Environmental Policy and Climate Change Governance in Southeast Asia: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Climate change, environmental degradation, and sustainable development remain significant challenges for Southeast Asian countries. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) underscores the urgency of strengthening climate action to reduce risks associated with global warming. Southeast Asia is particularly vulnerable to climate impacts because of its low-lying coastal areas, high population density, and dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. This review article examines environmental policy and climate change governance in Southeast Asia by analysing the development of climate commitments, governance structures, and implementation challenges across Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Drawing on a qualitative review of secondary literature, the article identifies several recurring challenges in climate governance, including tensions between economic development and environmental sustainability, limited institutional capacity, weak coordination among actors, and insufficient community participation. The article argues that while Southeast Asian states have demonstrated commitment through international agreements and domestic policies, effective climate governance requires a more integrated approach involving state institutions, civil society organisations, local communities, international actors, and private-sector stakeholders.