UNLOCKING THE WORLD’S CARBON SINK
Conclusion

H
arnessing the transformative power of climate tech- Collaboration and partnerships within the ecosystem are
nology and NbS is imperative to combating climate paramount. By uniting companies, technology providers,
change and unlocking the vast carbon sink in South- and economic stakeholders, we can leverage expertise,
east Asia. While the region holds immense potential, real- resources, and the expert know-how to drive effective
izing its full benefits requires decisive action from all stake- solutions. Governments and regulators must also play a
holders. leading role in setting ambitious targets, streamlining
policies and regulations, and offering incentives that ignite
At this critical juncture, climate technology startups in sustainable development.
Southeast Asia face significant obstacles on their path to
maturity and widespread adoption. Addressing these chal- Together, we have the power to unlock Southeast Asia’s
lenges necessitates innovative funding mechanisms that climate technology potential and create a sustainable
attract investment, de-risk projects, and catalyze growth. future. The time for collective action is now.
Advanced market commitments and concessional finance
can serve as powerful tools to incentivize participation and
foster sustainable innovation.

BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP + FAIRATMOS 13


About the Authors

Yulius is a Managing Director & Senior Partner in BCG’s Natalia Rialucky is a CEO and Founder in Fairatmos. You
Jakarta Office. You may contact him by email at may contact her by email at natalia.rialucky@fairatmos.
[email protected] com

Haikal Siregar is a Managing Director & Partner in BCG’s Cecilia Natasya Rachman is a Strategy & CEO Office
Jakarta Office. You may contact him by email at Analyst in Fairatmos. You may contact her by email at
[email protected] [email protected]

Kimberly Subianto is a Project Leader in BCG’s Jakarta


Office. You may contact her by email at
[email protected]

Dio Aufa Handoyo is a Project Leader in BCG’s Jakarta


Office. You may contact him by email at
[email protected]

Gerasimos Widi Primanda Singarimbun is an Advisor


in BCG’s Jakarta Office. You may contact him by email at
[email protected]

14 CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: KEY TO UNLOCKING THE WORLD’S CARBON SINK
Add Co-Sponsor
logo here

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders Uciam volora ditatur? Axim voloreribus moluptati
in business and society to tackle their most autet hario qui a nust faciis reperro vitatia
important challenges and capture their greatest dipsandelia sit laborum, quassitio. Itas volutem
opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business es nulles ut faccus perchiliati doluptatur. Estiunt.
strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, Et eium inum et dolum et et eos ex eum harchic
we work closely with clients to embrace a teceserrum natem in ra nis quia disimi, omnia
transformational approach aimed at benefiting all veror molorer ionsed quia ese veliquiatius
stakeholders—empowering organizations to grow, sundae poreium et et illesci atibeatur aut que
build sustainable competitive advantage, and consequia autas sum fugit qui aut excepudit,
drive positive societal impact. omnia voloratur? Explige ndeliaectur magnam,
que expedignist ex et voluptaquam, offici bernam
Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and atqui dem vel ius nus.
functional expertise and a range of perspectives
that question the status quo and spark change. Nem faccaborest hillamendia doluptae
BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge conseruptate inim volesequid molum quam,
management consulting, technology and design, conseque consedipit hillabo. Imaio evelenditium
and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a haribus, con reictur autemost, vendam am ellania
uniquely collaborative model across the firm and estrundem corepuda derrore mporrumquat.
throughout all levels of the client organization,
fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and
enabling them to make the world a better place.

For information or permission to reprint, please contact BCG at [email protected].

To find the latest BCG content and register to receive e-alerts on this topic or others, please visit bcg.com.

Follow Boston Consulting Group on Facebook and Twitter.

© Boston Consulting Group 2023. All rights reserved.


8/23

You might also like