South-east Asia’s emerging carbon markets could be Singapore’s defining opportunity

An oil palm plantation in South Sumatra. South-east Asia's carbon markets have grown, but at an uneven pace. PHOTO: AFP

Our Senior Partner, Tan Chong Huat, and Partner, Ch’ng Li-Ling, of RHTLaw Asia, have authored an article published in The Business Times examining the growing importance of legal and regulatory frameworks in strengthening carbon markets across Asia, as the world marks the International Day Against Climate Change and looks ahead to the COP30 Climate Summit.

The article highlights how uneven market development and weak legal foundations in the region underscore the need to move from soft pledges to robust, enforceable rules—positioning Singapore to play a leading role in shaping credible and transparent carbon trading systems.

Read the full article in The Business Times here.