Event report
Past Event | Net Zero Transition in Singapore and the Region: Progress, Challenges & Next Moves
In conjunction with Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (FCCS), in collaboration with the French Embassy in Singapore, successfully hosted an exclusive panel discussion on Net Zero Transition in Singapore and the Region: Progress, Challenges & Next Move, bringing together more than 170 distinguished guests.
The session opened with welcoming remarks by Carine Lespayandel, Executive Director of the French Chamber of Commerce, and His Excellency Stephen Marchisio, Ambassador of France to Singapore, in the presence of Mr. François Corbin, Special Representative of the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Mrs. Adeline-Lise Khov, Head of the Regional Economic Service for ASEAN, Embassy of France in Singapore.
In his address, Ambassador Marchisio shared insightful perspectives on the Progress, Challenges and Next Moves driving the global and regional net-zero transition:
- Progress
- Global emissions growth slowed from +1.7% per year (before Paris Agreement) to +0.3% per year today.
- The European Union has reduced its GHG emissions by more than 37% between 1990 and 2023.
- In France, over 90% of electricity is low-carbon, including around 65% from nuclear power.
- In ASEAN, 8 out of 10 countries have now announced carbon-neutrality targets.
- The region is on track to exceed 35% installed renewable energy capacity by 2025.
- Singapore plans to import 6 GW of low-carbon electricity, and some major projets are on track with French companies
- Challenges
- Developing countries will need USD 6 trillion per year by 2030 to implement their climate plans.
- Fossil fuels still generate around 60% of global electricity.
- In Southeast Asia, electricity demand grew by over 7% in 2024 and is expected to double by 2050.
- Annual energy investment in the region is currently USD 72 billion, but must rise above USD 130 billion per year by the end of the decade.
- Carbon pricing has expanded, but still remains largely insufficient to make industries pay the real cost of their emissions
- Next Moves
- Southeast Asia holds around 20 terawatts of untapped solar and wind potential — around 55 times its current total power capacity.
- Singapore and France are both committed to reaching net zero by 2050
- Exciting COP30 is coming.
This was followed by a panel discussion featuring energy leaders:
- Violet Chen – Director, Energy Capabilities Development, Energy Market Authority (EMA)
- Varun Gujral – Country Manager SEA, ENGIE South East Asia
- Eugene Tan – Head of TMT Finance & Advisory, APAC, Societe Generale
- Grégory Thomassin – Head of Business Development Renewables, APAC, TotalEnergies
Moderated by Vicky Lou, Vice President, Power Systems at Schneider Electric, the panel explored key aspects of the net-zero journey: from tracking progress and scaling cross-sectoral solutions, to addressing innovation and market challenges, and mobilising finance and partnerships to accelerate the transition.
The discussion was followed by a networking session, where participants continued to exchange ideas over cocktails and canapés, connecting with experts and peers committed to advancing sustainable energy innovation.
A special thank you to our sponsors: ENGIE South East Asia, Schneider Electric, Societe Generale and TotalEnergies.
For more information, please contact Jeremy Koch at jkoch(@)fccsingapore.com
