Tripling global nuclear power capacity by 2050 will require a dramatic expansion of financing, skilled workers, manufacturing capacity, and government support, according to a new report published by the OECD's specialist nuclear energy agency (NEA).

Impressive debut - Shares of China Resources New Energy, one of China's largest renewable power operators, nearly tripled in the company's Shenzhen trading debut on Thursday. The company has previously raised around $3.61 bln, marking Asia's biggest IPO so far this year. It is controlled by Hong Kong-listed China Resources Power, part of state-owned China Resources Group. While China is the world's largest installer of renewable energy by far, overcapacity has led to weaker share prices for some listed companies across the sector, Reuters reported.

South Korea’s effective carbon rates remain low compared to its OECD peers, despite the implementation of broad policy instruments, according to a new report.

An Indian project developer and Thai non-profit have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on nature-based solutions (NbS) project development in Southeast Asia.

Australia’s Climate Change Authority (CCA) is seeking feedback on key aspects of the Safeguard Mechanism, including onsite abatement and baseline decline rates, as part of broader advice to the government on achieving the country's climate targets. 

Supply boost - Japan will receive some 86,500 Paris-aligned credits issued under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) it established with Mongolia, according to a recent notice. Representatives from the governments of Mongolia and Japan on Tuesday authorised the use of ITMOs by signing their respective authorisation letters for the JCM credits issued and transferred to the East Asian country. For Japan, this is the fourth instance of acquiring Paris-aligned credits under JCM, the largest amount to date, following similar deals with Thailand, the Maldives, and Palau. Tokyo aims to secure 100 mln JCM credits by 2030, as part of its climate target.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) on Thursday approved at least four projects spanning Southeast Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and South Asia that are expected to collectively deliver almost 19.4 million tonnes of CO2e in emissions reductions or removals, while channelling more than $311 mln into climate-resilient agriculture and forest restoration.

India should establish two national funds financed by revenues generated from its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) to support industrial decarbonisation, a report said.

Singapore shows mixed progress on corporate decarbonisation, with the majority of companies reporting active efforts but only a quarter having actually set emissions reduction targets, a survey found.

Indonesia's fast-growing aluminium industry is following the country's nickel sector into a heavy reliance on captive coal-fired power, with 9.8 GW of coal capacity linked to existing and planned projects, risking another emissions lock-in, according to a report released on Thursday.

Uninsurable - Climate change is making a growing number of assets too risky or expensive to insure, threatening the viability of traditional insurance models, Bloomberg reported, citing an executive at insurer Allianz SE. This is because more frequent heatwaves, floods, storms, and wildfires could render risk-based insurance unaffordable in some locations. The report added that insurers are raising premiums for climate-exposed assets, while some banks have started factoring physical climate risks into corporate lending.

The global boom in data centres is driving an increase in renewable energy across Asia-Pacific as governments in the region take varying approaches, including carbon markets, to ensure the build-out does not lead to higher emissions, among other environmental considerations.

Climate cash - Australia National University (ANU) announced 12 projects have been awarded a total of A$80,000 ($55,000) aimed at advancing innovative solutions to address climate change, energy system transitions, and disaster preparedness, it announced. The university's Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions awarded the cash in its third seed funding round, with the research projects covering topics including the gender-climate nexus, hydrogels for hydrogen storage, Indigenous energy planning, climate change education, carbon recycling, and long-range radio for flood response. The research teams represent 20 schools, institutes, and centres and four colleges across ANU.

Government support – The South Korean government has selected 30 companies to receive subsidies for investments in low-carbon facilities. The selected companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emissions-intensive manufacturing sectors, including 13 firms in the automotive and trailer industry and 10 in metal processing, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Small Business & Startup Agency said this week. Participating SMEs can receive up to KRW 300 mln ($193,000) in government funding, subject to a 10% self-funding requirement.

The Singapore Exchange Group (SGX) announced enhancements on Thursday to its sustainability disclosures platform, further streamlining mandatory reporting for over 600 SGX-listed companies.

The Clean Energy Regulator has appointed an acting CEO and chair as David Parker steps down after nine years at the helm.

Roll out – Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed A$22 mln ($15 mln) to go towards trucking fleet specialist Zenobe Australia acquiring up to 148 battery electric trucks (BETs), it announced. The transaction backs what will be the largest fleet rollout of electric trucks in Australia, the CEFC said, with the Foton T5 BETs to be leased to supermarket Woolworths for last mile delivery across New South Wales and Victoria, with additional vehicles in Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. Full fleet rollout is expected to be completed throughout 2027. BET take up remains low in Australia compared to passenger EVs, accounting for just 0.9% of new truck and heavy vans sold in 2026.